The Great Sk8r Room: Suites at La Casa del Camino

I’m not one to splurge on hotels. If it’s clean and safe, I’m happy. But when I stopped in Laguna Beach for the night last month, I was feeling luxurious (perhaps in the spirit of Laguna’s reality show teens, to whom money seemed to be no object).

When I checked in to La Casa del Camino, for just $50 extra, I was rewarded with one of the suites that came out of the Casa Surf Project, which paired 10 companies with 10 Southern California designers to create surf- and skate-inspired rooms that would make anyone want to move to the beach.

I was in the Etnies room, designed by Eve Lowey of Chameleon Design Inc. A mirror adorned with skateboard wheels, a bathroom sink shaped like a kidney, a ceiling with skateboard marks, and a headboard made of recycled shoes were just a few of the fun features. Even though I can count the number of times I’ve been on a skateboard on, oh, no hands, I appreciated all the little skater touches. Eco-enthusiasts will like it here, too, with a dual-flush toilet, cabinets made of sunflower stalks, and energy-efficient lighting.

Built in 1929 as a beach retreat for Hollywood’s stars, the Mediterranean-style La Casa del Camino is a mainstay on South Coast Highway. Bigger and fancier places have since been constructed, but the charms of the old-fashioned lobby and rooftop bar are undeniable. Regular rooms are on the tiny side, so if you want space, try to get a suite. It can also get a bit noisy here, so if you’re a light sleeper, you may want to bring earplugs.

As much as I loved the decorations and ambience of the room, the real star was the ocean — there’s nothing better than falling asleep at night to the sound of waves crashing.