The 4 Best Luxury Hotels in Dana Point
A resort on the bluff above Salt Creek Beach, golf and a beach club at Monarch Beach or a house near the old mission: together with you, our travel advisors choose the luxury hotel in Dana Point that suits your trip. Every suitespot booking comes with free breakfast for 2, a room upgrade subject to availability, hotel credit and VIP service – benefits worth over €500.
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
Unlock exclusive benefits as a premium member
The best-known hotels in Dana Point
Bluff, harbor or mission? Below you will find the best hotels in Dana Point side by side, along with their location, suitespot score and nightly price. Families are in good hands at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel with Ritz Kids and a club lounge, golfers at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort with its own course by the sea.
| Hotel | Location | suitespot score | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel | Niguel Shores | ★ 4.8/5 | 852 € |
| Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort | Monarch Beach | ★ 4.8/5 | 643 € |
| Marriott Laguna Cliffs Dana Point | City Center | ★ 4.2/5 | 356 € |
| Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano | – | ★ 4.5/5 | 359 € |
Your guide to the best luxury hotels in Dana Point
The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel · Niguel ShoresFor families, we recommend The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel on the bluff above Salt Creek Beach: Ritz Kids looks after children aged 5 to 12, and the Eco-Adventure Center arranges whale watching and e-bike tours. Golfers and beach lovers stay at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort, with its own oceanfront course and a beach club reached by a small tram. If you would rather be close to the mission and the old town, book Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano in the neighboring town.At no extra cost: booking through suitespot costs the same as booking direct with the hotel – the benefits come on top, free of charge.
Newly opened spaces and fresh renovations: what Dana Point’s luxury hotels offer guests today
Since 2025, The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel has felt brand-new. Every room and suite now wears Southern California coastal interiors inspired by Spanish architecture, designed by Wimberly Interiors; along the way, the original 393 rooms became 373. The spa was completely redesigned as well.
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort · Monarch BeachThe resort’s Club Lounge is new too: a dedicated concierge looks after you, food is set out five times a day, from breakfast through snacks and hors d’oeuvres to desserts, and California wines come with a view of the coast. Garment pressing is complimentary.
At Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort, DLR Group has reimagined the public spaces and the Penthouse Suites with nods to the coast and its maritime heritage. Ground-floor rooms have their own outdoor fire pit right outside the door.
These luxury hotels in Dana Point have a pool – with Pacific views, for kids and adults-only
Among the luxury hotels in Dana Point, the two bluff-top resorts share five outdoor pools between them, and each one plays its own role.
Three pools at Monarch Beach: At Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort, the Monarch Pool faces the Pacific, open to guests of all ages, with two infinity-edge whirlpools and private cabanas. Right next to it is a family pool with its own round spa, and if you book a spa treatment, you can swim laps in the adults-only Spa Lap Pool. Poolside, Sombra Cantina serves Mexi-Cali food.
- Breakfast for two, every day
- Room upgrade subject to availability
- Hotel credit, e.g. US$100
- Early check-in and late check-out
- VIP service and personal advice
- Points and status in the hotel programme
Two pools above Salt Creek Beach: The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel heats both the Dana Pool and the Monarch Pool, each with a whirlpool. At the Dana Pool, the Dana Pool Cafe serves American dishes at lunchtime.
Our tip for beach days
From Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort, a tram runs down to the Monarch Bay Beach Club, open only to hotel guests and members. Lunch and dinner are served right by the sea, and in the evening dinner moves to the Beach Lawn at sunset.
Spa & wellness above the Pacific: ocean rituals, saunas and yoga – downtime at a 5-star hotel in Dana Point
Treatments inspired by the sea: The spa at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel builds its menu around the ocean: beach stone massages, marine collagen care, scrubs and wraps, plus facials by ESPA and SkinCeuticals. Men and women have separate lounges with sauna and steam room, and yoga and Pilates with ocean views take place every day.
At no extra cost: you pay the same rate as booking direct with the hotel – the suitespot benefits come on top, free of charge.
A resort-sized spa: The Waldorf Astoria Spa at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort spans 30,000 square feet with 24 treatment rooms and suites. Between appointments you move from steam room to sauna to indoor and outdoor whirlpools, and a Drybar salon and a Deborah Lippmann nail studio round off the spa day.
