Pronouncing Terranea can be tricky, (terra-NAY-a), but pampering yourself comes easy at this luxury resort on the Los Angeles coast. Calm and quiet prevails at the 102-acre estate, making it hard to believe you’re just a 30 minute drive from the Los Angeles International Airport, and the hustle and bustle most folks associate with Southern California life.
The resort boasts a whopping 582 rooms and suites. The property layout is fairly simple and straight forward, but its sheer size means it will take some time to learn your way around. Located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, on clear days its coastal location delivers eye catching views of Catalina Island and rewards guests with both sunrise and sunset views.
Terranea has a Mediterranean feel, but the property does a nice job of blending in with its surroundings and letting its greatest asset, the coastal environment, shine. All rooms have balconies, and a majority offer ocean views.
My room, an Ocean View guest room, came with a view of the surf and one of the resort’s four heated pools. Even with a King bed, sitting area and large desk, the room still felt spacious. The bathroom had a single vanity, and both a bath tub and shower. The toilet was separated from the main area by a frosted glass door, offering the opportunity for multiple use, while still having some privacy.
In addition to traditional style hotel rooms, accommodation options include three-bedroom ocean view casitas and villas with kitchens and living areas, and two bedroom bungalows, (equipped with spa and fitness-themed amenities) located adjacent to the spa.
Whatever type of space you choose, don’t plan on spending much of your waking time there. The beauty here is getting outside, and the resort offers a number of entertaining and complimentary ways to do it. Guided hikes along the coast are designed to provide information and workouts. The fitness center has an ocean front studio offering seaside yoga, pilates and spin classes. The resort’s falconer, responsible for keeping the property seagull free, offers meet and greets a few times a week.
There’s also a 9-hole, par 3 oceanfront golf course, and activities including paddle boarding and kayaking, are also available for an additional fee.
The award-winning Spa at Terranea has 25 treatment rooms and is splurge-worthy.
Terranea has eight dining venues, ranging from gourmet cuisine at Mar’sel to grab and go at Sea Beans coffee and sweets shop. Perched cliff-side, you can watch the sun set from the outside terrace at Nelson’s. Fire pits and heat lamps keep the space cozy as nightfall settles in.
An Ocean View guest room ranges from $425 during off-peak times to $695 during peak season. There is also a $30 per day resort fee that covers amenities like Wi-Fi, nightly turndown service, in-room coffee and tea and Fitness & Wellness Center access. Make your reservation at the hotel website or through a booking site such as Expedia or Travelocity.
Review and photos by Dana Rebmann. Her stay was hosted by the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.