TA Luxe Review: Montage, Laguna Beach

The name "Montage" has become synonymous with unrivaled luxury and impeccable service. The renowned hospitality brand has carved out an enviable niche in the world of upscale getaways, creating memorable experiences for guests across their various properties.

But every story has a beginning, and for Montage Hotels & Resorts, that beginning was beautifully situated on 30 oceanfront acres in the heart of Laguna Beach. It was here, against a backdrop of palm trees, golden sands, and the Pacific's turquoise waters, that the Montage brand established its first property and made a statement that reverberates in the hospitality industry to this day.

We'll walk you through the nuances that make Montage Laguna Beach a beloved destination, from its stunning accommodations to its remarkable dining options, including a pop-up Thai restaurant that’s adding a dash of exotic flavor to the Californian coast.

Where is it?

Our journey to the Montage Laguna Beach began with a landing at the convenient John Wayne Airport. We arrived on a Friday and the drive down the PCH to Laguna was easy and beautiful. The simplicity of the route was a delightful first impression, as we found ourselves at the resort in no time.

Perched on a bluff along the South Laguna coast, the Montage is the epitome of a serene seaside escape. The resort is a bit removed from the hub of Laguna Beach town, which brings an added sense of tranquility. Throughout our stay, we reveled in the serene atmosphere that Montage Laguna Beach provides, accentuated by unending panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

Although the resort itself is very quiet and peaceful, it's worth noting for prospective visitors that the lively Laguna Beach town is a short drive away. During our summer weekend visit, the town was teeming with activity, from bustling art galleries to shoppers exploring unique boutiques. However, with this lively atmosphere comes a small caveat: parking can be a challenge. But on the plus side, the Montage offers a chauffeured car service around the town. We didn’t know this or we definitely would have used it.

Despite this minor hurdle, we found the balance between tranquility and access to town life to be well-struck. The Montage Laguna Beach offers a peaceful seaside retreat with the vibrancy of Laguna Beach just a stone's throw away.

How’s the hotel feel?

As soon as we set foot in the Montage Laguna Beach, we were struck by the resort's most compelling feature: perfect views of the Pacific Ocean. Every aspect of the hotel is cleverly planned to highlight those views, and the lobby bar quickly became one of my favorite spots on earth to have a drink. From the lobby to the pool and beyond, ocean vistas are front and center, and the hotel is masterfully designed to draw your gaze towards the sparkling blue waters at every turn.

The architecture and interiors embody a classic California style, effortlessly combining elegance and comfort. Earth tones and natural materials are used throughout, from the stone and wood accents to the textured furnishings, resulting in a harmonious balance between the built environment and the stunning natural scenery that surrounds us.

But the Montage Laguna Beach's ambiance is not just about its design and views; it's also largely influenced by its warm and attentive staff. From our first interaction at check-in to our daily exchanges with the cleaning staff, waiters, and concierge, we were made to feel like valued guests. Every member of the team we encountered was professional, helpful, and genuinely dedicated to ensuring we had the best stay possible.

This all comes together to give you a sophisticated but relax feel. In other words, Montage Laguna Beach embodies perfect California luxury.

How’re the rooms?

For our stay at the Montage Laguna Beach, we opted for the standard King Ocean View Room. It was certainly nice, but it didn't particularly stand out from other luxury accommodations we've experienced. The interior was tastefully decorated, in line with the hotel's overall aesthetic, with bright earthy, natural materials, and a laid-back elegance.

The room came standard with a deep bathtub, a delightful feature that was perfect for a relaxing soak after a day of exploring. But the jewel of the room was undoubtedly the balcony. Each room at the Montage comes with its own private balcony, a thoughtful touch that allows guests to truly embrace the beautiful California climate and stunning ocean views right from the comfort of their room.

The bed, while plush and extremely soft, might be too soft for those who prefer a firmer sleeping surface. Additionally, we found that the air conditioning in the room didn't quite cool the space to our desired temperature, which was slightly inconvenient during the warm summer nights.

Considering the price point of the Montage, the room left a bit to be desired. While it was undeniably comfortable and well-appointed, we felt that it didn't quite live up to the luxurious standards set by the rest of the hotel.

What about the water?

