We just got back a couple weeks ago from a wonderful three-night stay at the Pacific Edge on Laguna Beach and are happy to give it two thumbs up, mainly for location, location, location.

We stayed in The Reef building on the top floor (fourth, I believe). Though it sounds a little high, we only had to navigate one set of stairs to our room as the parking is on the third level (please note, there is no elevator in this building). While the room was immaculate, and even spacious, it was pretty dated and very sparse, with just the basics. Of course, if your main purpose is to spend time sightseeing, walking the beach, or just sitting on your 'private' deck that overlooks the ocean, what more do you need than a comfortable bed, towels, soap, and a table on which to put your beachcombing treasures? A nice touch were the wine glasses and corkscrew. There was a TV, of course, but we were rarely there to watch it.

The one flaw, and the reason I didn't give this establishment five stars, is Pacific Edge's parking policy. You are required to have a valet park your car and keep your keys even though parking is in the lot about 25 yards from your room. I guess there are problems with non-guests taking these spaces in the high season but this is the quiet season. Furthermore, we were traveling with my elderly father with some health issues and the last thing we wanted to deal with in the middle of the night was to have run right past our car to the valet kiosk a block or so away to retrieve our keys. Rental cars don't tend to give spare keys so we had to go to the valet just to access our car. Perhaps the front desk could issue parking passes at check-in that would then be displayed on the dashboard or hang from the rear view mirror. This would certainly address any issues with non-guests. Valet parking could be optional and the customer can keep their own keys if they want.

As for the staff, everyone we encountered was very nice and helpful. We arrived early for check-in but our room was not yet available. However, the gentleman who greeted us took my phone number and called to tell us the room was ready within the hour. Check-in was fast and easy.

Over all, if you're looking for pretty affordable (it's all relative), immaculate lodging right on the beach this is IT. It's not luxury, mind you. We used to stay at the Surf and Sand when in town but it has outpriced itself, (and in my opinion its location is no better than the Pacific Edge). Should we ever return to this area we will not hesitate to reserve another room here on the shores of the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

I have stayed here twice and I LOVE this hotel. The most recent time I came was to surprise my girlfriend by proposing to her on the beach behind the hotel. The hotel staff were very friendly, very helpful, and very excited for us. The room was magnificent! The rooms have a very relaxed, surfer, beach house feel, it's just perfect for Laguna Beach. The beach behind the Hotel is clean, spacious, and beautiful. I can't think of a bad thing to say about this place. They are my favorite! P.S. She said Yes

We love it here. The staff is wonderful and truly knows the meaning of great customer service. It's clean, comfortably decorated and the pricing is excellent. We stayed in September then brought friends in November and will be returning in February, again with friends. See you soon!

An older motel, it's true, but it was cute, and one of the least spendy options in Laguna Beach, with fun pastel paint in calm blues and celadon contributing to its retro vibe. Reception was able to upgrade us to a two-bed suite for a nominal charge, pretty sweet. Didn't face the ocean, but that was fine with us, didn't really hear the noise from PCH. The biggest complaint I have is the lighting which was inadequate and depressive in an otherwise cheery, spacious suite.
You do have to ask for whatever you might need in the kitchen, in our case a pot for boiling water. When we checked in receptionist asked one of the workers to bring a can opener to another room. Is it so difficult/expensive to keep common items in the kitchens?
Tip: The renovated rooms are the ones facing the ocean. Didn't get a chance to see them, we were satisfied and needs met with our non-updated suite.
Aside: The restaurant made a deceptively simple meal of noodles in butter and salmon for our toddler and it was perfectly executed. We come from Seattle, and we do not speak lightly about perfectly executed salmon as we eat salmon every week! It was incredible. You should definitely try the seafood restaurant on the property. If you order room-service, do beware the charges, they charged more than the menu stated by a couple dollars and THERE IS AN 18% GRATUITY ALREADY ADDED.
Food served on a dirty tray, hey at least put a serving cloth on the tray!
We might stay here again, but for a few bucks more, more intrigued to explore the other hotels in the area next time, and I would definitely press my husband to go to the restaurant and try some more exciting options.