The Casa Laguna Hotel & Spa is a charming and unique property, nestled on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Part of the Mr. & Mrs. Smith brand, this luxury boutique hotel has an intimate, low-key vibe. With only 23 total rooms, many of which have ocean views, you’ll often feel like you have the place to yourself. Guests can relax by the palm tree lined outdoor pool or indulge with an indoor or outdoor spa service.
For all that, what really makes the hotel special, is the outstanding customer service. The staff is friendly and attentive, and they go out of their way to make sure guests have a memorable stay. The hotel is also pet-friendly, which is a plus for those traveling with furry friends.
Booking
This all started because I needed to use my IHG free night award certificate before it expired. I earned the free night, valid at hotels costing up to 40,000 points a night, as a perk from owning an IHG Rewards Club Premier card. Due to a recent partnership between IHG and Mr. & Mrs. Smith hotel groups, IHG members can earn and redeem points at all Mr. & Mrs. Smith properties. So I was able to apply my free award certificate and use points to book five nights at Casa Laguna Hotel & Spa.
For the free night, I was somehow able to redeem it for the Bungalow Suite, which is the most expensive room at the hotel. At the time of booking, that room was going for a cash price of $1,015. For the other four nights, I booked one of their standard rooms. I was a little shy of the required points, so I purchased a few thousand before booking. All in all, the stay would’ve cost me over $2,700, but I was able to book it for only $135!
History
The property dates back to the early 1920s and has been a hotel, an artists colony and a bed and breakfast in its past lives. In 2000, it underwent a complete renovation which returned the property’s buildings to their original Mission-style appearance. Then, after being sold in 2014, it was beautifully restored to its Spanish architectural roots over the next two years.
Location
The hotel is located on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), approximately one mile south of Downtown Laguna Beach. While walking to Laguna Beach’s cafes, restaurants and shops is doable, I’d recommend renting a car. PCH is a busy 4-lane road, which doesn’t make for a particularly relaxing walk. It’s also very hilly and with the sun, it can be quite hot, even in winter. Orange County has lots of other nearby towns worth exploring, so having a car is a plus anyways.
Lobby
In the back of the hotel, next to the small parking area, is the entrance most guests use to enter the property. The first thing you’ll notice are the lush green foliage and the quaint winding paths.
The lobby is located in the original Mission House building, which is comprised of a small reception area and lounge with a fireplace and comfy chairs. The indoor dining room is also located in this same building.
Check-in and Customer Service
The check-in process was quick and easy. We were upgraded two room levels, from their standard Garden Room to a Deluxe Ocean View Patio Room. After explaining a few things about the hotel’s offerings, the manager took us on a short tour of the property. During the tour, we were provided complimentary sangrias to sip on. At the tour’s end, he showed us to our room, which contained another welcome gift. On the bedside table, was a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine, already on ice. All of the hospitality gave us a very warm and welcoming feeling!
Since we weren’t going to have an opportunity to drink the sparkling wine right away, I went back to the lobby to ask the manager if there was a refrigerator we could use to keep it cold. He said they have a small portable mini-fridge, but another guest was already using it. He also offered to store our bottle in the main kitchen fridge, but we didn’t want to impose. I wasn’t expecting anything more, but after returning from dinner that evening, we walked into our room and there was the mini-fridge!
The staff also went out of their way to accommodate our friends and their young children. Casa Laguna is for guests aged 18 and older, but we wanted to show it to our friends who had their kids with them. We assumed they wouldn’t make an exception, but while at the pool, we decided to ask the waiter if there was any wiggle room in the policy. He said that they’ve made exceptions before, but he’d have to check with the manager. It wasn’t really that important, so we told him not to worry about it.
However, about 15 minutes later, the manager appeared. He said we could invite our friends and their kids to see the hotel and even use the pool. We were so impressed with how accommodating the staff was and the high level of hospitality continued throughout our entire stay.
The Deluxe Ocean View Patio Room
All of the hotel’s guestrooms are nestled within a labyrinth of tiled patios and rustling palm trees.
For the first four nights, we stayed in a Deluxe Ocean View Patio Room, located along the north edge of the property.
