A Weekend at Laguna Beach’s Pacific Edge Hotel

“I had to close the door a little more,” Kyla explains to me our first morning waking up at the Laguna oceanfront hotel, the Pacific Edge Hotel. “It was too loud.”

In this case, being too loud is a blissful problem to have since she’s referring to the sound of the Pacific Ocean crashing feet outside of our balcony.

In fact, in the early morning hours I awaken simply to listen to the waves crashing outside of our room.

It’s been a stressful few months and this mini-vacation is exactly what I need to unwind and unfurl myself from my desk long enough to breathe in some deep, salty air breaths.

I lay in my king bed, silent. Listening.

It’s a soundtrack that could be playing at a spa, but it’s real life.

I smile, burrowing myself deeper into the bed, incredibly content. In those pre-dawn hours, I let the feeling of overwhelm, the launch of Vegans, Baby (my new business, an online guide to the vegan lifestyle in Las Vegas), the sadness of necessary changes in life, all check themselves at the door to our room and instead, close my eyes and focus on the pounding surf.

The Pacific Edge Hotel itself, is the scene of the bulk of our weekend away from Vegas. Aside from heading out on the town the first night, and a drive up the PCH the following morning, Kyla and I stick to the property.

With good reason.

As soon as we check in, we head to our room and pop open a bottle of wine.

“This!” I exclaim as I bound to the balcony and fling its glass door open, “This is heaven.”

The balcony, adorned with a little table and chairs, is serene. It provides sweeping views of the Pacific, as well as the Laguna coastline. Even the threatening weather forecast for the day doesn’t impede the view, and out in the distance, I can see Catalina.

We sit outside for a good bit, letting the wind whip our hair as we take in the view and the surf.

Then, it’s on to the town to explore.

The next afternoon, we head to the pool and later, to the small private beach Pacific Edge offers, complete with lounge chairs and umbrellas.

The weather — which was supposed to be chilly — has turned gorgeous and within minutes, Kyla and I both doze under the late spring sun.

Our last night, we head to Driftwood Kitchen (which still needs to take a few notes on what being vegan actually means) which overlooks the ocean and treats guests to magnificent sunsets.

Pacific Edge: the Laguna Oceanfront Hotel

Located on Laguna’s Coastal Highway, Pacific Edge spans five buildings and includes oceanfront rooms, suites, economical rooms (read: no gorgeous views) and bungalows for groups looking to party it up or simply all stay together. We stayed in an oceanfront room and adored it.

The rooms are bright, airy and highlight the beach environment where it is located. The bathrooms are small, but let’s be real — you’re not going to Laguna to soak in a tub, you’re going to enjoy the beach and artsy town.

The Amenities

Pacific Edge has two pools. Again, you’re not here to hang at the pool, but if you are pooling it, it isn’t bad. The pool closest to the beach leaves a little to be desired as the sun doesn’t hit it during the afternoon and there are only tables and chairs. The pool next to the lobby is more tropical and offers lounge chairs.

There’s also the beach — the most important aspect of the hotel’s amenities. Here, guests can enjoy a complimentary lounge chair with cushion, as well as umbrellas, and hang out at the beach.

The property also has two restaurants: the casual Deck, which is the place to be for happy hour since it is set basically on the beach; and Driftwood Kitchen. I wasn’t a fan of the restaurant since there are very few (read: french fries) vegan options on the menu, and the GM wasn’t quite sure what eating vegan meant. But, for those who want a gorgeous place to dine — this light and beautiful restaurant is it.

The Bottom Line

From the outside, Pacific Edge may look a little dated, but once you step into the rooms, you’re whisked into a beach life from the surfboard laden luggage carts to the gorgeous photographs in the rooms. Yes, it is pricey. But, you’re paying for that ocean view and location near the heart of Laguna. While the pool area isn’t sensational, the beach is. The hotel is a fantastic spot for someone like me who wants out of Las Vegas without hopping on a plane.