Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach

The evening view from our room was lovely, with the hotel lights and architecture adding to the partial ocean view. We stayed at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach with my child, and the whole place felt peaceful and thoughtfully put together, from the beach to the pool. It almost felt like being abroad at an expensive European resort. I left feeling relaxed and inspired, and we absolutely want to return again.

The room was updated and really comfortable, and I especially liked the sunken tub with bath salts. Housekeeping added thoughtful touches and paid close attention to details. The beach club made the stay even better, and the property and amenities were beautiful with great service. We had fun at the complimentary tequila tasting. I wish we'd had time for more of the activities, so we'll save those for next time. I'd stay here again in a heartbeat.

Checking out felt like getting sent back to ordinary life. I’ve stayed at luxury resorts around the world, and Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club makes all that excess feel easy. At the Monarch Beach Club, attendants had chairs ready before we asked, and the private beach access came with an atmosphere where nobody seemed stressed. The suite was over the top in the best way, with marble everywhere, incredibly soft bedding, and a balcony above the Pacific. I had a cocktail and briefly considered putting off my responsibilities indefinitely. The service was almost telepathic. I mentioned liking a certain sparkling water, and it kept appearing for the rest of our stay. Dinner was spectacular, with plates that looked designed by a luxury architect. The staff knew our name before we were fully out of the car, and the ocean views seemed almost artificially curated. The resort had that faint smell of expensive sunscreen and white orchids, with an air of generational wealth. The other guests had the hedge fund feel I expected, including six-figure watches and kids named things like “Winston” and “Elle.” This is clearly a place for people who stopped checking prices years ago. Even the cocktail probably cost more than my first car payment.

The resort was very nice, and the front desk treated us so well. Since we had diamond status, they upgraded us to a great room with a lovely view. They also left a birthday surprise in the room for my guest. Room service was delicious, and breakfast at one of the restaurants was five star.