Recently I attended a conference in Dana Point, CA, just an hour north of San Diego. It was held at the stunning St Regis Resort at Monarch Beach. The St Regis is a luxury five star hotels overlooking a pristine golf course on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Since I'm local, I drove to the conference during the day, and just admired the grounds from afar. It was a warm sunny day, so most guests were milling around in shorts or swim suits, headed to or from the pool. During the conference break, I was able to enjoy lunch outdoors on the balcony overlooking the grounds, where I took the first three of the four photos here in this post. As I looked around the hotel I wondered if there was a recession at all. From the number of guests on site, I wouldn't have thought they had any empty rooms. As I enjoyed lunch I eavesdropped on multiple conversations (its what I do when I dine alone). One couple were arguing about how the girl caught her boyfriend checking out the waitress. A family were all snapping photos of each other nonstop, in all sorts of poses- debating what would be the best background. An older couple were complaining to each other about the price of a turkey sandwich. I can't say I blame them, after all my salad was $27.
above: a close up of the first photo. I took this one zooming in a bit to capture the view. You can see the blue ocean in the distance...
above: a side view of the well manicured grounds at the St Regis. A feast for the eyes!
above: I found this photo online somewhere. Its a view looking back at the hotel from the pool. The first three photos were taken from the balcony at the middle high tower in this photo. Anyway it was a nice place to attend a conference, I felt like a million bucks when I left the joint. That is, until I climbed into my car and drove back home...
-Rick Rockhill
Oh wow...it looks like some sort of ancient Greek retreat!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful resort!
ReplyDeleteI hear ya about some of the prices.
But I have to admit, my $200+ lunch At Maxim's Paris (1990) was worth every penny! Being waited on by five Frenchmen in tuxedos was special! And the food was sooooo good!
it is lovely. places like that have to charge 27.00 for a salad because the upkeep is so high! i think it's worth it once in awhile!
ReplyDeletesmiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Oh to have seen that in person! What a gorgeous resort.
ReplyDeleteI used to work at the Montage, just up the highway in Laguna Beach. Phooey on your measly $27.00 salad.. how about a $32.00 cheeseburger?
ReplyDeleteBoy do I understand that!! Nice to feel spoiled a little, though, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing -- I eavesdrop when dining alone...but always have a book for cover!
Awesome photos -and equally awesome prices too that would certainly make this way too rich for my pocketbook. But then too, some months even Mickey D's is too "rich" for my purse. LOL
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely hotel in a spectacular setting. I read somewhere not too long ago that they were having financial trouble. The bookings are WAY down. If memory serves me right I think they are in real trouble. Not enough high rollers to keep these high-end hotels full these days.
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI thought that I read that this Hotel went into Chapter 11 or something like that. I understand it continues on--The Bank running it. Did you hear anything about that, Rick? OR, do I have the wrong St. Regis.....
ReplyDeleteIt certaijly is a BEAUTIFUL Place, my dear.