Editor’s Note: I chose to be a “secret guest” at the Montage Laguna Beach recently to report back to my faithful LagunaBeachBest.com readers, and have completed a series of short article reviews on the Montage. See related article links at the bottom of this article.
[singlepic id=371 w=320 h=240 mode=watermark float=right]The Montage Laguna Beach is our city’s highest end resort; it’s also ranked as one of the Top 10 resorts in the world. While it definitely caters to international travelers (some stay for 1-3 months at a time), the Montage Resort does a really wonderful job inviting local residents in, ensuring we all feel welcome.
Having seen it evolve its way along, from Laguna Beach’s original Treasure Island Trailer Park to this multi-billion dollar resort, it might be difficult to fathom what, exactly, the Montage does to rank at this pristine level … and that’s why I chose to explore it over a weekend as its secret guest.
I’ll just do a couple vignettes on the Montage Resort here. I’m starting with the Montage grounds here.
As you know by now, I’m dyed-in-the-wool and sold-down-the-river on Laguna Beach’s beauty. There are few promontories better, though, than the land on which the Montage Laguna Beach was built. [singlepic id=377 w=320 h=240 mode=watermark float=right]This is spectacular beach-front property with multiple beach accesses and rolling, green lawns everywhere. For the record, we’re all rather grateful that the Montage has put so much time, effort and labor into accentuating this beautiful property.
Anyone from anywhere is allowed on the Montage Laguna Beach grounds, and residents of Laguna Beach and neighboring town guests trot down for picnics, family BBQs, birthday gatherings and more. (It’s even dog-friendly, inside and out!) Each year, the renowned Laguna Art Museum Plein Air Invitational begins here at the Montage, and it’s a wonder the artists choose to wander anywhere else over the course of their painting week, as there’s not a bad view anywhere from the Montage grounds. [singlepic id=378 w=320 h=240 mode=watermark float=left]
Cradled between two beautiful beaches (Treasure Island Beach and Victoria Beach), the Montage has easy beach access for its guests and incoming day visitors alike.
If I sound like a paid P.R. agent for the Montage’s landscape architects, I can only sheepishly shrug. Not paid whatsoever; they have no idea who I am. When you look at these photos I’ve taken here on just a random Sunday at the Montage Resort, you’ll see why it’s difficult to say anything negative about this place. They’ve taken a spectacular setting and made it even more spectacular. Click on any of these photos in the gallery below for expanded views!
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For my related articles about the Montage in this www.LagunaBeachBest.com blog see:
The Montage Laguna Beach: My Restaurant Reviews
The Montage Laguna Beach: The Satisfying Lobby Lounge
The Montage Laguna Beach: Weekly Wine Tasting Classes (for guests and locals alike)
The Montage Laguna Beach: Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
The Montage Laguna Beach: Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Eggstravaganza
© Diane Armitage, 2011, www.LagunaBeachBest.com