Monarch Beach
Condo, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 6-7)
$1750-$2495/wk
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Guest: Carla A.
(Long Island, NY)
Date of Stay: 04/06/12
Review Submitted: 05/21/12
Seaclusion is a fabulous rental that lives up to all of its excellent reviews. Pam is very easy to work with and really goes above and beyond to help you have a great stay. The condo is located across the street from a beautiful uncrowded beach and the complex has a pool just a short walk from the unit. The unit was very tastefully decorated but not too fancy for a family with young children to feel comfortable. As mentioned by a previous reviewer there were ants in the unit but they were not bothersome until we had a night of rain. Pam offered to have the place visited by an exterminator which we deemed unnecessary. Dana Point is a very quiet community which worked out great for us. We visited the Ritz Carlton and The St. Regis hotels for lunch. It was great to have luxurious properties within short driving distances. We also went to dinner twice at Pelican Hill which was about 25 mins away by car. It was fantastic and I definitely recommend a drive there. I would love to have the opportunity to stay at Seaclusion again when I am back in the OC. Its a great rental, a terrific value!
Owner response:Thank you Carla for your lovely review! We appreciate your comments and know they are so important for future vacationers to read, especially regarding the overall value that we provide. We are so pleased that you had a great time in the OC, and that you shared how wonderful Pelican Hill is--2 visits there! We apologize for the pesky ants seeking refuge from the rain... we do have the unit sprayed for the little critters, but sometimes they find their way through. Thank you for being understanding and for doing some hand spraying!! And, thank you for keeping our condo as if it were your own! We look forward to your return whenever you plan a visit our way!
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Guest: Teresa L.
Date of Stay: 03/31/12
Review Submitted: 04/30/12
What a great place to stay - even better than we expected! Our two teenage daughters couldn't have been more content! This condo is just wonderful, and the location across from the quiet beach was fantastic. It was spotlessly clean, beautifully decorated and well stocked with every possible thing you could ever need! The beds were super comfortable and the bedrooms are good size, complete with spa robes in the closets and a flat screen TV in each room. But even better than the condo itself was the pleasure of working with Pam, the owner, from start to finish. I truly have never had a better experience with making a reservation. Pam was prompt from the beginning in getting back to me, respectfully answering all my questions, and so organized and easy to work with throughout the whole process. Our security deposit was promptly sent to us the day we checked out, (of course without having to even ask for it). Everything about our 5-night stay was wonderful and the owner hospitality was absolutely first-class. We definitely plan to return whenever we visit Orange County. Thanks again Pam, for providing a wonderful condo and for your excellent customer service! - The Larsen family.
Owner response:Thank you so much for your glowing review! We are pleased to hear that you had a great stay! Your daughter's birthday celebration at Luciana's was the icing on the cake! Thank you very much for noticing and appreciating the extras that we provide in order to stand out from the rest. We appreciate the great care you showed with the condo and hope to see you back very soon! You aren't that far away ;-) !
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Guest: Susan F.
(Denver, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 03/24/12
Review Submitted: 04/30/12
Our stay at Seaclusion was nothing but AMAZING!!!! The condo is very spacious and so well stocked. Our family of four went and also my Mom. We all had plenty of room. My brother lives in the area and we ended up almost nightly cooking at the condo and playing games. Great family time!!!!! Also the sunset on the balcony was a nightly event. Pam has anticipated every need someone might have and made sure it is available. The pool and hot tub are very close. The beach is right across the street with wonderful walking trails. Also a short drive to the other beach communities and Disneyland was much closer then I thought. Would stay there again and Pam was on top of everything. Thanks.
Owner response:It was a pleasure Sue to hear that you had such a great time and enjoyed the amenities that we offer in the condo from spices to board games!! We work hard at anticipating needs, so it is nice to hear we are successful! Thank you too for the care and thoughtfulness you and your family demonstrated in our home--it is appreciated!! We hope that you will return to visit us soon!!
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Guest: Damon J.
(New River, Arizona)
Date of Stay: 03/18/12
Review Submitted: 04/29/12
What a great location and a wonderful stay! My wife and 4 children enjoyed our spring break. Just steps away from the beach and breathtaking views its easy to loose track of time. The beds were comfortable and the layout of the condo suited us. There were many great restaurants only a few minutes away with a large variety of entertainment options. Would highly recommend for a romantic getaway or even a large family! The pool was a blast for the family as well.
