Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort

We just returned from a week stay at this resort. Overall we felt it was fine. Nothing majorly wrong with the property but definitely nothing that warranted a 5* rating and the outrageous rates and fees for everything. No wow factors. They seem to cater more to events versus vacationers and the vibe of the hotel felt that way. PROS The resort and grounds themselves are beautiful. The staff was friendly and the housekeeping team was very prompt Pool and beach set up team were very nice and it was great to have help with the umbrellas. Great to have tram service to the beach Golf course looked beautiful Poolside food was good CONS Pricing- Unnecessarily overpriced. Valet parking does not need to be $75/night, this is not NYC. We did the self park option as much as possible but it's not super convenient, especially with sleepy kids and elderly parents. Poolside cocktails do not need to cost $26+ for something that honestly was all ice. After a week of room charges you sadly get used to the absurdity of their costs but it’s really jarring how obnoxious it is. No pool/beach/lawn activities- We have been to many luxe resorts who always have lawn games (ping pong, chess, etc.) set up. There was one ping pong table that was part of the kids club and was tucked into a tiny corner. There aren’t any beach activities. We inquired about boogie boards and were told there is a 3rd party that manages it all and it would take over an hour to get them out. The resort fee should cover things like water activities. It would have been nice to have something else to do while at the pool/beach. We mentioned when booking that we were celebrating my husband’s 50th birthday and the front desk acknowledged it but that was it. We didn’t need a parade but a card or dessert sent to the room would have been a nice touch. Inconsistencies- when we were checking out, someone was passing out welcome drinks in the lobby. There was nothing like that when we checked in. There were no “extras” or little touches like most resorts of this caliber have always offered. Beach restaurant- nice to have an option but the food was just ok and the service was very slow. We went once and our kids table, which ordered the same time, got their food 30 min before us (many of the same entrees we ordered). Another table who sat down after us ate and left before we got our food. They did feel bad and gave us a 20% off discount but we didn’t like wasting 2+ hours of beach time sitting at the restaurant. Pool servers- they automatically charged gratuity without telling us. I happened to notice it on the 2nd time but someone else in our party did not and double tipped. Location- it felt a bit isolated. Sure you’re 5-10 min drive to Dana Point, another 15 min to Laguna but we would have preferred to have a few options within walking distance. We didn’t think it would bother us when booking but it did. Again, if there were more activities at the beach/pool/lawn we wouldn’t have felt the need to leave and explore. Minor things- The hairdryers in the rooms are terrible. The pillows were flat (even after asking for more). We had to call many times throughout our week to have coffee pods replaced and there was no tea in the room. So overall, great place to host an event or corporate retreats. I wouldn’t go there for a family vacation. We have stayed at many memorable 5* resorts around the world and sadly this resort doesn’t match up. We had family across 3 rooms and all agreed on our experience and would rank this a 4 star resort at best.

From the moment we arrived, the team at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach set the tone for an exceptional stay. Lucinda's personal touch in preparing our room made us feel genuinely welcomed before we even checked in — that kind of thoughtfulness is rare and did not go unnoticed. Max and his team demonstrated exactly what the Waldorf standard means in practice. Professional, composed, and genuinely committed to the guest experience at every level. The valet and bellman teams were outstanding — warm, efficient, and consistently attentive throughout our stay. Small interactions like these define a luxury property and the team here gets it right. Room was exceptional. The setting, the amenities, and the coastal views created an experience that lived up to everything this stellar brand name represents. We look forward to returning.

This is important so i wanted to write this review. We went earlier today to the terrific Easter Brunch at Aveo. It’s a fabulous restaurant with a world class view, and even better service I’m about to describe. A piece of the prime rib got stuck in my throat, and wouldn’t immediately clear. Didn’t worry at first until it increasingly became a bigger problem. Eventually it became a serious problem. I saw asst mgrs Kevin and Thomas conferring near the bar, along with head senior bar mgr Jose. I made my way over and gasped I needed help and pointed to my chest. They instantly knew I couldn’t breathe and Kevin immediately turned me around and started the himlach maneuver, while Thomas and Jose were shouting instructions . Quickly the obstruction cleared and I could start breathing again. Look, we all are great while things are going perfectly. It’s only under pressure that we separate the elite from the rest. And these 3 under pressure never flinched, and reacted instantly to an event they obviously don’t practice for every day. I owned a business approaching 1 billion dollars, and I would have gone to the end of the earth to make sure these 3 would have never left. They redefine the term “professional under pressure “. As an owner if there is a problem lets say that a reservation can’t be immediately seated because a previous party wouldn’t leave, I’m pretty sure these guys can easily handle that. In sum, the hotel hit the trifecta with these 3, and along with the terrific Aveo restaurant, I would give my strongest recommendation.

I cannot express my thanks enough to Allison and her staff at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach. They went out of their way to ensure my family's stay there was beyond our expectations. I booked a room and requested an upgrade as a Hilton diamond member. There was a slight delay in getting an upgrade ready but it wasn't a big deal. So when i received a text from Allison apologizing for the delay and asking if there was anything they can do to make things better, I was quite impressed. I said that all is fine. Then I was even more impressed as she followed up on it with a token to show the hotel was committed to make our stay memorable. Having businesses myself, it made me reflect how important customer service is. Going above and beyond makes difference to show the customer they are valued. And the Waldorf's attention to customer satisfaction is at a level I've never seen in any hotel property. The hotel and facilities were first rate. The room was exquisite. But most of all, the staff really made our trip memorable. Thank you so much Allison.

My husband and I loved the hotel, but one the bartenders was so rude and disrespectful to my wife. He wouldn’t give me his name but at the end I believe it was Casey. He was the worse and with a poor attitude. Needs better bartenders but food was amazing.