Looking for things to do in the "City of the Arts" that's not shopping or…
Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa a Flair for the Dramatic
Two of the most important things I look for in a hotel when traveling are location and the quality of the bed. The Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa has both in spades.
Location and bedding aside, the Avenue of the Arts, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Costa Mesa is a great base for exploring Orange County and Southern California. You’re steps from world-class shopping, fine dining, and a short drive to the beach. Families will appreciate the cheap Disneyland shuttle.
I stayed there for my Costa Mesa staycation and can’t wait to return. Check out the best things to do in Costa Mesa.
The Avenue of the Arts is a Category 4 hotel so free nights cost 25,000 points per night. The 75,000 point signup bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months gets you three free nights!
Disclosure: As is common in the travel industry, my trip was provided for review purposes. All opinions are 100% mine.
Contents
Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa a Flair for the Dramatic
The Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa is not your typical hotel.
Surrounding streets give you no sign of what you’re about to experience. Until you turn into the driveway.
The boutique hotel has an artistic flair and welcomes you in dramatic fashion.
The curtain flanked purple porte-cochere complete with a chandelier is a not so subtle reminder that you’re in the “city of the arts.”
If the bold entrance wasn’t enough, a quick glance across the street will suffice. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the South Coast Repertory, and the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall reflect Costa Mesa’s love for the arts.
Decor
The Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa hotel is part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio collection. Although, part of a chain, the Tribute Portfolio is anything but cookie cutter and standard.
Under the Tribute Portfolio umbrella, hotels retain their unique character. Each blossom under the freedom to keep their individuality and impact on their community.
That’s evident in the Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa. Every detail of the hotel reflects the city’s commitment to the arts. From the stage-like entrance to the photos throughout the hotel. The decor is an interesting blend of visual, applied, and performing arts.
Lobby
The front desk backdrop is a four-panel piece depicting a Broadway dancer, brass instruments, performance hall stadium seating, and a man playing the violin.
The nest lounge chairs in the lobby look like an open birdcage (or gogo dancer cage). Designed for privacy but grouped in a circle center stage in front of the fireplace.
On the other side of the lobby, an extra large deep red almost burgundy velvet couch flanked by matching chairs invoke memories of the opera.
Giant Alice in Wonderlandesque faux lamps provides heat for guests who want to sit in the garden.
Pool
Enjoy a soak and quick swim in between shopping and eating at the pool.
Fitness Center
You can stay committed to your exercise routine in the fitness center. It even has a Pelonton bike so you can try it out before ordering one online.
Pro-tip: There’s a dry sauna in the fitness room, a great way to recover after running the SDCCU OC Marathon.
Deluxe King Room
My spacious deluxe king room, room 101, included a pullout sofa bed, and a generous work station with four power outlets and two USB ports. As someone who brings a lot of tech gear, having multiple outlets within arms reach is a bonus! No more getting on your hands and knees searching for an outlet or having to unplug something.
The best part of the room was the bed!
There is nothing that I love better than a comfy bed.
You won’t have any problems falling to sleep when you slip between the sheets at the Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa hotel.
The bed looks like a standard hotel bed. But it’s the Cadillac of beds.
Think Westin Heavenly Bed, Hyatt Grand Bed with Euro pillow top, and Miraval featherbed all rolled into one.
Pillows were equally soft and fluffy. Rest will come easy and you’ll want to call it an early night so you can climb under the covers and slip between the sheets.
The dresser included several drawers for clothes and a fully stocked minibar. A Keurig coffee maker sat on top of the desk.
Floating nightstands on both sides of the bed gave us room for our phones, books, and water bottles before retiring for the evening.
There was plenty of space on the granite-topped bathroom counter for toiletries. The olive oil based Oliva Farmacia toiletries moisturizes your body and leaves your hair shiny.
Parents will love the tub shower combination. Tubs make it easier to wash off sticky kids after a long day at Disney. The water pressure was fantastic!
The curved shower rail keeps the curtain away from your body. Because no one likes getting attacked by a gross wet shower curtain.
Deluxe rooms face and provide a view of the lake. My lake view was actually a view of the accessible shower and pool. So if you want a view of the lake, ask for a higher floor.
The balcony included a single patio chair. If traveling with kids, it’s a cozy spot to hang out while your kids take a nap and when they go to bed early.
Food at the Silver Trumpet
We had breakfast one morning at the Silver Trumpet and dinner that evening. You can read about our experience.
There are other breakfast options that are within walking distance. If you want something quick to go try Specialty’s Cafe and Bakery. Prices are budget-friendly and you can order for pickup.
