Historic club paves the way for new waterfront resort: Balboa Bay Club & Resort offers bayfront ballroom.

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall; Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood; Presidents Nixon and Reagan: since 1948 The Balboa Bay Club has been attracting glamorous celebraties, along with leaders of the social business and political communities. These notables enjoyed days spent on the water and nights filled with celebration. John Wayne even called this private, members-only oasis a home away from home.

Now the public has the opportunity to recreate this glodous past in high style at The Balboa Bay Club & Resort, which opened in May. The hotel shares 15 prime bay front acres-with the private club and carries the distinction of being the only full-service waterfront resort in Newport Beach.

The new resort has been built upon the same principles and offerings that members of The Balboa Bay Club have enjoyed for the past five decades: namely the ultimate Newport Beach experience. Surroundings and service are unsurpassed, as are the cuisine and amenities. Designed to take full advantage of the setting, restaurants and guest rooms open up to the bay at every opportunity; breathtaking views and sea breezes abound throughout the resort.

Retreat to a Tranquil Haven

As guests approach from Coast Highway, they marvel at the landmark cupola tower, a magnificent crowning touch on the Presidential Suite's exterior. Before being whisked away by a valet under the porte cochere, guests are greeted by an ornate wrought iron pavilion covered in red trumpet vines and accompanied by a soothing water fountain.

Understated elegance is predominant throughout the lobby. As guests enter, they are drawn to the interior with design elements that include a mosaic flooring of a mariner's compass paired to rich handmade wool carpeting, soft classical columns and cool stone floors in hues of beige and taupe. The space is perfect for relaxing in style on natural rattan lounge chairs adorned with plush cushions. A focal point of the lobby is a colorful wall-to-wall mural of sailboats off the coast designed by Newport Beach artist Bill Denham.

Guestrooms and suites feature spacious alfresco patios with chaise lounges and breathtaking courtyard or Newport Bay views. Each Is appointed with natural wood finishes paired to rattan furniture. Rooms showcase crisp white plantation shutters, tropical patterned drapes and art depicting the beach lifestyle. Marble and granite bathrooms with sunken tubs, magnifying make-up mirrors and picture-window-sized beveled glass mirrors also are an impressive addition, Comfortable beds with fresh white duvets filled with down and soft throw pillows lure guests to sleep.

Perks include imported in-room amenities such as French-milled cleansing bars, shampoos and conditioners, luxurious hydrating lotion, plush cotton bathrobes, and refrigerators stocked with refreshments/snacks and 24-hour room service.

Dining on the Bay

The new First Cabin restaurant is the main dining room of The Balboa Bay Club & Resort. Rows of French windows overlook the yacht-filled harbor and the alfresco terrace seating offers dining on the bay. Even the attire of the staff, custom designed by L&N Uniforms of Las Vegas, reflects a nautical theme.

The menu in the First Cabin, created by award-winning Austrian chef, Josef Lageder, Is based on innovative and seasonal California foods with a touch of continental flak The offerings are highlighted by the multitude of produce and ingredients abundant to the area. Fresh fish, chops and steaks are served, as well as salads, sandwiches and special entrees. Fresh fruits and decadent desserts created by in-house pastry chef Alfonso Cianciaruso complete this inspired California menu.

To ensure each and every meal exceeds expectations, only the finest ingredients from top suppliers such as Newport Meat are utilized. Since 1975, when Newport Meat was founded, its focus has always been on supplying meats of the highest quality and trim standards. Newport Meat offers the most extensive Kobe-style, Prime Grade, Certified Angus Beef[R] products and Dry Age Program in the Western U.S. The company also provides superb poultry, veal, pork, lamb and seafood.

Sip in a Little History

Enjoy a cocktail from the handsome mahogany bar, or select from a superb collection of wines by the glass in Duke's Place. This bar and entertainment lounge is named after legendary actor and former Balboa Bay Club Governor, John Wayne. Featured on the menu are various concoctions of his favorite libation, tequila.

