High on a coastal cliff, overlooking Dana Point Harbor, is the luxurious Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa. With views of the sailboats in the marina and the seemingly endless ocean, the resort is a relaxing escape in the heart of Orange County. Stroll along the paved walkways of Dana Point that pass right by the resort’s great lawn and visit the harbor for sailing and charters, or simply wile away the days at the resort’s two pools before enjoying first-row seats to some of the area’s best sunset views.

Laguna Cliffs features 378 rooms with city, ocean and pool views. First floor rooms offer patios and those with pool views are within steps of the family pool. Second and third floor rooms offer balconies. Fourth floor rooms do not have balconies, so be sure to request other floors if you would like private outdoor space. Mini-fridges are available in some rooms.

Resort, Pool or Coastal View
Standard rooms rooms offer views of the resort, pool or coast, and provide one king or two double beds, and some have sofa beds. Rooms feature 32-inch flat-screen TVs, iHome players, coffeemakers with free coffee and tea, bottled water for a fee and Wi-Fi access for a fee. Connecting rooms are available, as are cribs and rollaway beds upon request. Rollaway beds are $20 per stay.

Executive Suites
For larger accommodations, the resort provides Executive Suites with full-size dining tables for four, sofa beds, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, iHome players, coffeemakers with free coffee and tea, bottled water for a fee and Wi-Fi access for a fee. The largest suite is the Dana Pointe suite, which offers a private dining room for six and can connect to one- or two-bedroom rooms to accommodate up to eight people. Cribs and rollaway beds are available upon request, the latter charging an additional $20 per stay.

Kahuna Laguna Kids' Club
This seasonal club, which operates in the summer months, offers half- and full-day seasons for children ages 5 to 12 to enjoy themed activities and playtime.

Pools
The resort features two outdoor heated pools. In the summer months, one offers a bar and becomes an unofficial adult pool, while the other features a Splash Zone water play area with fountains, water cannons and surfboards kids can ride. Kids receive free smoothies from the pool bar all summer, as well. Cabanas are available to rent, with reserved shaded seating and service.

Passports Program
Kids also receive special Passports at check-in. Kids are invited to visit various areas of the resort and receive stickers with each visit. If they visit all of the sites in their passports, they receive a prize.

Bicycles
The hotel offers Trek bicycles for year-round rentals to enjoy the harbor and trails. Visit the concierge for rentals.

Special Seasonal Events
During the summer, families can enjoy free movies on Friday and Saturday nights in the hotel's theater with complimentary popcorn, snacks and drinks. Meals can be ordered in from room service, as well. Children get to walk the red carpet and hand in a ticket at a makeshift ticket booth, with their stub serving as a voucher for free breakfast the next morning at Vue Restaurant.

During the winter months, Breakfast With Santa and S'mores & Stories are provided with special arts and crafts, face painting, cookie decorating and more.

Summer Fun
Dana Point's extensive walking trails and parks are located adjacent to the hotel, and in the summer months, the city offers movies on the park lawn and bocce courts.

Vue
One of the town's most popular restaurants with -- as its name implies -- fabulous views, Vue is the resort's breakfast, lunch and dinner restaurant. Offering traditional breakfast fare in the morning, guests can enjoy small and large plates with lunches consisting mainly of burgers, salads and sandwiches, and dinners offering a bit more gourmet fare, especially seafood and steak options. Guests have the option of a continental breakfast for $18 or a buffet breakfast for $23.

OverVue Lounge and Deck
Enjoy indoor or outdoor seating in the resort's lounge and deck for snacks and appetizers throughout the day. Especially popular in the evenings for its extensive wine list, parents will love to enjoy this spot while the kids are in the Kahuna Laguna Kids' Club.

All About the Extras
Resort Fee
Wi-Fi is included in the resort's $25 resort fee, which also covers pool towels and other small amenities.

Parking
Valet parking is available for $32 per day.

Rental Cars
A Hertz Rental Car office is located onsite for car rentals.

Fitness Center
A 2,500-square-foot fitness center, connected to the spa, features strength training and cardio equipment featuring individual TVs.

Check-In/Out
Check-in is at 4 p.m. and check-out is at 11 a.m.

The Art of Smart Timing
Dana Point's Orange County location means you'll find mild temperatures throughout the year, with plenty of sunshine. The resort receives most of its guests during the summer months and holiday season, but the area is a great place to visit at any time of the year. The kids' club, however, is only offered during the summer, so if you have interest in your kids having some time to play, save your trip for that season.

Getting There
The resort is closest to the John Wayne Airport in Orange County, just 30 minutes away. Dana Point is located between San Diego and Los Angeles, and is roughly an hour from each respective international airport.

Getting Around
The resort is just a short walk from the Dana Point Harbor, with a host of restaurants and shops, as well as sailing charters, whale watching excursions, and trips to Catalina Island. The area has 10 miles of beach and plenty of paved walking trails, but if you'd like to leave Dana Point and really explore Orange County, you will need to have a car.

For Mom and Dad
When slipping away from the kids while they enjoy the resort's kids' programming, parents should head to the recently refurbished spa, which has a private outdoor lounge with a fireplace. The 14,000-square-foot full-service spa provides private lockers, steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools, and a number of treatment rooms with a sampling of massages, body treatments, facials and Vichy treatments.