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Pelican Hill Newport Beach, California
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Hotel comparison guide

Pelican Hill vs The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel

Pelican Hill is a sprawling, five-star Newport Beach resort centered on golf, villas, and a Forbes Five-Star spa; Pelican Hill suits travelers after high-end service, golf, and family-friendly spaces. The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel is a major-brand, beachfront Huntington Beach resort with direct ocean access and family-minded amenities; read this if you want a Hilton-branded, surf-town stay steps from the sand.

Updated · about 20 km apart

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

Pelican Hill

Luxury · Golf · Families

Best for upscale, golf-focused stays and guests who value a large luxury spa and villa-style accommodations.

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The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel, Huntington Beach, California

The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel

Beachfront · Big-brand · Family-friendly

Best for travelers who want direct beach access, a large-brand experience, and active Huntington Beach nightlife and surf culture nearby.

Quick Verdict: Pelican Hill vs The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel

When Pelican Hill wins: Choose Pelican Hill if you want an expansive luxury resort with villas and bungalow rooms, championship golf and practice facilities, a Forbes Five-Star spa, and a quieter, resort-retreat atmosphere above Crystal Cove.

When The Waterfront Beach Resort wins: Pick The Waterfront when you want to be steps from Huntington Beach, prefer a familiar major-brand experience (Hilton) with family-friendly pool features, multiple on-site restaurants/bars, and easy access to Pacific City and Main Street.

Bottom line: Pelican Hill delivers an elevated, golf-and-spa focused luxury escape near Crystal Cove; The Waterfront is the practical beachfront alternative for travelers prioritizing sand-and-surf access and Hilton-style consistency.

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Pelican Hill vs The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel – At a Glance

Side-by-side facts for Pelican Hill and The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel
CategoryPelican HillThe Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel
Overall vibeFormal luxury resort and golf club with villa and bungalow accommodationsMajor-brand beachfront resort with a lively surf-town atmosphere
LocationPerched above Crystal Cove in Newport Coast, near Fashion Island and Balboa IslandOn the Huntington Beach waterfront, a short walk to Pacific City and Main Street
Size (rooms)332 total accommodations (204 Bungalows + 128 Villas)437 guestrooms
Ages / family policyAll ages welcome; on-site kids' program (Camp Pelican) and family-friendly roomsAll ages welcome; children can stay free up to specified ages per property rules
Pools & water featuresThree outdoor pools (including the Coliseum Pool and Villa Pool) plus a whirlpool; cabanas availableTwo outdoor pools, three hot tubs and a waterslide; beach cabanas and sun loungers available
Beach accessShuttle to Crystal Cove; beach is below the resort (not beachfront)Direct walkway to water; hotel is on the waterfront (beachfront)
Spa & wellnessForbes Five-Star Spa with Roman-inspired facilities, fitness classes, and treatment rooms
Dining & barsMultiple on-site venues including Andrea (Italian-inspired), Pelican Grill, Coliseum Pool & Grill, and casual cafésThree restaurants including Cabo Wabo Beach Club, a coffee shop, poolside bar(s), and two lounges
GolfOn-site championship golf course, driving range, lessons and pro shopGolfing nearby (no on-site championship course listed)
Events & meeting spaceExtensive event offerings (multiple ballrooms and outdoor lawns; capacities up to 500 in some spaces)Meeting rooms and ballroom spaces suitable for weddings and events

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 vs Huntington Beach

Pelican Hill – Location

Pelican Hill sits on 504 coastal acres above Crystal Cove in Newport Coast, with shuttle access to nearby beaches and easy drives to Fashion Island and Balboa Island.

  • Perched above Crystal Cove State Park; complimentary beach drop-off and chairs/umbrellas.
  • About 9 miles (John Wayne Airport is the nearest airport) and a short drive to Newport-area attractions.
  • Large property (504 acres) offering seclusion and ocean views across golf fairways.

Choose Pelican Hill for a quieter, resort-focused Newport Coast location with beach shuttle convenience.

The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel – Location

The Waterfront Beach Resort sits directly on the Huntington Beach waterfront, a short walk to Pacific City and Main Street.

  • Address: 21100 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach; waterfront property with a walkway to the water.
  • Close to surf attractions like Huntington Beach Pier and the International Surfing Museum.
  • Preferred nearby airport: John Wayne Airport (SNA).

Choose The Waterfront if you want to stay steps from the sand and Huntington Beach’s surf culture.

Rooms: Villas & Bungalows vs Guestrooms

Pelican Hill – Rooms

Pelican Hill combines bungalow rooms and multi-bedroom Villas with private terraces—good for families and longer stays.

  • 204 Bungalow rooms and 128 Villas (two- to four-bedroom configurations) with private terraces.
  • Villa reservations include breakfast at the Villa Clubhouse for a set number of guests.
  • Complimentary Wi‑Fi, valet parking for Resort guests, and villa-specific services.

Pelican Hill suits groups or families who need multiple bedrooms and villa-style living on property.

