Tony

I dont know which room to stay in at the Ritz-Laguna:

Ocean View, deluxe room

or

Club Level, Executive Suite, Courtyard View (about the same price)


Is the view that nice to pass up the Club Level Suite?

PS I will be proposing on this trip...if that makes a difference in your response.

Thanks for any input!!!

-Tony

Paul

This is my favorite hotel. I have stayed there numerous times on the Club Level with an ocean view. This Club in particular is great - the food is plentiful and the concierge staff is fantastic. The ocean view from the Club level is excellent. I do not know how it is from other parts of the hotel but my guess is that you would not be disappointed. The executive suite overlooks the gardens and secondary pool area. This area is also where they hold private parties so you may encounter some evening noise in the executive suites. I love ocean view rooms but I also think this Club is the best. In September there was discussion about expanding the Club area. You may want to verify that remodeling of the Club is not taking place during your visit.

Tony

Paul & Others,

Thanks for your response....

Let me ask you the question from this angle (since you are an experienced RC-Laguna visitor).

Please rank your preference of the following 3 options:

-Club Exec Suite, Courtyard view ($615)
-Deluxe room, ocean view ($535)
-Deluxe Club room , Courtyard view ($475)


Mitigating factors:
Weather will be p/c and 59 degrees, no club-ocean views available, assume there is no construction going on at the Club, and money is of some--but relatively little importance

Thanks so much for your help...

-Tony

Paul

I don't think my preferences are reflective of your situaion because they are based on factors that are very different than yours. I will only tell you that I would chose the regular Club room over the suite because the extra money you will spend on the suite is not worth the extra room on the Club level because you have the Club services available to you.

jan

Tony, I would agree with Paul concerning room choice. We travel quite a bit and prefer to stay on the club level. The club level at Laguna is very nice and the staff there was terrific when we were there last. We were extremely glad that we were on the club level because the staff and service throughout the rest of the hotel was disappointing and extremely rude. We have stayed at many, many Ritz Calrton's and I would have to say that it is good they have such a wonderful location because they have the worst service we have ever received at one of their properties. That being said - the club level was like being in a completely different hotel. Enjoy and Congratulations.

Tim

Tony, since the Club room and Deluxe room are the exact same size, you MUST go with the ocean view room (which the Club room apparently is not)! I mean, how could you not in Laguna Beach? And the view is fantastic -- with the mountains on one side of you and the glorious ocean on the other! You really DON'T need the extra amenities on the Club level, you really don't! Go with the ocean view -- you won't regret it!!

paul

Although the ocean view at the Ritz is great, the hotel is located in Laguna Niguel and not Laguna Beach. Laguna Niguel is just north of Dana Point both of which are a few miles south of Laguna Beach (about a 15 minute drive). The ocean/mountain views are not quite a dramatic as in Laguna Beach.

stephanie

Tony, one way to look at it is that you'll be in southern California. The weather's great, if it were me even on a trip where my future husband were to propose to me, I'd want to be outside on the balconies or where ever I could enjoy the view - not in the room looking out! I'd get the least expensive room, and spend some time outside on the grounds enjoying the view, the smell and the sounds of the ocean. In fact, I'd much rather be proposed to on the beach, not in a room with a view. That, of course, is my preference, not yours! Have a wonderful engagement!

Tony

Stephanie & Others,

Regarding the weather, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

The trip is this Saturday, and the weather report is partly cloudy-slight chance of rain-57 degree high.

So it looks like I've settled on the Club Level suite (unless I decide to stay for 2 nights...then I'll go for the Club-Deluxe Room).

My girlfriend is adverse to colder weather, so I doubt we would leave the balcony doors open anyway.

Additionally, I have heard that there are a few balconies at the Club Lounge that would help mitigate the disadvantage of having a courtyard view.

-Thanks for your input-

Tony

Paul

Yes, there are outside balconies at the Club lounge. Last minute cancellations are not uncommon so it might be worth your while to ask about ocean view club rooms when you arrive. Who knows - if available - they may upgrade you at no cost. Good Luck!

Jay

Tony, kindly post a report upon your return as we would all like to know how it went!

Tony

Thanks for all of the advice!

The trip went perfectly....she said, "yes".

I booked a club-level courtyard view for 2 nights. Without even asking, I got an upgrade to a beautiful suite (800 sq ft, 1 1/2 baths, 2 balconies).

As Paul indicated, the service on the Club Level was excellent and the food presentations were better than expected.

Late Sunday (our 2nd night), construction began to expand the club. We did not mind, though, because the Club Lounge was moved to the Presidential Suite. I liked those surroundings better than the original.

I can confidently report that the Dining Room is among the very top restaurants that I have visited.

The only problem: We had to wait right until 4 PM to get the keys to our suite b/c it was not yet clean...but we didnt mind since we were being upgraded.

Thanks Again!
-Tony