SITE REVIEW #3 - ORANGE COUNTY

ORANGE COUNTY'S "THE OCEANFRONT" HAS SOME STAR POWER OF ITS OWN

Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego are all popular group meeting destinations in California. While all three locations clearly have their own advantages and attractions, there's another gem that shouldn't be counted out of the meeting equation. It's Orange County.

Within Orange County is an exclusive collection of Southern California's four coastal communities called The OCeanfront. The participants include Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Dana Point.

The organization is a joint venture, private membership made up of leading coastal resorts, golf club operators, convention and visitors bureaus and shopping venues who united to brand the 42 miles of Orange County coastline as "The OCeanfront."

In an effort to brand the Orange County coastline, the organization was formed "to promote Orange County as a single destination that epitomizes the ultimate resort destination experience, while assisting group and leisure visitors with destination information and travel and event planning." While every resort has its own distinct identity, in a unique move for competitors, they all agreed to create a regional travel destination.

Currently best known because of its television show namesake, "The O.C.," Orange County and by extension, "The OCeanfront" have their own kind of Tinsel Town magic.

Take, for instance, The Montage Hotel & Resort, located in an incredible setting in Laguna Beach, which is set apart for its artists community.

For the Montage, it's all about luxury.

"Montage Hotels & Resorts is a hotel operating company that serves the luxury market," said Alan Fuerstman, CEO/Founder. "Each property that we develop will be unusual and intimate, with a unique style or theme, exude comfortable elegance and offer the highest quality services and amenities."

"We want to be different," said The Montage's Jeff Johnson. "If you're different, it's a great time to be in the business. We want to design a sense of self. The Montage culture is to be gracious with great service. It should amplify the experience."

The property, unlike a lot of other California resorts, is actually situated on a long stretch of beach where guests can actually stretch out, or play in the surf. The Montage is also going green, an issue that is being raised more and more when groups book their destinations. They've started their "green" program by adding grease traps in kitchens, using organic cleaning products, recycling and including a purification system throughout the hotel.

There are 262 guest rooms, including 51 suites with private balconies and porches. Private poolside cabanas are also available. Additionally, the resort's 20,000-sq. ft., first-class "Spa Montage" has 21 private treatment rooms, holistic classes, state-of-the-art fitness center, full service salon, mind/body movement classes and signature treatments.

Several golf courses are also available for guests, as well as fine dining that includes The Loft and the Mosaic Bar & Grille, not to mention a signature restaurant (The Lobby Lounge) perched on a 50-ft. bluff overlooking the Pacific.

The grand ballroom, which can be divided into two or three rooms, is 7,500 sq. ft. The gallery ballroom is 3,200 sq. ft. Meeting space is also offered in a 590-ft. boardroom, a 1,200-sq. ft. courtyard and additional function area on the various lawns.

While you're meeting, your spouse can partake of the spa while the kids head over to The Paintbox children's club. It's an arts and activities program offered year-round.

The Montage tagline is: "A hotel is where you stay. Montage is where you live."

The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa is a 517-room property located in a community also known as "Surf City, USA." The property's Andalusian architecture is reminiscent of Spain's southern coast.

Whether you have 10 VIPs or 2,000 attendees, the hotel's meeting space is more than adequate. It includes over 100,000 sq. ft. of flexible function space, including an exhibit hall and beautiful lawns. There is also a full-service business center.

Pacific Waters Spa is a 20,000-sq. ft. oasis that has 17 treatments offering massages, skin therapies, scrubs, facials, body wraps and more.

The Resort At Pelican Hill is located on the Newport Coast of Southern California. It sits upon 504 acres of some of the most envious and protected land on the California coast between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. Catalina Island is actually visible from the property. As an added plus, the resort is not only contiguous to Crystal Cove State Park, but is also adjacent to more than 50,000 acres of permanently protected natural open space, parks and trails.

Meeting space includes ballrooms and meeting rooms in the main hotel and a stand-alone event facility called Mar Vista. Function space at the resort totals approximately 20,000 sq. ft. Resort amenities include: 128 villas, 204 bungalows, a golf club, three pools, a spa, five restaurants and cafes.

The Pelican Hill Golf Club features two 18-hole championship courses designed by Tom Fazio. It's considered one of the nation's premier golf clubs.

Just moments away from the resort, is the fashionable seaside community of Newport Beach, which has numerous upscale shops, waterfront restaurants, beaches and yacht harbors. Also nearby is serene Balboa Island with its quaint shops.

If shopping is your sport of choice, Orange County plays host to three one-of-a-kind shopping centers - Fashion Island, Corona del Mar Plaza and Crystal Cover Promenade - all making up what is called The Coastal Collection. There is also the 114-acre 2.8 million-sq. ft. South Coast Plaza with more than 280 boutiques and department stores. It boasts being the highest grossing planned retail center in the U.S.

Pelican Hill is easily accessible by both John Wayne Airport (Orange County Airport) and the 405 freeway. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is approximately 45 minutes north.

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