Terranea Resort

Terranea Resort, a Michelin Key Selected property in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, is widely regarded as a luxurious coastal retreat, praised for its breathtaking ocean views and expansive amenities. While offering a high-end experience, some guests note areas for improvement, particularly concerning value and service consistency.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Terranea Resort is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests describing it as a stunning, tranquil, and luxurious escape. It holds an "Excellent" rating of 8.8 out of 10 based on over 1,000 reviews on Hotels.com, and a "Very good" 9.0 out of 10 on Booking.com. The resort is frequently highlighted as a "paradise" offering an immersive Californian experience. However, some more recent feedback suggests that while the grounds remain exceptional, certain aspects, like room decor or service, might feel "a little dated" or "gone a bit downhill" for some, especially given the premium price point.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about Terranea's picturesque setting and sweeping Pacific Ocean views, describing them as spectacular and rivaling any in the world. The expansive 102-acre property offers a sense of seclusion and tranquility, despite being within the Los Angeles area.

Key amenities that guests love include:

• Multiple Pools: Four heated pools, including an adults-only pool, a 5,000-square-foot main pool, a splash pad, and a 140-foot waterslide, catering to both families and those seeking quiet relaxation.
• The Spa at Terranea: A 50,000-square-foot oceanfront spa with 25 treatment rooms, a fitness center, yoga classes, and relaxation rooms with breathtaking Pacific Ocean vistas.
• Recreational Activities: A nine-hole golf course ("The Links"), extensive hiking and nature trails, kayaking, archery, and a kids' club.
• Family-Friendly Design: The resort is particularly noted for being family-friendly, with accommodations like casitas and villas providing ample space, kitchens, and laundry facilities.

3. Room Quality

Terranea Resort offers a wide range of accommodations, including spacious guest rooms, suites, bungalows, casitas, and villas, designed to suit various group sizes and preferences. Many rooms feature private balconies or patios with ocean, pool, or garden views. Standard guest rooms are well-equipped with luxury amenities, stone baths, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi.

The casitas and villas are often highlighted for providing a "home away from home" feeling, featuring full kitchens, laundry facilities, separate living spaces, and even outdoor fireplaces, perfect for families. The design style blends classic Spanish Colonial with laid-back coastal California aesthetics, though some find the decor in standard rooms to be a bit "staid" or "alright, nothing spectacular" for a luxury property, suggesting they can be "dated."

4. Dining Experience

The resort boasts nine diverse dining and drinking options, catering to a wide range of palates.

• Mar'sel: The fine-dining option, offering gourmet seafood and an extensive wine list, ideal for special occasions or seasonal Sunday brunches.
• Catalina Kitchen: A Mediterranean-inspired, all-day eatery known for its pastas, flatbreads, fresh salads, and popular buffets, including Friday night seafood and delightful brunches, with panoramic ocean views.
• Nelson's: A casual oceanside restaurant serving pub fare and microbrews, popular for its views and relaxed atmosphere.
• Bashi: Offers Asian fusion cuisine, including wok-fried items, sushi, and sake, in an ocean-facing setting.
• Sea Beans Cafe: A convenient spot for coffee, tea, sandwiches, pastries, and highly-praised gelato (with the Nutella flavor being a standout).

While the variety is appreciated and many find the food to be good, a common criticism revolves around the high pricing and perceived value. Some guests have reported the food as "disappointing" or "mediocre at best" for the cost. Issues such as long wait times for breakfast at Catalina Kitchen, even with visible empty tables, and concerns about food quality, including frozen fish being served in a fine dining setting, have been mentioned.

5. Service & Staff

Feedback on service and staff at Terranea Resort is largely positive, with many guests praising the team as "amazing," "kind and accommodating," "efficient and friendly," and providing "excellent customer service." The concierge service, in particular, has been highlighted for being helpful and going "the extra mile." The staff is often described as "young, fun, and enthusiastic," especially in interactions with children.

However, some guests have experienced inconsistencies, noting that service can be "hit or miss," "slow," or even "nonexistent" at times. There have also been internal concerns reported by employees regarding unorganized management and poor communication. It is important to note that Terranea Resort faced fines in 2022 for alleged labor law violations related to not offering jobs back to laid-off workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there were also allegations of sexual harassment by former employees in 2018.

6. Location & Accessibility

Terranea Resort is situated on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, providing a unique and "natural haven" overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. Its cliffside location offers spectacular views and a feeling of seclusion, making it feel "light-years from the city."

Despite its tranquil setting, the resort is conveniently accessible, located approximately 30-35 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Long Beach Airport (LGB). It's also about 30 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles, allowing relatively easy access to city attractions while offering a distinct escape from the urban hustle. The property itself features extensive hiking and nature trails, allowing guests to explore the local flora and fauna. Some reviewers mention that if you plan to explore beyond the resort, local off-site options might be limited.

7. Value & Pricing

As a luxury property and Michelin Key Selected resort, Terranea comes with a premium price tag. The lowest average cost for a room is cited around $679 per night, with rates varying significantly based on the time of year and specific accommodation type. While some guests find the experience well worth the cost, praising the facilities, views, and overall ambiance, others frequently cite the resort as "insanely expensive" and "not good value," particularly when considering perceived shortcomings in food quality or service consistency.

A recurring complaint regarding pricing includes the hefty daily resort fee and a significant on-site parking fee, which can be as high as $67 per night. Pet fees are also noted as being very expensive, for instance, $295 for a dog. Deals such as "buy one night, get one free" are sometimes available, which can mitigate the cost.

8. Common Complaints

While Terranea is highly praised, some recurring issues and criticisms emerge from guest feedback:

• High Costs and Value Perception: The most frequent complaint centers on the high overall cost, including room rates, dining, and additional fees, with some guests feeling the experience does not always justify the "insane" price.
• Ancillary Fees: High daily resort fees, parking fees, and pet fees are consistently mentioned as frustrating extra costs.
• Food Quality for Price: Some guests have expressed disappointment with the quality of food at on-site restaurants, considering the high prices, and have reported issues like long waits for breakfast or subpar ingredients.
• Service Inconsistencies: While many praise the staff, some reviews highlight "hit or miss" or slow service, indicating a lack of consistency across the resort.
• Dated Rooms: A few guests have found the decor in standard guest rooms to be "dated" and not quite up to the standard expected of a luxury property.
• Crowded Pools and Kids' Club: One review mentioned the main pool being too small for the number of families and the kids' club being "very poor," suggesting it may not be ideal for all families.
• Past Labor and Conduct Allegations: The resort has faced legal action and fines for allegedly failing to rehire laid-off workers post-pandemic, and there have been past allegations of sexual harassment by employees.

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