Riviera Beach and Spa Resort I & II

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 BAD: Furniture is old, carpet is old and gross, room overall is dirty and outdated.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.

ESCAPED THE HEAT! Cool ocean breezes! Full ocean front views! Even an ocean view restaurant on site at reasonable prices!! But the kitchen is excellent and Costo store is only a mile away!! Use of bicycles for FREE! Beach stuff to use for FREE! Visit the new Dana Point Oceanography Center, Jet Ski, Wind Sailing, Whale&Dolphin sighting boating! It is the best spot because we hit LA scenes like Disneyland and Knottsberry Farm (about 1 hour away) and San Diego is about 1 1/2 hours away! You will be exhausted after 1 week!!

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.

Lovely resort right across from the beach. At the edge of Capistrano Beach and Dana Point. Comfortable and roomy. Bikes available. Do need to walk down the sidewalk to the pedestrian bridge to get to the beach, but it's not much of a bother. A car is helpful to go to Laguna, Dana Point, Disneyland; an hour south to San Diego Zoo/Sea World. Fine location. Highly recommended. Looking forward to returning--as a matter of fact, I enjoy it so much, I just bought an additional week!

Just returned from a lovely January week at the Riviera Beach and Spa across from Doheny Beach. Uncrowded. We practically has the beach to ourselves. Overcast along the coast but no fog. Perfect temperatures.

Wow, what a location! Great white water view from the living room/balcony area. Beach was a short walk up and over the highway and railroad tracks via pedestrian bridge. Bedroom is on rear of unit away from roadway and beach noise but nights were very quiet anyway along this stretch of Pacific Coast Highway. Suites 315 or 432 are best views.

Part of the resort was closed for renovations, including the restaurant, until the last couple of days of our stay. But the place was very clean and we really enjoyed the little restaurant once it opened. Reasonable prices, sweet staff, acceptable food for breakfast or lunch. Pick one of the many good seafood places along the coast for dinner.

Would not expect much privacy with kids or second couple in the one bedroom unit. The bedroom walls don't go to the ceiling and everyone has to go through the bedroom to the bath. Terrific for a couple. Kitchen is very adequate with two burner stove, countertop convection/microwave, full size fridge, small dishwasher and compactor. Gas grill on balcony is great for a couple of steaks.

One small consideration, walls between units are a little on the thin side. 10 p.m. restrictions for "quiet time" are not veryadequately enforced.