Best Family Hotels in Newport Beach

Situated in Newport Beach, California, about 50 miles southeast of Los Angeles, the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach completed a $15 million renovation in May 2013. Its location in southern California also puts it near Disneyland and the popular shopping complex, Fashion Island. The hotel features 407 rooms, each of which is appointed with a patio or balcony, an iPod docking station, a minifridge and a flat-screen TV. Outside the room, on-site pursuits abound thanks to the hotel's plentiful facilities, which include several pools, tennis courts, shuffleboard, and a golf course. In terms of eating and drinking, guests can enjoy coastal cuisine at SHOR American Seafood Grill or sit down for coffee or cocktails in the Lobby Lounge. Apart from the variety of activities and amenities, previous guests say they love this Hyatt property's staff. Visitors noted that the hotel's employees were friendly, well-trained and went out of their way to assist guests. And, if you participate in the brand's loyalty program, you can accrue and redeem points for choosing to stay at this hotel.

Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, California, offers spectacular views of the water and passing boats. And while you're here, you can take full advantage of the property's maritime locale by renting kayaks, paddleboards or motor boats and taking to the seas. If you're more of a landlubber, get your fill of H2O by swimming in the outdoor pool, or get to know the area, which is home to many shops, golf courses and restaurants. But you won't have to go too far to find a good meal: The in-house Waterline Newport Beach restaurant offers fantastic (albeit pricey) locally sourced cuisine, while A&O Kitchen+Bar serves up more casual fare like burgers and sandwiches. Visitors rave about the rooms – the bedding, the size, the balconies – and the service. Some recent guests do observe that the resort caters mostly to the moneyed, 40-and-older crowd, with its high prices and subdued atmosphere.

Shoppers and golfers should be pleased with this Marriott because it's sandwiched between the Newport Beach Country Club and Fashion Island shopping center in Newport Beach, California. And guest rooms meet the needs of discerning visitors – accommodations house marble bathrooms (with glass-enclosed showers), plasma TVs and pillow-top beds, while boasting desirable views of the Pacific, the Newport Beach Yacht Harbor or the golf course. But not all guests are impressed: Some travelers complain that steep fees for internet use and parking can add up quickly. However, members of the Marriott Bonvoy program can save on extra fees by using accumulated points to cover the tab. Meanwhile, on the premises you will find two heated pools, a steakhouse, a spa and a Starbucks Marketplace – all features that customers do enjoy.