Laura O.
Yelp
I've been coming here since I was a kid in the 90s. I've only been able to stay the night a couple times and every time it has been amazing.
We got married here on a shoestring budget in July 2012 and it was and still is the best day and vacation of my life.
We've either been unable to afford to come back since, or have been prevented from doing so by various circumstances until today and it's been more perfect than I ever could have imagined.
The rooms, hotel, and restaurant are clean, comfortable, modern, and well-appointed. The food was just as good as it has always been, and service at the Marisol restaurant was even better.
Every staff member has bent over backwards for us, and been so kind and friendly, especially Phylecia at the front desk.
Phylecia could have said "Yeah you got married here, cool story, do you want to spend $150 for our anniversary package?"
Instead, she treated us to some amazing bonuses and little gifts that have made this stay as memorable as our previous stay for our wedding.
Even the pool was perfect -- the California coast is associated with warm, sunny beaches but I've you go north past Santa Barbara, it's usually anything but.
And yet somehow the Cliff's pool was warm enough at 8 AM (staff cleaned it at 7:00 AM) that even I, who is always cold and can't bear water at a lower temperature than 90° F, could go swimming for well over an hour.
It doesn't get any better than that.
If I had one criticism, it's that the pretty water fountains are too loud. Normally the sound of flowing water is relaxing but this is one of the few places it's a nuisance. When it's turned off, you can hear the ocean over the sounds of everything else, even the 101.
Other than that, I hope the Cliffs never changes. It doesn't need an overhaul or a mass remodel or restructuring.
And I hope its staff is happy and well-compensated. Cheers.