Montage Laguna Beach At 20 Is The Perfect Place For A Restful Break

It’s the image that most around the world have when they think of California: a voluptuously wide beach with Baywatch style lifeguards patrolling the waves. (And visitors can watch the contenders: this year’s tryouts are April 8^th.) Laguna Beach is the ultimate beach getaway, halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, but it’s also a longtime artists’ colony. That art milieu gave rise to the name of the town’s primary beachfront resort Montage Laguna Beach which is marking its 20^th anniversary this year and to celebrate, offering a myriad of special inducements for guests at this 30 acre property and the other Montage Hotels & Resorts.

“20 years ago, our Founder, CEO and Chairman Alan J. Fuerstman set out to create a luxury hospitality experience-one that embodied a true sense of spirit and place through recreational pursuits, spa and wellness offerings, remarkable culinary offerings, a genuine welcoming spirit and a high level of service,” explains Managing Director and Area General Manager Mary Rogers. “We are grateful to the local community and our guests, many of whom have been visiting us since we opened our doors in 2003.”

It’s readily apparent that locals use the Arts and Crafts Movement inspired Lobby Lounge as a regular hangout for cocktails and afternoon tea, accompanied by live music and cliffside views over the Pacific. Hotel guests are also being encouraged to return by an offer of a five night stay in the 2,800 square foot, two bedroom Catalina Suite with a $1000 food and beverage credit, $1500 Spa Montage credit, airport transfers, a whale watching expedition, a private docent-led tour of the town’s art galleries and the 20^th Anniversary Gift Collection to take home including a bottle of the limited edition Clase Azul Ultra and Montage XX Anniversary Tequila, a custom designed Jonathan Simkhai Montage resort collection scarf and Jimmy Choo Limited Edition Laguna Beach tote. Also available here and all Montage Hotels & Resorts properties: the Montage Twenty Offer which gives guests who reserve two or more nights a $200 per night resort credit and a complimentary view upgrade based on availability.

The resort’s culinary outlets which include the California cuisine slanted all day dining venue The Loft and the poolside Mosaic Bar & Grille for lunch are also receiving some enhancements for this celebratory year. Along with regular menu items such as Roasted Ora King Salmon with Tuscan Kale, White Beans, Preserved Lemon, Calabrian Chili, Caramelized Shallots and Roasted Fennel Puree and Kurobuta Pork Chop with Caramelized Salsify, Pistachio Pesto, Sweet Onion, Soubise and Aged Balsamic Vinegar, a pop up from Montage Los Cabos featuring Thai street food will run from late June to early September. The chef of that resort’s restaurant Talay, Marc Narongchai, was named Food & Wine Mexico’s Best New Chef in 2020.

A more informal, distinctively American snack will also appear starting in early April: the childhood favorite S’mores in a cart making the rounds along seaside fire pits. The ingredients will vary somewhat from the classics: new ones include citrus and vanilla marshmallows and double milk chocolate with sea salt caramel chocolate squares. Also for younger guests: a special 20^th anniversary scavenger hunt created to entertain children and give parents a break to have some R&R for themselves.

One way for those parents to indulge (also available to non-residents) is The Five Senses, a multistep treatment including VR+ technology from the company Natura Bissé offered by Spa Montage. The 150 minute treatment intended to help guests focus on their breathing, mindfulness and other senses includes the audio and immersive video Natura Bissé Mindful Touch experience, a singing bowl, honey preparation, detox for hands and feet, full body massage, anti-aging facial and a concluding dark chocolate treat.

While the kids are scavenging, parents can also go shopping in town: the town center is two and a half miles away, reachable with the hotel’s car or the town trolley. It’s a very tight nucleus of streets dotted with galleries and stores such as Duet featuring one-of-a-kind wearable art created by artisans around the world. Afterward, the treehouse at Rum Social Kitchen & Cocktails, one of the newest bar/restaurants in town, is a prime spot for a cocktail. So is The Deck, located on the sand, to watch sunset dissolve into a melange of gold and apricot tones beyond the famous beach.