Highlights: The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

•Blufftop location with two miles of sandy beach makes this a hotel with a breathtaking setting

•Guest rooms and suites are casually sophisticated

•Fine dining is available at four bars and restaurants

•Ritz Kids Program hosts scheduled activities for children ages 5-12

•Nineteen meeting rooms make this an ideal site for corporate or social functions

•Eight golf courses are within minutes of the resort

•Unique treatments and water walls and fountains soothe tired souls at the full-service spa

Amenities: The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

• 393 rooms, 4 story. Pets accepted, some restrictions. Check-in 4 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Two restaurants, three bars. Fitness room, spa. Beach. Outdoor pool, whirlpool. Tennis. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

Located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel shares a luxurious slice of southern California with its guests. In addition to its spectacular location atop a bluff 150-feet above the Pacific Ocean, this hotel also boasts two picturesque beaches, two pools, tennis, a spa, and fine dining. Elegant without the formality often associated with Ritz-Carlton properties, this resort appeals to all types of travelers. Visitors conducting business in Orange County will discover a staffed business center and in-room amenities, while those planning a corporate event will have their choice of 19 meeting rooms. Couples on romantic getaways will enjoy the spectacular setting and intimate guestrooms, while single travelers will feel equally welcomed. The fabulous Ritz Kids program keeps kids and parents smiling, and the location near Disneyland makes The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel a great choice for family vacations

While guests could spend their entire stay taking advantage of all that this resort has to offer, the surrounding town of Laguna Niguel and Orange County are worth exploring. You could spend time perusing the more than 70 art galleries in Laguna Beach, or take the ferry across to the popular tourist destination, Catalina Island. The beaches of Newport and Huntington are also a short distance away.

The Ritz-Carlton’s guest rooms and suites are sophisticated and soothing, blending traditional furnishings with cool colors and a relaxed attitude. Garden and pool views are lovely, while the ocean-view rooms offer extraordinary vistas. As is expected of a Ritz-Carlton property, Laguna Niguel’s team of highly trained professionals treats each guest with care and attention.

(+) Elegant resort appeals to families, single vacationers, couples, and business travelers

Guest Services: The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

The Ritz-Carlton offers a wide range of services to its guests, including 24-hour room service, one-hour pressing, and complimentary shoeshine service, but the resort also offers location-specific services, such as complimentary shuttle service to and from the beach and the off-property golf course. Additionally, golf bag and luggage storage are available at this resort.

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel didn’t disappoint me with its service. The concierge was exceptionally pleasant, offering the perfect suggestion for dinner and securing reservations. The waitress in the lounge was also lovely, making me feel welcome and comfortable. The bellman sent me away with a caring goodbye, several bottles of water, and the impression that he was genuinely concerned with my safe departure, as well as my return to the hotel. Even the housekeeping staff member that I encountered was polite and tidy.

(+) Professional personable staff knows how to cater to guests

Guest Rooms: The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel has 393 guest rooms, including 30 suites and 38 Ritz-Carlton Club level rooms, entitling guests to private lounges with five food and beverage displays daily, as well as separate concierge service. The 400-square-foot standard guest rooms feature ocean, garden, or pool views, while executive suites are more spacious with 784 to 1,125 square feet, and separate living and sleeping areas. The Crown Suite and the Presidential Suite are the hotel’s two largest accommodations, offering 1,550 and 1,840 square feet respectively. These princely accommodations, complete with dining rooms, wet bars, pantries, and powder rooms, are well suited to business or social functions.

The decor blends Ritz-Carlton’s classic, formal style with a breezy casual attitude. The rooms and suites employ soft, soothing shades of blue, sand, and cream to complement, rather than compete, with the gorgeous natural setting. Flat-screen televisions are an example of the more technological comforts the room provides to make you feel at home, while large balconies provide enjoyable spaces for reflection or relaxation.

