Laguna Extreme
Built in 1929, Laguna Beach boutique hotel La Casa Del Camino served as a seaside resort for Hollywood royalty in its early days. Now it looks to be the official stomping ground for scions of the action sports world, thanks to the Casa Surf Project.
Ten designers representing ten major action sports companies, including Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Roxy, Billabong and Etnies, recently took on the task of designing suites in the hotel -- borrowing aesthetics from each brand's singular identity.
You don't have to be a bad-ass surfer or shredding skateboarder to appreciate the rooms, but a deep love of SoCal-bred counter cultures certainly doesn't hurt. The hallmarks of action sports are everywhere: One of the two Billabong suites gives you the feel of being underwater, with mood lighting and an oversized photo of the Pacific doubling as a headboard. And the Etnies suite, for example, features all eco-friendly materials, skateboards mounted on the walls and tire tracks racing across the ceiling.
NAUTICAL NOD: The Roxy suite.
But not every room relies on waves and half-pipes. The Quiksilver suite, for one, is a sophisticated study in dark, natural woods and airy, light-toned linens. A faux-fur throw blanket and low-hanging retro lamps lend a luxe quality to the serene space.
Swimwear company L*Space also created a sumptuous-looking room, featuring a gold- and copper-leaf painting of a woman's torso, cashmere blankets and a gorgeous, glass-tiled bathroom with Mid Century Modern-style Rohl fixtures.
This is hardly a Four Seasons -- the parking is woefully offsite, there’s no pool or gym, and the rooms' ocean views aren’t all completely panoramic -- but it's not pretending to be. What La Casa del Camino lacks in amenities, it makes up for in personality and charm. And this chic little gem won't set you back too far -- Surf Suites start at $199 a night (with most topping out at around $250).
The Rooftop Lounge features Laguna's only 360 degree views, but make sure you ask them for a stiff drink to enjoy along with the sunset, as the house mojitos were not heavy on the alcohol. The scene is moneyed Laguna, not hippie, and the bar offers thin wool blankets to ward off the ocean chill -- clashing a bit with the pashminas worn by bauble-heavy young women caught in the crosshairs of older men on the prowl.
BOARDERS' BLISS: The Etnies suite.
On the ground floor, K'ya Bistro Bar is the place for a decadent dinner. We're talking tapas -- again very well priced. You get the feeling the chef was given a budget and opted for the kind of comfort food you would make at 2 a.m., after a long night of drinking. The lobster macaroni and cheese, for instance, was rich and delicious but tasted like it might have included Velveeta. Not in a bad way, mind you. And after several drinks, not at all unwelcome. A decent wine selection rounded out the offerings.
The next day, a walk to the nearly private beach alcove with concierge beach service is a great way to recover. With its recent facelift and recession-friendly prices, this jewel-box of a hotel is definitely worth trying.
La Casa Del Camino, 1289 South Coast Highway Laguna Beach. (888) 367-5232, www.casacamino.com. A member of K Hotels www.k-hotels.com.