The Holiday Inn is the main chain hotel in Laguna Beach, CA, and like most others in the area it is located along the Pacific Coast Highway, just half a block from the beach and half a mile from the town center. The place is fairly small (54 rooms, also on the small side), but pretty and welcoming, built in the style of a French country house with floral decorations and a tree-lined courtyard plus heated outdoor swimming pool. Also available are a fitness center, guest laundry, and the Bamboo bar/restaurant, open for breakfast & dinner - either inside or al fresco on a patio surrounded by tropical plants. Rates at the Holiday Inn are relatively low for this expensive location, though parking is charged extra.

Along the Pacific Coast Highway 200 feet from the beach, the four storey Best Western Laguna Brisas Spa Hotel has 66 very well presented rooms - some with full ocean views, most containing a 2-person hot tub bath, and all recently refurbished, including installation of new flat screen TVs. The hotel's rooftop terrace provides a fine panorama of the surroundings, from Santa Catalina Island out to sea, across to the inland mountains; other leisure amenities are a hot tub and outdoor pool. Free items include parking, wireless internet access and deluxe continental breakfast. There are plenty of nice restaurants and bars along the main road, while the Main Beach area near the town center is 1.2 miles north.