Saturday, February 1, 2025
HomeLuxury TravelA Luxe Getaway You’ll Love 2025

A Luxe Getaway You’ll Love 2025


I’ve spent a lot of time in Newport Beach, having grown up in adjacent Huntington Beach. These days, most of my daughter’s volleyball tournaments are in the area, so we checked into Pendry Newport Beach during a recent trip.

I chose it because I’m a huge fan of Pendry San Diego, one of our most booked hotels. And also because I’ve had clients stay at Pendry Newport Beach. Whether traveling on business or with family and friends, they’ve been happy. It’s mainly because the people working behind the scenes go the extra mile for our VIP guests.

In this review, I’ll share my thoughts on our stay at this special boutique hotel and everything you need to know before you hit the reserve button.

Quick Overview

  • Location: Newport Beach, California (3 miles from John Wayne Airport)
  • Rooms: 295 contemporary guest rooms and suites
  • Dining: SET Steak & Sushi, Bar Pendry, Tree Shack Pool Bar & Grill, The Elwood Club dining venues
  • Amenities: Outdoor pool, Spa Pendry, fitness center, The Elwood Club (private members’ club), complimentary e-bikes, valet parking
  • Family-Friendly: Spacious rooms, family accommodations, children’s programs
  • Pet-Friendly: Yes

Pendry Newport Beach Reservations and Benefits

We use Virtuoso to book our clients into Pendry Newport Beach. The benefits include:

  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom (up to $70 daily, per bedroom), served in the hotel restaurant
  • $100 USD equivalent Hotel credit
  • Early check-in / Late check-out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

690 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660

What I love

  • It’s the nicest hotel in this part of Newport Beach.
  • It’s significantly less $ than Pelican Hill Resort.
  • You can walk to Fashion Island Mall and nearby businesses.
  • Spacious rooms have a cool mini bar area and comfortable beds.
  • 24-hour room service & multiple dining choices for what feels like a smaller hotel (it’s not).
  • Guests receive exclusive access to The Elwood Club for added luxury.
  • Family- and pet-friendly accommodations.

Good to Know

  • Some rooms may experience street or pool noise—book a high floor coastal-facing room for a quieter stay.
  • I wish the Virtuoso breakfast benefit included room service.
  • They do participate in the Preferred Platinum VIP program but with Virtuoso you get an extra $10 breakfast credit.
  • It’s valet parking only with a couple of EV chargers.

What to Expect in Pendry Newport Beach Rooms and Suites

Pendry Newport Beach features 295 guest rooms and suites, each designed with contemporary interiors and comforts you’d expect in a luxury boutique hotel.

Views include the resort gardens, surrounding cityscape, and distant but still very nice ocean views. Each room and suite provides high-end amenities such as:

  • Floor-to-ceiling picture windows with stunning views
  • Juliet balconies (furnished balconies in some suites)
  • Luxury bedding with pillow-top mattresses and premium linens
  • MiN New York signature bath amenities (I am such a huge fan of these)
  • Marble bathrooms with walk-in showers or bathtubs
  • 50-inch or larger LED Smart TVs with premium channels
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth audio speakers and USB ports
  • Premium coffee makers and curated mini-bars
  • Pet-friendly and non-smoking accommodations

The Room We Stayed in at Pendry Newport Beach

Our room was a Skyline Queen Queen that overlooked the area around Fashion Island Mall. It’s actually a nice view, and I appreciated being higher up because we were above the pool and restaurant.

If it were lower, I think we’d hear a bit more hotel activity. Since we needed to get up super early for volleyball, I specifically requested a quiet room and that’s what I received.

I also asked for extra bottled water, which, as you can see, was delivered. I don’t remember asking for red wine, but they totally nailed this welcome amenity. It was perfect.

Virtuoso guests typically receive customized welcome amenities

The beds were super comfortable, and I adore the MiN bath amenities that Pendry hotels use. They’re full-sized, so you can’t take travel-sized leftovers to go (unless you want to pay for them).

I pay close attention to acoustics when I’m in the hotel room, and I didn’t feel the walls or doors were so thin as to let in an unreasonable amount of noise. Overall, it’s a lovely, comfortable room stocked with everything I’d expect a luxury hotel room to have.

More Room Types You Might Like

Pendry Newport Beach’s guest rooms are perfect for couples, solo travelers, and small families seeking comfort with a modern touch. I like this big sofa seating area in the king rooms. I always appreciate a robust minibar selection (see the second slide in the gallery below).

If you’re unsure which room to choose, here’s a breakdown of the views, locations, and features that differentiate each. After booking multiple clients, I want to share a couple of notes:

  • King rooms have a maximum occupancy of two people (if you have a baby or small child – let us know)
  • Cribs are free, and rollaway beds can fit into some accommodations for an additional fee.
  • Connecting rooms are available.

