One of the very first times I ever traveled with my (now) husband was to The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. The company he was working for at the time had a retreat there every year so I would tag along…. for obvious reasons! It was simple to hit the road and join him when I still lived in LA. But I would totally book a flight and invite myself every single year, even while living in San Francisco. I got super familiar with the property pretty quickly… spending a week here each year. And honestly, it only got better and better with each visit. There’s really nothing you won’t love about this spot. So let me tell ya why it’s so special!
Perched atop a seaside bluff, surrounded by panoramic views of the Pacific and the sandy shores of Salt Creek Beach below, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is a coastal haven of new experiences. SOURCE
I have been fortunate enough to visit many Ritz-Carlton properties (we got engaged at The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe), but this one is easily one of my very favorites. The beautiful surroundings, the amazing amenities and the top-of-line staff just can’t be beat. Of course, there’s a little nostalgia mixed in there too!
When Kevin would retreat here he would be busy pretty much all day. I’d make my way to the beautiful gym or down to the beach. Read a book, snack, stretch… you name it! When he would finish up, we would meet for a sunset cocktail and dinner, then we would head down to the beach to listen to the waves crash in. Those are some of my very favorite memories of the first few years of our relationship.
During this visit, The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel hosted my family and I, while two of our friends got married at the property. It’s the most beautiful and most romantic spot for a destination wedding. I highly recommend considering this spot if you’re engaged. The ceremony and reception were just gorgeous and so well done! As well as the beautiful farewell brunch, the day after the festivities. It’s hard to not love an event on a bluff overlooking the Pacific.
Although Hemingway couldn’t make it on this trip, we realized that the property is extremely dog-friendly. It really made us miss our pup but definitely put a smile on our face to see so many furry friends dwelling alongside us.
Laguna Beach is incredibly dog-friendly and makes it super easy to travel with your beloved furry family members. It makes our lives a little less hectic when hitting the road to escape the heat!
While Laguna itself has lots of activities, I really prefer to stick around the resort. The sprawling property caters to surfers or spa-goers alike. There’s just something for everyone. I prefer to sit at 180Blu and sip rosé pretty much any time of the day, but especially for sunset. I cannot get over the views at this place. It’s like all my favorite things wrapped up with a bow. Delicious crispy rice and tuna, favorite wine selection, just add my hubs, daughter and pup, and I could move into 180Blu!
Overlooking Salt Creek Beach from 150 feet above, the outdoor 180blũ offers a quintessential Laguna Beach experience. The oceanfront dining venue features a lounge-like setting with high-top tables, comfortable sofas and traditional dining tables. The menu highlights small plates and desserts from Raya and hand-crafted beverages from the bar’s expert mixologists.
Live music and Sushi on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m. (weather permitting)
The Breakfast Cart debuts this summer through September 1, 2019, serving California-style breakfast burritos, bowls, and parfaits. Available every Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. SOURCE
There’s not a lot to hate about this beautiful place…….
396 guestrooms with private balconies
Breathtaking oceanfront wedding venues
Six distinct dining experiences
An outdoor lounge with panoramic ocean views
Unrivaled eco adventure experiences
Luxury spa with sea-inspired treatments
Access to Monarch Beach Golf Links
More than 80,000 sq ft of indoor and outdoor event space
On our last day at the property during this particular visit… we took Nixon down the beach for golden hour. We stuck our toes in the water and got sandy. She absolutely LOVED it. She’s definitely a huge fan of the beach… just like mom! We took off our shoes and walked back up to the property. The sun was going down and that would be our last sunset in this beautiful place for a while. All of a sudden Nixon starts yelling “Heemaa” out of nowhere. Since we realized “Hemma” means “Hemingway” just a few days prior — we didn’t realize that every animal was “hemmaaaa” to her! She has spotted a pup, older guy, named Bruno (photos below). She loved on Bruno like he was Hemingway (IF Hemingway tolerated her touching him). It was such a special moment for our family as we knew we had another dog lover on our hands. I cannot believe how many special moments we’ve had at this beautiful property! AND they just keep getting better.
We truly have made some incredible memories here and I feel like I’m always planning my next trip back. The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is truly in a class of its own. And you can only feel that way once you’ve experienced it for yourself. Book your stay HERE.
