Orange County Hotels|Dana Point, California, United States

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Name: The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Telephone: 949-240-2000

Beachfront bliss in Orange County

VERIFIED LUXURY

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Built atop a 150-foot bluff above the Pacific, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel has beckoned seekers of respite and sun-splashed recreation from its perch high with elegant interiors, swaying palms, diverse dining options and constantly replenished bowls of saltwater taffy at check-in since 1984. A recent $50 million renovation only supercharges its sense-of-place siren song.

Now, guests can while away by getting pampered in a serene jewel-toned spa where watercolor wall coverings and carpets evoke misty seaside hills, socializing over charcuterie and locally made kombucha in the airy Club Lounge, partaking in marine-themed activities that center around conservation or lounging in 373 redesigned rooms awash in natural light, a plethora of prints and a sophisticated palette of sage, sky blue and petal pink inspired by the Southern California setting.

The blufftop beauty appeals to a wide scope of travelers. On any given weekend, you can rub elbows in the lobby bar with staycationers escaping the scurry of the city, golfers whose kids are splashing in one of the two pools or Midwest dentists attending a conference under the crystal chandeliers of the large ballrooms.

Our Inspector's Highlights

While all rooms are spacious and promote calm through cool colors and tactile materials, the suites, some with personal fire pits or balconies, offer a spectacular stay, especially the new family-friendly, two-bedroom options with dining areas, bathrooms with soaking tubs and closets bigger than New York City starter apartments. The details — vintage photographs, Dyson hair dryers, white noise machines, Bang & Olufsen speakers and an empty mini-fridge for restaurant leftovers — leave big impressions.
The spa also pulls inspiration from land and sea, utilizing natural colors, botanicals and aquatic elements in both the interior design (see: blob-like light fixtures reminiscent of sea creatures and a carpet that looks like an ebbing tide) and treatments to create a coastal apothecary. Healthy snacks and rejuvenating flavored waters and teas complement quiet time in the new coed Cove. A new treatment, the Pacific Purification Ritual, involves a field trip to the sand for a sound bath, energy cleansing and a rejuvenating cold plunge. Availability is dictated by the tide.
You can’t beat the proximity to Salt Creek Beach or the beach butlers at your beck and call. Not only will they shuttle guests up and down the hill, but they’ll also set you up with beach chairs, umbrellas, towels and sunscreen; dole out body boards, water noodles and other gear; and build sandcastles with the kids.
Staying active is easy even if you are sand-adverse. Working out in the bi-level fitness center, which is outfitted with Pelotons, Technogym machines and a Hydro rower, is rewarded with a floor-to-ceiling Pacific panorama. Complimentary daily Pilates and yoga classes are another option, as are meditation sessions on weekends. E-bikes are available and pickleball and tennis courts can be rented onsite. A Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course is less than five minutes away.
There are two expansive pool decks, one of which is reserved for adults who’d rather not share their moments in the sun with splashing children.
A new menu of curated experiences, many led by onsite naturalists, focus on sustainability, environmental appreciation and the area’s Indigenous history and surf culture. Some particularly interesting examples include visiting a green farm where you cook with your collected bounty, painting landscapes with an artist-in-residence and shaping your own keepsake surfboard.

The Restaurants

The collection of dining experiences at this particular Ritz-Carlton is quickly becoming the culinary benchmark for the brand thanks to quality, quantity and variety. Instead of a predictable steakhouse, there's a unique modern Indian restaurant from chef Sanjay Raway, who started as the banquet chef handling the property’s brisk Southeast Asian wedding business before putting on well-received Diwali events and a pop-up. Kahani, which means “story” in Hindi, allows Raway to tell his with authentic spices, strong flavor profiles and high-end versions of classics like chicken biryani, saag paneer and a hearty curry sampler that serves two. Save room for chai and the creative mango lassi bar dessert.
Guests take their palates to Japan at Taikun, a 16-course omakase imported from New York and set inside an intimate jewel box of a room that only accommodates two seatings of eight people each a night. The premium sushi and seafood experience, which can be paired with a sake flight, highlights precision knife work, fresh ingredients flown in from Japan and premium garnishes including caviar and gold flakes.
The world tour continues at chef Richard Sandoval’s Raya, an all-day restaurant inspired by the kitchens of coastal Latin America. Utilizing sustainable seafood and local produce, Raya delivers dishes like oysters with pineapple jalapeño mignonette, smoky vanilla churros and wagyu tiradito in front of enormous, ocean-facing picture windows.
Combine salt air, cocktails and American fare like burgers, lobster rolls and truffle fries at the casual alfresco eatery 180 Blu. Also overlooking the Pacific, the rooftop is a perfect spot for sunset viewing and seasonal whale sightings. There’s also an indoor lobby bar.
Enjoy a latte and flaky pastry by the fire at The Market Place or grab breakfast burritos and sandwiches for a picnic on the sand. You can also buy a souvenir that makes you feel good about indulging. Compartés chocolatiers created two exclusive candy bars that raise money for the Ocean Institute and Surfers Healing, which enriches the lives of people with autism through surfing.

Amenities