Welcome to Checking In, a new review series in which our editors and contributors rate the best new (and revamped) luxury hotels based on a rigorous—and occasionally tongue-in-cheek—10-point system: Each question answered “yes” gets one point. Will room service bring you caviar? Does your suite have its own butler? Does the bathroom have a bidet? Find out below.

The Resort at Pelican Hill

Describe the hotel in 3 words: Tuscan tranquility [in] SoCal.

What’s the deal?

The Resort at Pelican Hill is a sprawling, Tuscan-style retreat perched above the Pacific in Newport Beach. Modelled after the classical architecture of Andrea Palladio, the 504-acre enclave feels more like a hillside village in northern Italy than coastal Southern California. The resort’s 204 bungalows and 128 villas are spaced across olive tree–lined paths and terraced gardens, ensuring that even when it’s fully booked, the experience remains blissfully tranquil.

Privacy is the real luxury here. Each bungalow features vaulted wood-beam ceilings, limestone fireplaces, and marble baths, along with patios that peek out to the ocean. Villas dial up the exclusivity with butler service, full kitchens, and access to a separate clubhouse and pool. Add in 36 holes of Tom Fazio–designed golf, a massive spa, and a 136-foot-diameter circular pool lined with more than a million hand-cut glass tiles, and you have a resort designed to impress on every level.

While Orange County may not be short on luxury stays, Pelican Hill remains a standout for its ability to feel removed from it all. The grounds are vast, serene, and meticulously manicured, yet you’re just minutes from the beach and some of SoCal’s best shopping and dining. Whether you’re checking in for a romantic escape, a multigenerational family trip, or a week of world-class golf, the resort delivers the kind of polished, sun-drenched experience you expect—and then some.

The best room

The crown jewel of Pelican Hill’s villa collection is the Four-Bedroom Oceanview Villa—a two-story, 3,581-square-foot private residence that offers the resort’s most elevated home-away-from-home experience. With sweeping wraparound terraces overlooking the Pacific and the rolling fairways of the Ocean North golf course, the villa is primed for alfresco entertaining, sunset cocktails, or relaxed gatherings of up to 10 guests. Multiple outdoor seating areas, a large dining table, and panoramic coastal views make the terrace a natural extension of the living space.

Inside, the villa includes two master suites (one on each floor), plus two additional bedrooms, each with ensuite marble bathrooms. The interiors feel more like a well-appointed coastal estate than a resort unit: A formal great room with vaulted wood-beam ceilings and a limestone fireplace flows into a gourmet kitchen equipped with Wolf appliances, Sub-Zero refrigeration, granite countertops, and a built-in wine cabinet. There’s also an in-unit laundry room, multiple walk-in closets, and thoughtful extras like pre-stocked kitchen pantries and personalised aromatherapy options. The private garage, meanwhile, has room for not one but two cars—plus direct access to the villa’s interior. It’s the kind of setup that will make long stays and family retreats effortless.

The Rundown

Did they greet you by name at check-in?

We introduced ourselves at the lobby desk, but it was clear the guest attendant was fully briefed about our stay and ready to put it in motion.

Welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived? Bonus point if it wasn’t just fruit juice.

Yes. The attendant gave us vouchers for complimentary drinks at the lobby bar. We were there to celebrate a milestone birthday, so we happily exchanged them for flutes of celebratory Champagne.

Does the resort have a standout perk?

Yes—and it quietly transforms the entire guest experience. Unlike a typical hotel stay, accommodations at Pelican Hill function more like private homes. Each bungalow or villa includes its own dedicated one- or two-car parking garage, allowing guests to bypass the lobby entirely and drive straight to their unit after check-in. It’s a rare level of privacy and convenience, especially for families, golfers, or long-stay guests.

Even better, every unit includes a full washer and dryer, making it easy to settle in for extended stays or simply pack light. Together, these features give the resort a distinctly residential feel—more luxe private condo than traditional guestroom—and add to the overall sense of ease and seclusion.

Private butler for every room?

The resort’s Villa experience includes access to dedicated Villa Coordinators and 24/7 staff, who can arrange everything from pre-arrival grocery stocking and aromatherapy preferences to intimate, candlelit dinners on the ocean-view terrace.

While the bungalows (guestrooms and suites) don’t come with butler service, the standard resort staff—concierges, front desk teams, housekeeping, and restaurant attendants—are consistently attentive and accommodating. Just about anything you need is a phone call or text away.

Is the sheet thread count higher than 300?

Yes. The sheets are from a private-label linen brand, with a thread count of 490.

Is there a heated floor in the bathroom?

No—but you won’t miss it. Heated floors in Southern California are about as useful as A/C in Antarctica. With temps often in the 70s (Fahrenheit) even in December, the bathroom floors remain comfortably temperate year-round.

Are the toiletries full-sized?

Yes. All toiletries come in full-size containers and are replenished daily by housekeeping. The brand is a private label made exclusively for the property.

