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Pelican Hill Newport Beach, California
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Hotel comparison guide

Pelican Hill vs Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa

Pelican Hill is a five-star Newport Beach golf-and-villa estate with a Forbes Five-Star spa and a strong focus on golf, villas, and quiet luxury; read this if you want a high-end, golf-oriented Newport Coast stay. Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa is a large, family-friendly Marriott on the Dana Point bluffs with multiple pools, meeting space, and easy access to Doheny State Beach; read this if you want a full-service Orange County coastal resort that’s closer to Dana Point Harbor.

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Aerial view of Pelican Hill resort with pool, golf course and ocean at sunset.

Pelican Hill

Luxury · Golf-focused · Villas & Bungalows

Best for a luxury golf-and-spa escape, multi-bedroom Villas, and a quieter, resort-estate feel.

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Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa, Dana Point, California

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa

Full-service Marriott · Bluffside beach access · Large meeting space

Best for families or groups who want many rooms, conference facilities, easy access to Doheny State Beach and Dana Point Harbor.

Quick Verdict: Pelican Hill vs Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa

When Pelican Hill wins: choose Pelican Hill if you prioritize championship golf access, villa-style multi-bedroom accommodations, a Forbes Five-Star spa, private terraces, and a quieter, estate-style setting geared toward refined, leisure stays.

When Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa wins: choose Laguna Cliffs if you need a larger resort footprint with many room types, family-friendly pools, substantial meeting and event space, or proximity to Doheny State Beach and Dana Point Harbor.

Bottom line: both are coastal Orange County resorts south of Newport, but they serve different needs — Pelican Hill for upscale, golf-and-spa-focused getaways and multi-bedroom villa stays; Laguna Cliffs for a traditional, larger Marriott resort experience with easy beach and harbor access.

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Pelican Hill vs Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa – At a Glance

Side-by-side facts for Pelican Hill and Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa
CategoryPelican HillLaguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa
Overall vibeLuxury golf estate, quiet, resort villas and bungalow clustersLarge coastal Marriott resort on Dana Point bluffs, busier and family-oriented
LocationNewport Coast above Crystal Cove State Park; beach shuttle to Crystal CoveDana Point bluffs; about a 9-minute walk to Doheny State Beach and close to Dana Point Harbor
Size (rooms)332 rooms total (204 Bungalows + 128 Villas)378 rooms
Pools & outdoorsThree outdoor pools (including the Coliseum Pool and a private Villa pool); cabanas, cabana rules, and some adults-only pool space2 outdoor pools, 2 hot tubs, poolside bars and pool access ramps/hoist
Restaurants & barsMultiple on-site dining outlets including Andrea, Pelican Grill, Coliseum Pool & Grill, and casual cafésLantern's Edge plus a coffee shop/cafe and 2 poolside bars; 24-hour room service and buffet breakfast option
Spa & wellnessThe Spa at Pelican Hill — Forbes Five-Star, Roman-inspired spaces, fitness classes, and age restrictions (18+ for spa services)On-site spa offering massages, body treatments, facials, plus 24-hour fitness facilities and fitness/yoga classes
Meetings & eventsExtensive event venues including Pacific and Mar Vista ballrooms and large outdoor lawns (capacity up to 500); many dedicated event rooms18 meeting rooms and 50,000 sq ft of event/conference space (multiple meeting-room configurations)
Family-friendly featuresCamp Pelican kids' program, babysitting available, Villas that sleep families, complimentary beach shuttleFamily-friendly pools, babysitting (surcharge), water-sport activities nearby, and family-oriented room types
Accessibility & mobilityWheelchair-accessible paths, elevator access, pool hoist available, accessible parking and servicesMultiple accessibility features including wheelchair-accessible registration, paths, pool access ramp and pool hoist, accessible rooms
Known forGolf, villa accommodations, Forbes Five-Star spa, Coliseum PoolDana Point bluff/beach access, large meeting facilities, family-friendly resort services

A Look Inside Pelican Hill

Pelican Hill: rooms & suitesRooms & suitesPelican Hill: pools & beachPools & beachPelican Hill: diningDiningPelican Hill: spa & wellnessSpa & wellness
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Location: Newport Coast estate vs Dana Point bluffs

Pelican Hill – Location

Pelican Hill sits on 504 coastal acres above Crystal Cove State Park, with shuttle service to Crystal Cove Beach.

  • Close to Crystal Cove State Park and nearby Corona del Mar beaches.
  • About a 15-minute drive to John Wayne Airport (SNA).
  • Resort feels set apart with ocean and golf-course views across a large estate.

Pelican Hill is the choice for a quieter, estate-style coastal stay with easy access to Crystal Cove.

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa – Location

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa occupies coastal bluffs in Dana Point with short walks to Doheny State Beach and Dana Point Harbor.

  • A short 9-minute walk to Doheny State Beach and minutes from Dana Point Harbor.
  • Convenient for beach activities, boating, and Dana Point attractions.
  • Large property footprint oriented toward resort and meeting traffic.

Laguna Cliffs positions you within easy reach of Dana Point’s beach and harbor scene.

Rooms: Villas and bungalows vs many standard resort rooms

Pelican Hill – Rooms

Pelican Hill mixes 204 Bungalow rooms with 128 multi-bedroom Villas, many with private terraces.

  • Villas available in 2–4 bedroom layouts for groups and families.
  • Bungalows offer private terraces and resort views.
  • Villa reservations include breakfast at the Villa Clubhouse (coverage scales by villa size).

Pelican Hill is set up for multi-bedroom group stays and villa-style privacy.

