This is indeed where he stayed during the U.S. open, but my wife and I, without the least interest in golf, spent three lovely nights here and enjoyed it immensely. We came from Laguna Beach and the Montage, which is chiefly a spa and gets every last little detail right. The Lodge is not quite at that level, but our larger 600+ square foot room facing the golf course and ocean was of a different nature, a restored historic gem with period Craftsman/Stickley-style decor burnished to a high sheen. Consistent with another reviewer, we found the rooms a little dark but the effect is intimate, artful and consistent with the overall decor. Also, a fireplace and large terrace compensate by bringing in light. This is a fine jumping off point for the San Diego Zoo and Sea World (the latter shockingly commercial, not at all educational the way the Monterey Bay aquarium is). While we enjoyed dinner at the more formal restaurant, we found the resident Grill very good for breakfast outdoors and reasonably priced at that. No hotel in the region is truly on the beach, as the sand lies 100 feet or so below breathtaking rocky cliffs that are themselves a point of interest. But it is a short distance from the ocean and a nature preserve which is itself worth exploring.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, Girlfriend getaway, Great pool scene, Pet owners, Families with young children
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun, Outdoor / Adventure, Great food / Wine