Balboa Bay Resort - Newport Beach, California

Tyler S.

I would highly recommend this hotel! My family has stayed at both the club and resort for years and it never disappoints! From the location, the rooms, and the friendly staff it's always a 10/10. We spent the night last night and had the best time!

Make sure you stop by A+O restaurant! The bartenders Gabrielle and Cameron are amazing. Super personable, professional, attentive, and all around good people! Two employees who need to be commended for their exemplary service!

Also a big shoutout to the front desk and valets for their warm welcome and making sure we were always taken care of!

Robert B.

Comfortable room; excellent staff. A little pricey but on balance worth it. Would definitely recommend the hotel if you’re visiting Newport, California. Reserve a room on the Bay side of the hotel; the view is wonderful. Breakfast menu is well done.

Diane M.

My friend and I celebrated our annual spa weekend at this resort. All of the staff were warm and welcoming, from check in through the end of our stay. We highly recommend the spa, with extensive facilities. My friend found the steam room to be a great way to unwind, I enjoyed the serene waiting room that offered pre-treatment beverages and snacks, and we both loved our treatments. Marie, my massage therapist, was able to work out the muscle issues and made the experience a very therapeutic one. We look forward to returning!

Stephanie D.

I am writing this review to express my deep disappointment regarding my recent experience at The Balboa Bay Club/Resort. As a loyal member for 20 years, I have stayed and dined at the club countless times, always appreciating the level of service and hospitality. However, my most recent visit fell far short of the standards I have come to expect.

Prior to my arrival I specifically requested a one bedroom suite on the members side due to its location, its refrigerator and microwave, as I was traveling with my young granddaughter. I was assured that this room was reserved for me, and was specifically told the room was available. My written confirmation stated that it was a one bed suite on the members side. Upon check-in I was informed that it was not available. One can only assume that it had been given to another guest with a two day stay without giving me any prior notice. Instead of offering an equivalent alternative, I was assigned a room that was completely unsuitable, located on the public side of the resort, above the restaurant, where the noise and activity would have been disruptive for me and my granddaughter.

When I raised my concerns, I was offered the Governor's Suite, which was entirely inconvenient. Not only was it at the far end of the club, but it was also on the non-member side, tucked away in a dark corner of the resort with a view of the parking lot. I fail to understand how this is considered a "Governor's Suite." Had I been informed in advance that my requested room was unavailable, I would have made different arrangements or chosen not to come at all.

What was even more disappointing was how this situation was handled by the staff. Rather than making an effort to resolve the issue with professionalism and courtesy, I was met with indifference, even after speaking with both the club manager and the reservations manager. Instead of taking accountability, they placed the blame on me stating that room requests cannot be guaranteed. However, I was never told that it was not guaranteed, I felt dismissed and treated as an afterthought.

Given my long-standing relationship with the club, I expected better communication, professionalism, and consideration. This experience was both frustrating and disappointing, I was forced to drive back on the same night because of their oversight and assumptions. I sincerely hope that the club re-evaluates how it handles member reservations and customer service in the future. A side note this has happened before. It is very disruptive to the guest who believes they have reserved a certain room and are given something else.

I would not stay at this resort. Their staff is incompetent and you never know where you might end up.

Phil G.

We stayed at Balboa Bay Resort for eight days, including the Christmas Boat Parade, which was amazing! The hotel was beautifully decorated for the holidays, with festive lights and gingerbread houses creating a magical atmosphere. Our spacious room had stunning corner water views and a fantastic shower with great pressure and hot water.

While the stay was enjoyable overall, there were some issues. Initially, I was entitled to three boat parade tickets, but the hotel changed the policy, saying only names on the reservation could use them. I had to add my wife’s friend to the reservation to resolve this. Additionally, drink tickets were reduced from two to one, and the second drink spot on the wristband was removed. These small changes felt profit-driven, especially given our eight-night stay.

Housekeeping was also a challenge at first, with the room not being cleaned for four days despite the resort fee. Thankfully, the issue was resolved, and the staff refunded those days' fees. Everyone was super friendly and eager to provide a great experience, but the back-and-forth over minor issues detracted from the luxury feel.

That said, the waterfront location, breathtaking views, and overall resort ambiance were truly spectacular. The staff went out of their way to make the holiday season feel special, and the attention to detail in the decorations added an extra layer of charm. It’s clear the resort strives for excellence, and with a few tweaks, it delivers a fantastic and memorable luxury experience.

Lauren S.

The service, staff, and accommodations were 5 star. The food, wine, and Champaign were some of the best in the world. The server at A&O was informed, friendly and gave my children special care and attention regarding their meal. The room had a front lawn and access to a private beach with kayaking. I was very impressed and felt it was well worth the value.

Erika E.

Went here for an event and had a great time! Absolutely amazing food and incredibly kind staff. Everyone was very helpful and knowledgeable. I felt respected and enjoyed every moment I spent in the hotel. As a local, I find it puts my mind at ease to know that the Balboa Bay Resort is a great option for a stay-cation. Highly recommend this location for any occasion or vacation!

Cristian M.

I stayed at this hotel for a week, and despite my extended stay, they were completely unwilling to accommodate a simple 2-hour late check-out request. Their late check-out policy is at 11 AM, which is already quite early, but the worst part was how they handled it.

Instead of being understanding, they harassed me about checking out on time, making the whole experience unnecessarily stressful. To make matters worse, once I reached the front desk, they kept me waiting for 30 minutes because they couldn’t get my bill sorted out.