![\"\"](\"http:\/\/theaposition.com\/traveltattler\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2011\/10\/SOUTHERN-CALIFORNIA-300x225.jpg\")
\nThe presence of water always calms and comforts me, so I was in heaven. Sipping ice cold spring water from an aqua-marine tinted glass handed to me by a waiter in a light blue tie, I could look through the ice cubes and the bottom to view the sea and, in front of it, a circular swimming pool \u2013 at 136 feet across, one of the world\u2019s largest. This saltwater splash lies in The Coliseum, a tiered stadium of restaurant seating, private cabanas and chaise lounges surrounding the pool and overlooking the Pacific. Pelican Hill Resort, built on 504 acres high above the scenic canyons of California\u2019s coast of Newport Beach, cleverly pulls the Pacific up from Crystal Cove State Park to its\u2019 204 bungalows, 128 villas and two Tom Fazio-designed, top 100-rated golf courses.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m 45 minutes south of Los Angels, but I expect an opera singer to break into voice around every corner. Pelican Hill, opened two years ago, features Palladian-style architecture and olive trees designed to make guests feel as if they\u2019re strolling though plazas in a Northern Italian village in the high renaissance period. The villas and bungalows, with as many as four bedrooms, present Italian linens and art, while the highlights of Pelican Hill\u2019s 23,000 square-foot Spa are warm Roman soaking pools, Tramonto (sunset) massage, and Body Gelato, using figs, pomegranate, honey and lavender.<\/p>\n
I found myself aching to speak Italian while dining al fresco on the terrace at the resort\u2019s rustic, Tuscan signature Andrea Ristorante. Dishes emerge from a temperature-controlled pasta room, except for the mushroom risotto, served tableside in the hollowed out center of a Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese wheel. Bellissimo!<\/p>\n
Pelican Hills extensive and varied facilities coupled with its\u2019 astonishing luxury and scenery makes it an inspiring, romantic place for a wedding. Villa guests enjoy the services of a butler and the resort arranges any custom requests, including luxury cars in your private garage, groceries in your kitchen, and even Christmas trees or family photos placed in living areas in advance of your arrival.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/theaposition.com\/traveltattler\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/34\/2011\/10\/Cal.-flowers-300x225.jpg\")
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A friendly margarita tasting at happy hour gave me a chance to meet some staff members and other guests on the evening of my arrival.<\/p>\n
The resort\u2019s slight drawbacks are that the pool closes at dusk in a setting which would make for a wonderful moonlight swim; and due to the canyon\u2019s geography, shuttles, though stylish, complimentary, and very prompt Mercedes busses and Cadillac Escalades, must be used between some of the venues and beach activities. Surfing, boating, kayaking, fishing, trips to Catalina Island, art galleries, and shopping at Fashion Island Mall are available.<\/p>\n
Both of Pelican Hill\u2019s epic golf courses offer views of the ocean and canyon. There may be no better view than the one down the driving range high up at the resort\u2019s golf academy. Top-100 teacher Glenn Deck, in his homespun manner, reminds people not to make golf too hard. \u201cI\u2019m result oriented. I won\u2019t confuse you. I don\u2019t teach \u2018the golf swing.\u2019 I work with \u2018your golf swing,\u2019\u201d Deck told me after an eye-opening morning lesson that resulted in immediate improvement. \u201cYou were making golf too hard,\u201d he explained, before teaching me why I should practice five-inch putts just before I head to the first tee. Grazie, Paisan!<\/p>\n
For more information, visit www.PelicanHill.com<\/a><\/p>\n Michael Patrick Shiels may be contacted at MPSbigshow@aol.com<\/a> or via www.TravelTattler.com<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"