Age policy, kids and family tips at Pelican Hill
Pelican Hill is an all-ages resort: children of any age are welcome, but the minimum check-in age is enforced (listed as 21 on several booking sites; Marriott lists 18 — confirm with the resort). The property offers supervised kids’ programming (Camp Pelican) and paid babysitting/childcare so adults can use the spa, pools, and golf facilities.
In this guide
Check-in, minimum age and ID
Standard check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is by 11:00 AM. A government-issued photo ID and a credit card are required at arrival.
The minimum age to check in is listed as 21 on some booking sites and as 18 on the property's Marriott listing; travelers should confirm the current minimum age directly with the resort before arrival.
Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or official guardian at check-in.
- Check-in: 4:00 PM (listed)
- Check-out: 11:00 AM (listed)
- Bring government ID and credit card
- Confirm minimum check-in age with the resort
| What to bring | Why |
|---|---|
| Government-issued photo ID | Required at check-in; minimum-age verification |
| Credit card | Payment authorization for room, taxes, and Resort Fee |
| Pet disclosure (if bringing a dog) | Must be declared in advance and a Pet Agreement signed |
Age rules for facilities: pools, fitness and spa
Pelican Hill has multiple outdoor pools (Coliseum Pool, Bella Vista Pool, and Villa Pool). Children are welcome but must be supervised — the resort policy specifies children under 16 cannot be left unattended in rooms, at pools, or in fitness facilities.
The Spa at Pelican Hill reserves spa services and access to spa facilities for guests 18 and older; salon services may have different rules. Fitness and Fresh Air Fitness classes are typically for ages 16+ (children under 16 must be accompanied).
- Coliseum Pool — resort guests only; cabana rules and hours apply
- Children under 14 cannot be left unattended in a cabana or at the pool
- Spa services and spa facility access: 18+
- Fitness classes: generally 16+; verify class restrictions when booking
| Facility | Age note |
|---|---|
| Spa and spa facilities | 18+ for access to services/facilities |
| Fitness classes | Typically 16+; children under 16 require adult supervision |
| Pools / cabanas | Children must be supervised; under-14s may not be left unattended in cabanas |
Kids’ programs and childcare
Pelican Hill offers Camp Pelican, a supervised day program for children ages 4–12 with arts and crafts, games, a children's clubhouse, and full- or half-day options. Camp Pelican typically includes lunch and snacks as part of the program (verify current details when booking).
Babysitting or on-call childcare is available for a surcharge so parents can book spa appointments, evening dinners, or golf. These services require advance arrangement and may have minimum lead time.
- Camp Pelican: ages 4–12, half- or full-day options
- Children’s clubhouse activities: ping pong, games, crafts, supervised play
- Babysitting/childcare: available for a surcharge — arrange in advance
| Program | Age range / note |
|---|---|
| Camp Pelican | Ages 4–12; supervised day program |
| Babysitting / childcare (surcharge) | Available by request; reserve ahead |
| Pool supervision rules | Children must be supervised; under-14s not left alone in cabanas |
Rooms, Villas and sleeping arrangements for families
Pelican Hill offers Bungalows and Villas in many configurations. Villa options include multi-bedroom layouts (Villa, 2 Bedrooms, Terrace; Villa, 2 Bedrooms, Ocean View; Villa, 3 Bedrooms, Ocean View; Villa, 4 Bedrooms, Ocean View; and garden-view variants) suitable for families who want separate bedrooms and living spaces.
Bungalow room types include single- and two-bed layouts (for example, Bungalow, Garden View (Terrace); Bungalow, Terrace, Ocean View; Premium Bungalow, Ocean View (Terrace)) and suite options with sofa beds that can accommodate extra guests. Confirm the bed types on the exact room type when reserving.
- Villa configurations: 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom Villas with terraces
- Bungalow options: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds variations and suites with sofa beds
- Villa reservations include breakfast at the Villa Clubhouse scaled by villa size (verify how many guests are covered for your specific Villa)
| Room type (examples) | Sleeping setup (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Bungalow, Garden View (Terrace) | 2 Queen Beds |
| Suite, Multiple Beds, Terrace, Garden View | 2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
| Villa, 3 Bedrooms, Ocean View | 3 Double Beds |
Dining, meal plans and family meals
Pelican Hill is not an all-inclusive property; rates generally do not include meals or drinks. Villa reservations do include breakfast at the Villa Clubhouse for a number of guests that scales with villa size (confirm how many guests are covered for your Villa).
On-site casual options include Caffè 2 and Bungalow Caffè for coffee and light fare; the Villa Clubhouse Pool & Restaurant serves breakfast for villa guests. Poolside and main restaurants (Coliseum Pool & Grill, Pelican Grill, Andrea) offer family-friendly menus but dress codes vary by venue.
- Villa Clubhouse Pool & Restaurant: breakfast for Villa reservations (7:00–10:30 AM listed)
- Caffè 2 and Bungalow Caffè: coffee and light snacks; hours vary
- Coliseum Pool & Grill and Pelican Grill provide poolside and family-friendly dining
| Dining spot | Family note |
|---|---|
| Villa Clubhouse Pool & Restaurant | Breakfast included for Villa reservations (check covered guest count) |
| Caffè 2 / Bungalow Caffè | Casual coffee and light fare, good for quick kid-friendly stops |
| Coliseum Pool & Grill | Poolside dining with kid-friendly menu items; cabana service available |
Practical family tips and safety
Reserve Camp Pelican spots, babysitting, spa appointments, and cabanas in advance—popular times fill up. Verify pool hours and cabana rules (no inflatable toys, no outside food/beverages, etc.) before arrival so there are no surprises.
Use the complimentary Crystal Cove beach shuttle and complimentary beach umbrella/chair service included with the resort fee rather than driving and parking at busy beaches; ask the concierge about shuttle schedules and seating.
- Book child programs, babysitting, and spa appointments at least a few days (or weeks) ahead
- Cabana rules: the property restricts inflatable pool toys and outside food/beverages at Coliseum Pool
- Children under 16 cannot be left unattended in rooms, pools, or fitness areas
- Confirm resort reopening/renovation notices for specific pools or dining areas if your travel dates fall during announced enhancement periods
| When to call BookResorts (site phone) | Why |
|---|---|
| Before booking | Confirm minimum check-in age, Villa breakfast coverage, and pool access rules |
| 2+ weeks before arrival | Reserve babysitting, Camp Pelican, spa treatments, and cabanas |
| Day of arrival | Confirm shuttle times for Crystal Cove and any last-minute child-care needs |
