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Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach: Luxury Stay in Coastal Orange County
- Alyssa
- Jun 2
- 15 min read
Just outside of Los Angeles sits Orange County, or “The OC,” a Southern California region known for its beautiful beaches! Many famous So-Cal beaches are in Orange County, including Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, and Newport Beach. Just down the coast from Laguna Beach is the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, a luxury hotel overlooking some of So-Cal's most infamous coastlines. Nestled in the hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach is a luxury coastal resort with an ocean-view pool, high-end spa, and nine-hole golf course!
Room rates are typically high for this hotel, and a basic room starts at around $900 per night. We had a free night reward on our Hilton credit card and decided to cash it in for the most expensive hotel we could find. Since we used our free night reward, the room was completely free! We even got upgraded to an ocean-view suite! Below, we will be breaking down our stay.
Getting To The Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach:
The closest airport to the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach is John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, located just 22 miles away. That said, if you're flying in from farther away or using international routes, you might also consider Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Long Beach Airport (LGB). Here's a breakdown of your best arrival options, depending on your priorities—whether it's proximity, convenience, or price.
Via John Wayne Airport (SNA)
Distance: 22 miles
Drive Time: ~30–45 minutes
John Wayne Airport is the most convenient option for getting to the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach. Located in the heart of Orange County, it’s small, clean, and easy to navigate—perfect for domestic travelers.
Ride-Share (Uber/Lyft): An Uber ride from John Wayne Airport to the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach costs approximately $55 to $70, but this price can vary depending on traffic conditions and peak hours. Peak traffic in Southern California typically runs from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, so arriving earlier can save you both time and money.
Taxi (California Yellow Cab):
A taxi ride with California Yellow Cab is estimated at $83 from SNA to the hotel. They allow for online booking (either ASAP or scheduled in advance), and their site offers set fare options, so you can avoid the uncertainty of a running meter. They also provide clear instructions on where to meet your cab when you land.
Rental Cars:
SNA features eight on-site rental companies with counters located on the Arrival (lower) Level between Terminals A and B, directly across from the John Wayne statue. Weekly rental prices typically range between $350 and $500, depending on vehicle type and provider.
Public Transit:
Public transit is not recommended from SNA to the hotel. The route would require multiple transfers and several miles of walking—far from ideal, especially with luggage.
Via Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Distance: 63 miles
Drive Time: ~1.5 to 2.5 hours (depending on traffic)
LAX is the largest airport in the region and serves as a hub for both domestic and international flights. If you're coming from the East Coast, overseas, or using points/miles with major airlines, this might be your go-to.
Ride-Share (Uber/Lyft):
Expect to pay anywhere from $110 to $150+ for an Uber or Lyft to Monarch Beach. Prices surge heavily during rush hour, and travel time can stretch up to 2.5 hours if you're arriving in the late afternoon.
Rental Cars:
LAX has a dedicated rental car facility with free shuttles from each terminal. Most major brands are available. While it's a longer commute, this is a great option if you plan to explore Los Angeles, Malibu, or the California coastline before or after your stay.
Pro Tip:
Try to land before 2:00 PM to beat Southern California’s infamous traffic. Anything past 4:00 PM will slow you down significantly.
Check-in:
Our first introduction to the hotel was the beautiful driveway leading to the entrance. There were manicured lawns and flowers surrounding large coastal-style fountains. There were multiple cars outside the front of the hotel, so there was a wait for the valet. After waiting a few minutes with no one greeting us at the valet, we left the keys in the car, grabbed our luggage, and headed inside.
Once we made it inside, we were greeted by a grand entryway. The second we stepped into the lobby we saw the ocean through the French doors on the lobby terrace. We had to wait in line to check in, but it moved fairly quickly. The team member who helped us check in was extremely kind and went over the property, our perks as Hilton Diamond Members, the restaurants on-site, and how to get around.
As we handled the check-in paperwork, we were informed that we had been upgraded from the standard king room to a king suite with an ocean view. The only catch was, that our room was not yet ready since we had arrived around 2:00 pm, two hours before the official 4:00 pm check-in time, but she gave us a pool card and map to enjoy the property while we waited. She informed us we would receive a text message when the room was ready and called housekeeping to ask for the room to be checked as soon as possible. She offered to hold our luggage until we could check in and had us fill out a luggage tag.
