“Take a picture of the pool!”
She had a broom in one hand, a bucket filled with soapy washcloths in the other. I had a clunky DSLR camera slung around my neck, click-clicking at nothing (or maybe everything) from a nearby lounge chair. It was too early in the morning for swimmers and this woman, who still urged me to photograph the pool, was the only other person around.
“Did you take the picture?” She asked, genuinely concerned.
“I did, yes,” I assured her. “And I’ll take a few more.”
“Good. It’s very nice here but it’s even nicer on the roof.”
I told her I’d go there next and she nodded, satisfied I’d thoroughly documented the scene. Then she turned to leave, a warm scent of laundry trailing in her wake.
We were, together, at Lido House, the newly opened hotel and lifestyle experience that last month made its Insta-worthy debut on Balboa Peninsula.
It was only my second visit to this latest addition in the Marriott Autograph Collection but just like the first time, I was impressed. The nautical details, the potted succulents, the backlit wall of wine. Every piece of Lido House is a careful articulation of coastal refinement.
There’s also something to be said about a hotel endorsed by its effervescent cleaning staff at 10 a.m. on a cloudy Monday morning.
If you’ve been, haven’t been or plan to one day go, let this post be your editorial guidebook to the sights, sounds and sensibilities of Lido House.
Boost Spa
At Boost Spa, natural botanicals meet innovative wellness technology to create a revitalizing respite. Spa treatments include: seaweed wraps; customized massages; facials and skin therapies; waxing services and more. (View the Boost Spa brochure with a complete list of available treatments here.)
An appointment is required for all services. Call Boost Spa at (949) 662-6170 to book.
Here’s more about booking from Lido House: “We encourage our guests to schedule spa services in advance to ensure your ideal day and time of choice. Please either contact the spa directly or online. If you prefer a male or female therapist, please make your request known when scheduling your treatment.”
Crew Coffee + Cremerie
A boutique coffee shop attached to Lido House, Crew Coffee + Cremerie serves the same blends available at the hotel, plus several flavors of ice cream and chocolate-covered ice cream pops. The interior is more spacious than expected, with a high, domed ceiling, communal tables that offer plenty of seating, neutral tones that calm and relax, and everywhere, splashes of beachy décor.
Crew Coffee + Cremerie is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hotel
Lido House has 130 guest rooms that feature luxurious bathrooms and either Juliette or full balconies. Eight suites offer additional amenities, including an expansive living room with patio and a full kitchen.
The Presidential Suite lives up to its grand name with two bathrooms, a dining table that seats 12, a fireplace and an extra-wide balcony.
Five tri-level cottages epitomize beach house living, each with high-end appointments curated by a local Newport Beach designer and served by a Social Captain, assigned to help you navigate your way around the hotel and Balboa Peninsula.
Click here for room rates and view the Lido House brochure here.
Grounds
Walk around Lido House and you’ll discover that its exterior is as visually charming as the eye-catching design inside. Lanterns hang from thick-trunked trees, green turf lines the park-like grounds, geometric umbrellas provide shade from the sun and wooden chairs dot the space, ideal for a relaxing few minutes with a cup of coffee in hand.
While the hotel isn’t dog friendly, you’ll still find plenty of local pup owners in the morning, hanging with their dogs on Lido House’s lawn.
Mayor’s Table Pacific Pub + Kitchen
The signature restaurant at Lido House sits exactly on the site of the old Newport Beach City Hall, which explains both the monochromatic sea of mayors’ portraits and the name, Mayor’s Table. Much like the coastal decorations, the menu at Mayor’s Table is focused on seafood and includes an elaborate raw bar.
Mayor’s Table also has a private dining room, a chef’s table, an open-action kitchen, and outdoor seating ideal for day or nighttime libations. (We’re big fans of the time-worn books and framed photos that add warm touches of nostalgia in subtle corners of the brand-new eatery.)
Food tip: If you’re an avocado aficionado—and really, who isn’t these days?—we recommend the crispy avocado on Calabrian chili mayo with puffed corn and chili tendrils.
Cocktail tip: The wine list is extensively impressive and the cocktail program at Lido House is sophisticated and robust. (A swoon-worthy wooden bar occupies one end of the restaurant.) If you’re planning to have a drink on the weekend, arrive early. Like its rooftop compadre, Topside, the bar at Mayor’s Table is a scene … and for good reason.
Mayor’s Table is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.; and 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
View the menus:
Breakfast + Lunch Menu
Dinner Menu
Pool
Guests of Lido House can enjoy a refreshing dip in the saltwater pool or burbling hot tub; relax on a bevy of sleek, chaise lounges; and find shade under luxe cabanas … all while sipping on craft cocktails from Mayor’s Table mixologists.
Shuttle
Shuttle service is available to transport guests to nearby locations on Balboa Peninsula. Inquire at the front desk for additional information.
Topside Roof Deck
Topside is (most obviously) a beach-inspired oasis on the top of Lido House. The rooftop bar and lounge boasts ocean views, pool views and everywhere, boho-chic design. Play shuffleboard, chill by warm fire pits or amble to a domed-seating area that offers 360-degree views of Balboa Peninsula’s charm.
Hours for Topside:
Thursday & Friday: 4 p.m. – close and Saturday & Sunday: 2 p.m. – close
Dress Code via Lido House:
“Please no tank tops or board shorts.”
Of note: Topside tends to get crowded on the weekends and for Friday and Saturday night, Lido House has instituted a system for non-guests to visit the rooftop bar. A host stands outside at a small counter and requests a cell phone number from each party. Lido House will text the designated number when it is time for the party to return, receive a bracelet and ride the elevator to the rooftop bar. The line moves quickly to reserve a spot, though wait times can take up to an hour. We highly recommend heading to Mayor’s Table for a glass of vino; the wine makes the wait worthwhile.
Click here for Lido House room reservations: Book a Room
