A Tale of Two Ritz's (RC Laguna Niguel, RC Half Moon Bay, AA J, B6 Mint, and more!)
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 343
#17
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Digital Nomad
Programs: AA2MM LIFETIME PLT, Turkish Miles&Smiles Elite, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,024
Nice report.
I've been meaning to do a staycation at the RC HMB for a while. I need to book something.
I just booked The Highlands Inn in Carmel which is now a Hyatt. More intimate property. Been there several times for our anniversary.
I've been meaning to do a staycation at the RC HMB for a while. I need to book something.
I just booked The Highlands Inn in Carmel which is now a Hyatt. More intimate property. Been there several times for our anniversary.
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 343
flyer121 it was really unfortunate that we had such a bad stay there. I was really looking forward to that part of the trip and am now sort of bummed out about it. Oh well, on to the next adventure
#20
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,181
In the early 1990s I used to go often to the Laguna Naguel property for lunch. It was gorgeous then but brand new. It's now nearly 30 years old. The other hotel looks gorgeous. However it's much newer. Never heard of it. My niece told me there is a gorgeous hotel in Palos Verdes now and I heard about the Pelican.
#22
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: The World! Home Base = DCA/IAD
Programs: HHonors, Hyatt GP, Marriott, Varying Levels w/ UA /AF /DL /SQ /AA
Posts: 2,666
Great Writeup
I found this review via a link at OMAAT.
"I thought easier would be me in F and her in J with baby...that only got me dagger eyes and a "don't even f'ing think about that". <--- Thank you for that, it made me laugh.
Nice job on the trip report!
"I thought easier would be me in F and her in J with baby...that only got me dagger eyes and a "don't even f'ing think about that". <--- Thank you for that, it made me laugh.
Nice job on the trip report!
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 343
Hyatt Highlands Inn + Big Sur
We checked out of the RC HMB and packed up the ride for a two hour + drive down to the Hyatt Highlands Inn in Carmel. It was a gorgeous drive down Highway 1 with no traffic, clear skies, and great scenery. We arrived at the Highlands Inn at around 4pm and were offered a choice of rooms. Check in was smooth and champagne was offered. We decided on the one closest to the pool and closer to the main lodge. The hotel is also a residence property and is fairly spread out and quite hilly. They do have golf carts for luggage transportation and the valet and bell staff were wonderful and very helpful. The resort is a bit more rustic than the last two, but it was refreshing, with a very relaxed vibe.
Front Desk
Great views from the bar/lounge area
Enjoyed a lovely 22 oz. Big Sur Golden
More great views from the above the pool area
We were assigned room 523, which is an ocean facing king room on the lower level of the sort of townhouse buildings that the rooms occupy.
Bathroom leaves a little to be desired, but it was functional, so thats always a plus.
View from the room
The next morning we had breakfast at Pacifics Edge restaurant. Great food with amazing scenery
The french toast was tasty
We rested for a bit and then stopped by the Carmel Mission which was beautiful. It's a late 1700s church with fully restored mission buildings.
We continued down Highway 1 and ended up at Rocky Point Restaurant for lunch. Again, great food and service with great views.
Halibut sandwich and half rack of ribs and of course a sippy cup
Continued down to the Bixby Bridge and into Big Sur park, which was absolutely gorgeous.
Great place for a vertical pano
Back to the hotel for a memorable birthday dinner for my wife at Pacifics Edge. The food was AMAZING.
Cheers to a great stay at a lovely little hotel tucked into the coastline. We will definitely be back.
Next step: Monterey Pier for breakfast and jetBlue Mint to JFK
Front Desk
Great views from the bar/lounge area
Enjoyed a lovely 22 oz. Big Sur Golden
More great views from the above the pool area
We were assigned room 523, which is an ocean facing king room on the lower level of the sort of townhouse buildings that the rooms occupy.
Bathroom leaves a little to be desired, but it was functional, so thats always a plus.
View from the room
The next morning we had breakfast at Pacifics Edge restaurant. Great food with amazing scenery
The french toast was tasty
We rested for a bit and then stopped by the Carmel Mission which was beautiful. It's a late 1700s church with fully restored mission buildings.
We continued down Highway 1 and ended up at Rocky Point Restaurant for lunch. Again, great food and service with great views.
Halibut sandwich and half rack of ribs and of course a sippy cup
Continued down to the Bixby Bridge and into Big Sur park, which was absolutely gorgeous.
Great place for a vertical pano
Back to the hotel for a memorable birthday dinner for my wife at Pacifics Edge. The food was AMAZING.
Cheers to a great stay at a lovely little hotel tucked into the coastline. We will definitely be back.
