The Ranch at Laguna Beach

The Ranch is in a canyon, so it is quiet and secluded, but there is an option to walk to the beach if wanted. It seems to mostly be for golfers, but we enjoyed just relaxing and enjoying the canyon views. We went in winter, so the weather was fairly cool when we went. The pool was heated and the Jacuzzi nice an warm, so we were able to go swimming. They have daily farm tours and a stargazing demonstration on Fridays. There is a bird of prey demonstration on Saturday mornings, so we got to see two owls up close and learn about their lives in Orange County. We ate at the Harvest both nights. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. I was treated to a special dessert since it was my birthday. For in room dining, there is a tablet in the room which makes ordering very easy. We recommend the Ranch for a quiet stay away from the Laguna Beach crowds.

Our family stay at the Ranch in Laguna Beach was absolutely memorable and peaceful. We traveled with our young daughter and had a two bed cottage room which was perfect for a family. We all had a wonderful time - the lost pier cafe and the beach chairs/umbrellas were perfect for a great day at the beach, Harvest restaurant was delicious and we had amazing servers each time we dined there, check in and out was easy (special thanks to Laura for her help). We even enjoyed lunch outdoors at Ben’s pantry. Housekeeping was attentive and ensured the room was kept up well. We recommend it to all our friends and family because everyone was nice and friendly and helpful to us!

Our stay at Ladera Ranch was unfortunately filled with several issues that made for a frustrating experience. On the first night, the heater in our room malfunctioned, causing the temperature to soar to an uncomfortable 91 degrees. The engineer worked on it until after 9 p.m., but the problem wasn't fixed that night. Our toddler couldn't sleep because of the heat, leaving all of us restless for the rest of our stay. We weren't offered a new room until the next day, and after talking to other guests, it seems this is a common issue due to outdated rooms and HVAC systems. Dinner at Harvest Ranch didn't fare any better. The food was overly peppered and served cold, and while our waiter was polite, the extended wait time was unacceptable--our appetizers took over an hour to arrive. The real issue, however, was with the front desk staff. They were not only rude but also seemed particularly dismissive towards the valet team. The valet, housekeeping, and engineering staff, on the other hand, were a breath of fresh air--extremely friendly and helpful. It was unfortunate that their positive attitudes contrasted so sharply with the behavior of the front desk team. Based on our experience, we wouldn't return to Ladera Ranch.

This hotel is a hidden gem. You drive into the canyon and you are transported to another world. The setting is magical and calming. Each staff member is warm and helpful. The room -- we stayed in building 10 -- was comfortable, spacious, beautifully designed to fit the setting. Lovely little spa with excellent treatments. The highlights are Harvest and he outdoor patio with live music overlooking the canyon.

Everything was great, my family and I are from Mexico, and all the people at the Harvest restaurant made us feel at home, it was an excellent stay. The room was very clean and the golf course has beautiful views. And the gym was really good too. We will definitely be back