History

The History of Balboa Bay Resort

Some addresses collect stories. Since 1948, this stretch of Newport Bay has been one of them, from a private social club to one of the most storied waterfront hotels in Newport Beach. This is how it happened.

A historic image of Balboa Bay Club with ladies enjoying the water, Newport Beach, California

1948

Where It Began

The Balboa Bay Club

The Balboa Bay Club opened on the water in 1948 as a private social club. The marina, the members and the salt air set the tone of enjoyment the resort still keeps today.

Butler serving ladies on the beach, Newport Beach, California

THE GOLDEN YEARS

Hollywood on the Bay

A Members-Only Era

Garbo, Gable, Bogart, Bacall, Bing Crosby and John Wayne kept boats and tables here. Three sitting presidents passed through too, drawn to a club that valued privacy over spectacle.

Waterfront view of Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, California

2003

Opening the Doors

From Club to Resort

In May 2003, the 159-room resort opened to the public for the first time, pairing the old club with a 130-slip marina, waterfront pools, a spa and multiple dining outlets.

Elegant hotel lobby, Newport Beach, California

2026

A Fresh Chapter

Timeless Newport Beach. Newly Reimagined.

A thoughtfully planned renovation is complete—adding a brand-new lobby bar and elevating our guestrooms and public spaces with refined design, modern comfort, and a renewed sense of coastal glamour inspired by Newport Beach’s storied past.

Host of the Coast private yacht on the water, Newport Beach, California

TODAY

Still on the Water

A New Era

Now owned by Eagle Four Partners, the resort holds Forbes Four-Star and AAA Four-Diamond status and is the only luxury waterfront hotel in Newport Beach.