Now that it is only a year away from the opening of The Resort at Pelican Hill I see that they now have a semi-comprehenisve website. It looks like they will also be going after the 5-Diamond Award from AAA. One thing it won't have, like the Montage and Ritz Carlton just south of it in Laguna Beach is the ocean front setting.

Does anyone venture an early guess as to where this will rank amongst California coastal hotels?

so its the Irvine Company's 3rd hotel after The Island Hotel Newport Beach and Hyatt Regency Irvine.

http://www.irvinespectrumnews.com/ab...tegory=17&cid=
"Ralph Grippo, formerly a senior executive at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company who has managed luxury resorts from California to China, is joining The Irvine Company as president of the resort division and managing director of The Resort at Pelican Hill™, the company announced today."

I don't think the location is all that great - up Pelican Hill Road & across PCH, airly remote from everything. The Montage & RC are right on the beach.

I've heard rumors about $1400 & up a night & 4 nt m in. stays - good luck...

http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/sectio...cle_597933.php

115 acres
204 bungalows
128 villas

thats pretty big for an all-inclusive. i doubt it will be very luxurious..

All inclusive? I didn't read that it was all inclusive...where did you get that information?
I would be shocked if it is not luxurious...with the competition in that area, and with the money they are laying out on the golf course alone...I'd be shocked if it weren't spectacular.

first sentence of 2005 article i just linked >
seems like they dropped the idea.

http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache...&client=safari
"How much will it cost to stay at The Resort at Pelican Hill™?
We have not determined rates yet, but we anticipate they will be comparable to other luxury resorts along the coast."

http://www.pelicanhill.com/

taking reservations from 11/26

villa promo >

http://www.villasofdistinction.com/villa/4072.htm

amex plat gets you a "gift basket of selected wines, cheeses and seasonal gourmet specialties" supposedly valued at $500. (centurion supposedly $750)

not sure if there is a separate promo for bungalow, bungalow suite, 2BR bungalow.

As an orange county resident myself, I would much rather stay at Ritz Carlton Dana Point.

Montage is OK, but the rooms are REALLY lame and conservative for the ridiculous prices.

St. Regis is also spectacular, but it's not oceanfront.

FYI trojanman apparently montage does let villa owners rent out.

http://www.exclusiveresorts.com/imag...FP_1_villa.jpg

Sorry my bad...I didn't realize we were referring to villa rentals only.

we arent, and i dont know what rates owners would want, but just thought you might be interested in the less lame accommodations.

Pelican Hill = Dumpy timeshire vibe with creepy massive circular pool -- guaranteed we'll hear about a drowning crisis in orange county on kcal 9 within the year. mark my words. Only reason to go is for the golf course, and then get out!

RC = NO! NO! AND NO! This place needs a revamp and a true reminder that they are "ladies and gentleman serving ladies and gentleman." It all starts when you pull in the... endless... parking lot... that goes on... for days. What an eyesore!

Montage = My favorite in the county and one of my favorite hotels in the world. The d�cor is not silly. It's awesome. It's got a classic California coastal vibe with creams and yellows that are perfectly complementary of the hotel's "montage" of California impressionist paintings. The pool is perfect. The service is perfect. They even leave hats on your dashboard when you're leaving. I love this place!!!!!

No offense, but what are you talking about?

1. Pelican Hill hasn't even reopened the hotel yet. How can you say it has a dumpy timeshare vibe?

2. RC underwent a full remodel a couple years ago and it is gorgeous, elegant, and modern. The service is VERY european and IMHO could not be better. I have never had a wait to get through the valet line, nor have I ever had more than a 1 minute wait to retrieve my car. St Regis on the other hand has RIDICULOUS wait times for valet, especially during sunday brunch hours.

3. I have been to Montage several times on business and pleasure. I have been in their $1500 a night Bungalow Suites and they are absolutely NOTHING special. Most vegas hotel rooms are nicer on the inside. Believe me, I've stayed in some amazing hotels (FS Tented Camp, Peninsula BKK, FS George V) and the Montage is NO comparison. The only thing I appreciate about Montage is that the atmosphere is significantly less stuffy than the average luxury hotel.

wow, even better than >
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost....14&postcount=7

http://www.villasofdistinction.com/C...ll_Special.htm

"Travel dates valid through 1/2/2009"

Exceptional property with a classically beautiful tall ceilinged main building with very attractive views of the golf course and ocean. Villas and homes attractive and extremely comfortable but not as stunning.