70 HOUSTON LIFESTYLES & HOMES / JULY 2011

T R A V E L

By Elizabeth Anthony

For most of the year, Houstonians enjoygreat weather and proximity to someof the best lifestyle amenities available

anywhere, but when late summer rollsaround, many of us are looking for anescape from the heat and a respite fromthe workday blues. If the swelter of sum-mer has you craving a cooler climate andlonging for a diversion from the dailygrind, then a getaway to Pelican Hill onthe coast of California’s Newport Beachoffers the perfect place for you and yourfamily to play.Aside from the climate — which from

July to September ranges from lows ofmid-60s to highs of mid 80s — the resort’saesthetic alone is enough to lower yourblood pressure. Set on 504 acres on thePacific Ocean and built in the style of Italy’s Andrea Palladio (the mostacclaimed architect of the High Ren -aissance and celebrated for his churches,villas, palaces and other grand edifices)Pelican Hill has been internationally her-alded for its emphasis on detail unprece-dented in the resort world.In true Palladian style, Pelican Hill nes-

tles into the hillside along the sea, engag-ing and complementary of the natural

setting. A full range of distinctive Palladianelements grace and define the resortincluding rows of arched porticos, barrel-vaulted ceilings, multi-story entry rotun-das, graceful corniced columns that createtemple-like settings, gracious courtyardswith flowing fountains and archwaysframing vivid vistas of the sea. Ranked byTravel + Leisure as one their “500 World’sBest Hotels” in 2011, Pelican Hill proudlyimmerses their guests with the finest ofeverything.In fact, Pelican Hill can boast more than

one “Best of…” award. The Pelican HillResort, for instance, is ranked the topCalifornia Golf Resort by Condé NastTraveler readers and the two Fazio-designed courses are truly spectacular.Encompassing 400 acres that include 80acres of protected habitat, Pelican Hill GolfClub sets a new standard for green golfresorts with its environmentally-friendlywater management system. The luxuriousclubhouse, a signature restaurant,expertly-appointed practice facility, dra-matic architecture and a stunning naturalseaside setting provide a golf experiencethat will not disappoint.“This summer, Pelican Hill brings back

our popular PGA professional-led JuniorGolf Camps (July 11-14, July 18-21, Aug. 1-4, Aug. 8-11, Aug. 15-18) and launches ournew Women’s Weekend Golf Academy(July 9-10, Aug. 13-14, Sept. 10-11), in addition to continuing monthly half-dayworkshops and special guest instructionprograms,” said Steve Friedlander, generalmanager of Pelican Hill Golf Club. “Ourhighly rated instruction program, twoocean-view courses and ideal climatemake Pelican Hill the perfect destinationfor fun summer golf excursions.”Since its inception, The Spa at Pelican

Hill has been an award-winning destina-tion and 2011 proved to be no different.Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-DiamondAwards have honored The Spa for the sec-ond consecutive year. Evoking a 21st cen-tury wellness philosophy, this 23,000 - square-foot retreat echoes the same dis-tinctive Palladian accoutrements andrefinement as the resort itself. Guest amenities include a 28-foot-high

Palladian rotunda; flowing water and atranquil relaxation room; 22 private treat-ment rooms; men’s and women’s AcquaColonnades with herbal steam rooms,saunas and a regal Roman bath; and excep-

Pelican Hill at Newport BeachThe perfect place to play this summer

Tom Fazio Designed Ocean North course

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tional dressing areas with all the ameni-ties. A full service salon, boutique, spa-cious fitness center and yoga room alsooffer guests a variety of wellness activities.Spa director Liza Esayian shares, “The Spais so much more than a place to enjoy agood massage.” She encourages you toindulge in any of their natural, organictreatments (all the plants used at the spaare grown in California) along with theLular Italiano massage and the BodyGelato treatment to experience “the purityand effectiveness of the world’s most cel-ebrated traditional therapies.”Accommodations, too, at Pelican Hill

are extraordinary and lavished with lux-ury. Aside from the 204 Bungalow guestrooms and suites that offer relaxing andcomfortable spaces, including wood-beamceilings, Italian limestone fireplaces, deepsoaking marble tubs and more, there are128 awe-inspiring Villas that take inspira-tion from the charming hillside villagesof Italy. “The Villas,” says Ralph Grippo, pres-

