The hotel is lavishly landscaped, the rooms and lavatories are spacious and well decorated, everything very clean. The personnel from the front desk to housekeeping to bartenders were all above and beyond.
I stayed here for a business conference and all I can say is this place loves to nickel and dime you. When we checked in we were offered a refrigerator since all they had in the room was a mini-bar from the 1980's. They brought that in without comment and on our checkout bill there was $50 "Fridge Charge." Upon checkout, I was handed a bill for one amount and then a day later there was an additional unidentified $7.00 charge. Since they have no way to contact them other than a very inefficient phone service, I had to talk to 3 people and ultimately got no resolution -- until I did a chargeback. The whole attitude is how can we nickel & dime our guests. Will never stay here again!
There is a great deal to like about this resort, but your enjoyment of it right now will depend on how you want to spend your time. The staff are professional and polished, warm and friendly, courteous and helpful. Still, the property Is in the middle of a massive renovation. Not a change the wallpaper and drapes and freshen up the paint but a “down to the studs” reinvention replete with drills, screeching circular saws and pounding sledgehammering, oh the hammering. Reverberating through the ceiling and echoing through the HVAC vents, the hammering begins promptly at 8:30 am and work continues even on Sunday. If your idea of a resort holiday is reading a book (or perusing social media) on your balcony or grabbing an afternoon nap in your room, then absolutely, positively wait to book a stay until the (unannounced at the time of our reservation and unmentioned by the otherwise very helpful prearrival concierge who arranged our restaurant and activity reservations) renovation is complete. I last stayed at this property back in the aughts when it was operated as a St. Regis. It was ground zero of the “AIG effect” that impacted corporate events for the next decade following the AIG’s sybaritic corporate retreat partially funded by a taxpayer bailout. At the time, Julia Roberts was in residence (with a private jitney to the beach away from marauding fans seeking selfies) and a birthday girl one night arrived at her Sweet Sixteen party on the back of an elephant! Heady times indeed. History may not repeat but it does rhyme. Ms. Roberts and the elephant appear to be gone but the events are back – this time the IMN Real Estate Family Office and Private Wealth Management Forum, and convocation of the Home Depot Foundation. This was always a property that pencils out with 70% conference-event / 30% leisure travelers. These corporate operational priorities remain in place, dear leisure travelers. To accentuate some of the many positives: the spa = fantastic. Our party enjoyed three massages with reviews ranged from “best in life” to “A+.“ Whatever level of Excedrin headache the hammering may cause, the sanctuary of the spa will restore tranquility and then some. The athletic center is also well-equipped, spacious and spotless. The golf course garners a solid “A” grade. With wide, forgiving fairways and picturesque oceanside holes, the Monarch Beach Golf Course is everything one might ask of resort golf. Expertly managed by Troon, the facility boasts an attentive and upbeat staff. Immaculately maintained landscaping. Cool ocean breezes. You won’t find the challenge here of a Torrey Pines but that’s not why you come here. At the risk of incurring the wrath of the golf gods, Jittery Eric did not lose a single golf ball on this course – a remarkable feat as I have been known to lose an entire case of balls during a round, e.g., at The Plantation Course at Kapalua – greatly enhancing my enjoyment. I believe its remains the sole five-star, five-diamond coastal resort with a full golf course in California. And then there’s the pool. No California coastal resort would be complete without a lively pool scene and the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort and Club does not disappoint. With a talented staff of bright-eyed, eager attendants de rigueur for such settings, the main pool is a well-orchestrated, bustling scene in a singular setting. There are families with young children cavorting merrily with their flotation devices. At the same time the pool is also the backdrop upon which all excesses of human folly play out. In one poolside cabana a gaggle of bewitching floozies celebrated a companion’s 50th birthday. Plumped, tightened and augmented by the finest – and unfortunately the less gifted – plastic surgeons of Orange County, the group emerged after multiple rounds of shots and frosty margs to spread good, plastered cheer to all. Soon, two rotund men hailing from the City of Brotherly Love wandered up sans shirts or wedding rings. Bearing down with the fervor of teenagers in the front row watching Harry Styles, two of the saucy and sou
We have been Hilton members for well over 30 years. We have stayed at the property through several ownership changes. I never complain about prices but this hotel borders on the insane. We had coffee last night. A cup of coffee and two refills cost $27.00. $9.00 for the coffee and the same for each refill. Who priced this? Al Capone? That is not a restaurant; it is organized crime. I didn’t know whether to ask for a manager or the mob boss. Seriously, was there a porterhouse steak hidden in the coffee cup. If they are going to rob the patrons they should have giant sign disclosing what their intentions are. There are more warnings posted about the potential danger in eating fish. Come on guys. This is ridiculous
I stayed here for a long weekend, coming from New York. The hotel was fantastic. From the spa to the pool to the beach club, I loved it all. The lobby, rooms, and amenities are all spectacular. It truly felt like a luxurious home away from home. The cafe in the lobby is awesome for morning lattes, pastries, and a quick bite for lunch. The beach club was an incredible experience, do their beach restaurant for lunch or dinner, great cocktails and food. At the spa I had the best facial and massage ever. I can’t recommend this hotel enough. It was great.