Owner response:Thank you Damon for your kind remarks! You made me chuckle with the reference to loosing track of time--we all do it! --and especially in such a beautiful spot as Dana Point/Monarch Beach. So glad that you enjoyed your stay and found lots to do! We so appreciate that you chose Seaclusion and hope you will be back soon to visit with us again!
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Guest: Miles H.
Date of Stay: 08/05/11
Review Submitted: 09/20/11
We found the condo exceeded our expectations and would not hesitate to recommend it to others. The location was perfect and it was so well equipped. The washing machine and dryer were a great asset. We found the beach cart useful and the beach towels were most welcome! We only did two days on the beach but thoroughly enjoyed them both. The condo was especially clean and well maintained - linen, towels etc were immaculate. The beds were extremely comfortable. The kitchen was particularly well stocked and we made good use of the waffle maker! It was good to have a welcome from Heather who explained the facilities etc. Although we did not need to contact her during our stay, it was good to know she was available if needed. We cannot think of any improvements or suggestions to make. You seem to have thought of everything! We hope that one day we may return to Seaclusion and maybe some of our friends may do so too. Thank you for all your efforts and for helping to make our holiday so special.
Owner response:Thank you for taking the opportunity to review Seaclusion...we appreciate you taking the time to share with others your experience and viewpoint of the condo. We are so pleased that you had a great time and that we exceeded your expectations. From our side, we would like to express our appreciation that you left the condo in wonderful shape and treated it as you would your own. Come back and see us soon!!
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.
Guest: James N.
Date of Stay: 07/23/11
Review Submitted: 11/04/11
We thoroughly enjoyed our time here and have no hesitation recommending this property and renter. The booking process was friendly and efficient as was the arrival. The property has everything we wished for and more. We had one minor problem with a bed that was resolved instantly. The local beaches are great as are local restaurants.
Owner response:Thank you James for your great review! We are so pleased you selected Seaclusion as your home away from home while you vacationed in Southern California. As you requested, we provided an inflatable single for an extra guest...unfortunately, we had not been informed by prior users that it had a leak!! So sorry! Our manager made it her top priority to purchase a new one for you immediately! We strive to provide the absolute best service and accomodations for our visitors. We know ourselves how important it is while traveling. Thank you again and please come back to see us soon!
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Guest: Richard C.
Date of Stay: 07/16/11
Review Submitted: 07/31/11
Seaclusion is a fabulous condo located above the beautiful Strands Beach. This was our first experience of renting a private condo and we really did not know what to expect, particularly as we were travelling from the UK and everything was organised over the internet. However, Pam and her Team were absolutely fantastic and very easy to deal with - our deposit was returned before we landed in the UK! The pictures on the website were very accurate; the apartment is beautifully decorated and spotlessly clean. However, it is Pam's personal touches that make this place special. The bedding and towels are luxurious and far better than any of the 3 hotels that we stayed in during our US trip. Likewise, Pam has thought of everything from beach chairs, boggie boards, trolley cart, toiletries, bbq, first aid kits - in fact it really felt as if you were in a private house. The master bedroom is en-suite and has a fantastic balcony which overlooks the ocean. Whilst small, it easily seated 4 adults to allow us to watch the Pacific sunset whilst enjoying a glass of wine! The other 2 bedrooms (one a double and the other a twin) were also spacious and tastefully decorated. The living room has cable TV and WiFi, and I have never seen a more fully equipped kitchen. We were also given a discount card for Ralp's supermarket in Dana Point and loved the wide selection of fresh produce available. The small complex pool was also a welcome bonus. Originally, we had wanted to stay in Laguna Beach, but we were all so glad that we decided to pick Dana Point. It is quieter and less touristy than Laguna, but had a fantastic marina with some great restaurants (Harpoon Henrys did excellent fish and is thoroughly recommended). We also had our last meal at the Chart House which was outstanding - the prices compared with London restaurant prices, but the view overlooking the marina made this meal very special. Strands Beach was relatively quiet during our vacation (July 16-23) which made for great morning jogs along the beach and glorious afternoons messing around in the surf. There are quite a few steps to the beach but there is a lift. We also took surf lessons with Ocean Academy who we can thoroughly recommend - Jimmy and Dylan were fantastic. We did travel up to LA but the traffic on the I-5 was a nightmare. On a trip to Universal Studios, a 90 minute trip took nearly 3 hours. My thanks go to Pam and Heather for making this the best holiday ever.
