AMĒNAH | A Valentine Treat, Laguna Beach’s Best Luxury Hotels

_________

#1 Montage

Interested in Laguna Beach resorts? Montage has everything you could possibly need to relax, unwind, and open a bottle of chardonnay. We love Montage because the hotel is located on a coastal bluff, which means that the hotel is right on the beach and every room offers a stunning beachfront view of the Pacific Ocean. It is also extremely convenient for shopping or eating downtown–it is only a short 5 minute drive to get to the heart of the city. No car, no worries! The Laguna Beach Trolley will take you there.

Montage makes it easy to live your best Laguna life. The beach is steps from your door, so that you can easily head out for a beautiful sunset. If you don’t want to head to the beach, you can relax in a cabana while dipping your toes in the gorgeous oceanfront Mosaic Pool. If you are feeling tense, head to Spa Montage, the hotel’s 20,000-square-foot spa with massages, facials, body treatments, and more. For Valentines Day, they are offering a special four-course tasting experience for foodies as well as a special couple’s massage for spa-enthusiasts. If you are going to be there on a weekend before the 14th, head over to the lounge for Afternoon tea.

_________

#2 Hotel Joaquin

This hotel is perfect for a fun stay that incorporates all the best things to do in Laguna. We love this place for its excellently cultivated ambiance: a wonderful blend of minimalist and coastal designs. Each room is individually designed and offers vintage pieces, custom furniture, and curated artwork. The lavish bathrooms feature imported stones that are perfectly accentuated with solid brass fixtures. This place is perfect for nature lovers and anyone who appreciates the details like Co-founder Amelia.

Hotel Joaquin embodies timeless chic and playfulness in its amenities as well. This hotel makes your stay seamless by offering complimentary enhancements. The hotel offers free hand-crafted breakfast each day to get you started with options ranging from rawnola to Berkshire pork sausage and eggs. We are caffeine lovers here at AMĒNAH, and we love Joaquin’s morning coffee/tea service. Send a text the night before, and staff will be sure to bring your cup at the time of your choice. Once you are ready to begin your day, you can participate in morning yoga  or take a swim in the pool. They offer a complimentary adventure collection so that you can borrow gear such as bikes, spike balls, dafin fins, snorkels, and cornhole.

If you can’t make it to Laguna Beach for Valentines Day, Hotel Joaquin has you covered. The Hotel is located near Shaw’s Cove, which is a beautiful romantic beach. Shaw’s Cove is popular for underwater exploration, so you might be able to have the beach all to yourself! Hotel Joaquin will help make your day special by packing you a picnic, setting up your chairs, and placing one of their extra-large umbrellas in the sand. Then, end your day at Saline, the on-site restaurant and bar for a romantic finale.

_________

#3 The Ranch

Did you know that Laguna beach is next to canyons? Our Co-founder Hannah loves hiking in the Crystal Cove State Park, and The Ranch is perfect for the budding mountaineer. If you're looking for an active way to spend your Valentine's Day weekend, this hotel is located near 15,000 acres of local trails that takes you to places ranging from the beach to undeveloped woodlands. If you're wanting a real SoCal adventure, try out one of their customized excursions to Catalina Island. 

Our other favorite thing about this place is that it is Beyond Green, meaning it is one of the planet’s most sustainable hotels. The hotel’s Harvest Restaurant sources its seasonal veggies from a sustainable garden on the property. There is so much green space that you can go on a garden tour, play 9 holes on the golf course in the canyon, and visit the beach while almost never going off the property.

The Ranch is also the best place for music aficionados because every night Laguna Beach local musicians play live on the The Porch patio. It is a wonderful place to cozy up to your partner next to a fire pit with a signature crafted cocktail. If you want a more intimate, but outdoors activity, The Ranch also offers a beach fire pit complete with s’mores. This hotel also boasts an infrared sauna in its Sycamore Spa, so you can relax after a hard hike or swim.  

_________

#4 The Inn at Laguna Beach

While we love the beach, the village of Laguna offers a lot as well! We enjoy this hotel because it is a relaxing escape while never leaving the city. You can overlook the ocean at The Inn at Laguna while just being steps away from the heart of downtown Laguna Beach. You can run in the sand in the morning, drop off your beach items, and then visit the many art galleries the city has to offer, as well as the Laguna Art Museum in the afternoon. The Inn has brought modern comforts to the classic beach bungalow, so you can expect beautiful coastal furniture, and rooms with a balcony or patio.

If you are interested in nightlife and a slightly more fast-paced location, this hotel should be at the top of your list. For starters, of the Laguna Beach luxury hotels on this list, The Inn at Laguna Beach is the only one with a rooftop bar. The hotel also hosts a complimentary daily wine reception that is followed by cookies and milk. A romantic stay here also means that you and your loved one can visit the many downtown luxury boutiques without the hassle of planning transportation.

photo credits: @iamjiajingyi, @doll_jeanette, @masonoglesby, @innatlb, @missmeganallen, @staceychadbourne

_________

#5 Surf and Sand Resort

If you want the best of the best, Surf and Sand resort is the perfect getaway. The resort is modeled after sun-washed mediterranean villages, and every one of its 167 beachfront rooms has a private balcony. Surf and Sand is also award-winning, as it was named as one of the top 25 Southern California resorts by Conde Nast Traveler. Our favorite thing about this place is Splashes, the on-site restaurant. You sit only 25 feet above the sea. So, you can get fresh, local seaside cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner while watching the waves wash in and away. If you have a special Valentine’s itinerary planned, you can request in-room dining so that you can come home to a delicious intimate dinner.

Surf and Sand has something for everyone. Pacific Perk, a café located on the grounds, is perfect for last minute work assignments, afternoon espresso, or a quick breakfast. If you are looking for a more informal experience, then you can catch the sunset in the 15fiftyfive lounge. The resort also provides a retail boutique to make it easy for you to grab luxury gifts or souvenirs for friends and family. A resort is not complete without a spa, and Surf and Sand excels here as well. All of the skincare is holistic-clinical and balances plant-based ingredients with results-oriented cosmeceuticals.

photo credits: @casaseezo, @onegrloneworld, @mongol.wanderess, @mrmrsganzon, @shanee.dobeson, @surfandsandlaguna  

If you do decide to come to town, let us know! We would love to give more recommendations and tell you our favorite places to eat. Of course, whether outside Laguna or (especially) inside Laguna, you can always dress the part. Here are some of our recommendations for a valentines getaway wherever you are:

What to wear? We recommend our Verbena Ruffle Satin dress so that you can go from dinner chic to beach ready without changing. Our customers love this dress because of how easy it is to wear. It doesn’t show any wrinkles, and doesn’t require steaming or ironing. Don't forget to pair this eye-catching dress with some of our gold filled jewelry, made by Co-founder Hannah right in our very own shop! Since you will be living on the beach, make sure to bring an on-trend knit bathing suit to catch your partner’s eye and the waves. If you still can't decide what to wear, you can always check out our guide on how to dress in the classic Laguna Beachy Aesthetic.

_________