The Divine Dish

Weekend at Terranea Resort, Palos Verdes

Posted on Jan 20, 2013 under Archives | No Comment

I recently visited Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes for a story I am working on about romantic places around LA.    Nested above the ocean on the Palos Verdes Penninsula, the resort includes 582 guestrooms and suites with bungalows, casitas and villas, most with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

The view of the ocean can be seen from the entire resort and is especially inviting from the lobby.  Outside of the lobby is a large sitting area and a huge fireplace.

The resort sits on 102 well manicured lush acres and houses a nine hole golf course, two miles of hiking trails, three swimming pools and a 25, 000 square foot spa.  There are over 200 fire pits and fireplaces scattered around the property.

Terranea’s hotel offers 326 guest rooms and 34 suites that range from 450 square feet to the 1,800-square-foot Presidential Suite.  Contemporary features include rich linens, stone baths and amenities such as flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations and Wi-Fi access.

For added space and privacy, guests can choose from 20 two-bedroom bungalows, 50 three-bedroom ocean view casitas and 32 villas that range from 1,850 square feet to 2,800 square feet. Each offers spacious kitchens and living areas.

The award-winning Spa at Terranea is a 50,000-square-foot oasis set amid sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island.   The view from the spa is spectacular.  The spa houses 25 treatment rooms, separate men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, 25,000 square feet of outdoor space including a private spa pool and hot tubs, a fitness center with a yoga and Pilates studios, and a spa cafe.  It’s worth a visit to Terranea just to go to the spa for the day.

Catering to an international palate, Terranea’s eight dining venues range from gourmet cuisine to casual fare – all set against the Pacific Ocean.  Mar’sel (Spanish for “sea” and French for “salt”) is their signature restaurant and reflects a modern twist on California cuisine.  A seasonal, gourmet menu from award-winning Chef Michael Fiorelli spotlights local ingredients alongside herbs and produce grown on property in the chef’s garden.

We dined inside mar’sel by the massive fireplace.  The setting was cozy and romantic.  Mar’sel also offers patio dining where diners can take in the majestic view of the Pacific Ocean.  Here is what we sampled at mar’sel:

We started with a lovely squash salad and enjoyed a branzino and steak and tortellini course before dessert.

Other eateries include the Asian inspired Bashi, Nelson’s for casual dining, Cielo Point, the Lobby bar, sea beans coffee and sweet store, the spa cafe and Catalina Kitchen.  I stopped by Catalina Kitchen for breakfast and enjoyed eggs benedict al fresco overlooking the pool and ocean.

Terranea is offering a variety of packages for Valentine’s Day.   The Date Night package are perfect for families and  includes a casita or villa accommodation with a living area, kitchen and dining room.  Parents can enjoy a romantic dinner for two at Catalina Kitchen while the kids can visit the Tide Pool Kids Club for the evening.  The His and Hers package includes two nights, two rounds of golf, and two 60-minute treatments at the spa.  The spa is offering a few special packages, including the Love Yourself package which includes a full day of pampering with a massage, facial, and mani-pedi.  Included is a glass of champagne, lunch and chocolate covered strawberries.  You can find all packages and make reservations at 1-866-802-8000 or via the website at www.terranea.com.