Next step: Monterey Pier for breakfast and jetBlue Mint to JFK
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 343
In the early 1990s I used to go often to the Laguna Naguel property for lunch. It was gorgeous then but brand new. It's now nearly 30 years old. The other hotel looks gorgeous. However it's much newer. Never heard of it. My niece told me there is a gorgeous hotel in Palos Verdes now and I heard about the Pelican.
Thanks TravelinWilly luckily out of the doghouse and she may let me take a semi-solo (meeting her brother and father there) trip in November to Taipei and Tokyo via BR J and JL L. Will post if that happens.
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 343
Sorry it's taken me 10 months to revisit and finish this report. And so it continues:
We left Carmel and drove north to Monterey for breakfast. We stopped at the Monterey Wharf and had breakfast at Loulou's Griddle in the Middle. They seem to be known for their hubcap sized pancake. All in all, a nice stop on the way to SFO.
Breakfast burrito
Continued on to SFO, dropped the rental car off, train to terminal and found our way to the JetBlue Mint check in.
Some plane spotting along the way to the gate
Had access to the Air France/KLM lounge via PriorityPass
Glad I didn't bring the wife and daughter. It was terribly crowded and hot.
Boarding from Gate A12 for our flight to JFK
Nice welcome note from our FAs. We both selected row 2 suites. Thinking that it would be great to close the door while our daughter sleeps, however, she refused to sleep the whole flight and we ended up passing her back and forth across the aisle. Not ideal but we survived.
Great legroom was the only pro of these seats. These Thompson Aero Vantage seats are cushioned by an airbag. Not sure if the airbag was broken but this seat was terribly uncomfortable. I could not find any angle that worked for me and the cushioning was horrible.
Service was excellent. Menu has some great options and the food was by far the best domestic catering available.
Pork adobo was fantastic.
All in all, JetBlue Mint is a nice offering for a transcon route, however, I would not want to spend more than 6 hours on those air cushioned seats. I feel like AA/DL have more comfortable options, albeit I'd be sacrificing catering.
Another great trip with the family in the books. We have a trip to Manila planned for August via DL J, OZ F, EY J, all with our almost 2 year old. This should be fun. Till next time FT.
We left Carmel and drove north to Monterey for breakfast. We stopped at the Monterey Wharf and had breakfast at Loulou's Griddle in the Middle. They seem to be known for their hubcap sized pancake. All in all, a nice stop on the way to SFO.
Breakfast burrito
Continued on to SFO, dropped the rental car off, train to terminal and found our way to the JetBlue Mint check in.
Some plane spotting along the way to the gate
Had access to the Air France/KLM lounge via PriorityPass
Glad I didn't bring the wife and daughter. It was terribly crowded and hot.
Boarding from Gate A12 for our flight to JFK
Nice welcome note from our FAs. We both selected row 2 suites. Thinking that it would be great to close the door while our daughter sleeps, however, she refused to sleep the whole flight and we ended up passing her back and forth across the aisle. Not ideal but we survived.
Great legroom was the only pro of these seats. These Thompson Aero Vantage seats are cushioned by an airbag. Not sure if the airbag was broken but this seat was terribly uncomfortable. I could not find any angle that worked for me and the cushioning was horrible.
Service was excellent. Menu has some great options and the food was by far the best domestic catering available.
Pork adobo was fantastic.
All in all, JetBlue Mint is a nice offering for a transcon route, however, I would not want to spend more than 6 hours on those air cushioned seats. I feel like AA/DL have more comfortable options, albeit I'd be sacrificing catering.
Another great trip with the family in the books. We have a trip to Manila planned for August via DL J, OZ F, EY J, all with our almost 2 year old. This should be fun. Till next time FT.
#28
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: AA EXP (2 Million Miler)
Posts: 151
Great report! I'm lucky enough that my company has a retreat every year at the RC Half Moon Bay. It's a WONDERFUL property and the views there are simply spectacular (as is the Ocean Golf Course which is an absolute dream to play).
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 343
offerendum
work2fly WOW! those look great! I did not catch on the breakfast menu, but not surprised as I don't generally crave abalone first thing in the morning.
mordy2000 exactly! it's a gorgeous property. Not much to do other than soak in the atmosphere and relax by the sea, but I could not ask for more.
offerendum when were you last there? I think they have renovated significantly. Our room was nicely updated and felt very new, as did the hallways and really most of the hotel as well. However, the pool was a bit of a letdown, being housed in the club next door and not particularly inviting.
work2fly WOW! those look great! I did not catch on the breakfast menu, but not surprised as I don't generally crave abalone first thing in the morning.
offerendum when were you last there? I think they have renovated significantly. Our room was nicely updated and felt very new, as did the hallways and really most of the hotel as well. However, the pool was a bit of a letdown, being housed in the club next door and not particularly inviting.