Greer's OC

Balboa Bay Resort, Newport Beach’s only waterfront resort and a Forbes Four-Star and AAA Diamond destination, has completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of its guestrooms and public spaces. The project covers 159 guestrooms and suites, the grand lobby and arrival area, and a reimagined lobby bar now called Bar nineteen48, a nod to the year Balboa Bay Club was founded.

The club opened in 1948 as a private haven for boaters and Newport Beach’s social set. The resort welcomed the public in 2004 and has since hosted Hollywood stars, dignitaries and generations of members. International design studio DesignAgency led the new look, which blends Hollywood’s Golden Age glamour, Newport Beach history and the laid-back spirit of Balboa Island.

Inside the rooms, 159 guestrooms and 10 suites now feature white oak, walnut and burlwood furnishings, refined finishes, better lighting and integrated technology. Amenities include Frette linens, Nespresso coffee makers and L’Occitane bath products. Suites also come with Dyson hairdryers.

The lobby now works as a social living room, with warm woods, bronze accents, aged metals and oxidized finishes that echo the harbor. Rich neutrals mix with rust, coral, sage, turquoise and soft blue for a look that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Vintage black-and-white photography from Archiv-e hangs in the guestrooms, corridors, lobby and Bar nineteen48, tying the past to the present.

At the center of the lobby, Bar nineteen48 takes its cue from the amber glow of mid-century Southern California, with plush seating, rich textures and soft lighting. The cocktail program leans on the classics. Executive Chef Diego Bernal’s bar bites include baked brie on baguette, crispy chicken and caviar, Kobe beef mini burgers, tuna crispy rice and a Kaviari caviar experience.

Live music plays every Thursday and Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. Starting Friday, Nov. 6, high tea with light bites will be served every Friday and Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. by advance reservation.

Earlier this year, the resort also unveiled updated meeting and event spaces totaling 30,000 square feet with harbor views. Venues range from the intimate Library to the Grand Ballroom, which holds receptions for up to 1,000.

For more information, visit balboabayresort.com and balboabayclub.com.