The 7 Best Luxury Hotels in Irvine

Round like an arena: The Coliseum Pool at The Resort at Pelican Hill Newport Coast measures 136 feet across, is only about waist deep throughout and holds some 380,000 gallons of saltwater; more than a million glass tiles, cut by hand, line its basin. It is reserved for resort guests; families also swim in the Bella Vista Pool, and villa guests have their own pool with a wading area.VEA Newport Beach · Newport CenterLooking over the fairways: At VEA Newport Beach the Edge pool runs 85 feet, and from the Edge Bar beside it you look over the greens to the sea. Pendry Newport Beach sets its loungers on a checkerboard deck; cabanas for up to six people can be booked.

For Disneyland days: The Westin Anaheim Resort has a heated pool with a whirlpool and five cabanas. If the pool is what decides your 5-star hotel in Irvine, tell us right away whether peace or family fun matters more.

Roman inspiration: The spa at The Resort at Pelican Hill Newport Coast is reserved for guests aged 18 and over. Women and men have separate lounges, and in each the Acqua Colonnade leads from the dry sauna through an aromatic steam room to a saltwater whirlpool; the salon works with Kevin Murphy and Dazzle Dry.

At no extra cost: you pay the same rate as booking direct with the hotel – the suitespot benefits come on top, free of charge.

At Newport Center: SPA VEA at VEA Newport Beach covers 14,000 square feet, with 14 treatment rooms, a yoga studio and its own saltwater pool with cabanas. With seven rooms, Spa Pendry at Pendry Newport Beach is smaller, including one for couples, steam rooms scented with eucalyptus, a chamber for cryotherapy and the signature Ultimate Facial. A poolside Wellness Cabana holds an extra-large sauna, and complimentary classes run every week.

In Irvine itself, Marriott Irvine Spectrum starts at 226 €. In Costa Mesa you start at Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa from 172 €, at Newport Center at Pendry Newport Beach from 380 €, and on Newport Coast The Resort at Pelican Hill Newport Coast begins at 732 €. Rates for your dates and availability at every luxury hotel in Irvine are in the hotel list that follows this section.

Always included: an upgrade subject to availability, confirmed at check-in, early check-in or late check-out when it works, and a welcome gift. None of the seven hotels asks for a minimum stay.

Breakfast: Breakfast for two is included at five hotels, among them Marriott Irvine Spectrum and Pendry Newport Beach; at Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa it is a continental breakfast. VEA Newport Beach gives a daily credit of 35 US dollars, The Resort at Pelican Hill Newport Coast 45 or, depending on the rate, 25 US dollars in the bungalows; villa guests breakfast for two at the Villa Club.Avenue of the Arts Costa MesaHotel credit: 100 US dollars come with The Resort at Pelican Hill Newport Coast, VEA Newport Beach and Pendry Newport Beach; on Newport Coast it cannot be used in the shops.

Points and status: Marriott Bonvoy applies at six of the seven hotels, for example Marriott Irvine Spectrum and VEA Newport Beach; Pendry Newport Beach belongs to I Prefer.

Irvine through the year: The sun shines here on most days of the year. Summer days belong to the beach, the ocean is warm in fall, and from winter into spring gray whales pass along the coast. For summer vacations and long weekends it pays to book early.

How long to stay: For a 5-star hotel in Irvine we suggest three nights, with a day each for the city, the coast and the pool or golf.