Riviera Beach and Spa Resort I & II

4/2010... Wow. A lot of upgrades now at Riviera Beach and Spa. New furniture, upgraded flat screen TVs, new kitchen appliances! Huge pool with two jaccuzis with ocean view! There is even a second more private swimming pool ! Free bike rentals, activity center, spa treatments available too! Walk across the pedestrian bridge to the sandy beach! Rent it from an owner and don't pay any hotel tax !! Riviera Beach and Spa doesn't have name recognition, but that is what keeps it a great value for people who stay there!

Location Location Location

Phase II units have completely new kitchens and updates throughout.

Phase I Units have new beds, bedding, carpet, paint, dressers, lamps.

There are 3 "Riviera" Resort locations easily confused with one another, Riviera Shores, Riviera Spa & Resort Phase I, and Riviera Spa & Resort Phase II, so I am clarifying which this review is about. This is about a 2B/2B unit in Riviera Spa & Resort Phase I that I paid for as a gift to my brother and his family. What a BIG disappointment! GOOD: Location! Great view of the ocean. Unit was a front to back, 1 side faced the ocean while the other faced the ugly cliff, which was fine, as you cannot move the cliff. BBQ grill on each deck - they really loved this. BAD: Furniture is old, carpet is old and gross, room overall is dirty and outdated. This is not a Resort deserving of any rating above a 2 or 2 1/2 out of 5. If not for the view, it would be a 1 to 1 1/2. SUMMARY: If you plan on ALWAYS being out, and never relaxing in the room at all, you may be perfectly happy. If you like to come back after a long day of play to a nice, clean, comfortable home away from home (or even just a decent clean place to rest), you will be VERY un-happy. ABOUT US: We are not picky, we have never stayed at high end places. We are happy as pie to make our own beds and clean our own dishes. If it is clean and comfy we are happy. But this place was close to disgusting.

Stayed here in March 2005, in a 2 bedroom unit with an ocean view. This was a wonderful resort, with very friendly and helpful staff. I was surprised that the beach cruiser bikes were free to use (and there are plenty of them). Was also happy that the staff wasn't trying to sell me things but just wanted to be helpful. The pools were great - we spent our time at the bigger pool, and the kids loved it! Close to Dana Point, Laguna Beach, shopping malls, and all kinds of fun. The beach is across the street, but there is a handy pedestrian walkway over the busy road. It was a nice beach, but if you know California, you know the water is always too cold!

The kitchen worked well, the beds and furniture were comfortable, and it was just a great place to stay! Nice sunsets.

One caution: If you rent or buy one of these, be careful to ask if it has an ocean view. The ones on the other side of the building look straight into a dirt embankment.

I give this resort 5 stars for the excellent service we recieved. The staff in the activity center was awesome. We stayed in a 2 bedroom that did not have an ocean view and it felt a little closed in, but the resort's ammenities made up for it all. We took our 2 boys (college students) and they loved it. A little disappointed with the beach area across the street, so we went to Laguna. Overall a very nice vacation resort. Loved the tanning beds and hot tub.