3 minute read
Best OC Resort
1. The Resort at Pelican Hill
22701 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Coast; 888-507-6427; pelicanhill.com
The Resort at Pelican Hill is known for its luxurious amenities: The Coliseum Pool, Pelican Hill Golf Club (not to mention the club’s scrumptious burger), the property’s luxurious Tuscan atmosphere, and its award-winning restaurant.
The resort, which opened in 2008, still remains a favorite locale in Orange County for celebrations and staycations. The property boasts 504 acres surrounded by 50,000 acres of protected green space. It’s been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Conde Nast Traveler and Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Orange County.”
Accommodations include 204 bungalow-like guest rooms with plush chairs and limestone fireplaces. The ultra-luxurious villas feature two- to four bedrooms complete with ocean views, large soaking marble soaking tubs in the bathrooms, kitchens, personal butlers at your disposal and exclusive clubhouse access.
Located within walking distance to Crystal Cove State Park, The Resort at Pelican Hill provides guests with lounge chairs, beach towels and a driver who will escort them to the beach. The Resort at Pelican Hill boasts the best of Newport Coast living. In fact, some guests are opting to stay long. The home-hotel trend is heating up. At the Villas at Pelican Hill, extended stays beginning at 14 days are available for visitors seeking longer accommodations. The villa amenities include access to personalized grocery delivery, unlimited use of the private Villa Club Pool with cabana rentals, exclusive access to preferred golf and dining.
COURTESY PHOTO The resort’s 504 acres include luxurious villas, bungalows and guest rooms that offer easy access to Crystal Cove State Park.
– Jenn Tanaka
2. Montage Laguna Beach
Montage Laguna Beach is located steps away from Laguna Beach’s protected marine life sanctuary. During low tide guests can wander the tidepools and discover ocean creatures such as sea anemones, crabs and mussels.
The craftsman-style beachfront property opened in 2003. It features guest rooms, two bedroom bungalows with ocean views, 3,000-square foot villas with private patios, gas fireplaces, Viking appliances, and outdoor gas grills. For guests planning longer stays, residences are available to satisfy those interested in the home-hotel hybrid setup. The Homes at Montage Laguna Beach offer ownership opportunities for those who enjoy the resort’s amenities.
Amenities include the 20,000-square foot Spa Montage, which boasts dry redwood saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms, and a lap pool with a view of the Pacific ocean.
Estheticians use Lola’s Apothecary products handmade in Devonshire for Spa Montage’s bespoke body treatments. The California Wildflower Ritual experience was created exclusively for Spa Montage. The head-totoe treatment wraps guests in an orange blossom souffle for pure relaxation and herbal poultices with rice, calendula flower, lavender and chamomile are used to evoke California’s bounty.
Balboa Bay Resort is a waterfront luxury resort in Newport Beach. It’s highly recommended in the Forbes Travel Guide and beloved by OC locals as a viewing spot for the annual Newport Boat Parade.
For decades, Balboa Bay Resort has been the place for nonprofit events, weddings, celebrations and company gatherings. Guests lounge onsite while viewing the boat slips and watching the yachts as they dock. Dining includes California-style pub A+O Restaurant and Bar and a Sunday seafood brunch in the bay front Lighthouse room. The full service spa with nine treatment rooms is only available to guests during their stay at Balboa Bay Resort. The only exception to this rule is if you are a Balboa Bay Club Member.
“We are excited to have unveiled a Pampered Pooch Package for very important pet guests that includes accessories, gourmet meals, and a photoshoot session,” says Marina Dutton, Balboa Bay Resort’s general manager. “Balboa Bay Resort and Club is a crown jewel of Orange County, our home since 1948.”
While staying at Balboa Bay Resort, exploring the waterfront is on the agenda. From renting an electric Duffy boat from Balboa Bay Resort Marina to the complimentary waterfront workout with CAZ Training Club on Mondays for hotel guests, it’s all done by the bay.
