Welcome to Paradise. Whether you’re traveling from afar or are a local in need of a staycation, Terranea Resort is the place for you. Situated on a picturesque cliffside bluff in beautiful Rancho Palos Verdes, far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, yet only 20 minutes awe from LAX, this sprawling 102-acre resort will make you so comfortable you may never want to leave.
With an award-winning spa, 9-hole golf course, horseback riding, paddle boarding, kayaking, gym, three pools, and eight restaurants, there is definitely something for everyone (kids, corporates, couples, all will love.)
I, myself, had never visited this highly talked about hotel, so I decided to have my own romantic getaway there with my boyfriend to see what all of the hype was about. From the moment we pulled into the valet, I knew we were going to be very well taken care of. Greeted with welcome glasses of champagne and a friendly receptionist, we were taken to our beautiful ocean-view suite overlooking the resort and Pacific Ocean.
The day began with brunch at Mar’Sel, an elegant restaurant on property, overlooking the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Before I even received my first drink, we spotted whales right off the coast. The entire restaurant gathered in awe, watching the whales breach so close to the shoreline. It was as if they knew they had an eager audience. The brunch itself was simply delectable, featuring modern Californian cuisine, with ingredients which were sourced locally.
After brunch, we took a walk along the hiking trail that hugs the entire resort grounds. The views were incredible, with crystal clear waters and Catalina Island in plain sight.
Next on the agenda was some poolside relaxation. Being a couple, we opted for the adult-only pool, where we both enjoyed delicious fresh cocktails and snacks while listening to great music and interacting with other friendly guests.
I did not want to miss out on the beach below, so we decided to walk down to the cove below the resort. The beach, rocky but wide, was filled with sea shells, tide pools, and climbable cliffs for perfect photo-ops.
Evening came, and it was time to check out another famous Californian sunset. We made our way over to the casual restaurant on the other side of the resort called Nelson’s, which to my surprise, was packed on a Sunday night. The restaurant was lively and energetic, filled with both hotel guests and locals there to enjoy the great comfort food and orangey pink sunset.
The next morning we had breakfast at the casual coffee shop at the front of the hotel, Sea Beans, and perused the designer-filled boutique next door, Marea.
My stay at Terranea was everything I was hoping it to be, and more. The resort definitely lived up to the hype, and deserves all of the awards and accolades it has received in its five years of being open.
It will now be on my must-do list for anyone visiting Southern California, as well on speed-dial for my own personal staycation needs.
To see personal photos from my trip there, you can visit my instagram page.
