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Packing up on a whim’s notice used to be so exciting and effortless. I remember living in Edinburgh and Jason saying, “Let’s go to Brussels for the weekend.” Our impromptu trips weren’t limited to our time abroad. In fact, because travel was closely intertwined with his work, we often found ourselves in San Diego for several days…sometimes with very little notice. These days, it’s understandably more difficult to get away, particularly without adequate notice or time to plan, which is why we have been taking several shorter staycations both with and without our kids. We are fortunate to live in one of the most sought-after destinations in the world and I remember a day-trip to Orange County from LA felt worlds away.
Last weekend, my husband and I were offered the opportunity to take a staycation at The Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel and we JUMPED on it! Not only did we celebrate my husband’s birthday, we celebrated Mother’s Day with amazing food and a relaxing couple of days at this luxurious Newport Beach Hotel. Friends and family members are always shocked when they learn that we don’t have regular babysitting and if the grandparents are not able to watch our kids and they are not in school, we simply don’t leave them. So for us, a staycation makes the most sense logistically and financially. We can get away several times throughout the year for the cost of one elaborate vacation and enjoy more opportunities to connect as a couple, relax at the pool or the spa, and indulge our inner foodies.
Located just minutes from Orange County’s premiere destinations, the Fairmont Newport Beach is one of the county’s hidden gems. When I walked into the lobby of the hotel, I realized that I had in fact visited this same hotel for a spa day with my husband just a few months back. If you’ve ever visited a Fairmont Hotel, the almost immediate feeling is one of bliss and pure luxury! The staff was welcoming and attentive and the hotel felt cozy, despite it’s size which boasts 440 rooms!
Luxury Accommodations 
We were delighted to walk into our Junior Suite, which featured a comfy King Bed with a pillow top mattress, a marble bathroom with an awesome bathtub, a seating area where I was able to catch up on some reading and a private balcony. Our room overlooked the hotel’s pool and Irvine’s cityscape and while it might sound odd, I liked stepping out onto the balcony to watch the planes take off from John Wayne Airport (When I lived in LA, I used to sit at Dockweiler State Beach and watch the planes take off from LAX). If you’re curious, you can’t actually hear the planes take off when the balcony door is closed.
Even if you don’t opt for a suite, each room at the Fairmont Newport Beach offers a wealth of amenities including a flat-panel HDTV with DVD player, bathrobes, Egyptian cotton sheets and a feather down duvet, a Bose radio/CD player/alarm clock, and coffee/tea service. I personally like that I can feel pampered with these “extras” without having to pay for them.
Centrally Located Within Orange County’s Premier Destination – Newport Beach
Given the hotel’s central location, you could head to Fashion Island to shop and dine, Newport Beach to enjoy the the sun or any number of aquatic activities, North Orange County for a day at the Disneyland Resort or Knott’s Berry Farm, or Costa Mesa for an evening of live theater. When you check in, be sure to speak to the hotel’s concierge for personalized activity recommendations or visit the Fairmont Newport Beach’s website for suggested itineraries.
Quite Serenity to Relax and Recharge
Image: Fairmont Newport Beach
While my husband and I love to go and see and do, sometimes what we really need is some R&R. Their on-site spa and salon was deemed one of Southern California’s best Day Spas and I have to agree. My husband and I spent half a day at the Amadeus spa and felt incredibly relaxed after a therapeutic massage and some relaxation in their sauna/steam room. Be sure to check out the website since the spa offers specialty-priced packages.
Since we were in the middle of a heat wave here in Southern California, my husband and I spent a sufficient part of our stay at the Palms Pool & Cabanas. This area definitely feels tropical and glamorous…a delightful escape from our busy suburban life. The area features a sundeck with lounge chairs and private cabanas and the staff periodically walks around offering food and drink service. The heated pool was surprisingly warm however, Jason and I spent most of our time in the hot tub, which was generously sized. I could have spent my entire stay in that hot tub and have been content. One thing that I should mention is that the pool offers extended hours year-round from 6 am to 11 pm which is wonderful for early morning lap swims or late night relaxation in the hot tub.
Image: Fairmont Newport Beach
If you’re looking to get in a workout, be sure to visit the Health Club (complimentary for hotel guests) which features state-of-the-art Techno-Gym and Life Fitness equipment.
Award-Winning Cuisine
Some of Orange County’s BEST restaurants are situated in Newport Beach and given the Fairmont’s reputation for luxury, I would expect nothing less from their on-site restaurant bambú. Specializing in contemporary California cuisine, menu items feature speciality, locally-sourced ingredients. Wild-caught seafood, organic, free-range chicken, and specialty-cuts of beef are just some of the dishes you’ll see on the menu. Additionally, bambú offers a Chef’s Tasting Menu and Lifestyle Cuisine Plus menus to accommodate vegan, raw, macrobiotic, gluten-free, diabetic, and heart-healthy diets. We are total foodies and while we didn’t get an opportunity to dine at bambú, it’s definitely on our list of must-try restaurants! Because the hotel is just a few minutes from Fashion Island, we opted to dine at Red O Restaurant and this week, I’ll share why you won’t find Mexican Cuisine like this anywhere!
Night of a Thousand Dreams Sweepstakes!
Do you want to win your very own VIP vacation to Newport Beach? Visit Newport Beach is giving away 5 dream vacations! Here are the details:
Foodies’ Delight Getaway Entry Pool Prize: Two (2) night stay for winner and guest at the Fairmont Newport Beach, one (1) dining gift card for a Newport Beach restaurant, and a Flavors of Newport Beach food Tasting Tour for winner and guest (ARV $594).
Land and Sea Getaway Entry Pool Prize: Two (2) night stay for winner and guest at the Newport Beach Marriott Bayview, one (1) dining gift card for a Newport Beach restaurant, a Kayak or Stand-up Paddle Board rental for winner and guest at Balboa Boat Rentals (ARV $550).
Guys Getaway Entry Pool Prize: Two (2) night stay for winner and guest at the Radisson Hotel Newport Beach, one (1) dining gift card for a Newport Beach restaurant, and one (1) Sea Doo rental for winner and guest at Balboa Water Sports (ARV $808).
Family Fun Getaway Entry Pool Prize: Two (2) night stay for winner and guest at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, one (1) dining gift card for a Newport Beach restaurant, and a Newport Landing Whale Watching Tour for winner and guest (ARV $796).
Beauty and the Beach Getaway Entry Pool Prize: Two (2) night stay for winner and guest at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa, one (1) dining gift card for a Newport Beach restaurant, a Pure Blu Spa Massage for winner and guest (ARV $998).
Entering is easy takes just a few minutes! Be sure to enter before June 13, 2014.
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Images: Rockin’ Mama unless otherwise noted.