Dinner is where the Silver Trumpet hits a high note.
In a city with great dining and three Top Chef restaurants, it’s worth enjoying at least one dinner at the Silver Trumpet.
They offer a prix fixe menu: appetizer, entree, and dessert for $45. It’s a great value and the food is worth every bite.
I chose the Bacon-wrapped Medjool dates, rack of lamb, and Key Lime Whoopie Pie. Jeff got a Caesar salad and filet.
Everything was perfectly cooked. We savored each bite. Had we more time we would have lingered over dinner and dessert. But had to hurry because we had tickets for a performance. The staff is great about making sure your food arrives fast so you aren’t late. 🙂
Pro-tip: You get free self-parking or valet parking for $10 when you dine at the Silver Trumpet.
Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
3350 Avenue of the Arts
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-751-5100
Check rates and reviews: Marriott | TripAdvisor
100,000 Marriott Points
You can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card.
Plus you earn lots of other perks:
- Free night every year
- 6X points per $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- 2X points everywhere else
- Free Silver elite status (Gold when you spend $35,000 a year)
- 15 elite night credits
Pro-tip: This card has replaced the Marriott Premier and Marriott Plus card.
Stay tuned for a review of this card.
Conclusion
The Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa is one of the best places to stay in Costa Mesa.
Whether you’re visiting Costa Mesa for a staycation, looking for a hotel for a trip to Disneyland, or traveling for business, be sure to book the Avenue of the Arts hotel.
Steps from world-class shopping at Southcoast Plaza, fine dining, and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The hotel makes a great base to explore the rest of Southern California. Or check out the Costa Mesa breweries.
As a Category 4 hotel, it’s only 25,000 points per night. The current signup bonus on the Marriott Bonvoy card is 75,000 points, enough for 3 free nights.
You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points from cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Ink Business Preferred to Marriot.
When traveling, I don’t spend a lot of time in bed but for the Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, I’d make an exception.
What’s your favorite thing about a hotel?
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Featured image courtesy of Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa.
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About Debra Schroeder
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What a beautiful and unusual hotel. I really love the oversize chairs with the shade by the pool. I think the bench in the second picture is my favorite though. It’s very creative. Just what you would expect in an art area. The food looks yummy, but you made the bed sound so great. Something to look forward to after a long day.
I know this hotel in Costa Mesa. I’ve seen it when attending some performance at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and thought it looks very fancy. We live in Los Angeles, so there is no point of checking into a hotel when visiting Orange County, but if I were from out of town I would definitely love to stay here. It definitely looks like the ideal place to stay if you want to explore the area around.
What a gorgeous and very unique hotel. I love the design and architecture. The entrance does make a bold statement and so do the lobby chairs 🙂
The food and especially the rack of lamb looks divine. The filet has my name written on it as well. This truly is a great spot to unwind and relax while exploring the local area. Certainly worth considering on our next Orange County visit.
I will have to remember this hotel when we are next in this part of California. I am enjoying trying all of the different lines in the Marriott line up. This one looks like a very funky spot. The bed is so important to me if I am going to enjoy my stay. But being close to the things you want to see is definitely another great facet. Add in Key Lime Woopie Pie and I am in for sure.
The hotel look great! I love the style and decor it’s very unique! I love seeing the different architecture styles. The pool looks great as well! Thanks for showing us this awesome hotel.
This is a gorgeous property. I love the burgundy velvet couch and the lamps in the garden. The Bacon wrapped Medjool Dates look amazing!
My husband and I were just in Costa Mesa, and we really enjoyed the ‘City of the Arts’. We didn’t get to experience the Avenue of the Arts hotel, though. It looks great! Really fits in with the art theme. And I’ve heard so much about the Silver Trumpet. Looks like it was as good as everyone says. We enjoyed an aamzing meal at Vaca, and stayed in the Westin South Coast Plaza.
The Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa Hotel looks like it’d be a lovely place for a stay. The furniture is to die for! Including that Westin-style heavenly bed, I love those. I’ll be heading to SoCal and Anaheim in June so will have to check it out.
What a beautiful hotel and a great place for a staycation. The Silver Trumpet food looks amazing. I’ll take waffles for breakfast any day.
Hi! Were you able to avoid paying the self parking fees by eating dinner at the Silver Trumpet and getting validated? Thanks in advance!
Hi Amanda,
Yes, if you eat at the Silver Trumpet they will validate your parking if you park at the Avenue of the Arts hotel.