Executives who fly in for meetings frequently bed down for a few extra days to enjoy sun, sand and water. The Sutton Place , the largest hotel near the John Wayne Orange County airport, hub to 11 commercial airlines, is five minutes away. The hotel's proximity to offices and transportation makes it a favorite for those who are here primarily to work. But on the weekends in chameleon-like fashion the guest list is transformed with families and vacationers taking up most of the chairs around the pool, the stationary bikes in the fitness club and the reservations on the tennis courts. The Sutton Place stay on the executive panache club level.
Rooms are larger, filled with tasteful contemporary furniture and have reasonably-sized terraces.
The facade and public areas were attractively redone during the last make-over. A staff that is eager to help gives this hotel an extra spin. If you're in the mood for beauty therapy or fitness, The Spa at South Coast Plaza is the just the ticket. With its cheerfully designed treatment rooms, gyms and pool, it's more like a sleep-over spa than a day center. Massages here are highly touted.