The Best Hotels in Laguna Beach: Boutique Stays, Coastal Luxury & Hidden Gems
Last Updated on March 2, 2026 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
Laguna Beach is one of those places that never really loses its luster — even when you live just 15 minutes away. It’s where the coastline looks like a watercolor painting, and you can literally find artists painting beautiful renditions of it in real time. The light hits differently here, and every neighborhood has its own little pocket of coastal California charm. I’ve wandered through many of the best hotels in Laguna Beach over the years — sometimes just to peek into lobbies, soak in the atmosphere of their bars, or scope out the grounds on a casual date night — and every time, I’m reminded why Laguna feels like its own world.
Whether you’re dreaming of a sunny weekend by the water, a cozy artsy escape, or a unique boutique stay with ocean views for days, this guide pulls together the very best places to stay in Laguna Beach — from the perspective of someone who loves it enough to make a mini staycation part of her wishlist. Here’s where to book for a little Orange County coastal magic, bohemian bliss, and that unmistakable Laguna charm.
Casa Loma Beach Hotel
If there’s one hotel in Laguna Beach that feels like a perfect blend of laid-back California ease and polished boutique energy, it’s Casa Loma. It’s perched right above Main Beach, a short walk from the Heisler Park Gazebo and Urth Caffé, and just steps from the sand and town center — shops, galleries, and restaurants all within a few minutes’ walk — this spot is as much about convenience as it is about the coastal California vibes.
What really stands out about Casa Loma (especially now) is how completely it’s been reimagined. After a major renovation finished in 2024, the hotel reopened with fresh updates, a design-forward aesthetic inspired by Mallorca, and a full refresh of rooms and public spaces.
From everything I’ve seen — the lovely redesign, the killer location, the easy walkability, and the mix of chill and polished — Casa Loma hits that sweet spot. It’s a place I’d totally pick for a weekend getaway to OC if I were you: central to all the Laguna Beach magic!
Hotel Joaquin
Here’s how I see Hotel Joaquin, based on what I’ve peeked at and heard: a spot that feels equal parts surfer, boho, and low-key SoCal. It is a 22-room boutique resort tucked just above one of my favorite beach spots, Shaw’s Cove — a calm little cove in North Laguna — giving it a calm, tucked-away vibe while still being within reach of the main area of Laguna.
The design leans minimalist surfer-chic meets vintage charm. Each room gets its own curated touches; there are vinyl record players instead of TVs, and all the décor feels carefully selected to hit that laid-back-meets-stylish sweet spot.
Other nice perks: there’s a heated pool, free parking, morning coffee delivery (yes, you heard that right), and access to the hotel’s “Adventure Outpost,” which lets guests borrow bikes, beach gear, bodyboards, and more! To me, Hotel Joaquin is like a little secret hideaway — perfect if you want peaceful, relaxed, well-designed, and a bit off the main tourist-hotel grid. Plus, one of the best OC coffee shops (in my opinion), MoonGoat Coffee, has a walk-up/drive-up spot right across the street!
Le Petit Pali Laguna Beach
Le Petit Pali is a newer boutique-style hotel (opened in 2025) with 41 rooms, designed with that relaxed-but-refined coastal-meets-European feel. It is located right along Coast Highway toward the southern end of Laguna, and sits just a quick stroll from the sand — across from beaches like Treasure Island Beach and Goff Cove — making it a perfect base if you want easy access to the beach and popular surf spots!
To me, this place lands as a lovely mix of low-key and polished: perfect for a mini getaway when you want comfort, a little style, and the beach within reach — without the fuss of a bigger resort. Spoiler, it’s on my 2026 hotel bucket list for a mini staycation!
Montage Laguna Beach
Montage Laguna Beach is the place everyone thinks of when they think “luxury in Laguna,” and honestly… it earns it. Perched on a cliff — or is it a bluff? — with those unreal ocean views and that perfectly manicured lawn, it feels like its own little world above the coastline. I’ve enjoyed a few meals on-site and wandered the grounds a few times (I mean, who hasn’t taken a slow lap down the pathways just to admire the view?), and every time, it has that simple “wow factor.” The kind that makes you think, “Okay, one day I’m coming back here for a proper staycation.”
Everything about Montage leans into that effortless, coastal-luxury vibe — soft, airy rooms, big ocean-facing windows, a gorgeous pool deck, restaurants you actually want to eat at, and one of the prettiest stretches of beach right below it. It’s definitely the “go big or go home” option in Laguna, but if you’re celebrating something or you want a peaceful weekend where you barely leave the property, this is that kind of stay.
It’s located at the south end of Laguna Beach, so it would be quite a walk to the main town, but, you’re close to Treasure Island Beach (right below), Victoria Beach, dining at The Loft, Lobby Lounge, Studio Mediterranean, and Mosaic Bar & Grille (all at Montage), Lost Pier Café, Laguna Coffee Co. (a short drive), and the coastal walking paths along the beach.
The Ranch at Laguna Beach
The Ranch at Laguna Beach is one of those places that doesn’t feel like it should exist in Laguna —solely because it’s not beachfront (which is what Laguna is known for), but I mean this in the best way. It’s unique. The Ranch is tucked deep into the canyon, surrounded by trees and quiet, yet somehow still just a short path (or golf-cart shuttle) away from the ocean. I’ve always loved places that feel hidden, and this is genuinely my kind of resort. Every time I’ve driven past the entrance or wandered through the grounds before a dinner reservation at Harvest, I’ve thought of adding it to my staycation list.
The vibe here is slow and more secluded than the typical beachfront hotels. Rooms are cottage-style and cozy, a golfer’s heaven with a 9-hole, GEO Certified® golf course, and the whole experience leans more “unplug and breathe” than “beach weekend.” It’s the spot you book when you want the sound of birds in the morning, and canyon breezes in the evening.
It’s in South Laguna, not far from Aliso Beach (walk or shuttle), Lost Pier Café (right on the sand), Harvest at The Ranch, The Porch Bar (on-site), and not too far from Montage Laguna Beach, either.
Laguna Beach is one of those places where you genuinely can’t go wrong. Whether you’re tucked into the canyon, right above the sand, or waking up to ocean views just steps from town, each of these hotels offers its own little version of Laguna’s magic, and choosing one really just comes down to the kind of stay you’re dreaming of.
As someone who lives just minutes away but still finds excuses to wander through these lobbies, walk along their paths, or daydream about a mini staycation, I can promise there’s something special waiting for you here — no matter where you end up!