Pelican Hill Resort: Riviera in the OC

What to Expect

Pelican Hill is a world-class golf club that would be a destination even without the new five-star resort. Until five years ago, the area was a desolate mountain of wild grasslands and game reserves above a picturesque stretch of sand known as Crystal Cove. Now the area is one of the priciest residential developments in Orange Country with a high-end strip center featuring William Sonoma and Banana Republic as well as ever-expanding Fashion Island with its Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales located 15 minutes north. The hotel is removed from the main road with all structures built to maximize ocean and golf-course views and to minimize interaction with the encroaching urbanization.

A stunning golf-course view at Pelican Hill Resort.

Finding Your Room

The resort is home to 204 bungalows and 128 villas offering fully outfitted vacation getaways with attached parking spaces and private entrances. Guest rooms open to gleaming Travertine floors under 16-foot rustic wood ceilings that frame soaring views. Bungalows feature integrated living and sleeping areas with granite wet bars, 50-inch plasma TVs and limestone fireplaces. Furnished terraces offer side-by-side loungers and small seating areas for morning coffee. Larger villas are available with a two-, three- or four-bedroom layout complete with fully equipped stainless-steel kitchens, great room with formal dining room and on-call butler service. Bathrooms are lined in marble with muted beige walls, double-sink vanities and deep soaking tubs and separate rain showers lined in mosaic tiles.

Living area of a four-bedroom villa at Pelican Hill Resort.

Pool and Spa

At the center of the resort is the Coliseum Pool, touted as the largest circular pool anywhere. It offers a 360-degree design and terrace views of the Pacific. Around the tiered decks of the pool are several freestanding cabanas equipped with furnished lounges, LCD TVs and mini bars stocked with Mumm or your Champagne of choice. Those that need even more pampering eventually discover The Spa at Pelican Hill. It's a world-class health and fitness facility 20% larger than the competition with 22 treatment rooms offering a menu of massages, facials and scrubs. Inspired by the Baths at Carcalla, the spa is equipped with Roman soaking pools, herbal steam rooms and state-of-the-art fitness center.