Montage Laguna Beach

The Montage is a fantastic resort for a family weekend with just the right mix of lazy beach attitude (this is surfer central so forget formality) and activities to keep both kids and parents feeling grateful for the break.

• Activities such as early morning yoga on the beach and late-night marshmallow roasting
• The spa is one of the best in the country
• The Kids’ Club that your kids will want to sign up for

About midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, the Montage commands 30 acres on a stunning stretch of the Pacific in Laguna Beach. Like a souped-up, shingle-style beach house enlarged to encompass hundreds of guest rooms, the rambling main building emphasizes the spectacular sea views with loads of balconies and picture windows. Despite the resorts’ size, an effort has been made to create cozy spots, so there are fireplaces in the main lobby; banquettes that can be curtained off in the restaurant and private balconies or patios off almost all rooms. There’s a residential feeling to the guestrooms and suites, too. Details like chenille throws on the armchairs, coffee table books on the region and oversized soaking tubs take away the sense of a large corporate hotel.

As comfortable as the rooms are, though, the highlights are outdoors. All of the rooms surround a main lawn area and large pool surrounded by chaises. Pathways lead from the resort down to the beach and around an adjacent park, where locals walk their dogs. Laguna Beach is a haven for surfers and artists that is nestled between mountains on one side and the Pacific on the other. It attracts families who want a more barefoot lifestyle than what’s become the stereotype of Orange County. And the resort merges into the neighborhood, rather than stands apart from it, so the morning yoga class takes place on the beach below private houses and locals celebrate special occasions at the hotel’s restaurants. We found ourselves drifting between the resort activities and “off-campus” excursions like the beach walks. Laguna Beach’s downtown shopping area caters to families in search of ice cream cones and water sports gear, and there is a candy store not to be missed: the Candy Baron (www.thecandybaron.com; 231 Forest Avenue; 949-497-7508) which carries every brand from the ‘60s to today.

The resort knows how to appeal to their target audience because the staff weaves kids’ activities into public spaces, so even reluctant joiners (those who would never volunteer or even agree to go to a kids club) can’t resist the activities. Tie-dying parties, Mexican fiestas with piñatas, sandcastle contests, bug collecting parades and more provide endless fun. The hotel will also design a day for the family around local activities so you can go fishing, ocean kayaking and learn to surf and paint.

The resort is very popular for weddings so if you are staying over a weekend, you may not want to have one of the cottages or suites on the main lawn as you will be in the midst of the festivities.

Families who want an easy beach vacation. I have found very few hotels (other than most Four Seasons) that mix exceptional service with a genuinely family-friendly experience.

Someone who wants lots of privacy or isolation. The pool area can get crowded and there is no private beach for the resort so this more about California community living (in the most comfortable way) than an exclusive hideout. For that, go to Cabo or the Caribbean.