Our Review of Monarch Beach Resort

Remarkable Honeymoons’ very own travel specialist, Melanie Panther, recently visited Monarch Beach Resort in Orange County, California. Read about her experience below!

Monarch Beach Resort is a luxurious, stunning, and romantic getaway. Upon arrival, you will immediately feel as though you are entering a very special place. Your sight is magnetically drawn through to the open lobby which offers a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. You have reached a remarkable destination without even needing a passport!

After settling in we enjoyed our afternoon with a relaxing treatment at their onsite Miraval Life in Balance Spa (the only location on the West Coast). Here you can unwind from the stress of traveling and begin your getaway completely relaxed! 

While visiting the spa, we highly recommend booking the Couples Relaxation Retreat. During this experience you indulge in a soothing bath ritual followed by a deeply therapeutic full body massage using tailored treatment oils to release stress and tension. Finally, unwind together in their private relaxation area, making this the perfect escape for two. A hidden and uncrowded gem can be found downstairs, behind the classrooms, is a 20-yard lap pool & spa that is available to hotel guests.

There are many activities to keep you as busy as you wish to be during your stay at Monarch Beach Resort. An 18-hole championship golf course, with 2 oceanfront holes, designed by master architect, Robert Trent Jones, Jr.; a brand new private beach club complete with oceanside dining, chair & towel service, Falconry demonstrations, fireside ukulele lessons, family movie nights, s’more making that can be accessed by their very own woody beach tram, just 7 scenic minutes from lobby to beach; a Tennis Club with 8 lighted hard courts; high-tech Athletic Club, open 24 hours,  outfitted with everything you need for an invigorating workout. Daily fitness classes are also offered on a complimentary basis for resort and spa guests; kid friendly and regular resort pools with two new infinity edge whirlpool spas that seemingly spill into the stunning seascape also offering private cabanas for rent; RunGo acts as a virtual running partner that offers turn-by-turn directions in real time, directly through the runner’s headphones, eliminating the need for maps. Monarch Beach Resort is the first hotel in the United States to offer the RunGo App for guests.  

You truly never need to leave Monarch Beach Resort because it takes food service to an extreme level. Sombra, a poolside cantina and kitchen serving authentic and approachable fresh Mexican cuisine, is open for lunch and early dinner. Serving modern, comfortable and recognizable fare, we highly recommend enjoying their amazing ceviche! Overlooking Monarch Beach Golf Link’s first tee, enjoy lunch while watching play on the fairways or share stories of the day’s 18 holes over drinks. Club 19 delights with classic American fare, big screen televisions, and peerless views of the course and beyond to the ocean; 33°North, with a fun selection of bar bites, wine by the glass, craft cocktails, and nice beer selection, is sectioned off into three distinct sections that cater to different social scenes: a bar, a living room salon, and an ocean view, outdoor patio − arguably the best perch in the house; Monarch Bay Beach Club is a oceanfront bar and restaurant which showcases a refined yet approachable menu of seafood and coastal cuisine. The indoor/outdoor bar takes center stage with iconic beach cocktails, local microbrews and an all-California wine list; AVEO Table + Bar offers an al fresco experience for breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner; Bourbon Steak Orange County presents guests with an unparalleled dining experience complemented by panoramic ocean views. The menu highlights signature butter-poached and dry-aged steaks while drawing inspiration from Monarch Beach Resort’s coastal locale. Bourbon Steak has been recognized for its outstanding service and creative interactive presentations and its chic Martini Cart. The beverage program presents a playful twist of classic and contemporary cocktails, while its robust wine list boasts rare grower Champagnes and robust vintage Burgundies.

Resort Charge includes the following services and amenities: 

• Miraval Life in Balance Spa signature group fitness classes
• Digital access to over 3,000 newspaper & magazine publications worldwide
• House car service in a Cadillac Escalade within Dana Point city limits, first-come, first-served basis 9 AM – 11 PM, check availability with the Concierge Desk.
• Cadillac CT6 Ride & Drive Experience
• Woodie tram to the exclusive Monarch Bay Club
• Tram rides to Salt Creek Beach 
• Beach host service with towels, chairs & umbrellas 
• Beach games & activities 
• Athletic Club available 24 hours a day 
• Laundering of workout gear, anticipated 24-hour turnaround 
• House bikes with self-guided local tours on a first come basis
• Tennis court access & equipment available for use 
• Discounted green fees, savings on Flex Set rentals, & preferred tee times at Monarch Beach Golf Links 
• In-room coffee & tea 
• Two bottles of water per day, refreshed at turn down 
• Overnight shoe shine
• Local & toll free calls
• 24-hour business kiosk with free boarding pass printing

Ask about their current specials and Virtuoso amenities!! 

Our Best Meals During Our Stay

AVEO Table + Bar, the elegant seaside restaurant at Monarch Beach Resort has introduced an all-new weekend brunch experience. The three-course a la carte experience offered every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. –  2:30 p.m.

The new prix-fixe brunch begins with a triple-tiered tower of fresh-baked croissants with artisan butter & SoCal strawberry preserves alongside an assortment of sliced fruit, berries, and house-made mango yogurt dip (or seasonal alternative, we had a delicious corn ceviche). Guests can select from a variety of first-course appetizers; standout second-course entrees; and, the final course offers a family-style assortment of AVEO’s signature desserts. This fabulous bunch is served with unlimited house sparkling wine or mimosas.

Our Brunch Choices:

Our Dinner During Our Stay:

New school twist on an Old Fashion Cocktail: Plantation Pineapple Rum Peach and Peychaud’s Bitters Passion Fruit Syrup.

A special treat from the Chef, Bryan Brown, (not on the menu) was an Herb-Cured Salmon Blini with Creme Fraîche, Lemon Zest, and Chervil.

Questions?

If you have any questions about Monarch Beach Resort, we’d love to help! If you’re ready to get pricing and learn about our exclusive upgrades, please request a quote today.

The Remarkable Honeymoons Team
Luxury Travel Designers
1-866-614-1803
request@remarkablehoneymoons.com

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