Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes, CA
Hmm. So checked into Terranea in Palos Verdes with Napper yesterday upon hearing glowing reviews from friends and an extraordinary Jetsetter sale-- a room that normally would go for upwards of $500 (an Ocean View King) was on sale for $200. I was ready for restorative romance-- a day and evening of luxurious, quiet pool time looking out to Catalina, hiking along the cliffs and delightful sunset cocktails followed by dinner.
Here's what I'll say. Terranea is enormous! There are 580 rooms which makes for a very busy property. And yesterday was a Sunday-- in October. I can't even imagine this place on a Saturday in the summer. The Spa Pool, the quiet pool, was packed. There was a large group next to us play by playing the wedding they had been at the night before while swilling beers. I have to say it put a bit of a damper on the glorious view of the Pacific with Catalina beyond. In the plus column below the views and sunshine, the Bento Boxes served poolside from the Spa Cafe were delicious. After poolside sunning, we put on tennis shoes and explored the cliffside hiking trails that lead down to the rocky and stunning beaches below. Our little walking adventure was a highlight.
The Octoberfest celebration going on by Nelson's, the casual cliffside restaurant on the property was hokey -- a band in leiderhosen playing Adelweiss and paper cut out banners of German beers tied to the wind dividers marred the view. We navigated the scene for a quick drink and a fish taco ( good) and ran from the zoo like scene up to the tranquil Lobby Bar. Which was delightful. Quiet with a roaring large fireplace, elegant enormous windows framing the sunset streaked sky. I begin to get Terranea. Lovely.
After a glass of wine at the bar, we headed to the resort's "fine dining restaurant," mar' sel. Sitting beneath heaters outside looking at the twinkling lights of Palos Verdes and the moonlit Pacific, was very romantic indeed. Dinner was adventurous -- who knew bone marrow was delicious?-- and quite good. The fish and the blueberry crisp were knockouts. The service was impeccable.
Here's how Terranea shakes down for me:
I didn't like:
-how big it is
-how new it is
-too many people
-the rooms are rather impersonal with bad acoustics. It's a noisy property ironically.
I did like:
-the Spa pool on a non-busy day would be pleasant for sunning and lunch
-the Lobby Bar for drinks
-mar' sel for dinner
-the view and surrounding walking trails (which are public, by the way)