Exploring the Property:
As we wandered around the hotel killing time, we caught glimpses of the pool area, spotted guests enjoying lawn games on the green, and took in some stunning views of the surrounding landscape from different vantage points. Even though we had a map in hand, the layout was still a bit confusing, and we found ourselves doubling back more than once.
We did not get too far into our exploration before getting a text that our room was ready, and to head back to the check-in counter to get our room keys. The line had gotten longer at the check-in counter since it was getting closer to the 4:00 pm check-in time, and we had to wait about 10 minutes in line. It did not take long at the desk to get our room keys, and after a few minutes, we were off to find our room.
The hotel has two wings, a North and a South, which are not connected. We didn't realize this at first, and it took us longer than we'd like to admit to find our room! Each wing has its own set of elevators, and the one we needed was down a few winding hallways, making it a bit of a challenge to locate. Eventually, we did find our way, but the process certainly added some unexpected adventure to our check-in experience.
Room Details:
We received a room upgrade at check-in and enjoyed a one-night stay in a one-bedroom ocean-view suite. The room had a massive bathroom, a work/dining space with two chairs and a table, a sofa and coffee table, a plush king-sized bed, and a spacious patio overlooking the ocean.
We were initially shocked by how large the room was! The bathroom alone took up at least half of a normal hotel room. The room was modern and bright, with fun coastal colors throughout. The furniture and linens in the room were all in pristine condition, the room looked as if it had barely been used. The carpet in the room was fluffy and clean, definitely some of the cleanest floors we have seen in a hotel room!
The bathroom had a large standing shower, a separate soaking tub, a double sink vanity, a toilet room, and a walk-in closet. The shower was massive! There was enough room for six adults to stand comfortably. We did notice a lot of caked-on grime on the shower head, and even some leftover hair on the drain. This was a little shocking since the rest of the room was so clean! Inside the shower were three large bottles of Aesop toiletries, and they were amazing! The conditioner made our hair so soft, and it smelled so good! We even considered buying some from the hotel, we liked it so much.
Keeping up the theme with Aesop toiletries, the bathroom vanity had a large bottle of Aesop body lotion, and hand soap. Also on the vanity was a container with a small bottle of mouthwash, q-tips, cotton pads, and a nail kit with a file and cuticle pusher. We liked that they had such large bottles of toiletries in the room, but did worry about the potential they could have been tampered with.
The separate tub was deep and perfect for relaxing. There was a small wooden bath tray laying across the tub and sitting on it was a nicely folded washcloth, a packet of bath salts, and a shower cap. There was a small sign next to the bath faucet that warned not to leave the tub filling up unattended as it fills quickly, and it did fill up very fast! Like the shower, there were a few spots missed when cleaning the tub, like an orange ring of residue around the drain and in the surrounding area. Next to the bath was a window to the bedroom with shutters that could be opened or closed for privacy. With them open you could see the TV, and it was nice to relax and watch a show from the bathtub.
In the bathroom was also a separate room for the toilet. This was nice since two people could use the bathroom at the same time, if someone was getting ready they would not have to leave the bathroom for someone to use the toilet. In addition to the toilet room, a large walk-in closet was also in the bathroom. Inside the closet was a safe, robes, slippers, extra linens, an umbrella, and an ironing kit. There was plenty of room inside for luggage, clothes, and even room to set up the ironing board. It was nice to keep the luggage out of the way, and in one spot.
The bedroom had multiple sections, a small dining/work area, a sitting area, a patio, and a bed. There was a large dresser in the room with a TV and espresso machine on top. In the drawers, there were snacks, cups, coffee pods, sugar, creamer, and even a fully stocked mini fridge. All of the snack items and the drinks in the mini-fridge were for purchase and had a QR code available for prices. Our mini fridge was missing a few items and looked like it had not been fully restocked since the last guests.
Next to the TV was a small table with two chairs. This was a nice spot to sit and work at our laptops, and eat our room service. The chairs were super comfy to sit in, and we enjoyed being able to work and look out at the ocean.
The room also had a sofa and coffee table set up in the perfect spot to see the views from the windows, or sit and watch TV. We enjoyed sitting on the sofa, sipping our freshly made espresso, and watching a movie in the evening.
The bed was the real star of the show in the room. It had a wonderful coastal blue and cream headboard and bright white sheets. Each side of the bed had a wood dresser and funky patterned lamp. Built into the headboard on each side was a gold-accented small reading light, perfect for late-night bookworms! One nightstand even had a smart alarm that doubled as a speaker, with multiple setting options. It had an auxiliary port, USB port, music options, and alarm functions.
