Balboa Bay Resort
Balboa Bay Resort is Newport Beach’s premier waterfront retreat offering stunning bay views over Balboa Bay’s harbor.
Dubbed the #1 Resort in Newport, the Forbes Four-Star and AAA Four-Diamond property features luxe accommodations, a celebrated culinary program, wellness amenities, and heated pool.
Located on the pristine and picturesque waterfront, the new Recreation Concierge offers land and water sport rentals from the hotel’s private dock. Tip: order a picnic lunch and cruise the Bay via a personal Duffy boat- super scenic!
The resort also acquired a new boat for guests to rent equipped with a captain. The 22-foot boat is called "Host of the Coast," and it's the ideal opportunity to cruise the beautiful Newport Harbor.
Adjacent to the resort is the ultra exclusive Balboa Bay Club celebrating over 75 years of being a staple social haven for locals and visitors. Flaunting a members-only beach and marina, they offer water activities for kids (like paddle boarding and a waterslide), an arcade room, and a full-service Spa and DryBar Salon.
Dine at the resort’s A+O Restaurant | Bar, a cool and breezy waterfront eatery ideal for snagging a Newport sunset over crafted cocktails, live music, and a delicious dinner. (Go for the Beer Battered Fish Tacos or Handmade Fettuccine dressed in Calabrian chili, baby heirlooms, sausage, clams, and shrimp.)
The Resort recently debuted a kid-friendly scavenger hunt, an interactive treasure map of must-see Newport sights. Once completed, children receive a prize from the resort's concierge. On the scavenger hunt hit list is an outing to the Balboa Fun Zone for bayside amusements (great for little kiddos).
Craving a back-to-school shopping spree? Treat yourself with a trip to Fashion Island, Lido Marina Village or South Coast Plaza, all area shopping destinations for fashionistas.
balboabayresort.com
The Portofino Hotel & Marina
Nestled on a serene Redondo Beach peninsula, The Portofino Hotel & Marina is a haven that feels worlds away but centrally located to Los Angeles and Hollywood.
Opened in 1962 by racecar enthusiast Mary Davis, it was famously the final destination of The Cannonball Run, a car race from New York to Los Angeles turned feature film, which first ran in 1971. Race enthusiasts still make the trip today and the hotel has built a following on its luxury with a touch of levity vibe.
Part of the Noble House portfolio, the hotel recently completed a multi-million-dollar refresh that includes an updated waterfront “Living Room” lobby with next level views. The upgraded rooms and suites evoke a glammed beach feel with mirrored glass décor and crisp nautical details. (Tip: book a bayside room with a private balcony and fall asleep to the sound of sea lions.)
Enjoy complimentary cruiser bikes, and the on-site Dockside Activity Center offers kayaks, paddle boards, scuba, deep-sea fishing, and boat charters for those seeking an ocean adventure.
The property restaurant, BALEENkitchen, is nationally renowned for its light mood and top-notch food. (There’s a really fab burrata dish.)
Minutes to Manhattan Beach and not far from attractions like Disneyland, Santa Monica, and Hollywood, it's a chic and centrally located hot spot.