We were looking high. We were looking low. But my daughter and I could not find that dang Elf on a Shelf at Montage Laguna Beach in Orange County, California.
It wasn’t in the chandeliers or wedged between ornaments on the Christian Louboutin-themed Christmas trees. It wasn’t on the table with self-service hot cocoa or in the mini VW Bus stocked with stuffed animals greeting kids at check-in.
Seeing that we had given it an earnest effort, a server at the Lobby Lounge began to tell us when we were getting hot or cold. As we approached the glass balcony doors that reveal the location’s jaw-dropping view of the Pacific Ocean, we were steaming.
At last, we thought about looking up. And there he was — straddling the mistletoe. My daughter was so excited that she kissed me.
Montage Laguna collaborated with Christian Louboutin on Christmas decor and experiences.
Credit: 2026 Montage Laguna Beach
This festive spirit was what had initially attracted me to Montage Laguna. My 4.5-year-old daughter is a holiday superfan, and it was clear that the visit would spare me a ton of the stress most parents feel when creating holiday magic. For example, decor here included a 350-pound gingerbread house, complete with a working model train, and a 50-foot outdoor Christmas tree aglow with 6,000 lights.
Paintbox Petite Kids' Club and Family Suite
As for activities, the Paintbox Petite kids’ club offered everything from making gingerbread houses and creating “Santa slime” to turning oyster shells and wood chips into painted ornaments.
Paintbox Petite accepts kids as young as 2 years old.
Credit: 2026 Montage Laguna BeachI knew we had to visit the hotel, though, when I found out that the kids’ club allows children as young as 2 to attend without a guardian. My son turned 2 during our stay and happily enjoyed his birthday morning at Paintbox. There were zero tears at drop off — he reserved them exclusively for pick-up, when he didn’t want to leave.
With my newfound freedom, I walked the beach path fronting the property and took the steps down to Treasure Island Beach, where snorkelers were raving about the marine life. I also visited the newly renovated Spa Montage for complimentary morning fitness classes, including outdoor yoga and redlight-enhanced mat Pilates.
Bungalow suites are located closest to the ocean.
Credit: 2026 Montage Laguna BeachOur 1,000-square-foot Deluxe Ocean View King Bungalow Suite felt like a beach house thanks to its location in one of the hotel’s smaller buildings located closest to the ocean. The separate living area with a queen-size sofa bed ensured our family of four was comfortable, and we spent leisurely mornings eating room service from our private balconies.
New Dining: Studio Mediterranean
Food was exceptional throughout our stay, especially at the recently reopened Studio Mediterranean. Closed for five years, and ditching its former French prix-fixe menu, the new eatery is a must for a memorable date night.
Studio Mediterranean is the hotel's newest restaurant and offers alfresco dining.
Credit: 2026 Montage Laguna Beach
Listening to the waves around us, my husband and I could have easily believed we were dining in Europe — especially with a chunk of the menu dedicated to whole, line-caught fish flown in daily from Greece, Italy and Spain. Other highlights included phyllo-wrapped halloumi drizzled with honey; spanakopita salad bursting with fresh dill; and frozen labneh served with small bowls of honey, freeze-dried raspberries and olive oil.
And for my son’s birthday dinner, both sets of grandparents joined us at The Loft for elevated American cuisine, such as coffee-crusted prime New York strip steak and the “filet mignon” of beet, a slab of tenderized beet with a porcini rub. For dessert, a trio of Montage Sundaes earned me a few more kisses from my kids — proving that the resort can really rise to any occasion.
