The Resort at Pelican Hill

22701 S Pelican Hill Rd South, Newport Coast, CA 92657, Newport Coast, United States

5-star hotel

Guest rating: 4.8 / 5

The Resort at Pelican Hill is a 5-star coastal golf resort and spa set across 504 acres in Newport Coast, California, with panoramic Pacific Ocean views from its hillside setting at 22701 S Pelican Hill Rd South. Accommodations include elegant bungalow-style rooms and suites featuring private terraces, 15-foot wood-beam ceilings, granite wet bars, and fireplaces, along with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and Bose stereo systems. For larger groups, multi-bedroom villas (up to four bedrooms) add dedicated support such as butler/service staff, garages, and access to a private clubhouse and pool. On-site highlights include 36 championship holes of golf and a large beauty and wellness spa with 22 treatment rooms. Dining includes a Northern Italian restaurant overlooking the ocean and a poolside option with a heated terrace. The resort works well as a base for nearby coastal and cultural stops such as Crystal Cove State Park (about 3.7 km), Corona Del Mar State Beach Park (about 3.1 km), Balboa Island (about 5.3 km), and Sherman Library & Gardens (about 3.1 km).

Best for

This property best suits luxury-leisure travelers seeking a resort setting with standout golf and spa facilities, including 36 championship holes and a 22-treatment-room wellness spa. It’s also a strong fit for couples or small groups who value ocean-view accommodations with in-room features like terraces and fireplaces, and for families or friends who want the space and privacy of multi-bedroom villas.

Travel tips

John Wayne Airport is roughly 10 miles away, making this a practical choice for short luxury getaways or long weekends. Plan time for nearby outdoor and beach excursions—Crystal Cove State Park and Corona Del Mar State Beach Park are both within about 4 km, and Balboa Island and the Balboa Fun Zone are around 5–5.5 km away. If you want varied dining, the surrounding Newport Coast/Newport Beach area offers additional options beyond the resort’s Northern Italian and poolside venues.

What guests say

Reviews commonly emphasize the dramatic setting and views, along with attentive staff and strong in-room service (including housekeeping/turndown responsiveness). Guests also highlight the overall resort experience as upscale and indulgent, with food and service often praised. Critiques in the excerpts focus on dining value and consistency—some meals are viewed as overpriced or poorly executed—and a few guests perceive the atmosphere as modern but lacking character, with quieter nightlife and a breakfast experience that can feel generic. Overall sentiment remains very positive, aligning with the high public rating (4.8 from 3126 reviews), but food and ambience are the recurring areas of mixed feedback.

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