Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
294
expanded 90-degree view of the California coastline—it's well worth the additional dol-
lars. Also, be sur e to check the w ebsite for special package deals. The hotel's Mediterra-
nean-style
Aquaterra Spa
offers a tantalizing array of personaliz ed massage, skin-car e,
and body treatments.
Splashes
restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily in a
beautiful oceanfront setting; the rich Mediterranean cuisine is perfect against a backdrop
of sunlight and crashing waves.
1555 S. Coast Hwy. (south of Laguna C anyon Rd.), Laguna Beach, CA 92651.
&
888/869-7569
or 949/
497-4477. F ax 949/494-2897. w ww.surfandsandresort.com. 152 units . $290-$485 double; fr om $475
suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar ; babysitting; summer childr en's programs; con-
cierge; concierge-level rooms; exercise room; Jacuzzi; out door heated pool; r oom ser vice; full-ser vice
spa.
In room:
TV, CD player, hair dryer, minibar, MP3 docking station, Wi-Fi ($12.95 per day).
Moderate
Blue Lantern Inn
A three-story New England-style gray clapboard inn, the Blue
Lantern is a pleasant cross between romantic B&B and modern, sophisticated small hotel.
Almost all the r ooms, which ar e decorated with r eproduction traditional furnitur e and
plush bedding, hav e a balcony or deck o verlooking the harbor . All hav e a fir eplace and
whirlpool tub. You can have your breakfast here in private (clad in the fluffy robe provided),
or go downstairs to the sunny dining r oom that also ser ves complimentary afternoon tea.
There's also an exercise room and a cozy lounge with menus for many area restaurants. The
friendly staff welcomes you with home-baked cookies at the fr ont desk.
34343 St. of the Blue Lant ern, Dana Point, CA 92629.
&
800/950-1236
or 949/661-1304. Fax 949/496-
1483. www.bluelanterninn.com. 29 units. $185-$600 double. Rates include full breakfast and afternoon
wine and hors d'oeuvres. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Bikes; exercise room; Jacuzzi;.
In room:
A/C, TV/DVD,
CD player, minibar, Wi-Fi (free).
11
Casa Laguna Inn & Spa
Once you see this r omantic terraced complex of S pan-
ish-style cottages amid lush gar dens and secluded patios—which offers all the amenities
of a B&B
and
affordable prices—you might wonder, what's the catch? Well, the noise of
busy PCH wafts easily into Casa Laguna, which might pr ove disturbing to sensitive ears
and light sleepers. S till, the Casa has been a fav orite hideaway since Laguna's early days
and now glows under the watchful ey e of a terrific o wner, who has upped the comfor t
ante by adding a spa. Some rooms—especially the suites—are downright luxurious, with
fireplace, kitchen, bathr obes, and other in-r oom goodies. Throughout the pr operty,
Catalina tile adorns fountains, and bougainvillea spills into paths; each r oom has an
individual charm. Breakfast is served in the sunny morning room of the Craftsman-style
Mission H ouse, wher e a cozy living r oom also invites r elaxation and conv ersation.
Healthy, well-behaved pets welcome ($25 per pet).
2510 S. C oast Hwy., Laguna Beach, CA 92651.
&
800/233-0449
or 949/494-2996. F ax 949/494-5009.
www.casalaguna.com. 21 units. $150-$330 double; fr om $260 suite. Rates include breakfast, afternoon
wine, and hors d'oeuvres. AE, DISC, MC, V. Children 11 and under not allowed.
Amenities:
Jacuzzi; heated
outdoor pool; spa.
In room:
A/C, TV/DVD, CD player, fridge, hair dryer, Wi-Fi.
WHERE TO DINE
Options in Seal Beach are limited, but a good choice for seafood is
Walt's Wharf,
201
Main S t. (
&
562/598-4433
), a bustling, polished r estaurant featuring mar ket-fresh
selections either plain or with Pacific Rim accents.
Expensive
Five Feet
CALIFORNIAN/ASIAN While Five Feet may no longer br eak culi-
nary ground, the kitchen still combines the best in California cuisine with Asian technique