Echoing the elegant style seen throughout the hotel’s public spaces, my guest room was a serene space dominated by soft salmon and mint-green hues. A lovely plate of chocolates awaited my arrival and was a thoughtful gesture. While my room was slightly smaller than I was expecting, I did find the bathroom to be surprisingly spacious and well stocked with toiletries and plush towels.

(+) Guest rooms have a beautiful, classic, yet modern, design

Facilities & Activities: The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

With two miles of pristine beach just outside its doors, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel calls to sand and surf lovers. The hotel maintains a collection of boogie boards, snorkel sets, umbrellas, and beach chairs for all guests’ use. Those who prefer to lounge poolside will find two outdoor heated pools and Jacuzzis at this resort.

While The Ritz-Carlton does not have its own golf course, guests are invited to play at the adjacent Monarch Bay Golf Links, which were created by world-renown designer Robert Trent Jones Jr. Golfers are also invited to play at the other area courses -- Pelican Hill and the Talega Golf Club.

Tennis players can choose from among four poolside tennis courts, as well as seven additional courts at the nearby tennis club. Guests need not pack their racquets to visit this resort, which keeps a collection of equipment for complimentary use. Group and private lessons are also available.

Health-minded guests will appreciate the two-level oceanfront fitness center with Precor machines and free weights. Yoga, Pilates, and Tai’ Chi classes are available in the Gazebo, and personal training sessions may also be arranged.

After a workout, visit the resort’s spa, where 11 tranquil treatment rooms await your arrival. The peaceful rhythm of the ocean is mimicked inside this peaceful spa, where water walls and fountains soothe tired souls. Collagen infusion facials and California citrus body polishes are among the spa’s signature treatments. The list of available services also highlights monthly changing themed treatments, such as the chocolate sugar scrub pedicure offered during the summer.

The Ritz Kids Program invites children 5 to 12 years old to participate in half- and full-day activities. From arts and crafts and kite flying to swimming and boogie boarding, this enriching program makes use of its setting to entertain the youngest Ritz-Carlton guests.

The Dana Point area of Laguna Beach is an active paradise. Just five minutes away, the Dana Point Harbor offers jet skiing, sailing, and whale watching. The surrounding area offers more than just sports, though, and with Disneyland, Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo just an hour away, it’s also a perfect family destination.

(+) Resort’s plentiful amenities keep guests busy, while surrounding area offers numerous active and tourist activities

Dining & Lounge: The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

The Ritz-Carlton has four dining outlets, but Restaurant 162’ is the shining star. This restaurant, with its stunning location 162 feet above sea level, serves gourmet cuisine with its awe-inspiring views. Naturally, seafood figures largely on the menu.

In addition to fine dining, the resort offers bistro-style fare in the Club Grill & Bar, along with seasonal lunch at the Dana Pool Bar.

Another option is The Bar, with its ocean views and signature sunset martinis, which make this a popular gathering place. Children’s menus, with everything from petite filet mignon to dinosaur noodle soup, are also provided. Themed cooking classes are offered during the summer months.

The food was well prepared and artistically presented throughout my stay. The wait staff was always courteous and efficient, delivering food in very little time while never sacrificing quality.

I also took advantage of the 24-hour room service. The staff was very well prepared when I ordered, though later I felt that the food presentation was not equal to the outstanding quality of the meal. Since my room was on the smaller side, I enjoyed dining out at the restaurants rather than in the privacy of my room.

(+) Excellent food and courteous wait staff in the restaurants
(-) Room service presentation wasn’t as polished as the high quality food

Business Services: The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel

The hotel boasts 19 different meeting rooms, and has become a popular destination for corporate groups and gatherings. More than 26,224 square feet of indoor space welcome business travelers, and the resort’s lawns, pool terraces, and garden courtyards are also available for group use.

The Ritz-Carlton’s business center -- with its well-trained staff, secretarial services, and Technology Butlers -- is a boon to those on the road. In-room amenities include two-line phones with customized voice mail. And, the hotel is conveniently located near many nationally recognized businesses.

(+) Ample meeting space and well-equipped business center caters to individual and corporate groups