The bed was super comfortable, and we both slept amazingly. The pillows were the perfect firmness, not too soft or firm. The mattress was the same way! The blinds kept the light out, and we enjoyed a slow start to the morning since our check-out time was not until noon. The bed was the perfect spot to sit and lounge to watch the sunset. It faced the large French doors that led to the patio and we could see the sunset while we kicked back and relaxed on the plush bed.
We had planned to watch the sunset on the patio, which was super spacious with two chairs and a small table between them, but one of the guests below us was constantly smoking both cigarettes and marijuana and we did not want the smell to get into our room. For this reason, we sadly had to leave the doors closed during most of our stay, since the smoke smell would start up again the second our door was open.
The view from the patio was amazing. It overlooked the golf course and the ocean beyond. From our patio, you could also see the surrounding neighborhood and the expensive houses up in the hills. It was also a great vantage point for the sunset!
Extra Benefits:
As Hilton Diamond members we received $25 per person in food credit, $50 in total during our stay, a complimentary noon late check-out, early check-in, a complimentary room upgrade, high speed wi-fi, and 1,000 Hilton Honors bonus points.
One benefit we did not take advantage of was a complimentary amenity when dining at AVEO, which we are still not sure what that is. Let us know below if you received the complimentary amenity, and what it was. We are super curious!
Property:
Since we only stayed one night at the property we did not have time to explore everything it has to offer, but tried to get to in as much as we could in our short amount of time. The amenities at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach property include; seven dining options, an athletic club, spa, fitness classes, a pool with jacuzzis, beach cruisers, walking and jogging trails, access to the Monarch Beach tennis club, and access to the private Monarch Bay Beach Club.
Room-service:
We sampled an array of food on the in-room dining menu and enjoyed most of what we ordered. We tried the Caesar salad, chicken tortilla soup, turkey club sandwich, margarita pizza, chocolate chip cookies, and the Hazelnut crunch brownie. Our favorite thing by a landslide was the Hazelnut crunch brownie, although it was not a traditional brownie at all! It came as a chocolate mousse, over a small thin hazelnut brownie, with a passion fruit compote around the plate. The passionfruit and the chocolate went so well together we could not get enough! The rest of the food we had ordered was also delicious, but we both were not very fond of the Caesar dressing for the salad. The dressing had a sweetness to it and was creamy and thick. It was well executed, but just not to our taste. Our total for the room service was $188.81, but $50 got deducted because we had food credit as Hilton Honors members.
Gym and Spa:
The athletic club/gym was difficult to find. There were a few signs leading you towards the gym, and then they suddenly stopped. We looked around for it for about ten minutes, before going to the front desk and asking for directions. To get to the gym you have to go through the spa. There were no signs or indications near the spa that the gym was inside. We walked into the spa entrance and were greeted by the staff at the front desk. We told them we were looking for the gym, and had to sign in on a paper form and verify we were staying at the hotel. She gave us directions to get to the gym and we were off. We had to go through a long dark hallway, and down two flights of stairs (there was also an elevator) before getting to the gym. Since you have to go through the spa to get to the gym their hours are limited from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm.
The spa itself looked clean and had relaxing music playing, accompanied by dim, soothing lighting that created a calming atmosphere. Inside the spa were separate service rooms for a hair salon and a nail salon, offering a variety of treatments. Although the setup was inviting, we decided not to indulge in any spa services during our stay. The prices were too high for us! A basic facial was over $300, which felt a bit steep for our budget, especially considering we had other activities planned. While the spa certainly exuded luxury, we opted to pass and enjoy the other amenities the hotel had to offer instead.
The gym itself was very nice, in good condition, and had a large variety of machines. They had multiple peloton bikes and other high end equipment. There was even a separate lap pool and hot tub attached to the gym, complete with foam weights for water aerobic workouts. Inside there was a yoga room where they host classes that are available to hotel guests. There was an active class when we were there so we did not get to check the room out but from what we could see through the windows it looked spacious.
Outside the yoga studio was a stand with freshly folded and pressed towels, as well as a bin to discard used ones. There were a few sitting areas near the yoga studio, and one area had recovery massage guns available for guests to use. There was also a mini fridge stocked full of complimentary water bottles and cold towels, a bowl of fresh fruit, and headphones available that worked with the machines. On our way out we saw that there are also locker rooms available for guests who want to change before they get back to their room.