My wife, 1 year old daughter and I just returned from staying at this property and could not have had a better time. We celebrated our anniversary at the hotel and the staff and the grounds were nothing short of extraordinary. As a Hilton Diamond Member we were upgraded to a fireside executive suit and the room was amazing. Room 162 had to be one of the best rooms on property for what we were looking for. It was large and very recently remodeled. Everything you would expect of a 5 star resort. The room had a patio with a fire pit which made for a perfect place for watching the sunset and enjoying room service. As a Diamond member we were also given a $50 per day resort credit. The cleaning staff did a great job cleaning the room every day and even came by at night for turndown service to make sure you had everything you need for the evening. The whole hotel was immaculately taken care of. Service at the pool was exceptional, if you ever needed anything you did not have to look far for service. There were two pools; one more focused on kids and the other more focused for adults. So whatever experience you are looking for it is possible at the pools. I will say that this resort was very family friendly which was nice. Do not miss out on the Beach Club. It is a small tram ride from the hotel (5 minutes) but we never had to wait and it was even something we began looking forward to. Once at the beach they have staff ready to help you set up beach chairs and umbrellas. The restaurant here is one of the best amenities of the hotel. Great food, great service surrounded by the best views imaginable. If it wasn’t for the necessary nap times with our daughter we might have spent most of our vacation at the Beach Club. Traveling with a small child we never actually left the resort but that never felt old. The property is huge and all of the food was great. There were activates and so much to see. Our 5 nights there flew by. I spend a lot of time at Hilton properties and this is one, if not the best property in the US. I couldn’t recommend it any higher. I will be back many more times! Every small detail was taken care of from the minute we set foot on property. The staff really goes above and beyond. Big shoutout to a few folks who made our trip extra special: Room Service: Santos Pool Waiter: Oscar Tram Driver: Ron Bourbon Steak: Paul & JC Guest Experience: Brendan Montes
I would never stay at this Waldorf ever again. It was a construction zone at 8:30am( never told us) $1000 for 1 night. Sent you on a maze to get to your room. Room was worth $300 not $1000 and the noise was awful. Drills etc all day long. The most in relaxing time ever. Super snotty also about everything. Go to the ritz down the street!!! Not worth it
My family (myself, wife, 9 year old daughter, and 5 year old daughter) stayed here for 3 days over Memorial Day Weekend. I'm a Hilton Honors Diamond member but I was not able to upgrade from the garden view 2 queen because we went on such a popular weekend. We were able to check in early on Saturday around 2 PM and check out later on Monday at 1 PM. It was nice to get to spend that extra time at the resort. My daughters loved the pools and the hot tubs and they swam each day. They also enjoyed taking the tram to the beach club and had a wonderful time at the beach - it never felt crowded even though there were plenty of people there. Such a great location! The room was nice and the bathroom was very large. We were on the 5th floor which is the same level as the lobby so it was easy to get in an out. Our balcony in room 531 faced north to the hills. We ate at Aveo on Saturday night and at Sombra at the pool on Sunday and they were fine. We also had breakfast burritos, a breakfast sandwich, and a quiche at Part and Parcel which were quick and convenient. The staff were always very friendly and attentive. A definite plus. This was a staycation for us as we live about an hour away but it really felt like we got away for a while. It's a wonderful place.
My wife, baby daughter and parents had a 3-night stay here. We were very excited for our stay as the property looked beautiful online. However, to say this trip was a disappointment would be an understatement. 1) Every single day the key cards stopped working and we had to wait in line at the front desk to get them remade. 2) They delivered us a “complimentary' microwave to use, but then charged us $50 for it. (They eventually removed charge later, although it took almost an hour to do so) 3) On our first evening of arrival, after a long day, the fire alarm was triggered. Us and our baby daughter were unable to get back to sleep. (No explanation was given) 4) Upon checking out there was a charge of over $3500 on the bill! The room was booked with points and shouldn't have had any charge. THEN the front desk agent said he was unable to remove the charge and I should wait to speak with the manager. I couldn't wait as we had a long day on the road ahead of us. He said the manager would call me in an hour or two. The manager never called! I called back 3 times! Waited on hold for 20-30 minutes each time and could never speak to the manager. FINALLY, Olivia at the front desk confirmed the charge would be removed and that I would be contacted via email or call from the manager for some sort of compensation such as extra points or credit. AGAIN, no call from anyone.... I am still waiting. 5) I was suppose to receive 3 $50 food and beverage credits, however I only received 1. 6) There were more small problems with the room/hotel as well. This was definitely the worst stay I have ever had at a Hilton hotel, let alone a WALDORF ASTORIA. I would have had better service at the Holiday Inn Express. If your looking for a nice relaxing vacation spot, I would recommend staying ANYWHERE, but here. Also there is a Ritz Carlton right down the street that is beautiful and they don't do these things to their guests. I AM STILL WAITING FOR MANAGEMENT TO CONTACT ME.
Had an amazing stay. Gorgeous expansive property with fantastic service. We loved our 2 lunches at the Monarch Bay Beach Club…delicious food & cocktails in a beautiful oceanfront setting. The rooms are huge…over 500sf. We were upgraded to a courtyard view which provided beautiful views of this stunning property! Highly recommend.