Newport Beach, a top summer destination with pristine beaches, boating, surfing, world class shopping and championship golf, just got more chic as Island Hotel Newport Beach recently completed a comprehensive, 18-month transformation, including a vibrant and modern new look, new conveniences and personalized services, and an engaging social scene with entertainment, craft cocktails and Southern California fare.
‘Island Hotel continues to set the very highest standards for luxury, service and amenities in Southern California, said General Manager Gerard Widder. ‘Although our new look is inspired by the prestige and appeal of Newport Beach, we have introduced contemporary boutique-like services and modern splashes of color to create a coastal ambiance of casual, fun elegance for today’s traveler.
‘Today’s traveler wants authentic, local experiences, said Lindsey Ueberroth, president and CEO of Newport Beach-based Preferred Hotels & Resorts, a brand that celebrates independent hotels. ‘The newly transformed Island Hotel now meets that need with a beach-inspired décor, convenient yet sophisticated services, regional cuisine and a lively coastal scene.
New conveniences and personalized services include: a new text concierge program; complimentary wireless Internet access; guest customizable mini bar; Keurig coffee makers available in all rooms and suites; a 24-hour Market Place featuring reasonably priced fresh foods, healthy snacks and specialty items; and the exclusive Island Club, a luxurious 2,000-square-foot lounge, strategically situated on the hotel’s 20th floor with sweeping panoramic ocean views along with a sophisticated environment. For $35 a night, Island Club guests can enjoy upgraded amenities including: continental-style breakfast and light evening snacks; beer and wine during the ‘Wine Down hour; curbside check-in; complimentary access to the Spa’s relaxation lounge and eucalyptus steam room; and complimentary dry-cleaning for up to four pieces of clothing per day.
Highlights of the completed transformation include: the new Oak Grill – an airy, light-filled new restaurant featuring a huge new 2,100-square-foot floor deck for al fresco dining from Chef Marc Johnson’s contemporary California menu; Aqua Lounge – featuring a 360-degree bar and interactive mixology format with craft cocktails and an expertly curated wine and beer list, as well as a rotating program of regionally known resident DJs spinning a blend of current and international music Thursday through Saturday; an updated resort-style pool area with a redesigned contemporary poolside bar, private cabanas and plush modern furnishings; a refurbished fitness center with new Matrix equipment and easy access to the pool area; and remodeled event space including the largest ballroom in Newport Beach and an indoor/outdoor Cabana Room with glass panels opening to a private, heated terrace.
All 292 guest rooms and suites now feature new vibrant pops of color – ocean-inspired aqua, brilliant sunset orange, coral, lilac and sage – to reflect the region’s coastal lifestyle. Accommodations sport bold, modern fabrics, rich woods, polished marble and California-inspired artwork against breathtaking ocean/coastal and canyon views.
The timing for the transformation is apropos, Widder added, as this year the hotel celebrates a 10-year milestone. The Irvine Company developed the hotel in 1986, but assumed management for Island Hotel Newport Beach in November 2005.
posted by Andrea Gonzalez 6/20/15
