Dana Point Hotel

Doubletree Suites by Hilton

For a Dana Point hotel next to the beach and near the harbor for whale watching cruises, the Doubletree Suites by Hilton with its ocean views is hard to beat.

Doubletree Suites by Hilton Dana Point

All Photos (c) Donna Dailey

We really looked forward to getting to our Dana Point hotel, the Doubletree Suites by Hilton. We’d booked a sunset whale watching cruise, and after a short drive from La Jolla, we’d all day to explore the beach and other delights of Dana Point.

It seemed odd to be breaking our latest PCH drive just at the exact place where the Pacific Coast Highway officially starts – but that’s right here, less than a mile from our Dana Point hotel, at the junction of I-5 and Highway 1.

Our Pick of the California Guides

Finding the Doubletree Suites by Hilton

The Doubletree was really easy to find, and that was a bonus. You do need good directions, but if you print them out from the hotel’s website, you can’t go wrong. There’s plenty of room to pull in, and the valet guy made us feel really welcome.

He told us how to walk to the harbor, where best to cross the road to get to Doheny State Beach, which is right across from the hotel, and where we’d end up if we walked south along the beach – the answer being San Clemente, about five miles away.

Doubletree Suites by Hilton Dana Point

Our Room at the Doubletree Suites by Hilton

The friendly welcome continued inside the hotel at the reception desk, which sadly isn’t always the case these days. Here they clearly made an effort to treat you as a guest and not a job of work to be got out of the way. The reception area was big and bright, with some stylish décor, and there was a nice, thoughtful touch – chilled water, flavored lightly with citrus fruit, was always available just inside the door.

Guest Bedroom in the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Dana Point Hotel

Our Bedroom

Guest Bathroom in the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Dana Point Hotel

Bathroom In Our Suite

His and Hers Sinks

Our room was 416, which was right on the corner at the front of the hotel. With a balcony on each side, we had two different ocean views, which was fabulous. The walls were pale brown, and the chairs and bedding a delicate green. It was simple and relaxing. We liked the concealed fridge and microwave, the desk, the Jacuzzi in the bathroom, and little extras like some chamomile tea, and Wolfgang Puck coffee.

We didn’t get chance to sample dinner at the hotel’s Tresca restaurant, as we wanted to eat down at the harbor after our sunset whale watching cruise.

But we did look in on the lively Vivo Bar on the 4th floor, with its ocean views (that's the view from our balcony, below), and in the morning breakfast in Tresca was excellent. The service again was friendly, the coffee terrific, and we both liked the sound of the ranchos hueveros. It’s a dish we know and love, and this was a really tasty one.

View from Guest Bedroom in the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Dana Point Hotel

The View from Our Room

Leaving our Dana Point Hotel

We’d love to have stayed at least another day in Dana Point. We really enjoyed walking on Doheny State Beach, and wandering round the harbor. The whale watching cruise was fantastic, too. And the hotel was impressive.

Bikes for rent at the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Dana Point Hotel

You Can Rent Bikes Too!

To be honest, we normally choose more intimate inns with character, family-run guesthouses, and the occasional luxury splurge. But someone local recommended the Doubletree to us – and we were glad that they did. It left us wanting more – the ultimate test. So we drove out of the hotel and right onto the start of the Pacific Coast Highway.

Contact Details

Doubletree Hilton Dana Point website
34402 Pacific Coast Highway
Dana Point
California 92629
Tel: 1-949-661-1100
Fax: 1-949-489-0628

Other California hotels pages

La Jolla Luxury Hotel
The Grande Colonial La Jolla luxury hotel is downtown, close to restaurants and shopping, with historic charm, and a highly acclaimed restaurant.
Santa Barbara Beachfront Hotel
The Oceana Santa Barbara beachfront hotel has a perfect seafront location, close to Stearns Wharf and State Street, and whale watching cruises.
Eureka Inns
Of all Eureka inns, The Carter House Inns are the most romantic and historic, with one of the best restaurants in Northern California.
Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa
The Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa is north of San Francisco and near the Point Reyes National Seashore, a beautiful California coast hotel with Pacific Ocean views.
Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on the Central Coast of California
The Pelican Inn and Suites in Cambria on California's Central Coast has oceanfront views, swimming pool, gardens, and is right on the beach near Hearst Castle.
Cambria Lodging at the Cambria Pines Lodge
If you’re looking for a Cambria Lodging then the Cambria Pines Lodge in Cambria is a few miles from San Simeon and Hearst Castle.
Best Time to Visit Dana Point
Pacific Coast Highway Travel picks the best time to visit Dana Point with a monthly summary of weather, hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo
The Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo is a romantic, historic guesthouse on the Mendocino California coast, on the Pacific Coast Highway.
California Coast Hotels and Inns
The California Coast's hotels, inns, guesthouses, b&bs and other places to stay include 5-star luxury hotels and resorts, motel chains, RV parks and camping.
Best Things to Do in Dana Point
Pacific Coast Highway Travel brings you its choice of the best things to do in Dana Point, including museums, beaches, shopping, and outdoor activities.
Cambria Accommodation, The Olallieberry Inn
For Cambria accommodation on California Central Coast, not far from Hearst Castle, check out the Olallieberry Inn with private bathrooms and great breakfasts.
Where to Stay in Carmel
Where to Stay in Carmel include reviews of the Mission Ranch, Sea View Inn, The Cypress Inn, Lamp Lighter Inn and Vagabond's House Inn.
Santa Monica Luxury Hotels
There are many Santa Monica luxury hotels and while Le Meridien Delfina is not right by the beach it has a great bar, pool, restaurant.
Vagabond's House Inn
Historic and romantic Vagabond's House Inn Bed and Breakfast in Carmel is a great place to stay with free wine and cheese and generous breakfast.
Morro Bay
Morro Bay is a delightful small town on the California coast roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and noted for the huge Morro Rock.
Moss Beach Hotel
For a Moss Beach hotel just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Seal Cove Inn offers good accommodation north of Half Moon Bay, minutes from the ocean.
Los Angeles Airport Hotels
Los Angeles Airport hotels include Hilton, Radisson, Marriott, Embassy Suites, Crowne Plaza and other top names, all of them within a mile or so of LAX.
Good Cheap Motels in San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel recommends good cheap motels in San Diego including Super-8, Motel 6, Travelodge and Days Inn.
Monterey Boutique Hotel, the Hotel Pacific near Fisherman's Wharf
The Hotel Pacific is a Monterey boutique hotel in a good location close to Fisherman’s wharf and downtown restaurants and bars and with its own parking garage.
Monterey Inn
For a Monterey Inn just off the Pacific Coast Highway in California, the Mariposa Inn and Suites is hard to beat, providing good accommodation close to PCH.
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach
The Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel is Ventura 's only beachside hotel with ocean front swimming pool and rooms with ocean views.
Dana Point Whale Watching
Check our report of Dana Point Whale Watching with a sunset cruise from Dana Wharf Sportsfishing and Whale Watching, looking for wildlife in California.
Where to Stay in San Diego
Pacific Coast Highway Travel's website recommendations on Where to Stay in San Diego include reviews of budget and luxury hotels in downtown San Diego.
Madonna Inn, California
The Madonna Inn is a historic landmark resort hotel in San Luis Obispo, California, with 109 uniquely decorated rooms, steak house, and fitness centre.
Napa Wine Country Inn
The Napa Wine Country Inn and Gardens in St Helena overlooks a vineyard and has free wine tastings every evening and offers guests help with booking wine tours.