Window to the
WATER
After a complete renovation, the Monarch Bay Beach Club
reopened as an exclusive locale that offers myriad
seaside experiences throughout the day.
BY ASHLEY PROBST
Monarch Bay Beach Club’s main dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows with gorgeous ocean views.
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MONARCHBEACHRESORT.COM
source for sustainable seafood and signature sips;
it is an aquatic playground for all; and it is a hub
for learning about the surrounding area.
After this preview of the highly anticipated ren-
ovation, I was ecstatic to finally see the completed
project. And, when I did, it quite literally took
my breath away.
ELEGANT EVENINGS
When I stepped out of the tram following the new
building’s unveiling, I knew that I was in for a
treat. Gazing upon the gorgeous sight before me,
I immediately noticed how the landscaping had
been engineered to open up the views. And, after
descending down to the beach lawn, I was greeted
by smiling servers and Executive Chef Hansen
Lee, whom I had spoken to on the phone after he
was first hired to lead the eatery’s kitchen. In that
moment, I realized how special it was that I was
given a glimpse behind the scenes before his culi-
nary vision came to fruition.
But, during this particular evening, I wasn’t there
to work so much as to enjoy the experience in its
entirety. I joined a group of fellow writers and sat
at an elongated table where we shared our initial
thoughts and reactions to the revitalized beach club.
An array of appetizers were displayed on another
table, with multiple seafood towers and tastes of the
tuna tartare available for the taking; the ideal setup
for any occasion that brings together a large group.
he first time that I saw the Monarch
Bay Beach Club, it was just a skel-
eton of what it is today. Still under
construction at the time, the beach
club appeared to be in a sort of limbo where it
no longer resembled its previous self but was
nowhere near complete. But, through the exposed
wood beams and paneless windows, I could see
the sparkling waters of the Pacific and knew that
the finished space would provide an oceanfront
respite for all who encounter it.
Though it is an imperative piece of the puzzle,
the beach club experience is much more than
just an awe-inspiring view. It is a gathering place
for colleagues, families, friends and lovers; it is a