a getaway to the surf & sand resort in laguna beach

I went to the Surf & Sand Resort back in 2010, as part of our weekend getaway to San Diego. It was during that trip that we got the idea to drop everything in New York and move to SoCal, and part of that inspiration came from a day spent in Laguna Beach, the dreamy, prototypical SoCal destination. At the top of my list was brunch at the oceanfront Surf & Sand property to try pancakes with lavender butter (or syrup, I can’t remember) with the Pacific by my side. (It’s also where the kids of Laguna Beach had their black and white party.)

Cut to five years later, and the resort invited me and a few other bloggers to check out the resort, its restaurant, and Laguna livin’. We had a beautiful and luxurious two-night stay at the Resort, including oceanfront rooms, dinner at their excellent restaurant, and a hybrid body scrub-massage at their spa. Funny how things can come full circle like that.

Staycation or getaway, it’s a treat of a vacation, and I’m going to show you why:

Watchu know about oceanfront views? The resort is positioned on the beach, so close that the tide creeps precariously close to the hotel. They put me in one of the most clutch rooms—a second-floor, oceanfront stunner, where I enjoyed prancing around in my robe, watching Bravo on TV, looking out onto the water, and ordering room service, which is my favorite indulgence in all the land. The attention to detail is wonderful, from the shell-shaped nightlight in the bathroom to the complimentary bedside earplugs to combat the loud waves. The waves are loud, but I didn’t think they’re earplug-worthy; the sound was perfect. The resort also has a butler service in case the seagulls rain on your balcony parade, if you catch my drift…

A location smack dab on the beach means a seafood-focused menu at Splashes, the hotel’s restaurant. The scallops were a favorite amongst our group, both for the taste and presentation, and I loved how they whipped up an off-the-menu vegetarian risotto for me. It was creamy without feeling heavy. Livin’ the poolside life. The best part is you get the comforts of a luxury pool with the vantage point of the Pacific.Breakfast at Splashes gave me a good dose of nostalgia for that brunch we had there 5 years ago.The Resort’s Aquaterra Spa just introduced two new treatments, the Body Surfer, a 90-minute body polish and scalp massage that includes aloe vera to repair damaged skin and arnica to treat muscle and joint pain, as well as the Body Buff, another 90-minute treatment that includes a coconut oil massage, hibiscus flower petal body scrub, and hot oil scalp massage. I got the latter, which turned out to be just what my dull, dry skin needed after not taking better care of it these last few months. One of the best parts is how the masseuse gently sprinkles the dried hibiscus petals on your skin. It’s a delicate but really lovely sensation. It was painful to leave the property and my oceanfront room, but we managed to get off our butts and across the street to The Soul Project, an apparel company with home decor and paper products that also partners with local artists for limited-edition pieces. Our stop there included a custom printed tote using their screen printer. I chose one of my favorite images from the Coronado Dog Beach a.k.a. my happy place.We toasted to our last evening with dinner at Sapphire, located a few blocks from the hotel. In the past, I’ve turned my nose up at other Laguna Beach restaurants for being too blasé, but I would 100% go back to Sapphire. The Iranian-born chef has worked at Four Seasons resorts around the world, and his menu reflects that global resume. We had everything from spring pea shoot salads to udon noodles, and I think sitting on the heated patio, overlooking the main drag, made everything even lovelier.