» BEST
OC RESORT 2. The Resort at Pelican Hill
22701 S. Pelican Hill Road, Newport Coast; 855-315-8214, pelicanhill.com The 504-acre Resort at Pelican Hill is a golfer’s haven, with two Tom Fazio-designed courses overlooking the Pacific. But it’s not just tee time that brings Orange County to this Newport Beach destination. Its 136foot diameter Coliseum Pool, adorned with more than a million hand-laid glass tiles, is a hot spot with indoor, terrace, cabana and poolside dining. Pelican Hill’s location above Crystal Cove State Park makes it an ideal getaway for people who want a bit of luxury and a good dose of nature. “There are miles and miles of trails that our guests have access to,” says Gerard Widder, managing director of The Resort at Pelican Hill. Resort experiences include bike and kayak tours, surf lessons and boat rentals. Pelican Hill’s golf courses, Coliseum Pool & Grill and Pelican Bar & Grill are open to the public. Pelican Hill also recently reopened its spa, which boasts 22 treatment rooms.
3. Balboa Bay Resort JEFF GRITCHEN, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Montage Resort in Laguna Beach Beach was named the top OC resort in the Orange County Register’s Best of Orange County readers’ choice poll.
1. Montage Laguna Beach 30801 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach; 866-271-6953, montagehotels.com With a 20,000-square foot spa, three restaurants and an ocean view, Montage Laguna Beach is Orange County’s top pick for a resort getaway. Whether you plan to take off for the weekend, or just for a few hours, this beachside retreat might have something for you. “Wellness is becoming even more of a priority for families and couples,” says Anne Marie Doyle, director of sales and marketing for Montage Laguna Beach. That might be why Spa Montage is the resort’s most popular feature. The California Wildflower massage, a full body massage inspired by nature, is a hit with guests. Montage Laguna Beach also offers wellness programming with complimentary fitness classes, including yoga, for guests and personal training
packages. Meanwhile, the Spa Boutique, open to guests regardless of whether or not they have booked spa services, offers Montage’s own line of products, as well as items from cult-y brands like Lola’s Apothecary and Antica Farmacista. Montage’s Lobby Lounge hosts nightly entertainment alongside its elevated cocktail menu, where drinks are topped by flowers picked from the resort’s own garden. The pear brandy fizz, which brings together pear brandy with vodka, as well as lemon and honey, is particularly popular. In addition to the dessert menu at Montage’s restaurants, which is also favored by guests, the resort also makes custom cakes for birthdays. If you’re planning to dine here or enjoy spa day, be sure to make reservations.
— Liz Ohanesian
1221 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach; 949-645-5000, balboabayresort.com Located on the waterfront in Newport Beach, Balboa Bay Resort is a destination for locals as well as travelers. The Sunday brunch at A+O Restaurant is a local favorite. “It really caters to the local guests in town,” says Front Office Manager Lauren Ragan, noting that locals stop by for their cocktails and Sunday brunch seafood bar. The cocktail menu here is ever-evolving. “Every two months, we change up our list,” says General Manager Marina Dutton. A recent top-seller was The Vaccine, which includes Herradura Ultra Tequila, Blue Caracao, pineapple juice, lime juice and coconut syrup served in a beaker. The resort also serves smoke cart cocktails, in which whisky is smoked in a flavor of your choosing. During the pandemic, Balboa Bay Resort expanded its outdoor lawn space by 40%, allowing it to now hold more than 200 people. That’s good news for locals who have had their eye on this popular wedding spot.
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