ident of the Irvine Company ResortProperties, “feel as much like a neighbor-hood as they do a resort.” The two-, three-and four-bedroom Villas offer the ulti-mate in accommodations, with everyimaginable ultra-luxury appointmentand the most comprehensive and inno-vative service program of special ameni-ties, personalized options, pamperingand individual attention of any resort inthe world. Resident manager, Donald Stamets, con-

curs, “The unprecedented service — com-bined with the unequaled size, scope,quality and quantity of the Villas, the levelof pre-arrival planning, the around-the-clock staff, the exclusive Villa Clubhouseand pool area and the exceptional privacy— sets the Villas at Pelican Hill apart from

the accommodations at any other resortanywhere around the globe.”Dining options are available for every

mood and occasion, but guests can enjoyclassically prepared, Tuscan-influencedItalian cuisine and al fresco dining at theresort’s signature restaurant, AndreaRistorante. Led by executive chef JeanPierre Dubray and restaurant chef LucaCesarini, Andrea sources the perfect ingre-dients and implements time-honoredpractices and preparations to recreate thebest of Italy. Diners savor salads made with100-year-old Balsamic vinegar, delicatemilk-fed veal dishes, exquisite pastas madein a one-of-a-kind temperature-controlledPasta Room, sublime artisan-style gelatomade in the Laboratorio del Gelato andwine from a 1,200-bottle collection pre-dominately from Italy and notably a num-ber of vintages exclusive to Andrea.The staff at Pelican Hill has prepared

summer packages (available now throughfall), allowing you to maximize your vaca-tion playtime. For golfers of any experi-ence level, a variety of programs andpackages are available, including JustBring Your Swing for Three Courses, FourDays & Three Nights—designed especiallyfor the traveling golfer. If you’re tired oflugging your golf clubs through airportsand being hit with exorbitant baggage fees,this option allows you to travel light andenjoy Pelican Hill’s premium equipmentwhen you arrive. Spend four days andthree nights playing three rounds on 54Tom Fazio-designed golf holes, plus specialgolf perks like unlimited replays withouta forecaddie — starting from $1,795 perperson, based upon availability. For shorter stays, play two Pelican Hill

courses over three days with two nightsof accommodations — starting from $1,295per person, based upon availability.

For the ultimate summer escape, theever-popular Golf & Spa Experience fea-tures your choice of two rounds of golf atPelican Hill Golf Club, or two 50-minuteAmber Gold Signature Massages at TheSpa. Complimentary valet parking andInternet access are included — startingfrom $665, based upon double occupancyand availability.Available July 15-17, Aug. 19-21 and

Sept. 9-11, the Golf Academy Stay & Playincludes a luxurious two-bedroom Villafor a two-night stay, “Breakfast with thePro” at the Coliseum Pool & Grill, achoice of one of three half-day GolfAcademy workshops led by GolfMagazine’s “Top 100 Teacher” GlennDeck, and a round on one of Pelican Hill’socean-view courses — starting from$1,595 for a two-night stay, based uponavailability.For auto aficionados, The Keys to

Luxury Package invites guests to “putyourself in the driver’s seat” for sceniccoastal cruising in your selection of vehi-cles, such as Jaguar, Mercedes, BMW con-vertibles or luxury SUVs. Curbsideairport vehicle delivery and pre-pro-grammed dashboard navigation willhave you quickly on the road to yourPelican Hill getaway — in style and stress-free — starting from $695 per night, basedupon availability. Pelican Hill is a sanctuary of beauty

and sophistication that sets a new stan-dard and gives guests the perfect placeto play. “Andrew Harper’s HideawayReport recommends Pelican Hill as an‘Opulent Seaside Retreat,’” said PelicanHill Resort Managing Director GiuseppeLama. “If you prefer the best summerescape available, then look no furtherthan ‘Newport Beach’s own TuscanSeaside Village’ for luxury and value.”l

Ocean view terrace, Andrea Ristorante King Bungalow guest room Couples suite at The Spa

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