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Hotel Information: The resort, housed in two three-story buildings, mixes Mediterranean architecture with beach-inspired California décor to create a contemporary, upscale atmosphere with a casual seaside feel. Travelers in search of a weekend away pull into a porte cochere and around a fountain to the valet stand. The lobby’s seaside-inspired décor includes a painting of footprinted sand behind the concierge desk, a compass rose in the middle of the mosaic floor, rattan chairs, and a large-scale painting of sailboats behind the front counter.
Amenity highlights: The hotel’s rich history of catering to politicos and celebrities is a draw for many guests—performers Lucille Ball, John Wayne, Natalie Wood, and Humphrey Bogart have stayed here. But additional boons at the now-public resort include its bayside location, attractive outdoor pool, marina, interior renovated in 2003, restaurants and lounges, and a 17,000-square-foot spa.
Insider tip: Newport Beach offers lots of recreational activities, including from hard-core shopping (at nearby Fashion Island), to body-surfing at the Wedge, an area at the south end of Balboa Peninsula. Resort guests can head to tiny Balboa Island and take a ferry to the Balboa Peninsula, or stay at the resort and rent small, electric Duffy boats, which can be driven like cars.
Rooms
The resort’s two three-story buildings contain 160 guestrooms, all with balconies. Contemporary, beach-inspired décor includes rattan elements. Cherry-wood-and rattan armoires contain TVs, and beds with feather pillowtop mattresses, down duvets, and white linens have headboards of a dark-bamboo weave. Bathrobes and slippers are provided, as are cookies at nightly turndown.
Views are of the surrounding area or the inner courtyard and pool. Smoking at this Orange County property is allowed only on balconies. Windows are double-paned with Southern-style shutters, and guestrooms provide refrigerators, CD/DVD players, a bowl of apples, and magazines in rattan racks. In-room safes accommodate laptops, and marble bathrooms have granite-topped vanity areas, deep soaking tubs, separate showers, scales, make-up mirrors, and full-length mirrors. Twice-daily housekeeping is provided. Guests at Balboa Bay Club & Resort have a choice of newspapers to be delivered daily.
Room Amenities
- Internet access - high speed
- Premium TV channel(s)
- Cable/satellite TV
- Pay movies
- DVD player
- CD player
- Hypo-allergenic bedding available
- Premium bedding
- Balcony
- Climate control
- Complimentary newspaper
- Air conditioning
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Internet access - surcharge
- Voice mail
- Multi-line phone
- Refrigerator
- Coffee/tea maker
- Wake-up calls
- Housekeeping (daily)
- Turndown service
- Makeup mirror
- Slippers
- Separate bathtub and shower
- Bathroom scale
- Extra towels/bedding in room
- Bathrobes
- Complimentary toiletries
- Hair dryer
- Iron/ironing board
- In-room safe
- Window opens
- Clock radio
- Desk
- In-room safe (accommodates laptop)
- Electronic check-out
- Electronic/magnetic keys
- Welcome amenities
- Rollaway beds
- Cribs (infant beds) available
Recreation
The resort sits on 15 waterfront acres, encompassing a private marina on Balboa Bay. The marina is reserved for club members, but resort guests can charter yachts and small electric boats, and arrange fishing trips through the concierge. The hotel also offers complimentary shuttle service to a sandy beach a mile away.
The outdoor heated pool in the main building’s courtyard is surrounded by cushioned lounge chairs. A small, artificial beach on site is available for club members only, and is only for sunning. The resort has two fitness centers: the smaller, complimentary center in the main building offers towels and TVs, a pair of treadmills and several pieces of Paramount strength-training equipment; the fitness facilities in the spa are available for a fee.
The 17,000-square-foot spa contains women’s and men’s locker rooms, each with a living room with a fireplace, comfortable couches and chairs, leather ottomans, and showers stocked with spa products. The spa provides a steam room, dry sauna, spa tub, and nine rooms for massage, skin-care, and beauty treatments. A pro shop with resort wear and work-out clothes is located next to the spa.
Several golf courses are nearby, including Strawberry Farms Golf Club, Aliso Viejo Golf Club, and Pelican Hill Golf Club, with two courses designed by Tom Fazio. Resort guests receive access to the tennis courts at the Balboa Bay Racquet Club (surcharge).
