Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club

“Beautiful coastal property with luxurious amenities and fantastic service at every level.”

I haven't felt compelled to write a review in years, but our recent stay at the Waldorf Astoria was so exemplary, I had to share. Resort: Our family of four just returned from a 4 day, 3 night stay, and it was near perfect. The resort is as beautiful as advertised. The hotel is modern, bright, cl… more

I haven't felt compelled to write a review in years, but our recent stay at the Waldorf Astoria was so exemplary, I had to share. Resort: Our family of four just returned from a 4 day, 3 night stay, and it was near perfect. The resort is as beautiful as advertised. The hotel is modern, bright, clean, and luxurious. The hotel grounds and golf course are immaculate, not a single blade of grass looks out of place. And it all overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The pool complex is great too, with heated pools and a separate family pool it was a great place for families to relax, even in cool fall weather. Room: Our room had queen beds and a large balcony overlooking a garden view. It was very spacious and clean. it also had luxurious features, toiletries, and amenities befitting a 5 star property. Service: Contrary (or perhaps in response to) the handful of negative reviews regarding service, we received nothing but exceptional service from every single person we encountered and it began before we even arrived. Concierge emailed us before our arrival to inquire about our needs. We only had one request and it was fulfilled on arrival. At check in, the valet (which is expensive at $70 a night) took our car, unloaded our luggage, and personally escorted us to the front desk. The bell desk later personally escorted us to our room so we never had the awkward delay of waiting for our luggage. Front desk staff was friendly, polite, and courteous. Minutes after getting to our room, we were visited by housekeeping who delivered extra bottled waters and inquired about our needs during our stay. To our surprise, each day housekeeping staff went out of their way to regularly greet us in the hallways and common areas around the property. They also provided excellent turndown service that included chocolates. Beach Club: We took the tram down to the Beach club. It's a fun, short, scenic ride, that takes you around the golf club and down to the beach. The food was fairly average, but the expansive ocean views make it all worthwhile. The tram ran constantly, and we never waited for more than 5 minutes. Bourbon Steak: 4/5 overall. Great ambiance and decor (the ocean view from the well-heated patio helped a lot), great apps, great personal service, good side dishes, but you could get comparable or better steak anywhere else. But it was a great dining experience overall. Room service: It was prompt, faster than promised, service was excellent, and it was pretty good. But there were limited breakfast options and it was predictably pricey. Finally, the only slight knock on this property is the food, drinks, (and valet) are unreasonably expensive, as many other reviews mention. You can easily spend more each day on food than on your room. Now I get it, you stay at a 5 star property, shouldn't you expect expensive food and drinks? Well, yes, but it's not a charity, we aren't here to donate money to the hotel. You want something of equal value in exchange for your cash. My wife overheard a guy complaining that a can of Coke was $8 at the Part & Parcel Market near the lobby. Did she run over and fact-check him and remind him that it's a 5 star property? No, because that would be rude, but she understood his sentiment. Notwithstanding the costly food and drinks, it's a fantastic resort that provided my family an excellent, luxurious stay, with exceptional service. Don't let the occasional dissatisfied review turn you away from this luxurious coastal oasis in Dana Point.

less

“Beautiful property relaxing stay”

Really nice hotel. Will go again. This is a beautiful property, I spent most of my stay just relaxing by the pool. Had very entertaining enjoyable conversations with the staff there by the pool, they were all young very bright, hard working with big dreams. One guy was an aspiring movie maker and … more

Really nice hotel. Will go again. This is a beautiful property, I spent most of my stay just relaxing by the pool. Had very entertaining enjoyable conversations with the staff there by the pool, they were all young very bright, hard working with big dreams. One guy was an aspiring movie maker and he told me about a film he was working on, another moved out from the east coast in school for a masters in psychology. Fish tacos by the pool were excellent I wish I had known ahead of time about some of the activities near by there is an evening glass bottom boat tour.

less

“Stunning”

This Waldorf is unlike the ones you have been to. It is really more of a wellness spa and not just a luxury hotel. Don't get me wrong it is a 5 star luxury hotel. It is stunning. The Ritz was booked for some of the days we were gone so we tried the Waldorf. It did not disappoint at all. Like othe… more

This Waldorf is unlike the ones you have been to. It is really more of a wellness spa and not just a luxury hotel. Don't get me wrong it is a 5 star luxury hotel. It is stunning. The Ritz was booked for some of the days we were gone so we tried the Waldorf. It did not disappoint at all. Like other luxury hotels in the area this place is very expensive, and some of it bugs me. Not only are you paying for your room, valet and taxes they also charge for most of the things you want to do there. This includes a resort charge with WiFi any and all fitness classes, beach towels (now this is nuts) , chairs & umbrellas, preferred green fees, beach games (are you kidding me), and any tram to the beautiful beach. Some I totally get and others are just silly. Now, I will be back. But I am never going to pay to play a game with others or for beach towels. We did not golf so I have no opinion on whether the cost is worth it, and I also have no idea how many holes it has. It is pretty and I do get the idea of a green fee, but beach towels, just no. The entire property is beautiful. It rests on top of a seaside bluff on some 175 acres in Dana Point. There is a private beach club, three pools (no fee), oceanfront golf, an amazing luxury spa and wonderful views. You can become a member of their spa, and fitness area. I have no idea of the cost. They offer every spa treatment you want and the service is great. We loved the pools and the views. The food is great there. This is another of you don't have to leave if you don't want place. Peace and quiet seekers will love this place and if you are into spa and wellness services, this is the place for you. All the guest rooms have a private terrace or patio. The rooms are so pretty. The beds are ever so comfortable. The housekeeping service is great. Our view was wonderful. There was nothing there that I needed that I did not have in my room. The service is just so kind and calm. We loved it. Save your pennies, this will cost you. Go for a special occasion or to just detox from the busy world.

less