Sweet Suites

Shopped ’til you dropped? Everyone enjoys the holidays, but let’s face it — with all of the gift buying, family visiting and pulling together of over-the-top meals, this time of the year can get quite hectic. So, why not relax after it’s all over and treat yourself to an after-the-holiday stay at one of Newport Beach’s local hotels? Consider it a gift to yourself!

Enjoy the sights of Newport Bay, million-dollar yachts and gorgeous homes from your suite at the luxurious AAA Four-Diamond Balboa Bay Resort. With its recently renovated main lobby and three new waterfront restaurants, this is the ideal spot to unwind with friends and family in a casual, chic and contemporary atmosphere. The resort is waiting to host your stay in one of 10 one-bedroom and bay-view suites (from 900 square feet to 1,100 square feet) —all with private balconies; a living room including a four-person dining table, wet bar and sitting areas; and private bedroom boasting a king-sized bed topped with fluffy down comforters and oversized pillows, and a bath with deep soaking tub. You can even slip on your very own plush bathrobe and slippers and take in a flick on one of two flat-screen TVs or kick back with your choice of daily newspaper. For an extra-special treat, book the Governor’s Suite — 1,700 square feet of pure lavishness where you’ll enjoy a large living room; kitchen and dining area that seats up to 10 people; private bedroom with king-sized bed and marble bath with Jacuzzi tub; and private balcony with bay and mountain views. Thinking of bringing friends or family along? Consider the 3,000-square-foot presidential suite, complete with two bedrooms; a Jacuzzi tub; spacious living room with plush sofa and chairs, fireplace and mahogany grand piano; 12-person dining table; and two balconies overlooking Newport Harbor. Call ahead to check rates (based on availability, date and time of year), and, if you don’t yet have plans to ring in the New Year, check out The Ultimate New Year’s Eve Room Package (Dec. 31), offering accommodations, valet parking, two tickets to the elegant New Year’s Eve Black Tie Gala and New Year’s Day Brunch at the resort’s Waterline restaurant.

Surrounded by the beauty of Newport Bay, the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach creates a sanctuary for the soul where you can savor a day at nearby Fashion Island or Disneyland, spend the afternoon soaking up the sun on 26 acres of tropical manicured grounds, refresh in sparkling pools or play nine holes of golf. To top it all off, a $15 million redesign completed in mid-2014 (think modern beach house décor) features beautiful new guestrooms, mouthwatering locally sourced cuisine in the new SHOR American Seafood Grill and an array of luxury amenities. Lodging options here include nine premier, 650,000-square foot suites, priced from $485-$2,500 and offering garden and marina vistas; a living room; bedroom with king-sized bed outfitted with a pillow top mattress, down throw and plush pillows; exclusive KenetMD bath products; flat-screen TV; balconies or patios; concierge service and more. The piece de resistance? Four three-bedroom, 950-square-foot villas nestled in a lush, exclusive area of the hotel’s grounds and boasting fine contemporary-styled furnishings and art; separate sitting and dining areas; a fireplace; plasma TV; wet bar; coffeemaker and grinder with Starbucks beans; secluded patio; large backyard; in-ground heated pool; and concierge service. Superb services and amenities, including “grab & go” food options in Lobby Lounge, gift shop, same-day laundry service, and complimentary shuttle service to and from John Wayne Airport, Fashion Island and Balboa Island add up to a memorable stay.

At the Fairmont Newport Beach, you’ll be privy to 54 suites ranging from 488 square feet to 800 square feet and priced from $259-$1,000. Designed in a traditional modern motif, the hotel’s junior and executive suites boast accouterments such as oversized deep soaker tubs, Le Labo luxury bath amenities and balconies. Other options for a pampered stay include the 975-square-foot MacArthur vice presidential suite — featuring a dining room with seating for six, oversized soaker tub and HD plasma TV— and the 1,300-square-foot Duke presidential suite — sporting a dining room with seating for eight, butler pantry, jetted tub and separate shower, HD plasma TV and balcony.

At The Resort at Pelican Hill, you’ll find more than 30 1,600-square-foot-plus, single-story bungalow suites offering garden and ocean views. Starting from $995 per night, each bungalow features two baths, a separate living area and private terrace, with special touches including hand-hewn vaulted wood-beamed ceilings; gas-lit Italian limestone fireplaces; granite wet bars; large flat-screen TVs; Bose audio; Italian linens; marble walk-in showers; deep soaking tubs; and, of course, plush bath robes. As an added perk, all bungalows include free valet or self-parking, and no resort fees for access to the pools, fitness center and spa facilities.

Guests of the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa are invited to retreat to one of the hotel’s 20 elegant suites (priced from $500 up to $3,500 and ranging from 600 square feet to 1,250 square feet) — all with sweeping ocean views, stylish decor and upscale furnishings, as well as access to a concierge lounge offering free Continental breakfast and hors d’oeuvres Monday-Friday. The hotel’s luxury and spa suites provide multiple balconies, living and sitting areas, and bedrooms, while the presidential suite offers two balconies, living and sitting areas, separate dining and bedrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows. During your stay, relax at Pure Blu, the hotel’s onsite spa offering innovative therapies, a saltwater lap pool, private cabanas and state-of-the-art fitness center, and dine at Sam & Harry’s Steakhouse, The Lounge at Sam & Harry’s or the Starbuck’s Coffee House.

Sister property — the Newport Beach Marriott Bayview — is an all-suite hotel where you can relax in luxuriously appointed accommodations overlooking the Upper Newport Bay. Each suite offers separate living and sleeping areas; marble bathrooms with Bath & Body Works products and a separate shower and tub; and private balcony.

At the Five-Diamond Island Hotel Newport Beach, discerning guests will find a variety of suites ranging from 600 square feet to 860 square feet and featuring private bedrooms with luxurious cotton bed linens, goose down duvets and pillows; separate living areas; luxe bathrobes and signature amenities; plasma HD TVs; and more. Need more room to spread out? Check out the 1,305-square-foot Lido Flat or 1470 square-foot Newport Flat, both delivering all of the comforts of home plus sweeping coastal, city or Newport Back Bay views; full-sized living and dining areas; balconies or patios; plasma TVs; Bose audio; two marble bathrooms with plush over-sized bath towels, bathrobes and signature amenities. But that’s not all. There’s also the Catalina and Governor’s suites (1,470 square feet), complete with full-sized living and dining areas, separate study areas, three balconies and furnished outdoor patios.

Last, but definitely not least, the top choice at the Carlton Hotel Newport Beach is the stylish and spacious presidential suite, highlighted by a separate living room, wet bar, two flat-screen TVs and free weekday newspaper. During your stay, don’t miss out on the hotel’s popular Tiffany’s Cuisine restaurant offering award-winning fare prepared with the freshest and finest ingredients California has to offer, plus a top-flight wine list highlighted by Californian varietals.