You will find an extensive array of choices on the drinks menu at Duke's. Cocktails are concocted from favorite top-shelf brands supplied by Southern Wine and Spirits and Young's Market Company.

Founded in 1968, Southern Wine and Spirits Is the single largest distributor of wine, spirits, beer and other non-alcoholic beverages in the U.S. Young's Market Co., based in Orange, began operating in 1888. In 1933, when federal prohibition ended, the company began marketing liquor while remaining a major purveyor of food.

A waterfront hot spot, Duke's Place offers live jazz Monday through Saturday and is the perfect spot for catching a spectacular Newport sunset.

The Spa at The Balboa Bay Club

The journey to bliss begins in the encalyptus steam room and ends on a cozy couch next to the fireplace in the relaxation lounge. In between there are dips in a hot whirlpool or stops in the sauna, but the ultimate experience begins when a therapist beckons. Nine treatment rooms await with skilled therapists who deliver signature hedonistic experiences. Massages can be customized fur ultimate healing, utilizing heated stones, essential oils and techniques ranging from Swedish to sports.

Facials offer deep cleansing and treatment using Pevonia products. Get scrubbed and cocooned with an Aromatherapy Body Mask or Wrap, a Bay Club Body Polish or Glo Scrub or a detoxifying Valerian Herbal Wrap followed by a Vichy shower.

Since it would be nearly impossible to emerge from this utter relaxation for a workout, it is highly recommended that spa goers hit the first-class fitness facilities prior to treatment. State of the art equipment, racquetball courts and even a regulation basketball court and indoor gymnasium await those in pursuit of fitness. The spa is open to members of The Balboa Bay Club; resort guests can access the facility for a small day fee.

Tap into a Recreational Paradise

The full-service resort combines casual elegance with a relaxed Southern California lifestyle. Myriad recreational activities are on tap, from local beaches to nearby golf at Pelican Hill Golf Club and tennis at The Balboa Bay Racquet Club. Private boat rentals and charters can leave directly from The Balboa Bay Club & Resort's own docks, which were recently redeveloped by Bellingham Marine.

Bellingham Marine is the world leader in the design, manufacture and construction of marinas and related products and services. The company has installed more than 12 million square feet of floating dock systems throughout the U.S. and the world, including many high profile, landmark projects located In city waterfront centers.

Meet and be Merry

The Grand Ballroom on the first level can host everything from an important all-day conference for 150 to a lavish wedding banquet for 550. The catering department pulls out all the stops to assure a memorable meeting or celebration. The elegance of the California Riviera is evident in the design of the Grand Ballroom featuring intricately crafted beaded crystal chandeliers, damask wall coverings in gold and cream, Italian-style plush wool carpeting, beveled mirrors encased in mahogany and high beamed ceilings accented with wood crown moldings.

With 7,000 square feet of diverse meeting and banquet space, the Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 750 for receptions and 550 for sit-down affairs--perfect for business or pleasure with views of the water, swimming pool or lush terraces.

Adjacent to the ballroom is a companion pre-function space, a perfect setting for cocktail parties. The ballroom venue, an Ideal locale for Orange County's social events, touts its own service bar, coat check and a unique separate entrance off Pacific Coast Highway, offering valet parking.

Handsomely appointed smaller meeting rooms come well equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting and provide the latest in technology.

In addition to a choice of interior meeting space, there are several unique outdoor locations. The poolside Coconut Grove surrounded by palm trees Is an ideal spot far meals and outdoor sessions and the popular fountain area is perfect for the after-meeting reception. For a new choice, seminars at sea are a popular option aboard a chartered yacht that can leave from The Balboa Bay Club & Resort's private marina.

In Fine Company

The Balboa Bay Club & Resort is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, a global brand of the world's finest individually owned luxury hotels and resorts. Preferred considers top-caliber properties for membership that meet and exceed the high operational levels required by Preferred's Standards of Excellence[TM], , an award-winning, proprietary quality assurance audit that annually measures and monitors 1,600 aspects of a property's service delivery and facilities.

For more information or reservations at The Balboa Bay Club & Resort, call [phone] or visit www.balboabayclub.com.