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If you’re a guest at The Resort at Pelican Hill, the concierge will do his best to book a last-minute appointment at The Spa at Pelican Hill. However, if the Five-Star spa is completely booked, resort guests have the option to book an in-room massage. But we recommend planning ahead, particularly during the summer and holiday weekends. Don’t take your chances here; it’s best to book an appointment at least a few days before you’d like to get your treatment. You’ll want to visit the resort’s website to get a good look at the spa menu as soon as book a room at this luxury resort.

When booking an appointment at The Spa at Pelican Hill, it’s best to plan well ahead of your trip during high travel seasons here, which tend to be summer and around the December holidays. Although the spa does have 22 treatment rooms, it books up quickly in the summer and you’ll want to make your appointment at least a few days ahead of time (although a couple of weeks out is recommended). To truly enjoy a relaxing experience at the Five-Star spa, be sure to arrive early and take advantage of all the facilities such as the steam room, dry sauna and whirlpool.

While there is no deposit required to book an appointment at The Spa at Pelican Hill, you’ll be asked for a credit card number to hold your reservation. If you’re unable to make the scheduled appointment, you must cancel at least four hours prior to your appointment to avoid cancellation fees. If you cancel within the four-hour period, you’ll be charged 50 percent of the treatment fee. If you don’t show up for your appointment, you’ll be charged 100 percent of the treatment cost. To pay for spa services, the Five-Star spa accepts all major credit cards, traveler’s checks, or your services can be billed to your room if you’re staying at The Resort at Pelican Hill.

In order to avoid cancellation fees, you must cancel at least four hours prior to your appointment at The Spa at Pelican Hill. If you cancel within the four-hour period, you will be charged 50 percent of the treatment fee. If you do not show up for your appointment at all, you will be charged the whole treatment price. The Five-Star spa accepts all major credit cards and traveler’s checks. Also keep in mind your scheduled appointment will start and end on time. (If you show up late, you won’t get the benefit of the entire treatment.) It’s better to be prompt (or early) so you can truly indulge in the experience.

The Spa at Pelican Hill and the adjoining resort were both built in 2008, so the properties haven’t yet been in need of major renovations. This spa is immaculate — you won’t find a thing out of place or looking the least bit aged. In fact, all the facilities are top-notch at the Five-Star spa, from the locker rooms stocked with travel-sized amenities to the over-the-top Coliseum-like pool. If it’s a Five-Star spa experience in Orange County you’re after, then The Spa at Pelican Hill is your ticket to luxurious pampering.

The Spa at Pelican Hill staff can coordinate a visit to the spa for a relaxing treatment, as well as a trip to the adjacent salon. At the Five-Star spa, you can choose from a variety of treatments that include massage therapy, body therapy, specialty baths, and skincare. Once you’ve had the chance to unwind, head over to the salon for final primping. Salon services include haircuts, hair styling, conditioning treatments, manicures, pedicures and makeup application. Men can enjoy the Barber Chair Experience for a lavish haircut and shave. You can walk away from The Spa at Pelican Hill feeling rejuvenated and looking your best.

When you enter The Spa at Pelican Hill, you’re greeted by a soothing water feature that evokes classic Italy, with a circular entrance area and high ceilings and pillars reminiscent of the Coliseum. The spa staff will greet you at the reservation desk, which features a tapestry backdrop depicting olive trees. While you’re waiting, browse the spa’s boutique — it carries a variety of skincare products from the Skinceuticals and Natura Bisse skincare lines, including a number that are used during treatments. After you sign a waiver and pay for your treatment, you’ll be escorted into the locker rooms and treatment area.

Your visit to The Spa at Pelican Hill will be personalized to meet one of three areas of focus: to replenish (restore balance, detoxify, rejuvenate); to invigorate (strengthen, energize, boost immunity); or to relax (de-stress, unwind, center). The spa menu designates one of these intentions to every treatment and it is up to you to decide which focus you need most. A famous quote from Leonardo da Vinci could summarize the Five-Star spa experience at Pelican Hill: “Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.” And, based on our experience, we would have to agree.

The Spa at Pelican Hill is located within The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, Calif. The resort, which was built in 2008, evokes the look and feel of an Italian seaside village and the spa matches blends effortlessly into this grand atmosphere. The spa is loaded with amenities, but these are the five that really stand out:

1. Gyms. As part of the spa’s Living Wellness Collection, fitness centers — located at the spa and the Villa Club — are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to traditional gym equipment such as treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes and weights, the spa also offers a variety of fitness classes that focus on strength training, cardiovascular exercise and flexibility.

2. Nail treatments. Getting a manicure or pedicure is no ordinary experience at The Spa at Pelican Hill. You’re welcome to don a spa robe and take advantage of your all-day access to the spa facilities, including steam room, dry sauna and whirlpool. The salon is warm and welcoming with soft lighting, music and comfy treatment chairs.

3. Food. The spa cuisine is both nutritious and delicious. A seasonal menu incorporates the freshest produce from local farms, with items such as herbal tonics and smoothies, as well as savory dishes such as beet salad. Wines by the glass are also available to accompany your meal.

4. Design style. The Five-Star spa facilities allow for a truly relaxing and indulgent experience. The indoor lounge area’s wall-sized water feature makes for a soothing ambience. There are several small dining tables, comfy couches and lounge chairs separated for privacy by soft, sheer curtains. The Acqua Colonnade features a Roman-soaking pool beneath a barrel-vaulted ceiling, an herbal steam room, and dry sauna.

5. The pool. The standout feature of the Pelican Hill resort is the circular Coliseum-like pool. It can be a luxurious experience for both spa and resort guests, particularly with its killer ocean views.

