Resort at Pelican Hill

We stayed at Pelican Hill for a long weekend in the middle of a trip down the coast as we wanted to relax and enjoy the slower pace for a few days. Friends who live in the US, who have frequented Pelican Hill many times, recommended this to us as the premium place to unwind and enjoy luxurious surrounds. Loving the area as we do, we really looked forward to the experience. The positives were the staff - all very conversational, brilliant and personal service as you’d expect. The room was nice, some say dated, but to be honest we found it sizeable and comfortable. A few of the nights it was a bit cold so we put the fire on which was lovely. The toiletries were on point and we generally slept very well. The negatives for us were as follows: Food - really poor for this standard of resort. 3/5 maximum. I agree with other reviews who are simply baffled by the quality and finesse. It’s fine that it’s expensive, but it can’t be expensive and mediocre. The breakfast at the Colosseum in particular was just so dire that we went to Target and bought our own room supplies to avoid having it again. The tables were often all dirty and poorly attended, too. For dinner we drove out of the resort to avoid the food. Pool area - the pool itself is a wonderful shape and size, you’re not packed in with others when in the water, HOWEVER the loungers are all so close together, there is zero sense of privacy or luxury here, it’s like a spring break pool party with people all on top of each other. If you want a sunny spot for the day, you best get out there early, too. This is not premium. Beach - wow this was a waste of time. We were flabbergasted that the hotel would endorse use of the beach down the hill, it was honestly one of the worst beaches I’ve ever been to. The transport to go down and bags with towels and water is a lovely touch, but on arrival there are no loungers, nothing Pelican Hill… it’s just a public beach with a burger place. Admittedly the burger place looked good but we were so keen to get away, we caught the next trolley back. Others from hotel were similarly confused. Other guests - a lot of people use Pelican Hill as a day long party destination - I assume there are packages of some sort. These groups are disruptive and unpleasant in an environment of relaxation. To summarise, we are glad we had the experience but we wouldn’t return. It doesn’t feel like a good use of money to be honest. As European travellers we have access to amazing genuine five star luxury resorts which are set up for relaxation and a premium experience. As others from the UK have noted, this is missing here. Read less

My family and I rented a villa at Pelican Hill for the weekend to celebrate my mother's birthday. It was absolutely spectacular in every way- resort and views were beautiful, service was impeccable- we couldn't have asked for anything more. The 3 bedroom, 3 bath villa was spacious and luxurious and the ocean views unforgettable. I have stayed at 5 star resorts all over the world, and I was very impressed with their attention to detail and thoughtfulness. We spent time at Crystal Cove beach and shuttle service was readily available. The villas have a private entrance, clubhouse and pool which make for an exclusive experience. My family had a wonderful time and said it ranks as one of the best vacations they have ever taken. Thank you Pelican Hill for making my mom feel like a V.I.P. on her special day!! Read less

I stay here all the time. Sadly I have an emergency and have to drive back to LA because my dog is in the hospital. I tried to have them help me out with a refund or credit and basically they could not care less because it was booked thru a third party. I understand the third party would not reimburse, but they could have gave me credit for a future stay, specially since I stay here all the time, more like, since I USED to stay here all the time. Don’t get why people are not understanding of things that happen that are out of our reach. Read less

Exceptional service begins with extraordinary leadership, and Danielle de Beaubien exemplifies this at The Resort at Pelican Hill. As the Rooms Manager, her dedication to excellence shines through in every aspect of our stay. From the moment we checked in, Danielle's warm welcome set the tone for a truly unforgettable experience. Her attention to detail ensured that every aspect of our accommodation exceeded our expectations, from the luxurious amenities to the pristine cleanliness. Throughout our stay, Danielle's professionalism and genuine care for guests' satisfaction were evident, making us feel valued and appreciated at every turn. Her expertise in hospitality management is evident in the seamless operation of the resort, ensuring that every guest receives the highest level of service. It's clear that Danielle's leadership is instrumental in creating the unparalleled atmosphere of luxury and relaxation that defines The Resort at Pelican Hill. Five stars are simply not enough to commend Danielle and her team for their outstanding commitment to excellence. Read less