"First the extra touches that we loved: a Christmas wreath on the door (so cute) and a handwritten note personalized for our arrival. Second, we loved the location. And getting the kitchenette option was perfect for us! It made us feel like we were in a little home. It's an unfussy hotel made for you to do the basics -- shower, sleep, and eat if you bring your own goodies. When you're staying in Laguna this close to everything, you don't really need a full-service hotel. The point is to have a place to sleep that is convenient, and The Tides is VERY convenient. And the setup was perfect for my husband, me, and our pups. We plan to return. It was the perfect place for us to feel cozy at night. And just bounce out onto the street in the morning to get our day started."