Upon checking in at The Spa at Pelican Hill, you’ll be escorted to the locker room and given a white, full-length, lightweight terrycloth robe. Kick off your shoes and slip into a pair of the white OKA b. flip-flops (which are 100 percent recyclable) to meander around the spa facility. The waterproof shoes can be worn in the shower and provide sure-footed traction in the Acqua Colonnade area. (The slippers are also antimicrobial and odor resistant.) The bumpy insoles were inspired by reflexology and gently massage the bottoms of your feet.

The locker rooms at The Spa at Pelican Hill provide all the necessities and privacy you need for a comfortable spa visit. The locker rooms are well-lit with soft music to create a soothing ambience. For your convenience, there are six bathroom stalls and five private showers. Each shower is stocked with complimentary shampoo, conditioner, body wash and shaving cream; a razor, washcloth and towel are also provided. The Spa at Pelican Hill also offers complimentary body lotion, contact lens solution, hairdryers, mouthwash, hairspray, hair bands and Q-tips. If you don’t wish to bare your body in front of strangers, private dressing rooms are available within the locker rooms too. For the safety of your items, you’re given a key to keep your valuables locked up while enjoying the Five-Star spa.

The Italian-influenced design of The Resort at Pelican Hill is reflected throughout the property, including The Spa at Pelican Hill. The stunning design was inspired by the works of 16th-century Italian architect Andrea Palladio. The resort, which was built in 2008, was created to replicate the look and feel of the Italian seaside in Northern Italy. The warm, soft colors of the spa are soothing with a beige and soft-white palette replicated throughout the décor, indoors and out. Smooth, soft textures create a feeling of luxury and old European style — this is the stuff of spa fantasies.

There are no views from the treatment rooms at The Spa at Pelican Hill, but we hardly think you’ll miss them. Instead, the rooms feature soft lighting, warm temperatures and soothing music. The ambience is peaceful and inviting, and flickering candlelight sets the mood. The facility has 22 private treatment rooms comprised of 17 massage rooms and five facial rooms. Before your treatment, it’s best to inform therapists of any medical conditions, such as pregnancy or hypertension, or concerns that may affect your selections. We recommend you check in 30 minutes prior to treatment to get a jump on relaxation — hit the herbal steam room, dry sauna and heated whirlpool to get the most out of your time at this Five-Star stunner.

Each and every guest at The Spa at Pelican Hill will be offered the choice between a male or female therapist. Your appointment time might need to be adjusted based on the availability of your preference (the earlier you book in the advance the better). Wearing underclothing is optional during treatments; however, most guests prefer to enjoy the experience without clothing. Before the treatment session begins, the therapist will assess your wants and needs to customize the treatment to best serve you. And your body will be professionally draped at all times during treatments to ensure privacy.

In the lounge area at The Spa at Pelican Hill, you’ll find an array of complimentary snacks such as fresh fruits, dried fruit and nuts to munch on while you Zen-out. The spa also puts a heavy emphasis on hydration, and accordingly, offers a variety of refreshing drinks. (There’s plenty of ice-cold cucumber-lemon water available to wash away the toxins.) For something warm and soothing, try a cup of hot tea, with an added shot of lemon or honey for a little extra flavor. Grab a snack, curl up on a lounge chair and enjoy the sounds of the indoor water feature at this Five-Star spa.

The therapists at The Spa at Pelican Hill have been personally trained by Steve Capellini, an accomplished author and massage therapist for 28 years. Capellini developed the treatments for the Five-Star spa and instructed the therapists on proper procedures to implement the treatments. Estheticians at the spa have been trained by representatives from Skinceuticals and Natura Bisse skincare lines, whose products are used during facial treatments and available for purchase in the spa boutique. If you’re interested in multiple treatments, you can even request the same therapist for the entire time you spend at The Spa at Pelican Hill — just be sure to make your request when you book your appointment.

Before or after your treatment at The Spa at Pelican Hill, you can easily indulge in a nutritious and delicious spa lunch from the Coliseum Pool and Grill. The seasonal menu incorporates only the freshest produce from local farms and features items such as herbal tonics and smoothies, as well as savory dishes like a beet salad and sweet items like sorbet and macarons. You can even order wines by the glass to drink with your meal at the Five-Star spa. Enjoy your lunch indoors in the lounge area or outside at the Coliseum-like pool.

As part of The Spa at Pelican Hill’s Living Wellness Collection, two gyms are available for your use, located at the spa and the Villa Club. Both gyms are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and in addition to traditional gym equipment such as treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes and weights, the spa’s gym also offers a variety of fitness classes that focus on strength training, cardio and flexibility. Classes include ballet, yoga, a Crystal Cove fitness walk and Bosu Blast. The Five-Star spa also offers Balanced Wellness Retreats. These flexible one- or two-day programs include fitness, nutrition, relaxation, guest speakers, meditation and spa treatments. They take place on a Friday or Saturday of each month. Itineraries vary slightly month to month and the sessions accommodate up to 20 guests.

The Spa at Pelican Hill does not have a private pool for spa guests, but you can enjoy the resort’s main pool. Measuring 136 feet in diameter and with an average depth of three feet across the entire pool, it’s quite a luxurious experience enhanced by ocean views. Inspired by the Roman Colosseum, it features terraced seating and more than one million glass mosaic tiles laid by hand. The Coliseum Grill offers a seasonal menu that incorporates the freshest produce from local farms, with smoothies, salads and sweets to keep you full. You can even order wines by the glass to complete the Romanesque experience.