The Resort at Pelican Hill

"How did the resort strike you on arrival?It has a luxurious Tuscan vibe, with well-manicured hills overlooking the Pacific, beautiful villas and bungalows, and Roman aqueduct-style architecture. At 504 acres, it's huge—so huge that you'll likely need your car to get to your room. It's also surrounded by 50,000 acres of protected green spaces. What’s the crowd like?You'll see couples on romantic getaways, girlfriends celebrating bachelorettes and bridal showers, and families with kids of all ages. The good stuff: Tell us about the digs.There are 204 bungalows (847 to 2,486 square feet) with interiors that feel like your rich aunt's guest bedroom. Think: plush reading chairs, rattan furniture, wood-beam ceilings, and limestone-framed fireplaces. Villas are next-level luxury; the two- to four-bedroom layouts clock in at 2,200 to 3,581 square feet. All offer ocean views, terraces, kitchens, dining areas, and personal butlers, plus access to the Villa Clubhouse, a cushy lounge with a pool, fitness center, and relaxation rooms. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?The bed feels very luxurious. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.Both the bungalows and villas have amazing deep soaking marble tubs. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Wi-Fi is included in the $40/day resort fee. Room service: Worth it?It's much what you'd expect from a nice hotel in Southern California: breakfasts like oatmeal ($17) and crab cake Florentine ($29), an all-day menu including sandwiches, salads, pastas, pizzas, and meats ($16 to $49). Anything to note about the staff?All the service here is above and beyond—hands down. Anything stand out about other services and features?Flanked by Roman-style columns, The Coliseum Pool is Pelican Hill's grand centerpiece; it's famously known for its glowing blue bottom, made from 1.1 million hand-cut glass mosaic tiles. It's surrounded by a series of terraced decks, private cabanas, and ocean views. The resort is also located a short walk (15-20 minutes) from Crystal Cove State Park, a 3.5-mile-long stretch of pristine sand, coves, and tide pools that's popular with surfers and sunbathers. Bottom line: Why are we choosing Pelican Hill?You get the stunning visuals you'd expect in Tuscany, no passport required." - Archana Ram