I'll be staying in December with two children and want to know which is better suited for family stay. Room size is important since we'll be sharing a room. What are the advantages of both properties? Which has better amenities? Thanks for the input!

Hi terp01. TTT. Please help my friend get some advice. We have discussed this over and over but he needs to hear from some recent visitors as to which they prefer!

I have stayed at both with my children. Both are great hotels but if I were to return I would definately stay at the ST. Regis. The rooms are bigger and there were more kids and families there. The staff was great w/kids and it wasn't as stuffy as the RC. Another plus but one that might not pertain to you in December is that the SR has its own private beach where the RC shares a public beach w/everyone and their brother. There are 2 pools at SR one especially for kids but they can use both. The grounds were nicer. RC had better views from their OV rooms. SR views were more distant but just as good. Balconies on the rooms at SR were much larger than at RC. Concierge floor at the Ritz was much better than at SR (this was the only disappointment). Since we love to eat and drink the food and beverage presentations on the club levels were very important! Service overall was better at the SR. Last summer when we stayed there for 5 nights President Bush helicoptered in for an overnight and fundraiser. This disrupted our plans for using the club level since the secret service took over the whole floor. The management bent over backwards to compensate us buying our group of 9 both breakfast and lunch at the hotel restaurants!

I live in the neighborhood and can only comment on the rooms in the Ritz and the Montage as at one time I stayed at the Ritz and the Montage gave me a recent tour.
FACT: the Ritz and the Montage are ON THE BEACH. The St Regis is a mile away and accessable only by a hotel shuttle.
It is on a golf course, but so what?
All are extremely expensive. Also right on the beach and up the coast about 10-15 minutes are the Surf and Sand and Hotel Laguna. In graduating age groups, the Hotel Laguna dating to the 1920's.
If I could afford any and all.. the Montage. All have surfer-dude relaxed but willing service, none are blah (all chi chi). The problem with the Ritz is most of the rooms have no sea views, just garden and pool. So what!?!
As I said, I frequent them all as all we folks in the HOOD love to eat out and attend local charity events.
So that's the local scoop!

Just a PS...In December, it is not beach swimming weather as it is cool (68-70*)and possibly rainy. But the sea air is usually clear and gorgeous at that time. the Ritz does go out of its way with Christmas decor, but the Montage just opened a couple months ago..so decor(?), We'll see!!

Have to disagree on the St. Regis being too far from the beach...I live behind the St. Regis and I run to the beach almost daily. From the St. Regis it is just about 1/2 mile on a very pleasant paved path. Yes, the Ritz is closer but the St. Regis is an easy walk.

The Ritz is made for romance. For biz or family vacas try the others...but in the romance category nobody beats the RC Laguna.