
Pelican Hill
Best for travelers who want a refined seaside resort with championship golf, a Forbes Five‑Star spa, and villa options for multigenerational groups.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Pelican Hill is a five‑star coastal resort in Newport Beach for travelers seeking a refined golf-, spa-, and ocean‑view stay. Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim, CA is a family‑oriented, 3.5‑star resort in Garden Grove built around an indoor water park—read this if you’re deciding between a relaxed coastal retreat and a kid‑focused stay near Anaheim attractions.
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Best for travelers who want a refined seaside resort with championship golf, a Forbes Five‑Star spa, and villa options for multigenerational groups.

Best for families who prioritize easy access to an on‑site indoor water park, family suites, and being near Anaheim/Disney attractions.
When Pelican Hill wins: choose Pelican Hill if you want a quieter, higher‑end coastal resort experience with golf, a Forbes Five‑Star spa, multiple outdoor pools, and villa configurations for larger groups.
When Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim, CA wins: pick Great Wolf Lodge when your priority is kid‑centered fun—an on‑site water park, themed family suites, many casual dining options, and proximity to Disneyland and Anaheim attractions.
Bottom line: both work for families, but they serve different needs. Pelican Hill is a luxury coastal getaway with wellness and golf at the core; Great Wolf Lodge is a purpose‑built family resort focused on indoor water‑park entertainment and convenient Anaheim access.
| Category | Pelican Hill | Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Refined, resort‑luxury coastal hotel and villa complex | Casual, family‑focused resort centered on an indoor water park |
| Location | Newport Beach / Newport Coast near Crystal Cove State Park and beaches | Garden Grove (Anaheim Resort area), close to Anaheim attractions |
| Size (rooms) | About 332 accommodations (204 Bungalows + 128 Villas) | 603 rooms, many family suites and themed options |
| Ages / audience | All ages; family programs like Camp Pelican (4–12) and babysitting available | All ages; explicitly family‑oriented with kid‑focused facilities |
| Pools & signature amenity | Three outdoor pools (Coliseum Pool, Bella Vista, Villa Pool) and a beach shuttle | Indoor water park (Great Wolf Lodge Water Park) plus children’s pool and waterslides |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple upscale and casual options including Andrea, Pelican Grill, Coliseum Pool & Grill, Villa Clubhouse, and cafés | Several casual restaurants and 2 coffee shops; Lodge Wood Fired Grill and pool/snack outlets |
| Spa & wellness | Forbes Five‑Star Spa (The Spa at Pelican Hill) with age restrictions (18+ for spa facilities) | Not published |
| Known for | Championship golf, luxury spa, ocean views, villa accommodations | On‑site indoor water park and large family suites |
| Parking & transport | Complimentary valet for resort guests; complimentary beach shuttle to Crystal Cove | Self parking and valet available for surcharge; water park access may be surcharge |
| Accessibility / family facilities | Camp Pelican kids’ program, babysitting (surcharge), family‑friendly pool rules | Wheelchair‑accessible public washroom and registration; lifeguards on site; family suites available |
Pelican Hill sits on 504 coastal acres above Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Coast, offering ocean views and a complimentary beach shuttle.
Choose Pelican Hill for a coastal setting, easy beach access, and proximity to Newport Beach attractions.
Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim, CA is located in Garden Grove in the Anaheim Resort area, near Anaheim Convention Center and Disneyland attractions.
Pick Great Wolf Lodge for close access to Anaheim theme parks and convention attractions.
Pelican Hill offers Bungalows and multibedroom Villas for couples and groups who want private terraces and larger living spaces.
Pelican Hill is best when you need villa space or private Bungalow accommodations for family groups or longer stays.
Great Wolf Lodge provides a variety of family‑oriented suites designed to sleep families comfortably and to pair with the water‑park experience.
Great Wolf Lodge is designed for families who want suite layouts and close access to on‑site water‑park fun.
Pelican Hill provides a mix of upscale Italian and coastal dining plus casual poolside cafés.
Expect higher‑end, varied dining focused on coastal and Italian‑influenced cuisine at Pelican Hill.
Great Wolf Lodge focuses on casual, family‑friendly dining with multiple quick and sit‑down options.
Great Wolf Lodge keeps dining convenient and casual to suit families using the water park and kid activities.
Pelican Hill’s pool program centers on three outdoor pools including the Coliseum Pool and a complimentary beach shuttle to Crystal Cove.
If you prefer outdoor lounging, ocean views, and managed poolside service, Pelican Hill is appropriate.
Great Wolf Lodge’s defining feature is its indoor Great Wolf Lodge Water Park, a paid amenity focused on slide and splash attractions.
Choose Great Wolf Lodge when an indoor water park is the main reason for your stay.
Pelican Hill emphasizes spa, golf, and low‑key evening dining rather than loud entertainment.
Pick Pelican Hill for wellness, golf, and quieter evenings.
Great Wolf Lodge focuses on family entertainment and casual evening options rather than formal nightlife.
Great Wolf Lodge suits families who want kid‑oriented activities and casual entertainment on‑site.

Pelican Hill — Forbes Five‑Star Spa, wellness classes, and age‑restricted spa facilities for adult relaxation.

Great Wolf Lodge — The indoor water park and themed family suites are the primary draw for kids.

Pelican Hill — championship golf practice facilities and higher‑end dining options like Andrea and Pelican Grill.

Great Wolf Lodge — many family suite types and a location close to Anaheim parks and convention venues.
Great Wolf Lodge Anaheim, CA is in the Anaheim Resort area and is much closer to Disneyland and Downtown Disney than Pelican Hill in Newport Beach.
Great Wolf Lodge is built around an indoor water park and is generally the better pick for kids who want water‑park access without leaving the resort.
The Spa at Pelican Hill limits spa services and facilities to guests 18 and older; some kid‑friendly salon treatments are offered for younger guests when accompanied by an adult.
Yes — both welcome children. Pelican Hill provides supervised kids’ programming (Camp Pelican) and babysitting; Great Wolf Lodge is explicitly family‑focused with suites and a water park.
Explore how Pelican Hill stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·