This weekend I threw all I could fit in my la petite valise (tiny little suitcase) and drove south one hour to The Inn at Laguna Beach. I'm a hotel snob-- so I'll drive 10 minutes or 10 hours if it means checking in to check out.

I love the feeling of checking into a luxe hotel. What's the lobby vibe? People-watching? How close am I to town? What bath products will be offered? What will the view be like? How silky are the sheets? How fabulous is the shower? 

I don't recommend becoming a hotel snob if you haven't already reached that status. The problem is, your "must visit" checklist only-gets-longer! But the best part? Thinking back to this weekend I just had...

So ahead I went, to a beach town that I've rarely explored, and checked myself in for a weekend staycation. 

The Inn at Laguna Beach delivered just that. Perched on top of the bluffs over Laguna Beach, I couldn't help but feel like I had just pulled up to the perfect boutique hotel. Surf boards-turned- benches and showers greeted my dog Homer with fabulous photo opps (dog-friendly hotels get a double check in my book), and "town" was a mere 2 minute walk down the road. 

We spent our days sitting on our oceanfront balcony, walking down to the beach, and having wine on the rooftop. Homer agrees, it was the perfect weekend getaway.