Fashion

Savings South Coast Plaza Style: Get Your Passport at the Mall Concierge and Go!

By Mary Hall | August 10, 2010

Recently one of Southern California’s premier shopping destinations, South Coast Plaza invited a group of bloggers in to check out some of the mall’s best shopping, dinning and spa offerings. I wasn’t able to attend the whole day because I was suffering from a terrible flu bug, but…I did learn about a couple very important items I wanted to pass along. People come from all over the world to shop South Coast Plaza, it is the Rodeo Drive of Orange County. As such, the mall has a reputation for being elitist and high-priced. There is some truth to that. This is upscale shopping at its finest. Within the mall, you’ll find stores and restaurants that represent 17 countries. The mall is built around attractions like Gucci, Armani, YSL, St. John, Hugo Boss, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, CHANEL, Van Cleef and Arpels plus popular stores like, Banana Republic, J. Crew and Polo. More than 280 stores and boutiques at this shopping resort attract over 23 million annually. That’s alot of shopping.

But here is the most important thing you need to know before you venture into this shopping mecca. Stop by the concierge desk and get the shopping passport. This little folder looks like a travel passport, but it’s really a passport to savings. With the passport, you get discounts at retailers and restaurants. I road tested the passport a few weeks ago and received free dessert at the Maggiano restaurant and 10% off at Anne Fontaine. Most of the stores participate in the passport program, so make sure you pick up your savings before you head into the stores. Click here to see an Internet coupon for some of the passport savings. The Passport is good for Visitors to South Coast from all over the world, but not to residents of Orange County. Just think about that when you tell the Concierge where you live 🙂

If you are interested in traveling to Southern California and shopping, check out these travel packages. The Montage Laguna Beach is offering a Shopping Spree Special and The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel has a Pack Your Bags Shopping Package.

Pictured: Must have tip: Tumi’s Just in Case Tote, folds up and helps you solve the problem of coming home with more stuff than you left with. (photo courtesy of Tumi.)

One of my favorite stores in South Coast Plaza is Tumi. If you travel, or you love a good tote bag, then you will want to check out Tumi. As part of Blogger Day at South Coast, Tumi gave the Bloggers one of their “Just In Case” Totes. I just used the Tote for travel to New York. It was fantastic! The lightweight, foldable tote comes in it’s own zip pouch and can be folded in your suitcase, then opened up to bring along items you pick up on your travels. If you stop into Tumi, check out all the items they offer travelers to help you consolidate your travel space and keep things organized. If there is no Tumi near you, then check them out on HSN.com where they are now selling.

If you go to South Coast Plaza, check out the new Henri Bendel store, the amazing Nordstorm’s store complete with day spa, Saks Fifth Avenue. La Perla, Intimacy, DKNY and of course the flagship Macy’s store. There’s also a Motlon-Brown store, a long time favorite of mine for great body washes and cosmetics. I’ve been to Motlon-Brown in London and have always loved their line. It’s great to finally have a store in Southern California where we can get their fantastic products.

Other items worthy of note at South Coast Plaza, the new and extremely delicious AnQ Bistro. AnQ is owned by the Ang family, which also own Crustacean in Beverly Hills. The menu is delicious, with dim sum appetizers, great drinks and wonderful entrees. It’s the perfect ending to a day of shopping. The Bistro is right next to Bloomingdales store.

Pictured: Enter to win some luxurious body cream from Henri Bendel South Coast Plaza

Just remember, South Coast Plaza can be pricey. Be sure to pick up your passport at the Mall Concierge desk by the Anne Fontaine store. Also, check the South Coast Plaza website, special offers page before you shop. KCRW members and AAA members enjoy additional savings at the mall. The savings are out there, even at luxury mall South Coast Plaza, you just have to know where to look for them.

Have you been to South Coast Plaza? Do you have a savings tips to pass along? If you share a tip with me and all readers, you’ll be entered to win a set of body lotions from Henri Bendel. Leave your comment here by August 20th to win some “Wild Fig” and “Mimosa” body creams from Henri Bendel. When you comment, leave your email address in the comment like so: shopper at yahoo dot com. If you don’t live in California, you’re welcome to play along. Just leave a comment with your favorite tip for saving at your local mall before you shop.