Owner response:Richard and family~ Thank you so much for sharing your vacation memories and such a glowing review. We appreciate that you chose us! We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay and have planned to return next year for an extra week. Your dates are available and we look forward to your next visit. Thank you too for the great care you took of our property as well as the pristine condition you left it in... our manager was impressed! You were the perfect guests--thank you!!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Venke L.
Date of Stay: 07/09/11
Review Submitted: 08/06/11
We loved staying at this condo, it was just as beautiful as the pictures! Equipped with everything you need and more. It was so nice to sit out on the porch and look at the sun set and the ocean. The area was really nice, it was lovely to walk on the foot path along the sea and down to the harbor. The pool was really nice. We would love to come back! Best regards Venke (family of four from Stavanger, Norway)
Owner response:Thank you Venke for your wonderful comments about Seaclusion. It is very heartwarming to hear that you had a wonderful visit and enjoyed all that our area has to offer. You are welcome to return anytime!! We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: goteamf
(Glendale, CA)
Date of Stay: 05/09/11
Review Submitted: 05/19/11
Words cannot describe how wonderful our time was at Seaclusion. We were there last week as our daughter was married in San Juan Capistrano. Every comfort has been thought out ahead of time. The mattress in the master bedroom is divine; I will be looking into purchasing one like it. Our family has memories that will last forever. We were able to entertain at the condo one night very comfortably. Walks on the beach, beautiful sunset. So much is furnished that we overpacked and when we return will remember all the very nice extras that are provided. Upon arrival we were made to feel right at home. Although we didn't need them there were toys, beach chairs, etc. there for us. Thank you so much The Fechter Family
Owner response:Thank you Leslie for your kind words! We strive to make every stay a comfortable and memorable one. The pictures of the happy couple made our day and we were glad to be a small part of such a beautiful family event. Best Wishes and we look forward to your return visit!
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Guest: Sarah
(Scottsdale, AZ)
Date of Stay: 02/10/11
Review Submitted: 03/26/11
This condo and the owners/managers are so wonderful! We have stayed at this condo a few times. The beds are comfortable. It's very roomy. The kitchen is well stocked. We have a toddler and they are very accommodating, supplying toys and bed rails. They have beach chairs, toys, umbrella. The beach is a very close walk. The patio has an amazing view of the ocean. Every night we sit on the patio, sip some wine, eat some apps & watch the sunset. We stayed at a few other condos in this complex before finding "Seaclusion". Seaclusion is way superior in so many ways: great easy to deal with management, comfy beds, beautiful views, quiet. We will most definitely return!
Owner response:Thank you so much Sarah for your review of Seaclusion. We appreciate that our vacationers comment on the comfort, convenience and level of service provided. Our manager does a wonderful job of making sure you have everything within her power to provide! She is working on getting year-round perfect weather! :-) Seriously, thank you again for sharing your opinions and for being a repeat visitor... that speaks volumes in and of itself!
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Sarah
(Scottsdale, AZ)
Date of Stay: 09/30/10
Review Submitted: 02/04/11
We had a wonderful experience. The owners and manager were great to work with. We can't wait to come back. Comfy beds, beautiful view, very friendly & welcoming management.
Owner response:Thank you for your review! We are so happy that you enjoyed the condo, it's location for the views and we look forward to your return visit!
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: CMcC
(London, UK)
Date of Stay: 08/03/10
Review Submitted: 09/08/10
My family and I had an absolutely fantastic time at your condo. The property was really lovely; we have stayed in many rental houses over the years and we all agreed that this one was without a doubt the best equipped, which made cooking particularly easy and enjoyable. We also appreciated the bath products, sunscreen and first aid kit that were left for us, and beach mats/umbrellas/body boards. You had thought of everything! The property is also in a wonderful location - it is exactly mid-way between L.A. and San Diego, so is very convenient for visiting the many sights the area has to offer. It is, however, still very peaceful, being slightly removed from the busier tourist areas. Strand Beach is beautiful - the sea was a little rough for swimming a few days we were there, but it would be perfect for anyone interested in surfing. We really liked the complex's pool, which was shared but generally quite quiet . Dana Point is an ideal place to stay with many restaurants, activities and a pretty harbour to walk around in the evening. We felt we were getting a taste of real life in Southern California, which was great. We would definitely recommend this property and very much hope we will be able to come back in the future.
