The Ranch at Laguna Beach Joins National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World
LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The Ranch at Laguna Beach is the newest member of the exclusive National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, a collection of boutique hotels in extraordinary places around the world with a demonstrated commitment to sustainability, authenticity and excellence. The Ranch at Laguna Beach is the first hotel in the state of California to receive the invitation-only membership, and is one of only six member lodges in the United States.
The Ranch at Laguna Beach is a unique, comfortable retreat tucked into the canyon hills of Laguna Beach, offering a vintage Southern California vibe just steps from the stunning Pacific Ocean coastline.
Selected through a rigorous evaluation process, each member lodge offers an outstanding guest experience while supporting the protection of cultural and natural heritage and embracing sustainable tourism practices. This collection currently consists of 55 lodges on six continents.
“We are proud to partner with National Geographic as a member of its Unique Lodges of the World organization,” said Kurt Bjorkman, general manager of The Ranch at Laguna Beach. “Sustainable development coupled with an enriching authentic experience is core to our mission and guides everything we do. The Ranch at Laguna Beach pays homage to the history of this iconic beach community while treating guests to a quintessential Southern California getaway.”
As part of a comprehensive vetting process, every lodge in the collection was judged on the following criteria:
• The Property – The design and character are unique and authentic and the property provides guests with a true sense of place by celebrating the surrounding landscape and cultural heritage.
• Guest Experience and Quality of Service – Guests are offered top-quality service and exceptional and inspiring experiences – from activities that enable them to engage with local people to wildlife encounters with seasoned naturalists.
• Sustainable Tourism Best Practices – The property demonstrates a commitment to conservation and green operations; it actively supports the protection of cultural heritage; and it provides tangible benefits to local communities.
National Geographic deployed experts to each site to evaluate operations, meet staff at all levels, scrutinize the lodge’s impact on the local environment and community and ensure that these criteria were met.
The Ranch at Laguna Beach is proud to offer guests who book their stay through National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World a special “National Geographic Exclusive” experience, which includes joining a representative from the Ecology Center of Southern California for a private tour of the lodge’s half-acre organic garden, the largest in Laguna Beach. Guests can taste as they go, sampling some of the seasonal ingredients that are incorporated into the restaurant’s dishes. Then delve into California’s storied wine tradition during an al fresco wine tasting, savoring rich varietals amid a stunning canyon backdrop.
“Our growing collection of Unique Lodges of the World offers a wide range of meaningful travel experiences to all kinds of explorers,” said Lynn Cutter, National Geographic’s executive vice president for travel. “We are delighted to welcome The Ranch at Laguna Beach to this extraordinary group of lodges, each of which shares the values of National Geographic and our travelers. With 2017 designated the Year of Sustainable Tourism by the United Nations, we are thrilled to be at the forefront of the movement, helping to raise the bar for the travel industry.”
National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World offers a full-service experience: Travelers can browse all of the properties on the Unique Lodges website, request a reservation, and work with a National Geographic travel specialist to arrange their trip. National Geographic also offers expert-led group expeditions that feature our lodges; as well as private expeditions for independent travelers, which include private tours with local guides and, on most itineraries, a stay at one or more Unique Lodges.
In addition to The Ranch at Laguna Beach, the following properties have recently joined National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World:
• andBeyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Tanzania
• andBeyond Matetsi River Lodge, Zimbabwe
• andBeyond Benguerra Island, Mozambique
• Tsara Komba Lodge, Madagascar
• Belcampo Lodge, Belize
• Jicaro Island Ecolodge , Nicaragua
For more information about National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, visit www.nationalgeographiclodges.com.
About The Ranch at Laguna Beach — The Ranch at Laguna Beach is nestled within the majestic Aliso and Woods Canyons in the heart of the quaint beachside community of Laguna Beach, California. A local icon for the last 50 years, this hidden treasure is being re-envisioned and reconstructed as the premier boutique Southern California ranch-style resort that will reflect the rich history of the city. Spread out over 87 acres and located a short walk away from one of Southern California’s most iconic beaches, the 97-room property affords each guest the chance to experience the authentic Laguna Beach lifestyle. The Ranch offers the only golf course in Laguna Beach, and is home to the 3,000 square foot indoor/outdoor Sycamore Spa. HARVEST, The Ranch’s signature all day restaurant, offers guests seasonal handcrafted food and drink, sourced directly from Harvest Garden, a half-acre organic farm containing a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Ben’s Pantry, the unique outdoor café reminiscent of a local country bistro, offers guests upscale grab-and-go options for beach outings and picnics under the trees. The property also features land and beach pursuits that include dolphin safaris, yoga, stargazing and much more.
About National Geographic Partners — National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 129 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching over 730 million people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.