spa

which do you recommend for honeymoon. can get a corner room in the tower with full ocean view at the surf and sand and a full ocean view at the ritz for the same price. concerns, heard S&S is run down, also heard the ritz isn't worth it unless on the club floor, is this true? thanks for feedback!

traveler123

The Ritz hands down. Luxury, great service, can't compare.

Stephie

Stayed at S&S 7 yrs ago. Hate to hear that it's run down. The great thing about that hotel is that every room in the tower no matter how high (we were on 8th floor) has great ocean views and sounds. We opened our windows and slept to the loud crashing surf at night!

Spent some time at the Ritz for a wedding reception, and found the views from the terrace to be stunning. It's beautiful and in a great location, but if I were to go again I'd stay at S&S for that "surf & sand" experience again. The hotel literally sits right on the sand.

If service and tipping everyone around every corner and having people carry your bags for you, & valet park your car for you everytime you come and go is your thing, then the Ritz might be for you.

Best of luck with your decision...

bigdog50

Anotehr vote for the Ritz if the prices are the same. I stayed at the Surf and Sand on a house hunting trip with wife before moving down here several yrs ago. I have not stayed at the Ritz been been there many times and live few miles away. Surf and Sand is in Laguna Beach and set back maybe 50 feet off the the main hwy. But like the previous poster said -- it is on top the ocean. Go out on your balcany and look down (not out) to the sand and breaking waves. Teh Ritz beats it by a mile though on the setting and grounds. Look the pics on their web site to get a feel. It sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific but you have to have an Ocean View Room to compare the 2.
Ritz is maybe 6 or 7 mi down the road from Laguna Beach (where you do want to go to be a tourist, and further up the coast to Newport Beach). Stay at he Ritz

mjs

I have stayed at both hotels over the last two years. I did not think the S&S
was run down. Having said that if the price is the same stay at the Ritz for your honeymoon.

babette

I've stayed at both properties recently, as well as the St. Regis.

The Surf and Sand is great for sleeping with your door open and hearing the surf and is convenient for walking to town, but the service is weak. You can always go here for a sunset drink.

My last room at the Ritz was ready for a remodel but I'm sure you can request one more recently updated. (You can probably ask for an upgrade to the club floor by telling them it's your honeymoon!) The service is perfect but you are a bit removed from the ocean, up on the cliff. You also can't walk around the village from here.

The St. Regis has beautiful rooms and a wonderful spa. I stayed there in the first year so there were some service glitches but that may be worked out now.

There is also the brand new Montage hotel to consider. Sorry to throw in MORE choices when you are obviously trying to narrow things down!

I used to live in Laguna and now go back a couple times a year to visit so I keep trying different hotels. You will love it no matter which you choose.

rjw_lgb_ca

Just a quick question: Are you hoping to actually stay IN Laguna BEACH?

Let's clarify this: The Surf and Sand is IN Laguna Beach, albeit a mile south of the downtown area. The Ritz-Carlton Laguna NIGUEL is actually in DANA POINT, as is the St. Regis. This admittedly pretty area is several miles south of Laguna Beach, and kinda in the middle of nowhere.

If you're planning to simply kick back and get some luxury, and don't care that you're a little isolated, the Ritz-Carlton is a good choice-- the St. Regis is a better one. The buzz on the Montage is pretty great, so it's a VERY high-end choice IN Laguna Beach. For a honeymoon, I'd go for either the Ritz-Carlton or the Montage, price no object.

Friends have stayed at the Surf & Sand and loved it, and never complained about it being rundown. But they're HEAVY business travelers who are just glad to have beachfront rooms. The restaurant there is great.

critique1

There is no comparison The Ritz Carlton is on a completely different level. The prices are not the same the Surf and Sand. Prices are higher for entrees and rooms. Ritz Carlton's food is impeccable and the price is half as Surf and Sand. The entrees at SS are horrible and the chef's vision is laughable. Anyone of discerning taste will agree after comparing the nights stay and dinner Ritz Carlton wins hands down. No A/C at the SS so when you want peace and quite it will be hard to come by. One of the worst experiences is hearing the walkie talkies all morning and foreign language blaring through the speakers of radios they were using.

Cali

I would also recommend the Ritz Carlton. I think it is a beautiful location. I have also stayed at the St Regis across the highway and it is lovely, but not as great as staying in an ocean view room at the Ritz. I have not stayed at the Montage but have been to events there and it is also lovely and it is in south Laguna Beach, but I think I'd still prefer to stay at the Ritz. Haven't stayed at the Surf and Sand in years so have no idea if it is getting run down or not.

sf7307

I'd wager my life savings the OP is no longer interested in the answer to this question.

Tabernash2

Oh, no-- this thread is 10-years old! haha