we are planning a short visit to the coast for my brother's wedding. He lives in Huntington Beach, the wedding is at the Ritz Carlton-Laguna. Since that hotel is a bit too- too for the five of us (mom, dad, three kids)we booked a room at the Balboa Inn in Newport. Since the booking, I've read that the rooms can use a little sprucing up and now I am concerned that I made an oops! Choices were slim due to the size of our family. Trying to keep expenses down. Any input on the Balboa Inn would be great- we're leaving on the 15th.

Is that the "Balboa Club"? I stayed there a few years ago. It was perfectly pleasant, but it was no Ritz Carlton! Yes, the rooms could have used a little up-dating, but it seemed like a perfectly decent place for a family to spend a few days. It wasn't a dive, by any means. But, as I said, this was a few years ago.

Any chance that it's the Balboa Bay Club hotel? If so, the entire facility is currently undergoing a major renovation. Lots of construction and limited parking (they do have valet parking). But it appears that all of the hassle will be worth it in the end. Good hotel facility for a family since you can use the private beach. And there are a few big pools on site. It's a private club though and can be a bit on the snooty side.

Thank you for the replies, but no- the Balboa Inn is a different property than than the Balboa Bay Club. Which leaves me still looking for input. The Balboa Inn is, according to a write up "situated next to the beach at the Balboa Pier.

Thanks for any help,
Pam

We stayed there a couple years ago. It is a great location. It was for my daughter's 21st. She (and her freind) wanted some nightlife. We enjoyed the boat trip out of the harbour and the outdoor dining and beach. It was not a private beach though. It was at the rear of the parking to the public beach. It was simple, but had great character. I still remember opening the windows and the air blowing the white curtains. Be careful where you park though. If there is a suspiciously available parking spot look up.. are there birds perched there?

Thanks for the response. Since we are traveling with children (16,13,8)we are not particularly interested in 'nightlife" Could you comment on the appropriatness of this hotel for the kids? Thanks.

I am not sure exactly what you mean about "appropriateness" of the hotel..It is clean, relatively quiet. It has a simple courtyard. It is a white stucco with bricks look if I remember correctly. Get the room that faces the ocean for agreat view. The windows were not huge, but still very nice. Have fun on your trip!

Good morning-

I guess the term "nightlife" from this new yorker conjurs (sp?)an image that concerned me. Thanks for your well wishes and we are looking foward to a great time.

Pam

Message: DO NOT STAY AT THE BALBOA INN!!!. We had the worst experience. We paid $275 for a room they called a suite. ( this was low season It is higher in the summer) It was one room with any area for a chair, couch and a coffee table. ( this was low season It is higher in the summer) At 4:00 p.m. the bar opened and the juke box was playing so loud that the floor in our room was shaking. We asked to be moved. They moved us for two days, but on the third day they told us we had to move again because they rented the room out from under us. When I complained that no one told us that we were going to have to move on the third day, the desk clerk stated that we had a $425 room and implied that we really had no reason to complain as the room move since we got such a grat deal the first two nights. I asked if the room was quiet as we had our 5 year old son. She replied "I never had any complaints". At 4:00 p.m. the bar opened up and they started playing "New York, New York" so loud that it competed with the television set. (The windows were closed.) We asked if the bar could turn down the music and for the first time were told that the bar was going to have a live band that night. The desk clerk told us that there was nothing she could do to accomodate us. We checked out and went to the Huntington Waterfront Hilton. The balboa inn charged us for a full night and refuses to reimburse us.

The hilton was fine. It has all the amenities and is right across PCH from the beach. I love Newport, but next time we are staying in Huntington.


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I attended a wedding in Laguna last year and stayed at the Inn at Laguna Beach Hotel. It was fantastic! You might want to check out their rates: http://lagunabeach.com/innatlaguna/index.html we really loved the hotel, staff and the location. Have fun!!!

STAY AWAY FROM THE BALBOA INN!!! The ownership/management there are crooks. They are deceitful and fradulant. STAY AWAY!!!

franklyman, If you are going to pull up all these seven year old posts to gripe accuse the hotel of dishonesty, you at least should tell us the details.