By JD Free | Travel Contributor
In the rarefied coastal enclave of Newport Beach, where sun meets sophistication and the Pacific shimmers with promise, one hotel has swiftly redefined the region’s idea of luxury. Pendry Newport Beach, named the #8 hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure’s 2024 World’s Best Awards, is not trying to be the loudest presence in Orange County—it’s simply the most refined.
Newly opened and already defining a new standard for modern West Coast elegance, this 295-room retreat (including 114 suites) stands high above Fashion Island, merging the serenity of ocean air with the aesthetic confidence of Pendry’s distinctive design language. It’s a haven for those who travel deliberately: well-heeled creatives, executive escape artists, and families fluent in luxury.
✦ Ready to reset your view of coastal luxury?
Rooms & Suites: Calm, Considered, and Coastal by Design
Designed by Studio Munge, every room at Pendry Newport Beach is a subtle nod to the California coast—earthy textures, soft palettes, sculptural lighting, and bespoke furnishings that feel curated rather than manufactured.
Standard rooms feature Juliet balconies or patios, rainfall showers, and MiN New York bath amenities, while Corner Ocean Suites offer 660 square feet of thoughtful layout, wraparound views of the Pacific, and seating areas that beg for long, sun-drenched mornings with coffee and silence.
The rooms are sleek without feeling cold. Luxurious without being loud. They echo the brand’s design ethos: sophistication rooted in restraint.
Dining & Drink: From Riviera Style to Baja Breeze
The culinary experience at Pendry is both robust and elevated—clearly designed for guests who care as much about ambiance as they do about execution.
SET Steak & Sushi
The hotel’s marquee dining room is a dual-concept gem: a moody steakhouse meets a sleek sushi bar. Prime cuts, truffle-laced rolls, and a show-stopping $1,500 caviar tower tell you everything you need to know. The trellised garden patio is a magnet for well-dressed locals and globe-trotting guests alike.
Bar Pendry
This polished cocktail lounge anchors the property. Expect warm lighting, a marble oval bar, and cocktails like the Sicilian Blush—a botanical-forward concoction smoked tableside that somehow tastes like the golden hour.
The Pavilion
This all-day café captures California’s daytime flavors—avocado toast, fresh-baked breads, artisanal coffee, fresh juices, and plenty of open-air seating. Simple, sunny, and quietly elegant.
Tree Shack Pool Bar & Grill
Pendry’s take on a poolside cantina: fresh ceviche, crispy fish tacos, and mezcal spritzes. It’s easygoing but smart, with just enough of a beachy breeze to make you stay for one more round.
For those lucky enough to gain access to the members-only Elwood Club, three exclusive venues await: Viamara (a coastal Italian concept), The Pub (which includes a golf simulator), and The Cabaret, where live music meets martini service and old-world polish.
Wellness & Poolside Living: Subtle Indulgence in Every Detail
Spa Pendry
This seven-room wellness sanctuary is more than a spa—it’s a full-sensory retreat. Cryotherapy, eucalyptus steam rooms, and therapeutic CBD massages are just the beginning. Signature MediSpa facials (gold, platinum, or silver-tiered) speak to a clientele that expects more than lavender oil and low lights.
Pool Deck & Cabanas
Think checkerboard stone tiles, high-end cabanas with TVs and plush seating, and poolside service so discreet it barely registers—until your cocktail arrives with a citrus sprig and a linen napkin. It’s the kind of pool experience where everything is intentional.
Fitness & Movement Studio
Open 24/7, with Peloton bikes, Technogym equipment, and a calendar of complimentary wellness classes. Morning yoga with ocean views feels less like a class, more like a reset.
Design & Atmosphere: Chic Without the Noise
Pendry Newport Beach is a study in balance: classic without being old-fashioned, contemporary without trying too hard. Rich walnut woods, travertine surfaces, and olive-toned textiles create warmth. Local artwork and botanical touches connect the indoors with the surrounding coastal beauty.
Lobby seating areas feel like they were designed for conversation, not selfies. And every corner—whether it’s the library nook or the garden terrace—is bathed in natural light and intention.
Who This Hotel Is For
Pendry isn’t interested in catching every traveler. It’s tailored for those who already know how to travel well:
Professionals who mix business with pleasure and demand both
Couples and families who prioritize service, design, and discretion
Aesthetic purists who understand that real luxury is rarely flamboyant
Wellness-focused guests who want an elevated, integrated experience
Elites who see a members’ club as a sanctuary, not a social badge
Whether you’re sealing a deal over Wagyu or reading by the pool in your Pendleton robe, Pendry Newport Beach knows how to host the traveler who already knows what matters.
Final Thoughts: A Modern Benchmark for Coastal California Hospitality
Pendry Newport Beach doesn’t just meet expectations—it reframes them. It strips away the performative glamour so often seen in beachside luxury, replacing it with something rarer: thoughtful hospitality, nuanced design, and experiences meant to be savored slowly.
It’s less about being seen and more about feeling understood. And that, in today’s travel world, is its own kind of rare.
✦ Discover the coastal hotel everyone will be talking about—quietly:
Editorial Note: This article includes affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through Orbitz or Expedia—at no cost to you. All content and opinions are independently written and editorially reviewed.
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