JILL WEINLEIN

After graduating from UCLA, JIll traveled the world looking for unique destinations. She’s been writing about her travels for almost 30 years in various publications.

She writes a weekly restaurant review for the Beverly Press and Park LaBrea News. It’s inserted into the Los Angeles Times every Thursday and delivered to subscribers from Hancock Park to Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills to the Wilshire Corridor.

The Lido House Hotel in Newport Beach

BY JILL WEINLEIN

While walking into the newly opened Lido House at the gateway of Lido Island, the first thing I noticed was a pleasing scent. When I asked a front desk staff member about it, I learned its their signature scent called Golden Bamboo. Today more boutique and luxury hotels are creating their own signature scent to set them above the rest.

Located three blocks from the beach and near the Newport harbor, this Cape Cod meets Newport Beach resort sits on the site of former City Hall. It’s privately owned by Bob Olsen and a group of local investors, and managed by Marriott Autograph Collection.

The Lido House offers an on-site restaurant, spacious guest rooms and suites, a therapeutic spa, outdoor heated pool and spa, rooftop lounge, and complimentary bicycles.

The owner Bob Olson was inspired to build the stylish boutique hotel to mirror his beautiful Cape-Cod-style home on Balboa Island. As president and chief executive of Newport Beach-based R.D. Olson Development, he has had years of experience carefully crafting restaurants and hotels incorporating the quintessential coastal lifestyle, by blending with the community surroundings.

Walking to our guest room # 310 on the third floor, I admired the three story mural of a mermaid and octopus while exiting the elevator. Our stylish guest room was decorated in nautical blue and white colors with a splash of yellow in a pillow and cranberry-red doors. Inside the closet was a plush robe, security safe and blue flip flops (instead of slippers) with the Lido House logo. These blue flip flops can be worn at the pool area and spa. Guests are welcome to take these shoes home as a token gift to remember their Lido House adventure. The spacious bathroom offered a tub and shower combination with spa-like amenities. There was a sliding door to open onto a balcony with two chairs and a small table.

Amenities at the resort include the Mayor’s Table offering a lively bar and restaurant. It’s already gained a following with its focus on seafood and vegetable forward cuisine by Executive chef partner Riley Huddleston and Executive chef Janine Falvo. Guests can watch the chefs in action cooking in the large open action kitchen, or have a cozy dinner sitting in one of the marine blue upholstered booths. Trendy lights illuminate placemats the colors of the ocean and dainty green water glasses.

Another culinary option is inside Crew Coffee + Cremerie situated in the lighthouse on the corner of the property. Coffee, tea, bakery items and ice cream are available from the early morning hours through the evening. Guests can also order a hand dipped “Lido Bar”, it’s a unique take on the classic Balboa Bar.

Up on the fourth floor is Newport Beach’s only rooftop bar, Topside. This is where guest can sip champagne, wine and cocktails while overlooking harbor and beach views. Guests looking to stay active, can work out in the large gym with pool views, or take one of the complimentary bicycles for a ride around the peninsula and island. We rode to the Balboa Ferry and took it over to Balboa Island to shop and have lunch.

For those looking to unwind there are lounge chairs shaded under white umbrellas, and a heated swimming pool with hot whirlpool to relax, soak and soothe muscles.

The Lido House is a new “home away from home” when exploring Newport Beach, Fashion Island, Balboa Island and Rogers Gardens. 3300 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, CA 92663 (949)524-8500.