There’s the French Riviera, of course, with a string of sun-stunning resorts stretching along the Mediterranean. Could that have been the inspiration for Orange County’s spin on the Pacific? Debuting this year is The Ocean Front group, representing 10 hotels with oceanfront views.
This ocean odyssey links four beach cities; Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Dana Point. Like a string of gems along this legendary coastline, they range from the elongated Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa (definitely the longest, it stretches nearly a quarter-mile along their popular surfing beach) to the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa overlooking Doheny State Beach and Dana Point Harbor. Each of the 10 oceanfront hotels has ocean views and offers a variety of package vacations throughout the year. For example, the St. Regis has a Diva package for four friends; two rooms, two nights, breakfast, daily massage for each person and surfing lessons for a total of $1,995.
The Ocean Front group reveals a treasure trove of spas as well, such as the new Pure Blu Spa at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa, Spa Montage at the Montage Resort & Spa in Laguna Beach, the Spa Gaucin at the St. Regis Monarch Bay in Dana Point and the spa at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa.
The Pure Blu Spa accessed from the lobby of the newly renovated Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa, is a dream come true for spa lovers. Light, airy, accentuated with marvelous photographs in shades of blue, this two-level spa is soothing right down to the smallest detail. In the spa waiting room, a discreet sign says, “Spa Voices, Please.” This simple statement sets the tone for this serene spa where treatments are described without a lot of frou frou, such as Pure Blu Rain, Pure Blu Body Wraps and Pure Blu Rituals. Newport Beach’s Fashion Island is pure shopping so having Pure Blu across the street is perfect placement.
Pure Blu is so well designed that the energy changes the moment you cross the threshold from the busy lobby, just around the corner from Sam & Harry’s, a classic American steakhouse with roots in Washington D.C. The usual hotel fare aside, from a Starbucks, corporate meetings and a weddings, this pristine spa is a welcome relief for the weary traveler. It’s as if one is removed to an island of blue mosaics with wispy blue curtains, a private swimming pool surrounded by cabanas on one side and soothing music and subtle fragrances such as rosemary.
Somebody is obviously behind the scenes orchestrating all of this. Yvonne Palmer, spa manager, is the personality putting a spa lover’s touch on therapeutic treatments such as the 80-minute “Shell Therapy.” Put yourself on cruise control as the therapist uses a seashell in combination with warm oil (from Babor), applying it on your body from head to toe. The objective, to soften and smooth out skin, is so effective that you are asked to refrain from a bath or shower for a few hours so the oils can be properly absorbed. To keep you sequestered in this seductive ambiance for a few more hours are other equally serious treatments such as a body wrap with body contouring algae and an exfoliation with lavender and salt.
How convenient that a most remarkably healthy lunch is served next door at a Sam & Harry’s, a design-your-own salad ($14) where you can select eight vegetarian friendly ingredients from a menu allowing you to check off exactly what you want, from spinach or mixed greens with tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, with add-ons such as roast turkey and wild salmon.
That healthy lunch offset dinner that night at the Rib Joint in Dana Point (housed in the same shanty for 26 years) where most mains and sides are cholesterol unconscious but delicious, from baby back loin ribs to roadhouse mushrooms. Call 949.661.9500 to contact the restaurant.
But back to reality, and the land of lettuce leaves. Pure Blu has a Summer Special, a 50-minute massage ($85) and a 50-minute facial, body exfoliation body wrap or Pure Blu Rain at $95. Call 949.640.4000 or go to
www.newportbeachmarriotthotel.
Pamela Price is the co-author of “100 Best Spas of the World” and “Fun with the Family in Southern CA.” She can be reached at pamprice@dc.rr.com.