Montage Laguna Beach

We always love stopping at the Montage for a pre dinner drink where we can get a spectacular view. This time I felt compelled to write a review as we had exceptional service from Nico! He was so attentive and helpful, and had a fantastic energy! We look forward to coming back soon!

The Montage resorts are a smaller group of extremely high end hotels, and we've now stayed at two. The Laguna Beach property is obviously amazingly beautiful, luxuriously appointed and maintained, but the real story here is the staff. Each and every person with whom we dealt, from housekeeping to the group sales people were pleasant and professional, and went out of their way to assist us and make our stay memorable. Our experience here was unparalleled in our past travel to many other comparably priced luxury hotels. The people here make the difference, although I would be remiss to not mention that the property itself is beautiful, impeccably maintained, with breathtaking views of the Pacific and Catalina Island.

Please be aware construction is being done at the property. Montage not only does not disclose the information ahead of time nor even after inquiring. I booked this property a couple months in advance for my sons birthday to have some time for rest and relaxation after long working months. I learned from American Express travel site and trip advisor on Wednesday March 5 that work was being done. I called the hotel to inquire further and cancel my booking but I was assured and promised the major work was complete and work only occurs m-f from 9-5. I spoke with the hotel directly, the front desk, management and reservations. Upon checking in on Friday i inquired again and was assured the “refresh of the mosaic pool” will be ending at 5 and will not resume until Monday at 9:00 am. Upon ordering breakfast on Saturday morning while waiting for our order, construction began. I called it construction and a remodel as it was sawing concrete, hammering and chiseling concrete, drilling and forklifts beeping. It was so loud I could not have a conversation. This occurred through the day on Saturday. The mosaic pool is the middle of the entire property so you can not avoid it. A refresh in my opinion is new furniture, painting, cleaning, etc. The montage is a beautiful property and I understand keeping the standards up to par but management should be fully transparent and not mislead. I should not have had to do my due diligence and work so hard to find out truths about the property. The construction work should have been fully and clearly revealed before booking, upon booking and checking in. The hotel should not be so insulting as to charge full price and then not honor their word. I spoke to management so many times this was not a vacation. Management should have approached us to apologize and offer a new stay when work will be completed instead they tried haggling over comping some items even after admitting “you did your due diligence we are sorry”. This was the culmination at check out and my 4th or 5th conversation about the construction and only after playing a recording of the loud construction and showing them my documented day and time and length of phone call to the hotel before my stay. We did not get to enjoy the property as we left the property to explore and hike and find some quiet peace. I could have stayed at the ritz or the Waldorf for half the price. We were not able to use the full amenities of the property. If i wanted just a bed to stay in there are many other options.

Everything was wonderful!! The service, the guest rooms, the food, the views. We celebrated a small family wedding in the Loft Private Dining Room and stayed the night. Since we were celebrating they brought us a little chocolate cake and champagne!

Jenna Jiampietro is an unbelievable host. We had everything we needed the entire time. She quickly made our reservations happen and booked an amazing experience at the spa. She is thoughtful and responsive. There are other options out there but we continually come back to the Montage because of Jenna.