Owner response:Thank you so much for your kind review! We value your thoughts and impressions and appreciate your confidence in recommending our condo. You were delightful to work with and were thoughtful and caring guests. We look forward to your return to Seaclusion and Dana Point!
Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.
Guest: The Wanderers
(Bolton, England)
Date of Stay: 07/17/10
Review Submitted: 08/22/10
This property is located in a lovely, quiet location, without being off the beaten track. If you want to visit Disneyland or any of the LA tourist sites, they range from 30 minutes to one hours drive away. San Diego is just over 1 hour in the opposite direction. The owners are brilliant to deal with, are extremely hospitable and do everything to try to ensure that your stay at the property is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. The property itself is immaculate throughout and has all the facilities you could need to enjoy your stay. The property is ideally situated for the beach, which is only a short walk away and Dana Point Harbour is a short drive or a 30 minute walk (with children). All in all we had a brilliant time and would not hesitate to return in the future!!
Owner response:We are so happy that you had a memorable visit to Southern California and that our condo added to your enjoyment! We look forward to hosting a future stay for you and your lovely family. Thank you again!
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.
Guest: John
(UK)
Date of Stay: 07/03/10
Review Submitted: 09/05/10
We stayed in Seaclusion for a week in July 2010. We were 4 Adults and 3 teenage girls!! It is impossibe to overstate how good seaclusion is. I have stayed in many vacation properties in bith Europe and the States and none have compared to the thought that has gone into Seaclusion. Pam has thought of everything, and i mean everything, from toileteries to boogie boards etc we had nothing to provide other than food. The property is fantastic and perfectly situated for the beach and pools. Also really good for gaining access to beach communities (Laguna etc) as well as Orange County, LA and San Diego. Also Pam and her team are so attentive, friendly and accomodating - they really give you the sense that they want you to have a great vacation and will do anything to make this happen. They even apologised for the lack of Sun and even the most unreasonable of renters cannot attribute this to the rentor!!!! If you are considering staying at Dana Point i would highly recommend that you base yourself in Seaclusion - you won't regret it.
Owner response:We are so glad that you enjoyed Seaclusion! Thank you for the review.We really appreciate it when our guests take the time to let us know how they enjoyed their stay. You experienced the worst summer in 70 years for sunshine, and you have such a wonderfully optomistic attitude about it! Please come back--we loved having you and appreciate that you took such great care of our home! Pam
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Picky picky
(Norway)
Date of Stay: 02/14/10
Review Submitted: 05/06/10
Dana Point is a sedate city on the coast of Orange County, great for a relaxing vacation or conveniently located within driving range to major attractions in Southern California. The condo has a great location in Dana Point with beaches, trails and grocery stores within walking distance located in the front row with the bedrooms facing the ocean with great views to the sunsets. The condo was built in the 1980´s and has been delicately remodeled since, however, both kitchen and bathrooms appear original. There is a heated pool and Jacuzzi available within the community not too far from the condo. Our experience was that it may be a bit crowded at times with both drinking and smoking occurring along the pool side. In our opinion the area is ideal for adults or families with teenagers, since there is no playground for smaller kids in the area and quite a bit of traffic that goes by the condo. The service provided by the owners and the manager was impeccable. All in all, a great and recommendable place to stay, however, for the asking price we expected a higher standard in the kitchen including utensils and appliances, and ocean view from the family room.
Owner response:We do indeed live in a jewel of a spot, perfectly located, with so many outdoor activities available right here within our community. We especially enjoyed hearing again about the impeccable service provided by our manager. She makes every effort to assure your comfort from start to finish. Thank you for choosing us, we appreciate your visit and hope that you will return soon.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers.
