Welcome to Huntington Beach: land of epic sunsets, laid back attitudes and culinary treasures as far as the 405 freeway will take you. A lot of people outside of SoCal haven’t heard of Huntington Beach, which is a blessing for its residents and you! But if you’re headed to this cozy, yet thriving beach town, no stay is complete in HB without a trip to the legendary Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel.
My husband and I have been feeling a little antsy in Los Angeles. The energy is palpable, full of “industry” folks trying to make it big. The traffic, the attitude, the concrete wasteland… We’ve been feeling burnt out on LA for awhile.
As our apartment lease ended, we started to think outside of the box. We loved Southern California, but there had to be another way. Something that felt like we weren’t constantly on the grind in the city of supposed angels. The answer: Orange County.
That’s when we decided to take weekend and day trips to Orange County to scout our potential home. And what better way to get a taste of the area by staying at one of the best hotels in the city!
The Property
The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel feels much more like a boutique hotel than any other Hilton property. In fact, it was a boutique hotel until Hilton bought it somewhat recently. But don’t expect this to feel like a corporate giant; this property is warm, intimate and has some of the best hotel features in Orange County.
Touting the highest view in Huntington Beach, this property has it all! Beautiful and spacious rooms with airy decor, a rooftop bar with panoramic ocean views, a large pool complete with a waterslide and fire pits for the whole family, and a brand new spa with some of the fanciest products one would expect to find in a health conscious place such as Southern California.
The Waterfront Beach Resort is at the epicenter of Huntington Beach, located along PCH across the street from the beach and a five-minute walk from major shopping and the famous pier. We happened to stop by during the winter, which meant epic clouds for epic sunsets. But the spring and summertime brings festivals, volleyball competitions, surfers and general buzz not found during the cooler seasons.
Simply put: you can find any reason to visit this resort year round.
Amenities
I was lucky enough to stay in one of their one-bedroom, ocean suites during my stay, and boy do I recommend that! Not only did I have a balcony view that gave me my own private show to the best sunsets I’ve ever seen in my life, but the space was so large in airy, it felt like a summer home.
The following amenities come with each room:
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Complimentary High Speed Wi-Fi
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Keurig Coffee Station
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Mini fridge (for storage)
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Complimentary PAYA Toiletries
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Two-Speed Hairdryer
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Exclusive Hilton Sweet Dreams Top Mattress
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Private Balcony
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Digital iHome Alarm Clock
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Wireless Phone
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Plush Bathrobes & Slippers
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Two Comped Waters per Day
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Complimentary Turn Down Service
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In-Room Dining
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Fitness Center
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Pet-Friendly Rooms
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Audio-Visual Equipment Rental
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Vending Machines/Ice Machines (every second floor)
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Electric Car Charging Stations/Valet Parking (self-parking not available)
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On-site Laundry/Dry Cleaning
Things To Do
This is one of those hotels where you don’t have to travel far to have a relaxing staycation. Scratch that. You really don’t have to leave, period.
There is so much to do at this hotel, you could honestly stay for a week. Cabana and beach butler service, beach cook outs, fire pits, bike rentals, a waterslide, a rooftop bar and direct access to the beach make this one of the most well-equipped resorts I’ve ever been to.
As if the Waterfront Beach Resort didn’t have enough things to do already, the property just opened up the new Drift Spa late last year. The spa may be tiny, but boy is it mighty! Complete with a lounge inside and out, locker rooms, private rooms for massages and facials, a mini nail salon and even a Himalayan salt sauna, your relaxation will be at an ultimate high. Plus, they serve my favorite elixirs by Naturopathica to enjoy while you’re lounging in your plush robe.
But if you’re going to do anything at all, you have to enjoy a nice dinner at The Boardwalk Restaurant. This airy and open floor plan is hard to miss as the restaurant is located in front of the pool and before the elevators up to your room. But it’s the food that will leave you with a lasting impression. The chef was kind enough to create and serve us personally, an off-the-menu vegan treat to accommodate my dietary restrictions (pictured below, those “scallops” are actually made of mushrooms)! No request is too grand or too annoying for this crew.
The Staff
What makes this hotel an amazing experience isn’t the fancy restaurant or the ocean views (which there are plenty of, mind you). It was the attentive and warm staff that made this one of my most memorable staycations.
As a travel blogger, I’ve seen my fair share of hospitality. One would assume that bloggers are treated like pseudo-celebrities, treated well simply for the review. But let me tell you, that ain’t always the case. Some hotels couldn’t care less who you are and continue to treat you with disrespect. Other places go over the top and make the stay feel insincere.
But staying at The Waterfront Beach Resort felt like staying with my fancy family member, one that had an epic ocean beach house that gave me unlimited amounts of booze and pampering.
Everyone on the property treated me not like a guest, but an old friend seeing me for the first time in years. Large smiles, friendly conversation, and going the extra mile was a constant at this hotel. As my temporary home for three days, I got to know everyone not through my own reputation, but by genuine interaction. During my final stay, most staff members would wave hello with a big smile to match my own.
This is such a gorgeous property!! Looks like paradise on earth and the perfect escape for a staycation
This looks so swanky!
Nice beach resorts in Los angels amazing photo shoot…and the food is just wonderful…Nice trip to visit i feel..!