Life is so fast paced, kids grow up too fast. We decided to stay at the Ritz for a mother daughter weekend. I traveled to the hotel with my 12 and 15 year old daughters and planned a relaxing time together - no schedule, no agenda, just together time. We enjoyed a fantastic dinner, followed by sunset and strawberries on our balcony. We ordered a movie and room service snacks and painted our nails. We slept in the next morning, grabbed coffee and snacks in the cafe and took a long walk on the beach, followed by a fine flop in lounge chairs poolside. All of us turned off our phones for the bulk of the trip and really enjoyed each other's company. Yes it was a splurge but it was a worthwhile one. For a change I did not have to be the harried mom, rushing here and there, and they did not have to hurry up, clean up, catch up or really do anything other than relax. We all did a fine job of that and the Ritz made it perfect!

We've all heard of Ritz-Carlton, and this hotel is a terrific example of how the brand manages to create opulence and luxury without alienating families with little children. Everything is top-rated here, but of especially of note at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Laguna Niguel in Dana Point is that it's one of the Ritz hotels that got rid of its "Ritz Kidz" children's clubs (read: glorified day care)and replaced with with a branch of Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment. The Ambassadors of the Environment program here provides hands-on education regarding local sea life, flora and fauna in appropriate and interesting ways for kids of all ages. My children went on a walking tour of the gardens with a botanist, and went on a whale watch with an affiliated tour guide. They saw lots of dolphins up close, and a giant great blue whale as it slowly swam near the catamaran. If you take your family to the Ritz-Carlton here, be sure to sign your kids up for at least a 1/2 day with Ambassadors of the Environment. They'll love it.