The gym is a shared space with club members of the property. They have access to the pool, gym, and beach club just to name a few things. We did see them having a meeting in one of the rooms as we explored, but otherwise we did not know who was a hotel guest vs who was a club member.
Pool and Lawn Area:
Near the pool, there is an expansive grassy area with lawn games and plenty of outdoor seating, making it a great spot to relax and unwind. We couldn't resist playing a quick game of cornhole on the lawn! After we sat in the adirondack chairs on the lawn enjoying the fresh air and the leisurely vibe. After our game, we headed off to explore the pool, feeling refreshed and ready to dive into the next part of our day. The combination of outdoor activities and the inviting pool area made it a perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon.
The resort pool overlooks the ocean and has outdoor lounge seating, food service, and jacuzzis. This made it a popular spot for kids and adults alike. When we went to check the pool out it was crowded. Almost every chair was taken and there were a bunch of people in the pool. For this reason, we decided to skip out on the pool and decided we would try to get down to the beach.
Shuttle Service and Housekeeping:
The hotel offers a shuttle service to the beach, and were informed by staff that it was the only way to get there. When we asked if we could walk, they told us there was no path. The shuttle to the beach is complimentary and runs based on demand. There was no set schedule or time when the shuttle would come around. This proved to be a problem. There was a small stand where it looked like a staff member usually stands, but since it was later in the day, no one was there when we were waiting. We gave it a few minutes before deciding that we would go explore other parts of the hotel. We wish there was a set schedule or at least estimated times when the shuttle would come around. We are sad that we did not get to check out the beach club, but it is hard to see everything in one day! Let us know below if any of you have been to the beach club and if you enjoyed it!
We were in our room when housekeeping came through in the early evening for turndown service. Although we told them we were okay without the extra service, they insisted on giving us more water and a few chocolates, which was a thoughtful touch. The housekeeping team was super sweet and incredibly attentive, going out of their way to ensure we were comfortable. Their friendly demeanor and attention to detail made our stay even more enjoyable, and it was clear that they took pride in providing excellent service. This small gesture left a positive impression and made us feel welcomed.
There were multiple meeting rooms, and we saw them fill up in the morning with conferences of all kinds. There are also wedding venues at the hotel, with gorgeous fountain backdrops and grand staircases. It would be a lie if I said I did not imagine myself in a dramatic ball gown walking down the large staircase that leads out to the grassy foyer. We saw a rehearsal walkthrough of a wedding while we were there, and it was sure to be amazing!
Check out:
We received a complimentary late check-out of noon for being Hilton Diamond members, but the regular check-out time is 11:00 AM. We enjoyed the perk of getting a late check-out automatically without having to ask! It gave us more time to enjoy the room, sip an espresso, and shower before manically packing our suitcases. We left right at 12 and did not feel any pressure from housekeeping. We opted to do a digital checkout and just texted the front desk for our final bill. We received it instantly via email and everything was correct!
As we left our room we messaged the valet that we were leaving, hoping the car would be ready when we got there. It was not, the valet was backed up with everyone leaving, and some people were even beginning to check-in. We waited about ten minutes outside before our car finally pulled around. The driver flew up fast in our car and slammed on the brakes. We were shocked! If they did that in front of us, we could only imagine how they were driving behind the scenes. When we got in the car the mirrors had all been moved drastically, and so had the driver seat. We were severely disappointed with the quality of the valet.
Summary:
We stayed one night at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach for free! Thanks to a free night reward on our Hilton Aspire credit card. A typical room rate for a basic room at this location is close to $900 per night. We received an upgrade to an ocean-view suite and even got $50 of food credit. Our room was large with a soaking tub, shower, two sitting areas, and a patio. We noticed a few spots in the bathroom that had not been cleaned thoroughly, but the rest of the room was spotless. The resort property had a lot to offer from an ocean-view pool, spa, and gym, to seven on-site restaurants and a private beach club. We did not like the inconsistency in the shuttle service, or how hard it was to get down to the beach. We also faced some issues with the quality of the valet service and thought they were lacking in that field. Overall, we enjoyed our stay, but one night was not enough to see all the resort had to offer. We would love to stay again, but cannot see ourselves paying the high dollar for a multi-night stay.
Let us know down below if you think a stay at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach is worth your wallet!
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