Dining at Dana Point’s luxury hotels: omakase, modern Indian cooking and steak with an ocean view
Three kitchens on the bluff: At The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Raya follows Richard Sandoval’s concept of coastal Latin cooking with sustainable seafood and ocean views, with brunch on weekends. At Kahani, Chef Sanjay gives Indian cuisine a modern spin, with a curry sampler and apricot rabdi for dessert. Taikun Omakase serves a 16-course Japanese menu at two evening seatings.
Steak and the Mediterranean: At Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort, Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak serves seasonal steaks, seafood and cocktails with ocean views. AVEO Table + Bar travels the Mediterranean from Spain to Morocco, and at Club 19 by the first tee you sit on a terrace with a large fireplace.
A glass above the waves: The 180 BLU lounge at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel pours cocktails and serves small plates right on the cliffs. At Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort, the 33 North lobby bar opens onto a patio with ocean views.
For your evening
Taikun Omakase at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel has only a handful of seats and two seatings a night. Reserve early; our travel advisors are glad to request a table when you book your stay.
Dana Point’s luxury hotels with history: Spanish arches, oceanfront golf and Forbes stars
In 1984, The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel rose to designs by WATG: a Spanish Mediterranean resort laid out in the shape of an E on a 150-foot bluff above Salt Creek Beach.
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort first opened as The St. Regis Monarch Beach and later ran independently as Monarch Beach Resort. Ohana Real Estate Investors bought the property in November 2019, and its switch to Waldorf Astoria was announced in September 2020. The oceanfront golf course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
- Breakfast for two, every day
- Room upgrade subject to availability
- Hotel credit, e.g. US$100
- Early check-in and late check-out
- VIP service and personal advice
- Points and status in the hotel programme
Awards: The Forbes Travel Guide awards four stars each to The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel and to Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort.
Where to stay in Dana Point: bluffs, town center or mission town – picking your 5-star hotel in Dana Point
Dana Point lies roughly halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. With the luxury hotels in Dana Point, the location decides whether your days feel like resort life, harbor life or small-town life.
Marriott Laguna Cliffs Dana Point · City CenterOn the bluffs at Monarch Beach: The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel sits high above Salt Creek Beach. Next door, Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort climbs a hillside above the Pacific across some 175 acres, with a golf course and its own beach club.
In the town center: On Park Lantern you find the Marriott Laguna Cliffs Dana Point; two guests get a continental breakfast there every day, and a welcome gift awaits on arrival.
- Breakfast for two, every day
- Room upgrade subject to availability
- Hotel credit, e.g. US$100
- Early check-in and late check-out
- VIP service and personal advice
- Points and status in the hotel programme
At no extra cost: you pay the same rate as booking direct with the hotel – the suitespot benefits come on top, free of charge.
In neighboring San Juan Capistrano: Inland, on El Camino Real, you stay at the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Breakfast for two is included here, and the points go to Marriott Bonvoy.
Insider tip from our travel advisors
John Wayne Airport (SNA) is about 22 miles away; San Diego is around 60 miles and LAX roughly 75 miles off. The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel runs no hotel shuttle, so the concierge books private transfers, and our travel advisors match them to your arrival.
How much you pay per night for a 5-star hotel in Dana Point – and what that cost includes
Rates begin at 355 € at the Marriott Laguna Cliffs Dana Point and at 358 € at the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. At Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort, prices start at 642 €, and at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel at 851 €. Live rates and open rooms for your dates appear in the hotel list further down.
| Luxury hotel | From | suitespot benefits from | suitespot score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Laguna Cliffs Dana Point | 355 € | 1st night | ★ 4.2/5 |
| Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano | 358 € | 1st night | ★ 4.5/5 |
| Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort | 642 € | 1st night | ★ 4.8/5 |
| The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel | 851 € | 1st night | ★ 4.8/5 |
Included at all four: an upgrade on arrival plus early check-in or a late check-out, each when available. There is no minimum stay.
Breakfast, four ways: Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort credits $45 a day and The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel $35 for Raya and The Market Place, each for up to two people. At the Marriott Laguna Cliffs Dana Point, two guests enjoy a continental breakfast, and at the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano breakfast for two is included.