The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel – Rooms

The Waterfront offers 437 guestrooms with private furnished balconies or patios and in-room fridges and flat-screen TVs.

  • 437 guestrooms; rooms include refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, and private furnished balconies or patios.
  • Pillowtop beds with premium bedding and complimentary wired or wireless internet access.
  • 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, and concierge services on site.

The Waterfront provides standard hotel rooms and suites with beach-focused views and practical amenities.

Dining & drinks: Resort fine dining vs Beach-bar scene

Pelican Hill – Dining & drinks

Pelican Hill offers several on-site dining venues from casual cafés to Andrea, its noted Italian-inspired restaurant.

  • Andrea (Italian-inspired), Pelican Grill (ocean-view casual), Coliseum Pool & Grill (poolside menu).
  • Multiple cafés for quick bites: Caffè 2 and Bungalow Caffè.
  • Private dining and multiple event dining rooms for groups and weddings.

Pelican Hill emphasizes elevated, varied dining with ocean and golf-course views.

The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel – Dining & drinks

The Waterfront has three restaurants including Cabo Wabo Beach Club, plus poolside and lounge bars for casual beach dining and drinks.

  • Cabo Wabo Beach Club among three on-site restaurants; room service offered during limited hours.
  • Two bars/lounges and a poolside bar; coffee shop/café for snacks.
  • Poolside food and drinks and options for casual beachfront dining nearby.

The Waterfront focuses on approachable, beach-oriented dining and multiple casual bars.

Pools & beach access: Resort pools vs Beachfront convenience

Pelican Hill – Pools & beach access

Pelican Hill runs multiple resort pools including the Coliseum Pool and private villa pool access; cabanas and pool rules are in place.

  • Three outdoor pools (Coliseum Pool, Bella Vista Pool, Villa Pool) plus whirlpool; cabanas available by reservation.
  • Coliseum Pool cited as a very large circular pool; pool hours and rules apply for safety and comfort.
  • Private Villa pool access for villa guests; some pool areas limited to resort guests.

Pelican Hill’s pools are a core part of the resort experience—best for guests seeking several pool options and reserved cabanas.

The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel – Pools & beach access

The Waterfront places you at the water with two outdoor pools, three hot tubs, a waterslide and easy beach access.

  • Two outdoor pools, three hot tubs and a waterslide; pool cabanas and beach cabanas are available (surcharge).
  • Direct walkway to the beach and beach sun loungers and umbrellas provided.
  • Poolside bar and family-friendly water features make this a good pick for active beach stays.

The Waterfront is ideal when beach access and family-friendly pool features matter most.

Wellness & nightlife: Spas, fitness and evening options

Pelican Hill – Wellness & nightlife

Pelican Hill centers wellness around a Forbes Five-Star spa, fitness classes and golf practice facilities.

  • The Spa at Pelican Hill is Forbes Five-Star with Roman-inspired Acqua Colonnade and age restrictions for treatments.
  • Complimentary Fresh Air Fitness classes (some age restrictions apply) and a Villa Clubhouse Fitness Center.
  • On-site golf, yoga, and curated wellness offerings complement evening dining options.

Pelican Hill is geared to guests wanting a high-end spa and structured wellness programming.

The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel – Wellness & nightlife

The Waterfront offers a full-service spa, fitness facilities and easy access to Huntington Beach nightlife and bars.

  • Full-service spa with treatment rooms; reservations required in advance for services.
  • On-site fitness center and 24-hour business center; bicycle rentals available on site.
  • Short walk to Pacific City and Main Street for bars, restaurants and evening entertainment.

The Waterfront mixes a practical spa and fitness offering with immediate access to Huntington Beach nightlife.

Who Wins? Best Pick by Travel Style

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

Pelican Hill

Pelican Hill — on-site championship golf, driving range, lessons, and tee-time services.

Best for beachfront stays
The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel, Huntington Beach, California

The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel

The Waterfront — direct walkway to the water and immediate access to Huntington Beach.

Best for spa-focused relaxation
Tall decorated Christmas tree in the Pelican Hill lobby rotunda.

Pelican Hill

Pelican Hill — Forbes Five-Star spa with Roman-style facilities and a broad wellness program.

Best for big-brand families
The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel, Huntington Beach, California

The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel

The Waterfront — Hilton-branded consistency, family-friendly pools, waterslide and on-site childcare options (surcharge).

Frequently asked questions

Pelican Hill vs The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel: FAQs

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Which hotel is closer to the beach?

The Waterfront is beachfront with a walkway to the water; Pelican Hill sits above Crystal Cove and uses a shuttle to reach the beach.

Which property is better for golf?

Pelican Hill — it hosts a championship golf club and on-site practice facilities and lessons.

Are both hotels family-friendly?

Yes. Pelican Hill offers dedicated kids’ programming (Camp Pelican) and family villas; The Waterfront has family-oriented pools, a waterslide, and childcare services (surcharge).

Do both properties have spas?

Yes — both have full-service spas; Pelican Hill’s spa carries a Forbes Five-Star rating.

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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