Wayfarer review: Terranea Resort is a luxurious star on the California coast
Easily one of the best luxury oceanfront resorts in Southern California, Terranea features with 102 acres of unparalleled Pacific Ocean views.
The property opened in 2009 and offers world-class accommodations that range from hotel suites to bungalows, oceanfront casitas and luxurious villas.
Terranea is home to some fantastic amenities, including The Links at Terranea, a nine-hole, par-3 golf course, an epic award-winning 50,000-square-foot oceanfront spa, fitness and wellness center, four swimming pools, 140-foot waterslide, luxurious boutiques and eight dining venues showcasing its farm-to-Terranea culinary philosophy utilizing local and seasonal ingredients.
Terranea’s bountiful land boasts herb and vegetable gardens, lemon groves and more, which are found in all of the property’s restaurants, including signature restaurant Mar’sel, casual Southern California lifestyle fare at the popular, bluff side Nelson’s, all-day dining venue Catalina Kitchen, Bashi which offers a contemporary blend of Asian cuisine and local flavours, The Grill at the Resort Pool, The Spa Café at solviva, the Lobby Bar and Terrace and the inventive grab-and-go offerings at Sea Beans.
At Wayfarer’s favourite Mar’sel, expect New American dishes featuring farm-to-table creations using ingredients from Terranea’s herb and vegetable garden and from nearby Catalina View Farms alongside an epic wine list.
Mar’sel’s wine collection of 375 bottles provide guests with a fantastic selection of both New World and Old World varietals – California cult, French Bordeaux, Burgundy and many others from Italy, Portugal, Oregon, Germany, Australia, Austria, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Hungary and Spain.
The 5,000-bottle wine cellar is meticulously maintained with prestige and vintage wines offered through the Coravin system to preserve optimal freshness and quality. In addition, Mar’sel teammates collaborate with guests to present outstanding, bi-monthly, interactive vintner dinners.
The entire dining experience is complemented by the sound of crashing waves and panoramic Pacific Ocean views.
At the Catalina Kitchen find one of the best buffet-style restaurants in America and with the Pacific Ocean outside, expect some fantastic seafood, like Shrimp Cocktail, Wakame Salad, Dungeness Crab, Fusilli Pasta Salad, Salmon Poke, Shrimp Aguachiles, Ahi Tuna Causa, Seafood Dip, Tempura Shrimp, Steamed Crab, Freshly Shucked Oysters and Whole Roasted Striped Bass with tomato confit and more.
From the Stone Oven, expect dishes like Pizza with figs, blue cheese and arugula; a Pizza with short rib, grilled onions and mushrooms; and one with three cheeses, while from the Carving Board, choose from delights like Herb Crusted Prime Rib, Grilled Tomahawk Steak, Rack of Lamb, Whole Roasted Chicken or Andouille, Bratwurst and Italian Sausage.
For the sweet ending, a must visit is the Pastry and Dessert Station filled with tempting pastries for kids and adults alike.
At Bashi, which offers a contemporary blend of Asian cuisine, expect favourites like Surf and Turf Sushi Roll with seared wagyu beef, spicy lobster, avocado, tobiko and eel sauce, Singaporean-Style Chili Lobster Tail and for dessert, Lemon Ginger Crème Brûlée.
Specialising in Coastal Cuisine, casual Nelson’s has some fantastic meals like the signature burger or Seared Lemon Pepper Salmon served with roasted Brussels sprouts with pecans, balsamic glaze and baked potato with chives and sour cream. Don’t skip the Pomegranate Margarita made with Tanteo Blanco Tequila shaken with pomegranate juice and housemade maple syrup.
Alongside the fantastic restaurant, bar and café offerings, there’s plenty to explore here, including Terranea’s rich terrain that includes miles of scenic coastal trails, a secluded beach cove and ocean environments.
Fun, enriching programs and activities such as falconry, archery, kayaking and paddle boarding also abound.
One of the most exciting things at the property recently has been the US$4.5 million refresh of The Spa at Terranea, an absolute coastal Southern California wellness standout.
“We are thrilled to elevate the guest experience and create a luxurious yet approachable waterfront space for our visitors,” says Terranea Resort President, Ralph Grippo.
“According to new data, with travellers engaging in more self-care experiences, the global spa market is expected to increase to over US$156 billion by 2027.
“Our intentional upgrades masterfully capture both the energy and serenity of the stunning Palos Verdes Peninsula.
“The new interior design accents and fine touches enhance the spa’s breezy indoor/outdoor motif, eliciting a delicate harmony with nature while enriching our world-class facilities and amenities to accommodate a rising demand,” he says.
Masterminded by Los Angeles-based RVD Associates, the top-to-bottom update of the 50,000-square-foot oceanfront space melds seamlessly with the region’s unspoiled natural habitat with airy new modern décor throughout, a dramatic new entry and lobby, modernised locker and bathrooms, refreshed treatment rooms and lounge areas and a revitalization of the lush, outdoor areas.
RVD Principal, Rodrigo Vargas, says the new design draws its inspiration from the raw coastal beauty of the surrounding area – with a fresh colour palette of soft blues, sandy neutrals and organic materials punctuated by soft tactile accents and bold contemporary artwork.
He says luminous new modern light fixtures lend dynamic dimension while refurbished stone flooring and custom Venetian plaster walls infuse refined elegance with key enhancements.
Alongside an upgrade of the lobby and relaxation areas, the spa’s 25 treatment rooms have all been refreshed as well with new paint, cabinets in rich dark cherry wood, Living Earth Crafts spa beds, hot towel warming cabinets and other equipment to enhance the guest experience.
The Spa’s stunning oceanfront outdoor spaces – lush gardens surrounding the private spa pool and hot tubs, relaxation lounges and fire pits – deepen a connection to the natural habitat and have been rejuvenated with fresh greenery and vibrant plantings.
The oceanfront spa pool – our pick of the pools to relax at – also features new outdoor furnishings, patio umbrellas and freshly re-canvassed cabanas.
Also situated to allow breathtaking ocean panoramas, the 5,000-square-foot fitness and wellness center features expansive floor-to-ceiling windows to bring the beauty of nature indoors, and has been upgraded with state-of-the-art Precor equipment, offering everything from free weights to cardio and strength training machines.
New additions include two Peloton bikes, a Peloton rowing machine, nine TRM treadmills, two stair climbers, an air bike and more.
As part of its renovation, the spa has introduced two rejuvenating treatments, the Harmonic Aura Awakening – a treatment that harnesses the healing vibrations of Himalayan singing bowls, which are expertly placed on and around the body to awaken the body’s chakra points – and the HydraFacial, which deeply cleanses the skin through hydra-dermabrasion and a gentle peel, extracting impurities while infusing potent antioxidants and hydration.
Terranea offers a fantastic escape from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and you are also close to so many great spots, like the South Bay Beaches and Disneyland not far south.
Qantas’ brilliant Business Class ‘Suite’
Qantas operates direct flights to Los Angeles from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney with Airbus A330s, A380s and B787s that feature the airline’s suite-style Business Class cabin.
Qantas’ Business Class cabin is headlined by a ‘suite’ seat – now available on all the Boeing 787-9, Airbus A330-200 and Airbus A330-300 jets in the fleet and select Airbus A380-800s – that has been popular with executive and leisure travellers since it first arrived on the scene in 2016.
This next-generation Business Class seat from the Flying Kangaroo can be reclined for take-off and landing, and the cabin offering also includes top Australian food and wine and world-class entertainment.
For the best prices and deals, book your trip at qantas.com