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THE RITZ PERFECTED

07.10.10

by Joanne Tucker and Sheryll Alexander

Situated atop a 150-foot bluff, which overlooks a dramatic crescent-shaped cove, The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel is one of the most luxurious, yet family-friendly beach vacation destinations in OC.

Why does a stay at the The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel make for a fabulous beach vacation?

First off, the location is just spectacular. Located atop famed Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point, The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel has an almost unbelievable view of the cliffs, the surf and the sand below. Salt Creek Beach also has a park right next to the resort with lots of grass and gorgeous Monarch Golf Links is literally a two-minute drive away.

Next, The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel has recently transformed its signature restaurant, added a relaxing market lounge and, most importantly, partnered with Jean-Michel Cousteau to create the amazing Ambassadors of the Environment program for kids and adults.

All in all, The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel is now a perfect destination for relaxation, fun, food, drink, swimming, surfing, golfing and ocean education in the California sun, sand and surf.

The property is decorated in a classic modern style with plush eggplants and turquoises set against silver and white marble accents. Dark wood furniture, which has fabulous Art Deco overtones, brings a sophisticated and solid feel. The 396 guest rooms, 29 suites and 32 “club level” rooms feature a secluded patio or balcony with views of the ocean, gardens or pool.

One of OC’s best kept luxury secrets is The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel’s “club level.” In fact, the club’s lounge at this resort scored the No. 1 rating for “Best Club Experience” out of 73 Ritz Carlton hotels for two consecutive years, according to Gallup guest surveys.

Our experience on the club level confirmed this coveted award. The staff in the club lounge pampered us with impeccable service and outstanding complimentary food and drink.

We stayed in a deluxe, oceanfront guest room on the club level, which can only be accessed with a special elevator key.  Bathed in soft sand and sea colors, our room featured classic warm wood furniture, sumptuous feather beds, plush goose-down comforters and 400-count Egyptian bed linens. The full white-and-gray marble bathrooms with double sinks and European bath amenities added to the feeling of pure Ritz Carlton luxe. 

Just down the hall from our room, the “club lounge” is a comfortable, intimate living room with sweeping ocean views on one side and a garden view with fireplace on the other. Beverages and five delicious complimentary food presentations are served throughout the day.

We experienced total stress reduction as we knew that we never had to leave the resort to eat or drink in Ritz Carlton style. Some club level guests even show up in robes at breakfast to savor strong coffee, pastries, cereal, oatmeal, warm egg dishes and a bagel presentation complete with smoked salmon, chopped onions and capers.

A light lunch of finger sandwiches, warm quesadillas, soups and salads awaited us at noon. Before dinner, we relaxed with cocktails and noshed on innovative appetizers while watching surfers ride the cove’s awesome rolling waves from the living room window. Later, we stopped at the club lounge and sat by the fire for late evening cordials, handmade chocolates and artfully presented desserts.

Formerly Restaurant 162’, RAYA now occupies this soaring seaside space for an upscale dining experience. Showcasing Pan-Latin cuisine, RAYA is a good place to celebrate special occasions or just enjoy great food with dishes like smoked swordfish dip, shrimp ceviche, chipotle-miso glazed black cod and braised beef shank.

Another new space created by the resort is 180blu. Located on a gorgeous terrace with sweeping ocean views (especially at sunset!), we sipped refreshing handmade cocktails and enjoyed delicious small plates like grilled lamb chops and coconut shrimp.

For something really different, stop by ENO. This sophisticated wine tasting room is perhaps OC’s best place to taste excellent wines paired with artisan cheeses, charcuterie and chocolates.

But perhaps the biggest transformation of all is The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel’s brand new Ambassadors of the Environment program. Developed by famed environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau, this new education center is AWESOME!

Walk inside this completely sustainable glassed-in space and you immediately feel a calming sensation with its blue-and-green ocean colors, comfortable sofas, film viewing room and organic kitchen. The educational programs here aren’t just meant for hotel guests. Yes, anyone can come to The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel and participate in four-hour programs that help guests develop a deep appreciation of nature and a better understanding of coastal ecosystems, inter-tidal zones, basic ecology and sustainable living.

What did my six-year-old granddaughter think after participating in the Ambassadors’ “creatures of the night” program? “It was the GREATEST THING EVER! Learning about nature is better than just playing,” she says.

What did she do and learn? Enthusiastic Ambassadors of the Environment Naturalist Casey took about six kids to the shore at night where they learned about how sea creatures survive in the dark. Among other cool activies, she played with a “light up” Frisbee, which showed how animals see in the dark. She LOVED it and came back to the room tired and very calm after hours on the windy beach.

