The Resort at Pelican Hill Newport Beach

By Alice and Danny Scott

Photo Courtesy of The Resort at Pelican Hill

Pelican Hill has invented a new form of B&B – Bentleys and Butlers. Reserve a Villa on the Newport coast and those options are yours along with a courtyard and exquisite 2-4 bedroom accommodations for a family or group to retreat together Tuscan style. Bungalows perched on the hillside below are not too shabby either where homey single bedrooms are plush with cushy balcony lounges to laze the day away watching golfers play or vessels sail the ocean blue. By night, cruise lights or those of Avalon sparkle on Catalina Island.

Pelican Hill provides an elevated view of the Pacific Ocean from almost every resort and golf course angle. Each guest experience is also elevated through the luxurious appointments and attentive staff. From the moment you walk through the doors, grandiosity is balanced with serenity emanating from the genius of architecture and décor. In fact art and architecture tours are held on Wednesday afternoons with self-guided walking tours available any time. Warmth exudes from cozy fireplaces throughout or ceiling heaters on restaurant patios where new chefs bring flavors from the world.

Chef Luke Turpin is introducing new seafood flare to the Pelican Grill tables. Pretzel bread is hard to resist before the satiating aps and entrees. We can attest to the Ahi Tuna Tartare and Irvine Ranch Beet Salad marinated with citrus. Situated next to the golf course, Pelican Grill gives new meaning to “see and be seen.” The terrace floors are heated as well as the ceilings when necessary to counter fresh ocean breezes. People watching, large sports screens and Pacific Ocean views make this the happening place for locals, tourists or golfers after the round.

Before the round, the practice range aims up the hill to where Glenn Deck carries out his instruction for golfers hitting down toward the ocean. Having experienced many little clinics, what stands out about an hour with Glenn is how he zeroes in on what little tweak will change your game. He starts with observing a warm up with an 8 iron. He says individually, “Tell me about your game.” Danny explains his low handicap status but frustration with consistency and lesser strength as time goes on.

Alice says she’s a forever 21 handicap and okay with that but has lost all confidence in the bunkers when her ball is a magnet to them. “So you’d like me to help you get out of the bunkers?” “ I would really love that Glenn.” First he reviewed our range of motion and setup routine. We were brought back to the basic of feet together, move left foot, right, and left again for optimal balance before swinging. We were given a tip for our differences in flexibility, Danny for his arms and Alice for her hips. Our ball flight gained consistency. Alice hopped in the bunker with 3 balls and Glenn quickly determined an error of ball positioning and gave a corrective measure – to waggle the club and test the point of impact, then adjust and waggle until sure. This was the most impactful hour of instruction ever. Imagine what half a day would do for $225. Glenn has been at Pelican Hill for over 20 years, possibly a record in the industry. With an office view like this, why would he go anywhere else? His teaching success is in the acknowledgement that all bodies are different. Tell him about your game, get ready for stroke reduction and get golfing.

Rated the number one golf resort in the world, Pelican Hill’s Tom Fazio courses are perhaps his most fabulous, laid out so that every one of the 36 holes has at least a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean in one of the most affluent zip codes of southern California. The first hole of the Ocean South course sets the stage playing down toward the ocean. This is the gallery hole for many bungalow patios above. Golf concentration is challenged on every hole by the question of where the ocean will be seen if not from the tee box, then greenside, or a point along the fairway – mesmerizing views of Newport Harbor, Catalina Island and full frontal crashing waves on hole 12. The tee box of 18 has the broadest view of the sea on the south course, looking back from the tee box, the broadest view of the resort architecture looking forward and the broadest challenge for shots to get over ravines to the green on this difficult par 4 as onlookers judge the show from the resort verandas.

Caddy Mark accompanied us along with Wu Kim on the Ocean North course where number one starts off horizontal to the ocean. The course weaves through the hillsides with mega million dollar homes. Numbers 5 and 11 roll downhill to the view of distant Catalina Island. Use the ocean orientation for putting lines and keep sailing, sailing like the boats in the vista.

After golf, relax and tan by the largest circular pool in the world, surrounded by chaises or hide in the custom equipped cabanas for a more intimate ocean view lounging with perhaps a tasting experience in the evening. The Coliseum Pool & Grill sits above for casual dining day or night.

Andrea Ristorante & Bar is the Signature Northern Italian restaurant. Chef Marco came from Puglia, Italy where we visited last May so we can vouch for the authenticity. Most impressive is the process of the cheese wheel incorporation of formaggio in the risotto, tableside – richly ingenious. See the video at www.pelicanhill.com. Live music accompanies a spectacular sunset view out to, you guessed it, the Pacific. Every morsel is to be savored. Take your sweet time here and if you didn’t save room for dessert, a tower of tiny sweet bites takes the cake.