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa – Rooms

Laguna Cliffs offers a wide mix of 378 rooms and studio suites with resort, pool, partial ocean, and ocean views.

  • Room types include Room, 1 King Bed, Ocean View and numerous mobility/hearing-accessible options.
  • Many rooms have balconies or patios and options with sofa beds for extra guests.
  • Rooms are arranged in a conventional large-resort layout rather than villa compounds.

Laguna Cliffs gives traditional hotel-room flexibility for families and groups across many room types.

Dining & drinks: Upscale Italian and poolside options vs single Lantern's Edge + pool bars

Pelican Hill – Dining & drinks

Pelican Hill provides multiple on-site restaurants including Andrea (Italian), Pelican Grill, Coliseum Pool & Grill and cafés.

  • Andrea serves Northern Italian-inspired cuisine with golf and ocean views.
  • Poolside dining is available at Coliseum Pool & Grill and Villa Clubhouse Pool & Restaurant.
  • Casual cafés (Caffè 2, Bungalow Caffè) cover coffee and light fare.

Pelican Hill offers broader on-site dining variety and several signature fine-dining options.

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa – Dining & drinks

Laguna Cliffs has Lantern's Edge plus a coffee shop/cafe, 2 poolside bars, and 24-hour room service.

  • Buffet breakfasts are offered for a surcharge; a coffee shop covers light snacks.
  • Two poolside bars support daytime resort activity.
  • 24-hour room service is available for added convenience.

Laguna Cliffs is focused on casual resort dining and convenient services for families and meetings.

Pools & beach access: Estate pools and private villa pool vs multiple pools and quick beach walk

Pelican Hill – Pools & beach access

Pelican Hill has three outdoor pools (Coliseum, Bella Vista, Villa Pool) with cabanas and some adults-only pool space.

  • The Coliseum Pool is a signature circular pool with cabana reservations and pool rules.
  • Villa Pool is reserved for Villa guests, and some pools are designated for resort guests only.
  • Complimentary shuttle to Crystal Cove Beach (beach chairs and umbrellas available by program).

Pelican Hill prioritizes curated pool experiences and a shuttle to Crystal Cove for beach days.

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa – Pools & beach access

Laguna Cliffs features 2 outdoor pools, 2 hot tubs, poolside bars, and accessible pool entry options.

  • Easy, short walk to Doheny State Beach for beach access and water activities.
  • Pool hoist and pool access ramp provide accessible entry at the resort pools.
  • Poolside bars and family-oriented pool areas support an active daytime scene.

Laguna Cliffs is a good pick for guests who want quick walkable beach access and family-friendly pool facilities.

Wellness & nightlife: Forbes Five-Star spa and classes vs on-site spa and 24-hour fitness

Pelican Hill – Wellness & nightlife

Pelican Hill’s Forbes Five-Star Spa features Roman-inspired spaces, signature Natura Bissé treatments, and fitness/wellness classes.

  • Spa services and facilities are reserved for guests 18 and older.
  • Daily Fresh Air Fitness classes (yoga, meditation, and fitness) are offered for eligible ages.
  • Spa booking is recommended well in advance due to popularity.

Pelican Hill caters to guests seeking a higher-end, spa-focused wellness program.

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa – Wellness & nightlife

Laguna Cliffs has on-site spa services (massages, facials) plus 24-hour fitness facilities and fitness classes.

  • Spa treatments include massages, body treatments and facials; spa services are available to guests.
  • 24-hour fitness facilities let guests work out at any hour.
  • Fitness and yoga classes/instruction are available on site.

Laguna Cliffs supports round-the-clock fitness access and a convenient on-site spa for typical resort wellness needs.

Who Wins? Best Pick by Travel Style

Best for golf & villas
Grand columned lobby rotunda with central plant at Pelican Hill.

Pelican Hill

Pelican Hill — championship golf access, multi-bedroom Villas, and a villa breakfast program.

Best for easy beach access
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa, Dana Point, California

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa

Laguna Cliffs — a short walk to Doheny State Beach and Dana Point Harbor.

Best for meetings & groups
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa, Dana Point, California

Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa

Laguna Cliffs — extensive meeting space (18 rooms, large conference square footage) and ballroom capacity.

Best for spa and luxury treatment
Tall decorated Christmas tree in the Pelican Hill lobby rotunda.

Pelican Hill

Pelican Hill — Forbes Five-Star Spa with Roman-inspired facilities and signature Natura Bissé treatments.

Frequently asked questions

Pelican Hill vs Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa: FAQs

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Which hotel is better for a family with young kids?

Laguna Cliffs is very family-friendly with family-oriented pools and quick beach access; Pelican Hill also welcomes children and runs Camp Pelican, but Pelican Hill skews toward a quieter, upscale estate experience.

Which resort is better for golf and spa-focused travelers?

Pelican Hill — it has on-site championship golf facilities, villa options, and a Forbes Five-Star spa with specialized treatments.

Which hotel is more convenient for Doheny State Beach and Dana Point Harbor?

Laguna Cliffs — it’s on the Dana Point bluffs within a short walk to Doheny State Beach and close to Dana Point Harbor.

Do both properties offer accessible rooms and pool access?

Yes. Both resorts list accessibility features and accessible rooms; Laguna Cliffs explicitly lists pool hoist and ramps, and Pelican Hill provides pool hoist and accessible paths.

More Pelican Hill Comparison Guides

Explore how Pelican Hill stacks up against other hotels nearby:

Pool cabana view with loungers and palm trees at Pelican Hill
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