Guest: Joan23
(Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 11/22/09
Review Submitted: 12/14/09
Your condo surpassed our expectations, it was very clean and commfortable with all the ammenities and more. ANDiIt is perfectly located for all of the many Southern Calif attractions. We took the kids north to Disneyland & south to the San Diego Zoo & Sea World, as well as shopping at South Coast Plaza--mind boggling! We went to the harbor, enjoyed several great restaurants, and especially liked the Salt Creek Grill, a little north on PCH. Our treks to the beach were the best, we enjoyed the use of your equipment, things we can't cart across country. The only drawback--we had to go home! But, we will be back when we can! Thanks too for the welcoming beverages and snacks--and your manager was SO helpful when we had a problem with connecting to the WIFI... she was great. "Missing Strand Beach"
Owner response:So happy to hear you had such a great vacation in our condo and in our locale. And-- we will compliment our manager on your behalf--it is always good to hear about great service.
Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: B. Dudzinsky
Date of Stay: 08/15/09
Review Submitted: 02/01/10
Dear Pam, We have had a wonderful visit in Dana Point. We liked your beautiful condo. We went to wonderful theme parks like Disneyland, SeaWorld and the Wild Animal Park. And, lastly, thank you for your welcome gift! The Dudzinsky Family
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Guest: Derek McMartin
Date of Stay: 08/08/09
Review Submitted: 02/01/10
Dear Pam, We have had a wonderful holiday in Dana Point and thank you for letting us use your beautiful apartment. Perfect for the family and it has everything we could ever need! We have had some fantastic days on the beach by the condo, and at Newport Beach also, well worth a visit. We have also found some great places to eat. Harpoon Henry's at the harbour was a favourite. Lots of parks for the kids, SeaWorld, Disney and Universal. Easy to get to and a great day out. Hopefully we will be able to come back another year. We have great memories! The McMartin Family---England
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Guest: Paul - U.K.
Date of Stay: 09/16/08
Review Submitted: 09/15/08
We had a great time in your lovely holiday home. The master bed was lovely, large comfortable bed & very nicely furnished. The condo had everything we needed for a perfect stay in Dana Point. The beach is close by & was a great walk every morning. The work on the new houses at the Strand didnt detract from the lovely views & the lovely area. It is all very clean & quiet. Once the new houses have been built the whole area will be fantastic & we would love to return. We walked to Thai This & Cannons Seafood restaurant & even the harbour wasnt too far. All in all a great stay & we hope to go back to this lovely area at some stage. Paul
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Guest: Uk Dee
(Manchester, England)
Date of Stay: 07/26/08
Review Submitted: 08/19/08
The surprisingly spacious flat was lovely! Tastefully decorated, with everything we needed at hand. Being so close to the beach, we were down there first thing in the morning, and the climb up and down the steps was a workout in itself! The teenagers could go out on their own, to the beach or to the pool. Supermarket shopping was nearby, as was Dennys, for terrific pancake breakfasts! However, a car is a must. The lifestyle in Dana Point was impressive, yet we felt right at home. Unfortunately, we never made it to the Ritz Carlton, but had a great meal in Laguna Beach and a few special ones overlooking the harbour at Dana Point. The bbq, ice maker, tellies, bodyboards, laundry facilities in the flat all added convenience to a busy trip for us. We went to San Diego Zoo, Big Bear, and San Francisco! The only drawback was the lorry traffic outside in the mornings due to construction work just up the road. Hopefully, next time, the work will be finished and the area will be even more stunning. The owner made sure we were happy. We would definitley stay there again, no problem.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
Guest: Judy and Russ
Date of Stay: 01/08/08
Review Submitted: 01/07/08
We are out! Todd, it was just a great week for us. Russ worked a few of the days, but that just gave me ”retreat time”, and I took advantage of that, too. I was worried maybe the weather would ruin our week, but it worked out fine. We got out on good beach walks several times, and it was even really nice for some of them. Your place is darling....very welcoming, fun, and well equipped. We have stayed in many places, and this was one of our favorites. You did a great job with it (you mentioned it was relatively new to you). The few guests we had down there loved it as well. The dishwasher and the frig are empty J I washed the sheets and towels and remade the beds that our guests used, but I left our sheets and towels today. You did not mention cleaning, so I assume someone comes in. We always leave places pretty nice, though. We really appreciated being able to have time in Dana Point. Thanks! Judy
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