Speaking of water, The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel has lots of ways to enjoy water therapy. The main pool is gorgeous with a lagoon-style shape, bright flowers, a hot whirlpool, relaxing lounge chairs and lots of staff members who bring towels, water, toys, cocktails and yummy food.

More helpful staff members can be found right on the beach to provide guests with beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards and snorkel masks, among other things. For those who don’t want to brave the resort’s cliffside walkway (a GREAT work out!), there’s a complimentary beach shuttle service.

Love golf or spa? Monarch Beach Golf Links are located just a couple of minutes away and The Ritz Carlton Spa features a full-service menu of sea-inspired services for the mind, body and soul as well as a nail and hair salon.

The fitness center is located directly across from the spa and it feels eerily like this space is built right over the water. Here, you can work out on state-of-the-art equipment while watching surfers catch a wave hundreds of feet below. The resort also offers complimentary daily yoga and Pilates classes in a cliffside gazebo.

And while there’s no reason to leave the resort, especially when staying on the club lounge level, charming Laguna Beach and sparkling Dana Point Harbor are just a quick drive away. Other possible day trips include Hollywood, The Disneyland Resort, Aquarium of the Pacific, San Diego Zoo and Sea World. Shopping is also close by at OC hot spots such as South Coast Plaza, Fashion Island, Crystal Cove Promenade and Irvine Spectrum.

We who live and play in OC are excited about the transformation of The Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel into one of the world’s top notch luxury resorts with truly luxe and innovative rooms, service, food, beverage, spa, fitness, pool, golf, beach and environmentally-minded programs. Bravo RC Laguna!

Joanne Tucker is a lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif.



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Napa Valley South? Paso Robles

07.02.10

Paso Robles is experiencing a renaissance that we never could have predicted. Just 200 miles from Orange County we found the perfect weekend getaway. As the Central Coast’s destination for wine lovers, the Paso Robles wine region boasts more than 200 wineries, as well as incredible stores, restaurants, wine lounges and upscale hotels. You’d be hard-pressed not to have an incredible visit to Paso Robles.

On a whirlwind trip we checked out the historic Paso Robles Inn where guests can enjoy a private hot springs mineral spa tub in deluxe spa rooms or stay in new two-room suites. The relaxing hotel features lush gardens, Koi ponds, running streams and picturesque oak trees.
1103 Spring St. 800.676.1713 or 805-238-2660.

If you stay at the inn, you’re within walking distance to wine and olive tasting rooms, restaurants, wine bars and lounges, boutique shops, and more! Some of our favorites places to visit include We Olive for specialty artisan olive oils and vinegar tasting, plus great gifts 1311 Park St.; Vivant Fine Cheese specializing in artisan cheeses handcrafted locally and a premiere international selection. 840 11th St.

For art viewing, visit Studios on the Park where 40 working artists in a variety of media offer exhibits, and educational programs for children and adults. 1130 Pine St.

And check out the Paso Wine Center for wine tasting from 48 hard-to-find local wines. 100% of the net proceeds from its downtown retail store go directly to funding clean drinking water projects in developing countries. 1240 Park St.

For lunch, brunch or dinner we recommend Thomas Hill Organics Market Bistro & Wine Bar, where you can enjoy locally grown ingredients from the Thomas Hill Farm. The menu changes weekly depending on the season and the availability of ingredients. We loved the Veitnamese pork belly sandwich with pickled purple haze carrots, jalapeno and red onions, cilantro, avocado and aioli, served with a field green salad $14; the early spring pea salad with mint salsa verde, arugula, proscuitto and house made ricotta $ 8; and not to worry, they have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options available upon request. 1305 Park St.

You also must try Il Cortile Ristorante, one of our favorite fine dining Italian restaurants. Executive chef Santos MacDonal creates seasonal menus from the freshest ingredients available. Whether you stop in for lunch or dinner, you’ll enjoy delicious homemade pastas, fresh seafood, top quality meats and antipasti. We highly recommend fresh grilled calamari marinati with shrimp and scallop in olive oil and lemon ($17); the divine mozzarella tasting plate, which includes fresh burrata, mozzarella di bufala and mozzarella da gioia del colle with crostini and olive oil ($17); and who makes fresh raviolis anymore? We love the combination of fresh burata and ricotta raviolis in a white wine sauce ($17). If it’s meat you crave, we say go for the veal chop with porcini mushroom sauce $34, or the tender filet mignon with a green peppercorn sauce ($31).

608 12th St. in Paso Robles. 805.226.0300

 



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