The Caffe is an espresso bar with light fare and gelato near registration across the gift shop and Caffe II is next to the Golf Clubhouse for quick grab and go nourishment. The Piccolo restaurant rounds out the resort’s many culinary options serving small sharable plates from around the globe at the Villa Clubhouse while live entertainment serenades. This experience is reserved for resort guests only.

All the famous tourist attractions are within a short drive. Fashion Island is minutes away for al fresco elegant shopping or Balboa Island for cruising and both avail an array of family entertainment. Beach play is available if you like to get sandy at Crystal Cove State Park located across the Resort with complimentary coach service. In reality, the ever-present view of the sea delivers serenity you won’t want to leave Pelican Hill with a full calendar of daily activities.

Perhaps the greatest indulgence is found at The Spa at Pelican Hill, even though it is the only spot on property without the Pacific Ocean view. No windows and no cell phones – lose yourself in the Acqua Colonnade and relaxation lounge before and after treatments. Consistent with the Palladian architecture of the resort, Roman soaking tubs invite entry under a barrel-vaulted ceiling. Sauna and steam rooms are just the right temp and of course the aroma induces serenity from entrance to exit. In the relaxation room, lounges with magazines and blankets face the trance inducing water wall. Infused water, teas and healthy little snacks are available for nibbling or if you selected the signature treatment, Seasonal Body Gelato, then a bowl of gelato is served. Seasonal flavors are honey in spring, lavender in summer, fig in autumn and pomegranate in winter. This is not about working out muscle kinks or soothing arthritis. It is all about pampering almost every inch of skin. Here’s how it works. First comes the sugar scrub, feeling a little rough at first, hence the name scrub but quite therapeutic. Flip sides and then a hot shower is prepared for your private rinse. The skin is soft upon drying but not soft enough for the Pelican Spa. A lathering of aloe vera follows and then a warm wrap cocoons the whole body for poaching while either a scalp rub or foot reflexology bonus is performed. A final moisturizing coat is applied to seal the deal for Alice’s treatment.

Danny is accustomed to the usual Swedish style, but was intrigued by the Golfer’s Massage. The therapist called his name and a diminutive Ecuadorian lady named Maria introduced herself.  Soft spoken, she explained how golfers need to stretch more before and after the round. He agreed and the journey began as he noticed the golf balls next to the lotion and oil perhaps for effect. You never know what technique will be ascribed to a therapist. It only took a few minutes for this small, gentle lady to kneed the skin like a pile of flour dough. Holy Moly, he said to himself thinking if those tight muscles have not relaxed after this, she will surely have rolled a few biscuits for the oven. He then realized that golf balls were used in the same manner as in a hot stone massage. At first, it felt like a Top Flite, but after awhile the orbs began to feel like a balata. His neck area is usually bypassed with simple pull or push. Not this time. The balls were used to stretch each side, not sure how, they just did. They stayed in the fairway. The last portion of this massage was the total stretching of the hamstrings, hips and shoulders, similar to the technique used in wrestling. She used multiple arm positions and body to apply more torque than one could assume for someone her size. Lifting and twisting until his cry “Uncle,” assured her that the stretch had been achieved. Now this was a 50-minute massage, so for 90 minutes he could imagine being taller with more flexibility than in his youth. Upon conclusion, the “Golfers Massage” is highly recommended for any player needing relief after a round. 

Yes, The Resort at Pelican Hill is purely indulgent. There are golf resort packages equal in cost but not in comprehensive service and experience. Prices reflect the opulent nature of Pelican Hill but should be compared to a Pebble Beach experience where just a single round to play is $495 without the caddie. The real estate mantra, location, location, location has no truer meaning. Perfect climate year round, pretty views, great golf, great food and time to relax make this the piece de resistance of Southern California. The Fazio Unlimited Package at Pelican Hill includes Bungalow or Villa accommodations with a two-night minimum stay. Enjoy unlimited golf rounds for one guest on three of Tom Fazio’s designed and re-perfected courses, the Ocean North, Ocean South, and Oak Creek. Includes complimentary forecaddie (at Pelican Hill Ocean courses), golf cart and golf club rentals. All stays at Pelican Hill include complimentary parking, Internet access and use of pools, fitness centers and spa amenities. Starting from $835 per night, excluding tax and gratuity. Rates based on double occupancy. Peek at the opportunities online or request a custom package at www.pelicanhill.com.