VEA Newport Beach, A Marriott Resort & Spa — Hotel in Newport Beach

I just want to say this was definitely the best check in experience I've had in a very long time and quite possibly the best ever. I have been traveling for work for 19 years now and staying at hotels between one to four times a month. Some check in experiences are better than others, but most are very similar. I do have to say that Ms. Jocelyn at the front desk really made my day, as well as my whole stay.

Jocelyn was very attentive from the moment I stepped into the lobby and continued being so beyond what I expected. I had a very long day, wrapping up a production in Orlando at 3pm then going straight to the airport to catch a flight to LAX. After an almost six hour flight and a one hour Uber ride from LAX to Newport Beach, I was tired and hungry to say the least. She cared to listen to me, offer true hospitality and be as accommodating as she could.

During our conversation, she learned that my daughter's and my birthday was on the same day during the week of my stay and that I would be away from my family during that special time. After work on my birthday, I came to the room to find a beautiful charcuterie and fruit board along with some iced drinks and a hand written note. Wow!! What an amazingly pleasant surprise! It was a wonderful and thoughtful detail which cheered me up. Thank you so very much!

In addition to the great experience with Jocelyn, I feel that all of the staff at VEA really embody the Marriott core values. I had exceedingly pleasant experiences with the VIEW restaurant and bar staff, Encore staff and particularly with the banquets set up staff who worked diligently to make sure the conference rooms were ready for us. A special thank you to the set up managers and to my new friend Mr. Carmelo Gatica, who was a complete gentleman and super attentive to our needs.

In closing, I want to mention that during this past year I had the opportunity to stay at two five star resorts, both regarded as some of the top luxury properties in the nation. Everything was there, location, views, amenities, but they both lacked that five star service, hospitality and attention. These are things I found at VEA and the experience was far, far better than at those so called "five star" properties and for that I am extremely grateful and look forward to the next opportunity to stay at VEA Newport Beach. Hopefully next time will be for leisure...

From the moment we walked into the VEA Hotel in Newport Beach, it was clear this was a stunning property. But what truly made our stay unforgettable was Haylee at the front desk, a consummate professional whose grace, empathy, and presence quite literally saved our trip.

When we arrived, we were feeling completely deflated. I had booked our stay through the call center and was unfortunately given inaccurate information about the room size and layout. What we stepped into was not at all what we had envisioned for our special getaway. Disappointment quickly turned to frustration, and we were already mentally preparing to check out immediately and find another hotel.

Enter Haylee.

She was the first person we interacted with at the hotel, and somehow through sheer kindness, calm confidence, and incredible emotional intelligence. she completely shifted the energy of our experience. She listened to us with genuine patience, validating our concerns without defensiveness or dismissiveness. Her tone was soothing, her demeanor professional yet warm, and her attention to detail absolutely impeccable.

Rather than offering a rehearsed apology or a mechanical solution, Haylee took ownership, investigated the issue thoroughly, and worked with us to find the best possible resolution. It wasn’t just what she did, it was how she did it. With every word and gesture, she made it abundantly clear that we mattered and that our comfort and satisfaction were her priority.

What could have been a disastrous, stressful check-in turned into a moment of human connection and authentic hospitality. Because of Haylee, we decided to stay and thank goodness we did. The rest of our visit was lovely, but her kindness stayed with us the entire time. It became the tone-setter for our trip.

In a world where hospitality often feels transactional, Haylee reminded us what true service looks like. She exemplifies the gold standard of professionalism intelligent, composed, and full of heart. VEA Newport is lucky to have her on their team.

To hotel management: please recognize Haylee. She didn’t just do her job; she went far beyond expectations and turned what could have been a cancellation into a memorable, beautiful stay.

To fellow travelers: if you have the pleasure of checking in with Haylee, you’re in the best of hands.

Thank you, Haylee. You were the light we didn’t...

VEA Newport Beach I arrived on the beautiful property to see lines of incredible cars and some who’s-who inside..including a VERY famous boxer fighting that weekend. This is a very high class spot but really is amazing for anyone - solo travelers (like myself), families, couples, for business (tons of conference and meeting spaces), etc. I was assisted by the very friendly valet and concierge team. I got a complimentary fresh juice in the lobby during their Marriott Elite happy hour setup. I made my way out to the pool that was a really fun vibe and on this particular day (July 5th) had a DJ. They supplied plush towels, sunscreen, and even aloe. I sat on the overlook deck and got food from the bar (“Edge”). The burger and fries were fantastic! The bacon is the burger was super flavorful, toasty brioche (I think) bun, and a great portion of fries. I’d recommend! The bar itself is very spacious and has a cool screen above you showing an aquarium scene. As you’re right on the country club, I enjoy watching the golfers and the peninsula/ocean in the distance as I ate and lounged in the sun. The other restaurant inside was absolutely stunning with indoor and outdoor dining (with some fire pits - overlooking pool and scenery of golf court and ocean) but I didn’t eat here. The gym was amazing. Best I’ve seen at a hotel. Cardio machines, a lot of weight training and sports training equipment. The hotel room itself was beautiful. I had a direct ocean view king size room and my favorite part was the lounge chair by the window to enjoy my Nespresso (machine in room!) coffee and breakfast. The toiletries were divine and the bed was very comfortable. The decor was beautiful. In the evening, I enjoyed the most beautiful sunset and scenery from the chaise lounge chairs off the pool. The location of this hotel was awesome. I made many trips to Whole Foods (10 mins walk away), Fashion Island shopping center is right across the street, and enjoyed a long beautiful walk to the beach (60 mins). I wish I would have been informed by concierge upon check in about the complimentary bikes you can check out for up to 3 hours because I totally would have taken advantage. All in all, I absolutely LOVED everything about my stay at the VEA. It’s my new favorite hotel and I’d recommend...