The 8 Best Resorts in Dana Point CA | Hand-Picked for 2025
We researched all the properties available and found the best Dana Point resorts that offer the most comfort, convenience, and high-end amenities for travelers who expect more from their stay.
These resorts in Dana Point CA range from budget-friendly waterfront stays to world-class luxury beachfront retreats. Whether you’re visiting for a long coastal getaway or just a weekend recharge, these picks provide a strong mix of ocean access, dining, spas, and proximity to Southern California’s iconic Pacific views.
Table of Contents
Methodology
To identify the best resorts Dana Point has to offer, we carefully looked through traveler feedback and ratings from platforms like Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and Expedia.
We prioritized factors like ocean views, service quality, on-site amenities, room selection, and proximity to beaches and local attractions. Resort reputation and consistent service delivery also played a big role in how we ranked them.
The 8 Best Resorts in Dana Point, CA for 2025
8. The Beachfront Inn & Suites At Dana Point
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Directly across from Capistrano Beach with uninterrupted views
- Recently renovated with modern coastal decor
- Walking distance to shops and restaurants
This is a resort Dana Point travelers often book when they want a chic boutique stay. It’s set right across from the ocean, so the views are pretty much constant from most rooms.
It’s not massive or flashy, but it’s a good spot for folks who like a casual, quieter stay near the sand.
Rooms come with ocean-inspired themes and include large balconies, so you can sit out and soak up the sounds of the surf.
It’s almost always an easy walk to the beach, making this one of the more low-key resorts in Dana Point CA for families and couples alike.
Guests tend to appreciate the simplicity here—free breakfast, beach gear rentals, and just enough proximity to Highway 1 for easy access to nearby coastal towns. In short, it’s a chill location with the basics done right.
7. Hilton Vacation Club Riviera Beach & Shores – Most Affordable
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Less than 300 feet from Capistrano Beach
- Spacious suites with kitchens and laundry
- Access to two pools and a rooftop terrace
- One of the most budget-friendly Dana Point resorts
What makes this retreat stand out is how much you get for what you spend. It’s typically one of the most wallet-friendly resorts in Dana Point California, yet it doesn’t feel cheap once you’re inside.
Each suite comes fully loaded with roomy living areas, full kitchens, and even washers and dryers, so longer stays feel like home.
A lot of families tend to book this resort Dana Point offers because it gives them some breathing room without the high-end price tag.
The resort has two swimming pools, a large fitness area, and a rooftop lounge space where you can watch the sun dip below the horizon.
You’re steps away from a decent beach stretch and can easily reach Dana Point Harbor or Doheny State Beach by car in a matter of minutes.
6. Best Western Plus Dana Point Inn-By-The-Sea
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Oceanfront setting across from Capistrano Beach
- Hot breakfast included in the rate
- Outdoor whirlpool and courtyard with fire pits
It’s almost surprising how many people rate this property highly, given that it doesn’t show off much from the outside. But inside, it’s a quiet and clean escape with a lot of perks packed in for a mid-tier rate.
Rooms are updated and have fireplaces in many cases, which is a rare find among other Dana Point resorts in this price bracket.
Beach views are solid, and while it’s not sitting directly on the sand, it’s across the street from it, which still gives it a coastal vibe people look for.
Service is attentive, the breakfasts are way better than expected, and it’s only a short ride from the harbor, local cafes, and walking trails.
This resort ranks well for its simple value, solid comfort, and friendly atmosphere.
5. Hilton Garden Inn Dana Point – Best-Seller
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Newly updated rooms and lobby
- Just a block from the beach and Pacific Coast Highway
- Outdoor pool and hot tub on-site
This is a resort Dana Point visitors often return to, which is why it’s often the most booked resort in town.
It’s reliable, clean, and close enough to the beach that you can be there in minutes without breaking a sweat.
The recently refreshed interiors give off a clean, modern vibe. You’ll find king rooms, suites, and family setups that include sofa beds and oversized baths.
For guests who like having Hilton perks while being near Dana Point attractions, this spot tends to check all the boxes.
On-site dining is decent for quick bites, and there’s a pool area that’s great for unwinding at the end of a beach-filled day.
That combination of updated spaces and solid service makes this one of the best-selling resorts in Dana Point CA for repeat travelers.
4. Best Western Plus Marina Shores Hotel
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Less than half a mile from Doheny State Beach
- Pet-friendly rooms and large suites available
- Fitness center and outdoor heated pool
This one’s a popular pick among travelers who want something that’s affordable but also close to all the coastal action.
You’re a quick stroll away from the beach, and right next to Dana Point Harbor, so your surroundings stay lively and walkable.
The rooms come in a range of layouts, including double queens, king suites, and extended-stay options with microwaves and fridges. Most travelers find the service to be especially friendly, which helps create a more welcoming experience overall.
It’s more or less a dependable mid-range stay that gets you beach access, parking, and a clean setup without too many frills.
Still, among the resorts Dana Point has downtown, it continues to be a practical favorite with decent amenities and a stellar location.
3. Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa – Top Value Pick
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Overlooks Dana Point Harbor from blufftop setting
- Includes two large pools and a full-service spa
- 400+ rooms spread across 11 coastal acres
This Dana Point resort offers a little bit of everything—sweeping ocean views, elevated dining, spa indulgence, and an ideal bluffside location.
You’re perched just above Dana Point Harbor, and that means photo-worthy sunsets are basically built in.
The property is spread out, which gives it a relaxed and upscale layout that never feels cramped. Pools are large, dining is refined but approachable, and the spa is a full-service facility with ocean-inspired treatments.
Families appreciate the game lawn and walking trails, while couples go for the serene terrace settings and quiet luxury. Among resorts in Dana Point California, this one stands out for delivering high-end perks without the top-tier cost.
2. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Clifftop location 150 feet above Salt Creek Beach
- 396 rooms with private balconies and upgraded linens
- World-class dining, spa, and beach butler service
This famous resort needs no introduction. It’s one of the most well-known luxury resorts in Dana Point CA and draws everyone from honeymooners to business travelers who expect top-tier comfort and service.
The clifftop setting puts it directly above Salt Creek Beach, so you get dramatic coastal views from almost every part of the resort.
Suites come with marble baths, feather-top beds, and expansive balconies. It’s all set up to feel incredibly exclusive, without losing its welcoming tone.
You’ll find fine dining, a spa that’s fully immersive, and even beach butlers who handle everything from towels to cocktails while you lounge seaside.
If you’re looking to see what top-end resorts Dana Point offers, this Ritz-Carlton consistently sets the bar high.
1. Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club – Top Overall
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- 175-acre oceanfront property with private beach club
- 7 restaurants, 3 pools, championship golf course
- 400+ rooms with soaking tubs and ocean views
This is, without a doubt, the best resort in Dana Point California, period.
The Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club stretches across a massive coastal property, which means everything here feels grand, spacious, and incredibly well-designed.
The rooms feature spa-style bathrooms, luxury linens, and large balconies that give you those prime ocean or garden views. Amenities include a private beach club accessible via tram, full-service spa, fitness center, and three large pools—including an adults-only option for added tranquility.
Food is a big deal here too, with seven dining venues ranging from oceanfront casual to high-end steak and seafood.
Between the award-winning golf course, beautifully landscaped grounds, and effortless service, it’s easy to see why this stands at the top of the best resorts in Dana Point CA.
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