Is there a private pool for the room’s exclusive use?
No, but you won’t feel shortchanged. While none of the bungalows or villas include a private plunge pool, the resort’s centrepiece—the Coliseum Pool—more than makes up for it. One of the largest circular pools in the world, it spans 136 feet in diameter and shimmers with over a million hand-cut glass mosaic tiles. Surrounded by private cabanas, ocean views, and attentive poolside service, it feels more like a Roman holiday than a typical resort swim. Villa guests also enjoy access to a second, more secluded pool at the Villa Clubhouse, which offers a quieter, more residential vibe.

Is there a standout activity?
One of the more whimsical and luxurious touches at Pelican Hill is the Villa & Vespa Experience, part of the resort’s seasonal Ciao Bella! programming. Guests staying in a villa can purchase their own custom Pelican Hill–branded Vespa Primavera 150 cc, which arrives via white-glove delivery with helmets and a personal training session. During your stay, the Vespa becomes both a stylish accessory and a clever way to zip between your villa, the Clubhouse, and the Coliseum Pool, all with designated scooter parking. It’s a playful twist on resort transportation that adds a dash of Italian flair to the already Tuscan-inspired setting. At the end of your trip, you can take the Vespa home for the ultimate souvenir—or opt into a buy-back program through Vespa LA. 

Are the restaurants worth their salt?
Three main dining venues keep guests well-fed at The Resort at Pelican Hill, each offering a distinct take on California coastal cuisine. The signature Pelican Grill, located just off the golf course, serves a refined yet approachable menu rooted in seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Expect elevated steakhouse staples—prime cuts, wood-fired pizzas, and fresh seafood—alongside standout dishes like lobster risotto finished tableside in a Parmesan wheel or seared scallops with citrus beurre blanc. The setting strikes a balance between clubby and coastal, with leather-backed chairs, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a broad terrace that looks out over the 18th fairway and beyond to the Pacific. It’s the kind of place where you could just as easily toast a milestone as you could unwind after 18 holes—and the discerning staff will know the difference. 

Coliseum Pool & Grill offers a more casual, all-day option beside the resort’s iconic circular pool. The poolside menu leans lighter—think fresh salads, seasonal fruit, flatbreads, and Mexican favourites—with a focus on SoCal flavours and ingredients. Here, you can sip a midday piña colada and tuck into chicken quesadillas in a cabana, or settle in at sunset for day boat river scallops and a crisp glass of white wine. Despite the relaxed vibe, the kitchen takes its cuisine seriously. To wit, should you crave something more substantial, the full lunch and dinner menus offer heartier fare: everything from Wagyu burgers and SoCal fish tacos to Ora King salmon and a 16-oz. prime bone-in rib-eye. If you prefer not to leave the privacy of your cabana, the staff will even set up a dinner table for you to dine poolside.

For breakfast and quick bites, Caffè & Market and Caffè II serve barista-made espresso drinks—cappuccinos, matcha lattes, cortados—alongside house-baked pastries, sandwiches, salads, breakfast burritos, and more. Both are ideal for grab-and-go options before tee time or a relaxed morning on the terrace.

Is there caviar on the room service menu? If so, what kind?

Not explicitly, but ask and you shall receive. You won’t find black gold on the in-room menu, but The Pelican Grill Café offers three varieties: Russian Ossetra, Kaluga, and Beluga Hybrid, each prepared with chive, egg yolk and white, caper, shallot, crème fraîche, and warm blini.

Do you want to spend Friday night in the lobby bar?

There’s no traditional lobby bar, but the Great Room fills the role nicely. It’s a handsome lounge with warm wood panelling, live music, and a rotating cocktail list. It wasn’t exactly a social hub during our stay (most guests preferred the adjacent terraces or sitting poolside), but it’s a lovely place to toast your arrival with a glass of bubbly as you await escort to your villa.

Would you buy the hotel if you could?

A private Tuscan-style oasis minutes from the Pacific? I’d sign the deed before finishing my welcome drink.

The Verdict

The Resort at Pelican Hill delivers a style of luxury that’s quietly rare in Southern California. You want privacy? Here, you can bypass the lobby entirely and drive straight to your private garage, where a sprawling villa or bungalow awaits—complete with a full kitchen, in-unit laundry, and ocean-facing terrace. It’s a setup that feels more like an upscale residential enclave than a traditional hotel. Attentive, low-key staff keep the experience running seamlessly behind the scenes, and should your stay mark a special occasion (as ours did), the Pelican Hill team will go above and beyond to help you celebrate. The result is a sun-drenched SoCal retreat that’s as effortless as it is high-touch—a fitting match for even the most exacting traveller.

Score: 9.5

What Our Score Means:

1–3: Fire your travel agent if they suggest you stay here.

4–6: Solid if you’re in a pinch—but only if you’re in a pinch.

7–8: Very good. We’d stay here again and recommend it without qualms.

9–10: Forget booking a week. When can we move in permanently?

Rates:

Bungalows from US$1,165 (approximately HK$9,145) per night; Bungalow Suites from US$1,525 (approximately HK$11,970); three-bedroom Villas from US$2,655 (approximately HK$20,840). All rates subject to seasonal change.