The Resort at Pelican Hill

I lived in Laguna Beach for two years & never stayed at or visited Pelican Hill. This was a HUGE mistake. Pelican Hill is one of the nicest resorts i've stayed at The hospitality is impossible to beat. You have a whole team of people ready to assist you just to make your experience better We played golf, went to the Coliseum Pool, visited the spa, walked around the property & ate nice dinners on resort property. Pelican Hill is a MUST stay if you're in the Newport/Orange County area. Also special shoutout to Ethan at the front desk. He was very accommodating & gave us a nice rate to upgrade to a suite (worth it). I will absolutely be back next time i'm in California!

Shocked this place gets such good reviews. Staying here now and disappointed. For $1.738 / night spend your money elsewhere - the Ritz Laguna Niguel would have been cheaper and Montage only $200 more per night. When the paying these rates expect much better. Grounds are gorgeous but rooms are dated. Feels like grandma’s house - dark lighting and drab. Clearly hasn’t been updated since original build almost 20 years ago now. Tile floors and granite out of the 90s (must have bought at discount when developed). For this price, that’s crazy. On plus side, rooms are large. Just ugly. I get this is Tuscan countryside style - but you can do that still with a much needed refresh that doesn’t make you feel like stepping back to 2005. Also disappointing we got an “ocean view” room (338) with smallest glimpse of the ocean. Technically ocean view but not by much and again for that price - not worth it. And the service was bad. Ordered a drink at pool this afternoon and never came. Pool wasn’t that busy so no excuse. We finally left to hit the beach after an hour with no drink. After being gone all day, just got back to room at 5:30 and still no maid service. Lastly - the gym may be the saddest part of this place. In a basement with old carpet floors. Have seen better gyms at a Courtyard. For a supposed 5 star resort downright embarrassing. Place has a lot of potential - just save your money until they redo it and turn it into a St Regis in a few years. Wouldn’t think about staying here again until they freshen it up.

I had expected to wake up and truly enjoy my vacation at a luxury property like The Resort at Pelican Hill, but unfortunately, my experience was significantly diminished by extremely poor service over a situation that should never have been an issue at this level of hospitality. Today, I ordered lunch from an outside restaurant and clearly instructed that the delivery be left at the front desk. This was a deliberate request based on my need for privacy, and it should have been simple to accommodate. Instead, the delivery driver was stopped by a valet parking employee identified as Travis. He explicitly told the driver not to follow my instructions and insisted that the driver call me. I was on the phone during the entire interaction and heard the conversation firsthand. The driver made multiple attempts to explain my instructions—including my privacy concerns—but Travis refused to comply. As a result, I was forced into an unnecessary and intrusive situation where I had to take a phone call and repeat my personal preference simply to satisfy a valet employee. This was both disruptive and inappropriate. I do not understand why I was required to justify a reasonable and clearly communicated request to a valet attendant, particularly when it has no relevance to his role. This behavior was not only unprofessional but also deeply disrespectful. It clearly showed a lack of regard for guest preferences and basic courtesy. As a guest, my requests should be prioritized—especially when they are reasonable and easy to accommodate. It is certainly not the role of a valet parking attendant to override or dismiss a guest’s clearly stated preference. This incident completely ruined my day. It was incredibly frustrating to deal with such unnecessary conflict and poor attitude, especially at a resort that positions itself as a luxury destination. This conduct reflects a serious breakdown in service standards, professionalism, and respect for guest privacy. A valet employee should not be overriding, dismissing, or interfering with a guest’s clearly stated preferences.

I went for a birthday trip and they did not let me down. Completely A+ in everything they did. Shaun the main bar bartender was such a great guy. Thank you Ethen for the upgrade, the room was great. Outstanding service by the housekeeping staff!

Everything you could want in an experience & more.

We stayed here over a weekend for a staycation. From the moment that you enter the property, it is as if you are whisked away to an Italian paradise. From the stunning ocean view lobby to the guard gated rooms, every detail is perfect. The spa offers complimentary access to guests of the resort to use the facilities such as the steam room, sauna, & whirlpool. The spa lounge offers complimentary truffles which are nothing short of perfect! One thing that truly makes this a stand out property is that it does not feel like a hotel, it feels like a home away from home. The rooms are large & thoughtfully designed with high quality furniture & accents. The gas fireplace was a very nice touch. Every staff member that we encountered was genuine & always willing to help. We are already talking about returning!

I visited this resort recently and, unfortunately, left quite disappointed. Charging $50 for parking (self parking) Felt excessive and set the tone for what turned out to be an overpriced experience overall. The restaurant was underwhelming. there were several mistakes throughout the meal, giving the impression of poor organization rather than a premium dining experience. The food itself was so-and-so: not bad, but certainly not good enough to justify the prices being charged. That said, the views were genuinely great and are probably the resort’s strongest asset.

Always an incredible resort with attentive and friendly staff! Very family friendly, especially for littles. The pool at the villas is wonderful.

I am updating my previous review to reflect the outstanding follow-up I received from the resort's management. After reading about my disappointing experience regarding the heating and service issues, Danielle, the Sr. Rooms Operations Manager, reached out to me personally. She did not make excuses but instead took full ownership of the situation. She genuinely apologized and offered an arrangement for my family. My family visited and had a fantastic time. They reported that the golf course condition was impeccable, the staff were incredibly kind, and the dinner at Pelican Grill was delicious with a great atmosphere. While every hotel can make mistakes, true luxury is defined by how they resolve them. Danielle and her team proved that they truly care about guest satisfaction. I appreciate their effort to turn a negative experience into a positive memory.

My family came here to celebrate my mother and husband’s birthdays. While the weather was mostly not in our favor with the rain, the excellent service and beautiful rooms made our experience top tier. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The manager, Val, went the extra mile to ensure that our stay was magical and wonderful in advance of our trip. The rooms have high ceilings with great views.