Inn at the Mission San Juan CapistranoHotel credit: The two bluff-top resorts give you $100; at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel it does not cover valet parking, tennis or the Eco-Adventure Center. Booking one of the Executive Suites, the Ocean Suite or The Ritz-Carlton Suite there for at least two nights adds another $100, not combinable with promotions. The Marriott Laguna Cliffs Dana Point and the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano have a welcome gift ready.
Loyalty programs: Three properties belong to Marriott Bonvoy, with regular points and status benefits. At Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort, Hilton Honors credits double points.
When to go: A 5-star hotel in Dana Point is appealing all year round. Summer means beach, harbor and long evenings on the terrace, fall brings clear days, and from winter into spring gray whales pass along the coast, easy to watch from a boat. Book ahead for the summer months.
Length of stay: For a few days at a 5-star hotel in Dana Point we suggest three nights: time for pool and spa, a whale-watching trip from the harbor and an evening at one of the restaurants above the sea.
The hotels in Dana Point at a glance
What sets the hotels in Dana Point apart – from their opening year to the spa:
| Hotel | Pool | Spa | Kids club | Forbes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 4 stars |
| Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 4 stars |
| Marriott Laguna Cliffs Dana Point | ✓ | ✓ |
Earn points & use your status in Dana Point
In Dana Point, earning points mostly means Marriott Bonvoy, plus Hilton Honors with double points at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort. suitespot reserves at each hotel’s direct rate, which means points and status nights flow into your account and your status perks add to the suitespot benefits.
| Program | Hotels | Examples in Dana Point |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy | 3 hotels | The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Marriott Laguna Cliffs Dana Point, Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano |
| Hilton Honors | 1 hotel | Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort |
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Frequently asked questions about luxury hotels in Dana Point
What does one night cost at a luxury hotel in Dana Point?
From 355 € at the Marriott Laguna Cliffs Dana Point and from 358 € at the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano; from 642 € at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort and from 851 € at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. None of the four has a minimum stay.
Which of the best hotels in Dana Point works for my trip?
Families and guests who value a club lounge stay at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. Golfers and beach lovers book Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort, and anyone drawn to the mission and small-town charm picks the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. Our travel advisors will find the right fit with you.
Which hotel in Dana Point has an executive club lounge?
The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel: its Club Lounge has a dedicated concierge and five food and beverage presentations a day, plus California wines and coastal views. With us, the Club Level Garden View Executive Suites come with an extra $100 credit for stays of two nights or more, not combinable with promotions.
Which luxury hotels in Dana Point have a pool?
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort has the Monarch Pool with Pacific views, a family pool and an adults-only Spa Lap Pool. The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel has two heated pools, the Dana Pool and the Monarch Pool.
Which luxury hotel in Dana Point is best for families?
The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, with Ritz Kids for children aged 5 to 12 and the Eco-Adventure Center. Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort also has a kids’ club and its own family pool.
Is there a hotel with a golf course in Dana Point?
Yes, Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort with the Monarch Beach Golf Links, 18 oceanfront holes designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. After your round, Club 19 by the first tee awaits.
Where can I go whale watching in Dana Point?
Boats leave the harbor all year, and gray whales pass by in winter and spring. At The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, the Eco-Adventure Center organizes the tours.
Which spa in Dana Point offers yoga with an ocean view?
The spa at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, with daily yoga and Pilates overlooking the ocean. The spa at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort has indoor and outdoor whirlpools and an adults-only pool.
Is the Inn at the Mission in Dana Point?
No, the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano is in neighboring San Juan Capistrano, inland on El Camino Real. Breakfast for two and Marriott Bonvoy points are included.
Do I earn Marriott Bonvoy or Hilton Honors points in Dana Point?
Yes. The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, the Marriott Laguna Cliffs Dana Point and the Inn at the Mission San Juan Capistrano credit Marriott Bonvoy points, and Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort even double Hilton Honors points. Because suitespot uses the hotel’s own direct rate, your status benefits count too.
Which luxury hotel in Dana Point was renovated most recently?
The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel: in 2025, all rooms and suites, the Club Lounge and the spa were redesigned.
How do I get from the airport to Dana Point?
John Wayne (SNA) is about 22 miles away, LAX around 75. The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel has no hotel shuttle; the concierge books a private transfer.
