St. Regis Monarch Beach StayCation Celebration 2013

St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa
Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond awarded resor


Pools - Yes 
Spa - Yes




A little one-nighter
Executive Suite
Anniversary & Birthday Perks

5 minutes from our home... Evening 1 - 4:00pm check-in,  greeted by Elephants ! (see my blog on the Elephant Parade  - it's FREE) Valet is 30.00.   Although we had been given a set room on the 5th floor being held before check-in, we ended up with a 1st floor room, just down the hall from the pool and day care center. (I believe because I checked-in with Grand-daughter in tow and on crutches) PERFECT !

The room was huge !... with a floor to ceiling view of a patio out to a grassy area with the sound of a waterfall. Outside from the patio I could see a mermaid waterfall in the distance : ))  ... is it a sign ? Grandbaby and daughter investigated... see photos.

*TIP if staying there in the near future, turns out there's construction going on adjacent to the wing, from the bottom floor we were given reprise from the unsightly construction, another applause to the front reception for giving us a 1st floor room. Stay clear if you have the option.

With the Executive suite you get your very own BUTLER ! Although we didn't get an introduction to ours within the 30 minutes of check-in (perhaps because we were out of the room and adventuring out into the hotel by then), the Butler service also provides a packing and unpacking service, we later returned to an on phone introduction message by ours.  Info about the butler service here >>>>

Dinner at the Private members only Monarch Beach BayClub on the Beach. A little tram ride from the front of the hotel down through the grounds, thru the golf course and down to the beach ! We were welcomed with hugs and smiles and given a perfect corner table outside with views of the sunset and the screen where they were showing movies under the stars for the little ones. Movie setup by Backyardflick.com with complimentary popcorn and pizza. And the movie, well unbelievably so it was "The Little Mermaid" our favorite !

Not a lot to select for a RAW food Lifestyle eater. I ordered the watermelon and heirloom tomato salad with 25 year aged Balsamic dressing minus the feta... the Chef made me a custom order of some items I selected to our waiter Sam. Ahi, cucumber, avocado, lettuce.... and that's just about what I was given ! PERFECT. $25.00 salad, ouch. They do offer Gluten free choices. After dinner my husband was treated to a complimentary birthday lava cake with candle, birthday singing with laughter as it was hard to light the candle with the breeze. I was also treated to a complimentary chocolate mousse mint pudding, compliments of the chef. Very $$$ cha-ching to eat there, 18% gratuity automatic, must be a member or be in with someone who has klout to eat there.   MEMBERSHIP INFO  /  cuisine & menu

 ❤ When we arrived back to our suite we were greeted with a trail of white rose petals that lead all the way to the bed, with a Heart Shaped rose petal design and red rose petals throughout the bathroom floor, tub and entry table. Ahhh mazzing, soooo beautiful and romantic ! As well we found a chilled bottle of champagne awaiting with chocolate truffles. Feeling SPOILED <3...  all complimentary : )

Complimentary coffee and tea service between 6am and 8am (website states 6-noon) were available per our Butler's phone message so we called in for that for the morning along with a glass of chocolate milk for the grandbaby. It arrived on time ! The Butler offered to pour our first rounds and asked us how we took our coffees and tea. Wonderful.

Up and out to the pool we go, for a short time before we eat, hardly anyone out, greeted by attendants that led us to our loungers, layed out fresh and clean lounger covers and St. Regis logo embossed towels, we headed past the glorious main pool, umbrellas, waterfalls and statuaries, and over to another pool, jacuzzi and kiddie pool with views of the links and ocean.  Turns out our daughter had hired the pool service guy while she worked in HR, who also recognized my husband from around town. When he heard it was my husbands birthday the next thing we know we are being delivered a tray of chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate truffles with a drizzle of chooclate wishing us a Happy Anniversary and Birthday. Luxurious ! A spicey bloody mary and some swim time for the grandkid and grandpa and then we were off to get ready for Sunday Champagne Brunch.

Birthday Brunch was at Motif Restaurant, a Buffet on the terrace overlooking the lawn, main pool and ocean view.  Everything you could imagine to choose from, Pancakes, waffles and omletes to salads and fruit. We were all satified with 2nd and 3rd passes. Complimentary champagne/Mimoses for all ! : )  Info and pricing here

Next, off to Spa Gaucin, time for our surprise stone treatment massage for the birthday boy...   We headed back down to the pool to spend our last few hours before checking out.  *Tip : you can make a wish in the spas wishing well, throw in silver sand dollar coins provided. 

An overnighter is such a teaser, but do-able.The St. Regis is just the jewel of Southern California. I could live here !

If you don't go for a stay, at least go for the Elephant Parade and the views... they're free
Public parking in the underground garage is near free too !

* Interesting read on the history of the Bloody Mary and the St. Regis I found, last photo.

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