The Retreat in Laguna Beach

I strongly recommend choosing your vacation spot carefully. In my experience, honest reviews can give you a glimpse of what to expect and may spare someone else the heartache of a bad stay. I call it as I see it, and hope this helps. After my original post, the owner replied without taking responsibility for the awful experience. That response didn't surprise me, and I found the owner's comments revealing of the attitude you might have to deal with. Laguna has plenty of beautiful places to stay. To me, the risk of an unpleasant experience and losing thousands of dollars isn't worth it. Surf and Sand, the Ritz, and Hilton are all good options depending on what you prefer, and offer more protection for your money. I deeply regret ever finding this place's website. I strongly do not recommend it. There were so many issues, and I wouldn't want anyone else to lose money expecting a vacation and end up with a nightmare. I hope people choose somewhere honest instead.

Villa Bella Mare was absolutely lovely when we stayed last week. The apartment looked just like the pictures, and we could see the gorgeous ocean from every room except the bathroom. Management was very attentive and brought us beach chairs and an umbrella as we

The balcony view was amazing, and the area was quiet. Staff were friendly, and the villa felt cozy and comfortable, right by the beach and within an easy walk of local shops and restaurants. There were five of us, so the room felt a little tight and something slightly bigger might have suited us better. Still, we'd stay here again without hesitation.

The location is excellent, with easy walks to the beach, the Village, and places farther south. We stayed in two villas: one had a separate bedroom, balcony, and great ocean view, while the other was smaller with only a glimpse of the ocean. The difference in quality is reflected in the prices. There isn't daily maid service unless you request it and pay extra, which was fine for us. You also pay a cleaning fee at the end of your stay, unlike at a hotel. Parking, though, was free, while many hotels around town charge for it.