The room itself was a little tight on space, but typical for the era in which it was built. While there may not be room to spread out completely, the room was filled with plenty of charm. From the headboard to the tiled ceiling, the Spanish Colonial decor is everywhere. The queen bed was quite comfortable and the room was also equipped with two side tables, WiFi and a smart TV.
The room also included an outdoor patio, complete with ocean views and seating for two. We ate breakfast here one morning and it’s also be a nice spot for a pre-dinner bottle of wine or a nightcap at the end of a good day.
One thing to note is that the Deluxe Ocean View room patios are setup in a straight line, perpendicular to the water. That means you’re able to see right into your neighbor’s patio. While not as secluded as I would’ve liked, it didn’t spoil our experience, however.
The Bathroom
The bathroom is pretty small as well, but keeps with the Spanish Colonial charm. It included an incredibly detailed, hand-painted Moroccan tile floor and custom marble vanity.
The Bungalow Suite
For the final night of our stay, we moved into the most exclusive room on the property — The Bungalow Suite.
Located in its own section of the property, the suite is a standalone family cottage with private entrance. Walking through the cottage gate, you arrive on the large private balcony with a dining area and hammock for two. Being at the high point of the property, the balcony provided incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island.
The Foyer
While I liked the aesthetic of the foyer, the room is a little awkward. It functions mainly as a passthrough between the other areas of the cottage. It has a gas fireplace, which would be lovely to relax in front of, but the room isn’t really conducive to doing that. I’d much rather have had the fireplace in the living room, where we could’ve enjoyed it from a comfortable couch.
The Bedroom
The bedroom doesn’t feel quite as tight as the Deluxe Ocean View room’s bedroom, but it’s still fairly small overall. They did a good job utilizing the available space, though. The room has a king bed, two end tables, a closet, a smart TV and a full-sized desk.
The Bathroom
The bathroom, however, is enormous. Here you’ll find the same beautiful hand-painted Moroccan floor tiles and custom marble vanity.
However, there’s a whole extra space which included a huge jetted clawfoot tub and a shower big enough for two people.
The Living Room and Kitchenette
The living room was cozy and contains a small sitting area and smart TV. The kitchenette had a sink and bar, complete with bartending tools and glassware.
Hotel Amenities
The Pool
Set amid potted-plants and palm trees, the heated outdoor pool is beautiful and serene.
The pool is surrounded by individual lounge chairs and a unique cushion-lined stone lounger, fit for a large group.
The Grounds
What I love about the hotel grounds is how many different areas there are to enjoy. Plus, with the maze-like network of paths, each area can be very private.
Sunset Patio
The Sunset Patio is one of the larger common areas on the property. Set a level down from the pool, and just above the PCH, it’s a beautiful spot, day or night. It’s aptly named with it’s terrific views of sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. We spent some time taking in some sun and finishing our complimentary sangrias right after check-in.
Palm Court
All guests receive a complimentary European style continental breakfast every morning. During check-in, guests fill out a card to select the foods they’d like and the time and place they’d like to eat. Breakfast can be delivered right to your room or it can be picked up and taken to a favorite spot on the property. We had choices of homemade breads, pastries, muffins, quiches, fresh fruit, cereals, yogurt and granola. You can have as much or as little as you want!
Perhaps the prettiest place to have breakfast is Palm Court, which is their outdoor dining area.
Palm Court has several tables and is wonderfully decorated. Looking around, you’d think you were eating in some Tuscan villa in Italy.
Miscellaneous
Spa
For those looking for a little pampering, the indoor/outdoor spa offers a variety of massage techniques, including deep tissue, reflexology and hot stone. Spa services need to be booked in advance, as the hotel doesn’t employee their own masseuses.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Casa Laguna Hotel & Spa is a great choice for those looking for a relaxing getaway in Laguna Beach. The hotel has a lot to offer, including beautiful views, comfortable rooms, a variety of amenities, and most of all, excellent service. If you are looking for a place to relax and unwind, Casa Laguna is the perfect choice.
Trip Report Index
- Using Points and Miles to get to Laguna Beach
- Casa Laguna Hotel & Spa