Regarding rates, expect prices from lowest to highest in this order — Garden < Skyline < Coastal.

Room Type Size Guest # Location & View Special Features
Garden View King 435 sq. ft. 2 guests Lower floors with lush garden views Connects to Garden King or Garden Queen Queen
Skyline View King 395–435 sq. ft. 2 guests Upper floors; sweeping views of Newport Back Bay or Fashion Island Connects to Skyline King, Grand One Bedroom Suite, Skyline Queen Queen, and specialty suites
Coastal View King 400–435 sq. ft. 2 guests Higher floors; partial views of the Pacific Ocean Connects to Coastal King, Grand One Bedroom Suite, or Hospitality Coastal Suite
Garden View Queen Queen 400 sq. ft. 4 guests Lower floors; lush garden views; two queen beds; Juliet balcony
Skyline View Queen Queen 400–425 sq. ft. 4 guests Upper floors; sweeping skyline views; two queen beds; large windows Connects to Skyline King, Deluxe One Bedroom Suite, Island Specialty Suite, or Lido Specialty Suite
Coastal View Queen Queen 405 sq. ft. 4 guests Upper floors; partial ocean or Newport Bay views; two queen beds; Juliet balcony Connects to Grand One Bedroom Suite or Hospitality Coastal Suite

Luxury Suites: Spacious and Stylish

Pendry Newport Beach’s luxury suites offer more space and elevated amenities.

Since King rooms have a two-person occupancy (and, yes, this includes kids), families of four tend to choose studio suites.

All suites have a double-sized sofa bed and marble bathrooms with separate showers and tubs. And amenities like coffee makers and large flat-screen TVs in the rooms.

Suite Type Size Guest # Location & Views Special Features
Studio Suite 565 sq. ft. 4 guests
(max 3 adults w/ double sofa)
Scattered throughout the hotel Open-plan design, Juliet balcony, no connecting room.
Coastal View Studio Suite 565 sq. ft. 4 guests
(max 3 adults w/ double sofa)
Higher floor, partial ocean views Open-plan design, Juliet balcony, no connecting room.
Corner Garden One Bedroom Suite 660 sq. ft. 4 guests
(max 3 adults w/ sofa bed)
End-of-hallway location with garden views Balcony with seating, expansive living area
Corner Skyline One Bedroom Suite 660 sq. ft. 4 guests
(max 3 adults w/ sofa bed)
End-of-hallway location with skyline views Balcony with seating, expansive living area
Corner Ocean View One Bedroom Suite 640–660 sq. ft. 4 guests
(max 3 adults w/ sofa bed)
Higher floors, panoramic ocean views Balcony with seating, expansive living area. Access to The Elwood Club for up to 4 guests.
Deluxe One Bedroom Suite 825 sq. ft. 4 guests
(max 3 adults w/ sofa bed)
Higher floors, partial ocean or bay views Two Juliet balconies, oversized master bedroom, two marble bathrooms
Grand One Bedroom Suite 1,250 sq. ft. 4 guests
(max 3 adults w/ sofa bed)
Higher floors, partial ocean or bay views Three Juliet balconies, small kitchenette, dining for eight, two marble bathrooms, access to The Elwood Club for up to 4 guests

What’s a Juliet balcony? It’s basically a small, unfurnished walk-out balcony that people don’t typically use, but it’s nice to have.

Exclusive Specialty Suites: The Ultimate in Luxury

The Specialty Suites are designed for guests seeking unparalleled luxury. These expansive accommodations are ideal for large families, groups, or travelers celebrating a special occasion.

Suite Type Size Guest # Location & View Special Features
Newport Suite 1,000 sq. ft. 2 guests Coastal views toward Newport Bay; private balcony Full kitchen with dining for eight. Ideal for families or couples seeking a luxurious, private escape
Lido Suite 1,040 sq. ft. 4 guests (max 3 adults w/ sofa bed) Two large balconies with ocean views Guest powder room, expansive living space. Perfect for girls’ trips or small groups of friends
Island Suite 1,400–1,550 sq. ft. 4 guests (max 3 adults w/ sofa bed) Private balcony with ocean views Office, full kitchenette, dining for six. Great for business travelers or families seeking comfort and functionality
Grand Two Bedroom Suite 1,655–1,720 sq. ft. 8 guests Upper floors with partial bay & ocean views plus Newport skyline Perfect for large families or groups seeking upscale comfort and panoramic views
Newport Two Bedroom King Suite 1,470 sq. ft. 4 guests Coastal views toward Newport Bay or mountains; small furnished balcony Ideal for two couples or families wanting upscale comfort and privacy
Lido Two Bedroom Queen Suite 1,040–1,470 sq. ft. 6 guests Ocean views with two large furnished balconies Two queen beds in the second bedroom and a guest powder room. Perfect for groups of friends looking for a luxury stay
Island Two Bedroom Queen Suite 1,800–2,000 sq. ft. 6 guests Ocean views, private balcony Office, full kitchenette, two queen beds in the second bedroom, three bathrooms. Great for business travelers or families
Pendry Two Bedroom Suite 2,325 sq. ft. 6 guests Top-floor location with the hotel’s best ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows Perfect for families or groups celebrating special occasions in luxury

Excellent Dining at Pendry Newport Beach

Yes, the food is good. In fact, if you happen to be staying over a holiday, look for special brunches and meal services and book them in advance. Here’s an overview of the multiple dining options.

