Newport Beach doesn't actively promote Southern California as an area that has more than just yachts, year-round perfect weather, and stunning, tan residents; nonetheless, So-Cal’s international reputation may very well have started there. If there's one place in Newport Beach that helped position the area's captivating esteem, it was the Balboa Bay Club.
Opened in 1948 as a private beach club, the Balboa Bay Club wooed the likes of John Wayne, Robert Wagner, and Humphrey Bogart with its sprawling 15-acre site, 130-slip marina, and private beach with cream-colored sand. In 2003 the property opened to the public while remaining partially private, and in 2013 changed its name to the Balboa Bay Resort. This November I visited the hotel for the first time and discovered several of its alluring attributes.
Renovations throughout 2014 have been frequently unveiled at the Balboa Bay Resort, along with a sense of a fresh spirit. The lobby is the first compelling area to note. Barry Design Associates, a Los Angeles-based interior design team that recently finished multi-million dollar renovations for the Quail Lodge and The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, led the design of the cream- and blue-colored space.
Inside the lobby, guests may feel as though they’ve just washed up from the shore due to an aqua water wall sitting behind the check-in counter, mimicking gentle descending waves. Several golden and blue glass droplets form chandeliers throughout the lobby, like ocean spray, and a stunning blue and grey wave-like carpet stretch the length of the sitting room area, past the lobby. The design is casual chic with a Southern California-relaxed vibe.
In addition to the lobby's renovation, the hotel opened Waterline restaurant earlier this spring (formerly known as The First Cabin). Another renovated section is the A&O Kitchen+Bar, previously known as Duke’s Place. Despite the waterfront views of mega yachts, A&O Kitchen+Bar is an unostentatious enclave with an informal menu and hefty portions. Serving “real food” and “real drinks,” A&O (short for anchors and oceans) serves many dishes on wood boards and in pails, like the delectable bacon-seasoned Popcorn and Pig appetizer. The gastropub’s menu is meant to be shared and served around its elegant outdoor fireplaces and horseshoe shaped bar. I enjoyed the Birthday Suit made with beef tartar, egg and thick cut fries, as well as a scrumptious Baked Lamb Meatball (yes, one) that was drizzled with Tzatziki sauce.
One of Balboa Bay Resort's best features are the notable attractions located close to the property. Golfers can enjoy five nationally-acclaimed golf courses, such as Pelican Hill Golf Course and Tustin Ranch Golf Club, all within 15 miles. Shoppers are just minutes away from Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza, the largest (and possibly most prestigious) shopping center in California. There are also a handful of water activities to choose from nearby. Convincing my companion to hop in a kayak for a few hours, we paddled around the Newport Harbor on a cloudless fall day, splashing by yachts and jetting boats.
A trip to Catalina Island is just an hour away by boat (not kayak), and that's a quaint little spot to hike around anytime of the year. Groups might enjoy a Duffy boat, which is able to seat 12 guests and can be rented from the resort as well. In short, anything your heart desires to do is readily available at the Balboa Bay Resort, including 10 miles of pristine beaches stretching right from the resort's doorstep.