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or near the hotel; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Surfing/boogie boarding nearby
- Swimming on site
- Rowing or canoeing nearby
- Sailing nearby
- Personal watercraft nearby
- Whale-watching nearby
- Motor boating on site
- Yoga classes/instruction nearby
- Tennis nearby
- Racquetball/squash nearby
- Running track/path nearby
- Hiking/biking trails nearby
- Fishing nearby
Property Amenities
Originally opened as a private club in 1948, Balboa Bay Club & Resort has hosted five U.S. presidents, business leaders, and A-list Hollywood celebrities. Set on 15 acres alongside Balboa Bay in Newport Beach, the resort still contains a private club.
The main building, constructed around a courtyard with a heated outdoor pool, contains most guestrooms; including the restaurant, lounge, and library lounge. A fitness center, several shops, and most function rooms are also in the main building.
The second building, known as the Clubhouse, contains the resort’s pro shop, hair salon, and 17,000-square-foot spa, which has a sauna, steam room, fitness area, treatment rooms, and locker rooms with living rooms and fireplaces. Wireless Internet access is available in public areas (surcharge), and the resort provides 17,000 square feet of meeting space.
Balboa Bay Club & Resort's business center, which has four computers, a fax machine, and a printer/copier (surcharge), is located in the main building. This Orange County resort is largely smoke-free; guests may smoke on room balconies. Yacht charters and fishing excursions are available. Complimentary transportation is provided to Newport Beach destinations, including to the beach itself.
- Marina on site
- Swimming pool - outdoor
- Spa tub
- Massage - treatment room(s)
- Full-service health spa
- Steam room
- Sauna
- Airport transportation (complimentary)
- Concierge services
- Technology helpdesk
- Concierge desk
- Fitness equipment
- Health club
- Room service (24 hours)
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Bar/lounge
- Restaurant(s) in hotel
- Parking (surcharge)
- Parking (secure)
- Limo or Town Car service available
- Banquet facilities
- Ballroom(s)
- Business center
- Meeting rooms (small groups)
- Exhibit space
- Conference room(s)
- Event catering
- Audio-visual equipment
- Secretarial services
- Internet access in public areas - surcharge
- Business services
- Internet access in public areas - high speed
- Internet access - wireless
- Porter/bellhop
- Express check-out
- Security guard
- 24-hour front desk
- Express check- in
- Safe-deposit box - front desk
- Multilingual staff
- Number of rooms: 160
- Number of floors: 3
- Gift shops or newsstand
- Shopping on site
- Hair salon
- ATM/banking
- Tour assistance
- Beauty services
- Dry cleaning service
- Patio
- Shoe shine
- Video library
- Clubhouse
- Air-conditioned public areas
- Parking (valet) $26 Daily
- Elevator/lift
- Wedding services
Policies
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
Photo identification and credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
- Pet deposit required
- Small pets only
- Check-in time is 3 PM
- Check-out time is Noon
Know Before You Go
Pets weighing less than 25 pounds are permitted (deposit required).
Fees
The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at either check-in or check-out.
- Valet parking: $26 per 24-hour period
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
Dining
The First Cabin - Airy dining room with a wall of windows offering views of boats in the marina and bay. Inspired California cuisine. Alfresco dining on the covered outdoor patio, which has teak furniture. Menu items include Warm Salad of Smoked Trout and Seared Arctic Char at lunchtime and Châteaubriand and Macadamia Nut-Crusted Mahi Mahi at dinner. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
Duke’s Place - Actor John Wayne was a former Balboa Bay Club Governor, and this namesake lounge overlooking the bay and marina contains a piano, dance floor, and black-and-white photos of Wayne. Live jazz nightly. Outdoor seating is available. pen for light fare and drinks daily from early afternoon through evening.
Library Lounge - Cocktails, snacks, and afternoon tea are available in this low-key library with a fireplace, books, and comfortable seating areas.
Coconut Grove - Poolside dining on the courtyard patio surrounding the outdoor pool.
Address
1221 W Coast Hwy
Newport Beach, CA 92663
USA
Nearest major airport:
Orange County, CA (SNA-John Wayne)
Area:
Disneyland - Anaheim, California, United States of America
