The Surf and Sand in Laguna Beach, California has achieved legendary appeal for those fortunate enough to have stayed there during its 55 years of operation. Located at 1555 South Coast Highway, it was built in 1948 as a beach side motor lodge with 26 rooms. Artists discovered Laguna Beach and over years made it a premier vacation destination. Art galleries, famous Sawdust Festival, Laguna Playhouse, and Master of Arts Festival attract visitors from all over world to this small, charming community nestled between Newport Beach and San Diego.

Driving into creamy cocoa beige stucco entrance one is greeted by valet parking attendants. They set tone by providing a warm welcome. The architecture is Mediterranean-style with a stunning DeWain Valentine water sculpture that was donated to owner James Colachis by City of Laguna Beach. Owing to a recent two million dollar renovation Surf and Sand looks brand new. The reservation area is light, airy, and open.

In 1992 internationally renowned interior designer James Northcutt refurbished rooms and suites. Chairman Kathryn Colachis, a brilliant decorator in her own right, recently refreshed property once more. The decor evokes memories of classic New England summer homes with bleached wood, muted pastels, and charming original seascape watercolors. Even elevators have been painted with early 20th century seaside scenes that set a whimsical, relaxing tone. The lines are clean, views, spectacular.

My daughter Lucy and I found our room to be a small slice of heaven. The room itself was beautifully appointed with a bedroom, sitting area, and behind white plantation shutters and sliding glass doors, a private balcony overlooking vast blue Pacific Ocean. Down below, on sand, Surf and Sand beach attendants catered to guests needs; setting up umbrellas; delivering chairs, and food and beverages while lifeguards watched over swimmers of all ages. Being August, cool salt water was perfect compliment to hot sun. The waves are excellent for body surfing or using a boogie board while still being gentle enough for small children.

The Surf and Sand is situated on 500 feet of beachfront. Flanked by multimillion-dollar private homes, and bordered by rock formations that form natural barriers, property provides a sense of privacy and security. If walking coastline is your fancy, scaling rock abutments at low tide is still easy to do.

It is also very tempting to sit outside on your balcony and relax. There is a fully stocked Honor Bar, and room service. Ben and Jerry's old-fashioned sundaes and ice cream can be scooped at your doorstep between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Two thick white cotton Frette robes and Surf and Sand slippers were in our closet. In bathroom, a half clamshell was filled with Aveda products, soaps and bath salts that revitalize, and lotions that soothe. Attached to travertine marble wall was a hairdryer. The only thing that I did not find was a coffee pot. The Honor Bar has everything from a split of French champagne for $37.50 to a miniature bottle of Ketel One vodka for $6.50. There are more than a dozen tiny bottles of liquor from which to choose. The refrigerator has beer, wine, and goodies.

It is now 6:10 p.m. and from balcony I watch three teenaged boys fishing in surf to left of hotel. The waning sun casts a wide sheath of shimmer across blue water. Stories of Pacific Ocen pollution don't seem relevant when I can look down from my sixth floor balcony and see translucent bluish green below. In distance, occasional boat speeds past. In evening maid appears to turn thick white quilted bedspread down. She places a couple of delicious Belgian chocolates near pillow along with a hanging card that can be marked for breakfast. Cleverly Surf and Sand makes room service as easy as checking off items, along with time you wish them to be delivered, and hanging it on outside of your door. Sometime during night someone will collect it, and "voila", breakfast arrives at appointed hour. The king size bed in our room is ultimate in comfort. In fact, everything in room lends itself to making us feel at home.

The Surf and Sand is privately owned by James and Kathryn Colachis, a couple dedicated to solidifying resort's reputation as a first class, casually elegant destination. It is perfect setting for couples seeking a romantic interlude, families looking for a place that will satisfy young and old; business conferences, and social functions. This year Surf and Sand partnered with Stepping Stones Child Development Center to offer professionally organized half-day camps for children ages 4 to 12. Drop-in care during selected times is $10 per hour, with evening sessions Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at $35 per session.

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Read any over-zealous all-inclusive resort travel ad in lifestyle section of a Sunday paper. You've seen them. They beckon weary city-folk, like myself, to come revel in paradise. It promises to free you from worry of overspending on each and every amenity and meal, while simultaneously spoiling you rotten.

Air Jamaica had just inaugurated it's new non-stop service from Houston to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and price was right - US$100 each (a promotional rate), so my mother and I decided to go all-inclusive. After MoBay customs check two hour plus shuttle bus ride to Grand Lido Negril, found us ragged and weary from bouncing around or through various potholes in road on western side of island, sapping precious time from our weekend visit. Mental note: take 15-minute flight from Montego Bay.

Immediately, smiling staff faces approached us with hibiscus-garnished drinks at Grand Lido Negril, welcoming us; our burdensome luggage was whisked away, never to be seen again until we in our luxurious junior suite. We knew we were in paradise. Within minutes, hotel manager was handing us schedules, directions and our room keys, warmly encouraging us to savor life as a "Super-clubber". We left beautiful open-air lobby, making our way to our personable junior suite located beachside. Fragrant, exotic flowers lined each walkway; decorative tile lined walls and airy Jamaican artwork hung casually against a white backdrop, proving we were where details were not overlooked.

The Grand Lido Negril Junior Suites are lovely, with a full beach view from patio of buccaneer sounding Bloody Bay, a powdery strand carving seven miles towards other end of beach to sea cliffs. The Grand Lido Negril sits on two acres of beach, with one of their two beaches au natural. An oversized hibiscus graces pillows - each afternoon. The soothing, strolling clarinet player serenaded us at dusk each evening. Never once did we tire of his presence beneath our balcony.

The sun always seems to shine at Grand Lido Negril. But I wasn't worried if it didn't, not with unique sunny weather guarantee that would have given me a voucher good for a year to come back for more sol. So rain or shine, hurricanes be damned, time to get bronzed on Bloody Bay Beach.

What does all-inclusive mean in islands: I don't know, but at SuperClubs, first all inclusive resort in Jamaica, and possibly anywhere, an all-inclusive means free, well, at least not added to tab, it is all part of deal - don't worry, it is only money.