Hacienda Cerritos

It’s a lovely place and adds to an already gorgeous beach, but we didn’t feel very welcome as people who weren’t staying at the hotel. We love Cerritos beach and like exploring new spots, yet when we came up the stairs from the beach to have a look, the hotel didn’t make us feel welcome. I’ve heard from locals that things have changed, so maybe the friendliness will improve.

The grounds are beautiful and the views are unmatched. We were lucky enough to see whales on most mornings and afternoons. My partner and I came to Hacienda Cerritos at Christmas. The weather was warm, the surf small but fun, and getting there from the airport was easy. It’s also close enough to town. Most of the staff were friendly and inviting, but the two women who checked us in and out were surprisingly inhospitable, which was disappointing given their hospitality roles. The food was very good. The onsite coffee shop wasn’t staffed regularly, and the coffee and lattes weren’t impressive, so we drove 15/20 minutes to other coffee spots each morning. The gym was out of order. Several things in our room needed more attention: the bathroom fan was broken, some areas were very dusty, and the towel mat wasn’t replaced after the first day. The pool wasn’t heated, which was fine since the ocean was warm, though a dip in the pool would have been nice. Overall, it was a nice experience.

We only had dinner and watched whales breaching, so we didn’t see the rooms. The outdoor bar and restaurant have a fabulous sea view, and it’s a great spot for whale watching in season. The hotel lobby is beautiful and classy, the pool looks out over the Pacific Ocean, and the staff were very attentive. Great location. La Mision.

We weren’t staying at the resort, but stopped by for a delicious breakfast. We had oats with apple and cinnamon, plus Chilaquiles. The food was great, served on beautiful crockery, and the staff and owner were lovely. It’s a stunning little boutique resort at the point in Cerritos Beach.