Tree Shack Pool Bar & Grill

A 2 p.m. arrival after multiple games with an elite volleyball player meant that we dropped our bags and went straight to the pool restaurant.

It was buzzing with activity and locals enjoying a champagne-filled late afternoon lunch in Orange County sunshine.

It’s popular for al fresco dining with Baja-inspired snacks and refreshing poolside drinks.

  • Available: Throughout the day.

SET Steak & Sushi / Sunrise

Indoor/outdoor dining at SET / Pendry San Diego

Set is a combination of two great things that go great together. It’s a sophisticated blend of a classic steakhouse and a modern sushi bar, offering premium cuts of steak, fresh sushi, and sustainable seafood.

  • Dining Available: In the evening for dinner and on weekends for brunch. The restaurant changes its name to Sunrise for daily breakfast.

Bar Pendry

It’s a pretty big, open bar area with a stylish round bar that displays glasses and liquor bottles. and intimate with handcrafted cocktails, fine wines, and small plates. Live music and VIP table service elevate the experience.

  • Open: Afternoons into the late evening.

Look for the morning Coffee Bar here that serves coffee drinks, pastries, overnight oats, and other grab-and-go breakfast items.

In-Room Dining

Our dinner room service tray with salad on top.
It arrived on time and was very good.

Enjoy a 24-hour California-inspired menu, from Eggs Benedict to Filet Mignon, served with care in the room. We also ordered an early in-room dining breakfast that I forgot to take a photo of.

Amenities and Activities for Guests

Pendry Newport Beach made it easy to relax and stay entertained. From lounging by the pool, pampering in their nice steam room, to exploring the area on a complimentary bike, the amenities offered something for every mood.

Outdoor Swimming Pool

pool view at pendry newport beach hotel
It’s not a huge pool but it’s a nice one / Pendry Newport BEach

Lined with private cabanas available for rent, the outdoor pool area is a popular place to unwind. It was busy here during our stay. They did a nice job of getting a lot of lounge chairs into the space. Plenty of umbrellas helped, too. You can order drinks and food to your chair.

Spa Pendry and Fitness Center

Next time, I plan to get a treatment at the full-service spa. You can also work out in the 24-hour fitness center. They offer free yoga flow on Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings for hotel guests.

The Elwood Club

Pendry Newport Beach guests can access The Elwood Club, which is otherwise for members only (an invite-only membership, too). This adds another dining option and even more activities to what’s already offered on the hotel side.

Paintbox for Kids

Montage (which Pendry is part of) is famous for its supervised Paintbox Kids Club. I’m glad that Pendry Newport Beach has one. Here, kids ages 5–12 participate in activities throughout the day and sometimes at night on weekends so parents can enjoy dinner alone.

Other Amenities

  • Complimentary e-bikes to ride to places like Balboa Island for frozen chocolate-covered bananas.
  • Cadillac program where guests can drive a late model car to nearby sights. It’s helpful if you don’t want to rent a car!

Awesome Newport Beach Location

Pendry Newport Beach is ideally situated near top attractions:

  • Fashion Island Mall: Just steps away for upscale shopping and dining.
  • Balboa Island: Accessible by complimentary e-bike.
  • Crystal Cove State Park: Perfect for scenic hikes.
  • Nearby Beaches: Quick access to some of Orange County’s best beaches. The closest beach is Corona Del Mar, about 10 minutes away by car.
  • Disneyland: The popular them park is about 25-30 minutes away by car depending on traffic.

Is It Kid-Friendly or Pet-Friendly?

We saw several smaller, well-heeled dogs during our stay. They welcome cats, too, for a $150 per pet one-time fee.

While it doesn’t appear at first glance to be a kid-friendly place, it is, with some caveats. I’d say the pool area is not conducive to loads of splashing or running around. There are kids’ menus, the Paintbox kids’ club, and the excellent Pendry service that makes family travel easier. Kids would be fine in any of the dining outlets we ate at or saw, except Bar Pendry in the late afternoon and evening.

How to Make Pendry Newport Beach Reservations

We use Virtuoso to book our clients into Pendry Newport Beach. The benefits include:

  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Daily breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom (up to $70 daily, per bedroom), served in the hotel restaurant
  • $100 USD equivalent Hotel credit
  • Early check-in / Late check-out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments