romantic weekend in southern california
 

Hi,<BR><BR>I'm looking for somewhere romantic to take my girlfriend in september. Anywhere within a two hour drive of LA and for $150/night or less preferably.<BR><BR>I've been looking at the Best Western Laguna Brisas, because it's near the beach and has whirlpool baths. Anyone know anything about this hotel or have any other suggestions?<BR><BR>Thanks :)

just wanted to add, does anyone know any places around newport beach? has anyone stayed at the hyatt newporter before?

I used to live in Newport Beach, and I wouldn't stay at the Hyatt Newporter because it isn't in the thick of things. If you are going to be in Newport, stay at a place on the peninsula (Balboa). That way you can walk to all the things in the area. Also, you can take the ferry to the island. There's lots to do and its right on the beach, which the Newporter (from what I remember) is not on the beach. Try the Balboa Inn (balboainn.com) or the Portofino Beach Hotel (portofinobeachhotel.com). You may also want to try Laguna Beach, there's lots to do there also.<BR>Good luck!

We stayed at the Newporter a couple of weeks ago - I think you'd prefer it to the BW in Laguna - more private in a "resort" setting. Our room was recently rebuilt - across from the jacuzzi and pool, bunnies and ducks on the lawns, really very nice. It helped that we got a great deal via Priceline.com - check out www.biddingfortravel.com for Orange Co. results. The Newporter has been there for years and its reputation had slipped apparently. We found the "new" Newporter much improved and really very nice. $40 a night didn't hurt, either.

Lee<BR>We stayed at the Best Western Laguna Brisas a couple of years ago. I would not recommend it at all.<BR>Nothing romantic about it and very very noisy. The hotel is on the main street of Laguna, right over a stop light.....just very unpleasant.

danie, thanks for the warning.<BR><BR>john, i actually have used biddingfortravel and priceline and i'm aware of the newporter prices there. do you know if all the rooms have been recently renovated like yours?<BR><BR>formerNbres, i looked into the balboa and portofino and i think those two places are a little out of my budget.<BR><BR>thanks to everyone for your suggestions though, they've been really helpful :)

Take her to Catalina Island. I've only been there twice when I was younger but I'm always begging my boyfriend to take me for a weekend getaway!

Catalina Island isn't a bad idea. A quiet island with lots of casual restaurants. No cars, but can go on a glass bottom boat or take a bus ride out to Two Harbors to see roaming buffalo. There's also a golf course there.

does anyone know any hotels that are $150 or less on catalina?

For a quiet, nice Catalina hotel, I'd suggest the Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel. It's well within your price range, with the hotel sitting up on a hill above the marina. Very relaxing to enjoy a drink along the veranda while enjoying the sunset. Only 16 rooms and the owner lives right on the premises.<BR><BR>Here's a link to the hotel including a photo: <BR>http://www.virtualcities.com/ons/ca/i/cai3502.htm <BR><BR><BR>

Author: klgallo ([email protected])<BR>Date: 11/09/2001, 07:44 am<BR>Message: Message: DO NOT STAY AT THE BALBOA INN!!!. We had the worst experience. We paid $275 for a room they called a suite. ( this was low season It is higher in the summer) It was one room with any area for a chair, couch and a coffee table. ( this was low season It is higher in the summer) At 4:00 p.m. the bar opened and the juke box was playing so loud that the floor in our room was shaking. We asked to be moved. They moved us for two days, but on the third day they told us we had to move again because they rented the room out from under us. When I complained that no one told us that we were going to have to move on the third day, the desk clerk stated that we had a $425 room and implied that we really had no reason to complain as the room move since we got such a grat deal the first two nights. I asked if the room was quiet as we had our 5 year old son. She replied "I never had any complaints". At 4:00 p.m. the bar opened up and they started playing "New York, New York" so loud that it competed with the television set. (The windows were closed.) We asked if the bar could turn down the music and for the first time were told that the bar was going to have a live band that night. The desk clerk told us that there was nothing she could do to accomodate us. We checked out and went to the Huntington Waterfront Hilton. The balboa inn charged us for a full night and refuses to reimburse us. <BR><BR>The hilton was fine. It has all the amenities and is right across PCH from the beach. I love Newport, but next time we are staying in Huntington. <BR><BR><BR><BR>

Oh-----great idea-----CAtalina. After the day trippers leave it's really charming. Zane Grey is super as is Hotel Metropole if you want to be in town. Hotel St. Lauren and Villa Portofino are also good. www.catalina.com (last time we were there was for SoCalJrs.golf tourniment with two teen aged boys---anything BUT romantic. How we envied the couples who were having fun. To get a really romantic pleasant room in Laguna is going to be above your budget. And, when you look at Laguna Hotels, those whose address ends with an odd number are on the beach side, an even number is across the very busy Coast Hwy. which is very noisy. I wouldn't stay in Newport unless I could afford the Doryman's Hotel. You might also look at Channel Road Inn in Santa Monica---north of downtown or the historic Clocktower Inn in Ventura. There's also a neat place in Venice, the Venice Beach HOuse, but don't know rates.

Just want to add my vote to the Catalina island suggestion. My husband and I were there for our 5th wedding anniversary.. our hotel was OK, but I think we could have done better. There is so much to do there, and it's very romantic. <BR>http://www.catalina.com <BR>has a lot of great info. <BR>

One of the best hotels we ever stayed in and always listed at the top in votes natonally is the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point.They often have specials and it is possible for you to find one within your price range.

Try Dana Point too, there are two really nice places to stay there, that shouldn't be too expensive.

Definitely think South Orange County is your best option....Balboa Island, Newport, Laguna Beach...so many choices and the weather will be PERFECT! These are such clean, fun, romantic towns for a weekend. I think you'll love it. We've gone there from West Hollywood for a romantic weekend and love it (wish we could move there!) Sally