I’ve lived in Orange County a long time. Without completely dating myself, I moved here for college and never left. As a then-single 20-something through the years to today as a married mom of two middle schoolers, one thing has remained unchanged: Southern California’s coastal cities were then and are now of singular beauty and amenity, recreation and attraction.
One of our family’s longstanding choices for day-trip and “staycation” destinations is nearby Newport Beach - a world-renowned stretch of surf and sand that attracts tourists from all points around the globe. But these days - and certainly in these unprecedented times - it is local families like ours that are rediscovering this scenic seaside locale for family-friendly fun and getaway from the everyday.
One of our new favorite finds is the Newport Beach Hotel - where we felt perfectly in tune with the beachfront town’s long and sandy history. The property was built in 1904, just a year before the Pacific Electric Railway connected Newport Beach to Los Angeles. The hotel itself has changed hands a number of times - Four Sisters Inn began managing the hotel in May 2009. Its charm reflects the city around it, much like the picturesque waters of the Pacific just outside its front doors.
Each of the property’s 15 guest rooms and five spacious suites (complete with a kitchen, one or two private bedrooms and a separate living area are spectacularly appointed, with no detail left unfinished. Cool blue and white tones ensure that the California coastal ambience and aesthetic follows you wherever you are, and truly feel like a home away from home. Ensuring your stay is as safe as possible during these uncertain times, the hotel has been certified under the California Hotel and Lodging Association’s new Clean + Safe Program. The most stringent requirements and a dedicated staff make it an easy choice when picking a getaway location as we head into long late-summer days, or, like us, you’re looking for a safe option to take the family this fall when the kids are still home from school.
A complimentary continental breakfast each day (temporarily suspended due to Covid-19), and a myriad of restaurants within walking distance make a morning, afternoon, or evening stroll a true delight. Our family of four booked the Sailor Suite with the two-bedroom layout with a fully equipped kitchen featuring a full sized fridge, four burner stove/oven, microwave, and all the cookware we needed blend, toast or brew to our’s heart content. It’s so easy to see why guests have been flocking here for almost a century, and after spending a few sumptuous beach days with the Newport Beach Hotel as our “home base,” it’s certainly no mystery why this waterfront inn is at the top of our family’s fall retreat list. Reinvented and elevated - two words that bless the beginning of every new luxury escape.
The Newport Beach Hotel
2306 West Oceanfront
Newport Beach
(949) 673-7030
www.thenewportbeachhotel.com