As we walked out from the hotel we found a peaceful path that hugs the bluff. It’s important to emphasize how at point of our visit we were absolutely surrounded by views of the Pacific Ocean, and this path was no exception. The path itself is charming, lined with blooming flowers and a kaleidoscope of greenery. It's especially magical at sunset when the sky transforms into a palette of oranges, purples, and pinks, casting a glow on everything around it. A camera simply doesn't do justice to the breathtaking views - they are something you must experience for yourself.

It was really cool to see local community yoga sessions happening on the grass along the path as well

The beach itself is nice, and serviced with beach chairs by the resort. Californian readers will know that all California beaches are public, so the beach isn’t exclusive to the Montage. The only thing working against the beach experience: Pacific Ocean's chillier temperature can be a bit of a shock for those accustomed to warmer waters. Regardless, the sound of the waves and the mesmerizing view more than make up for it, and the beach is sandy, calm, and perfect for kids.

Back at the resort, the pool area is a perfect haven for those who prefer calmer waters. Serviced by attentive staff, it's a comfortable place to lounge and soak up the Californian sun. However, it's worth noting that the pool is on the smaller side, perhaps to keep the focus on the mesmerizing ocean views that permeate through every corner of the property. But the real star of the Montage Laguna Beach, as with every aspect of the resort, is indeed the stunning views. From the pool, your gaze is naturally drawn to the endless horizon, reminding you of the privileged location you're in.

What about the food?

So, let's talk food. We were pretty excited to try the Montage's dining options, but to be honest, they didn't quite hit the mark for us.

The Loft

The Loft is a chill indoor restaurant with a classic comfort-food kind of menu. We tried it for breakfast and for dinner. The food was… fine. We were struck by how limited the dinner menu was, and overall the food was just solid. A bit of a bummer for a place as nice as a Montage.

As with everything else at the resort the standout was the view.

Mosaic

The same goes for the Mosaic Bar and Grille. It’s their poolside outdoor grill, and on Friday night they had live music. The music was good, and it’s a great place to chill and soak in the view, but the menu didn't wow us as we had hoped.

We tried the lobster nachos which our server highly recommended. Again, nothing special.

The coolest thing about Mosaic was the clientele. On our way out we walked by Mark Cuban having dinner with a large party, making no effort to hide. That was a bit of a shock, but a cool one!

Room Service

As for room service, it was what you'd expect. Tasty enough, but nothing extraordinary. Overall, we think the food scene at the Montage could use a little sprucing up. It’s all okay, but for the price tag, we were hoping for more of a 'wow' factor.

Other Spots

While we were there, they had this pop-up Thai restaurant that everyone was raving about. We were bummed we didn't get a chance to try it. Sounds like it might be filling in for The Studio, their main restaurant that's temporarily closed. Here’s hoping The Studio is more exciting than their other food. Keep an eye out if you're planning a visit!

[Photo suggestion: A vibrant picture of the Thai pop-up with plates full of colorful dishes.]

So, is it worth it?

So, what's the verdict on Montage Laguna Beach? Well, let's not dance around it - this place is a serious investment. We're talking top-tier, luxury prices.

But remember, what you're paying for here is more than a comfortable bed or a cocktail at the bar. It's the entire experience, unique to this place - a kind of laid-back California elegance that's hard to put into words, but you'll feel it as soon as you step onto the property. There’s really nothing quite like it in the entire state.

For couples, Montage is an ideal getaway. It's a place to unwind and soak in the gorgeous surroundings. And for families? It offers a one-of-a-kind place where parents can be lavished in luxury and service while the kids play in the sand and the pool.

And can we talk about the lobby bar for a second? We mentioned it earlier, but this is one of our favorite places around to chill and grab a drink. And the drinks are phenomenal. There's something truly special about sipping a well-crafted drink in casual elegance as the sun sets over the ocean.

So, is it worth it? That really depends on you. If you moved Montage Laguna Beach to another beach, in another state, it wouldn’t be anywhere near as remarkable. But it’s not in another state, it’s in Laguna Beach, a 90 minute drive from Los Angeles, an hour flight from NorCal. It's luxury, it's elegance, it's California at its finest - the question is, are you ready to dive in?