Spanning more than 500 acres, the Resort at Pelican Hill suggests tranquility and wellbeing: olive-tree-lined pathways, ocean views and rolling coastal hills frame its 16th-century Italian Renaissance inspired architecture. Image credit: St. Regis, Marriott International
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts has introduced St. Regis Estates, an ultra-exclusive hospitality brand reserved for legacy-rich, leisure-led estates – rarified hotels defined by significant history, expansive grounds, and extraordinary amenities.
Born from a rising desire for privacy, authenticity and a deeper emotional connection to place, St. Regis Estates brings the House of Astor’s tradition of grand estate living into the modern era, St. Regis said. The Resort at Pelican Hill at Newport Beach, California will be the first St. Regis Estate.
“For the Astors, the founding family of the St. Regis brand, the ultimate luxury was retreating from the city to their country estates, where time with loved ones could be savored with exquisite ease amid settings rich in heritage and a rare sense of belonging,” said George Fleck, senior vice president and global brand leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, in a statement.
“That ideal profoundly resonates with today’s luxury traveler.”
Just as generations of Astors cultivated extraordinary homes both within the city and across the countryside, their retreat estates offered another expression of their lifestyle – places where natural beauty, refined simplicity and cultural connection created space for meaningful celebration, per St. Regis.
St. Regis is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio comprising brands such as The Ritz-Carlton and Luxury Collection.
Estate of mind
Each estate is selected for its historical resonance and extraordinary natural surroundings, then reinterpreted through the St. Regis lens.
Per the brand, this approach creates a residential sense of intimacy paired with architectural grandeur, cultural and culinary experiences that draw directly from the land and local stories, rare, estate-only moments curated for long, leisurely stays, and service that reflects the Astor family’s balance of warmth, discretion and finesse.
“With St. Regis Estates, we honor that legacy by celebrating each estate’s origins and creating escapes that bring people together to embrace beauty, connection and the simple pleasure of slowing down,” Mr. Fleck said.
“Each estate is chosen for its narrative power, architectural character, and expansive, cinematic setting, offering a more enchanted and deeply residential resort experience,” he said.
The Resort at Pelican Hill will introduce signature butler service and hallmark rituals such as afternoon tea and sabrage, each interpreted through a distinctly local California lens. Image credit: St. Regis, Marriott International
The first St. Regis Estate will debut next year at The Resort at Pelican Hill, A St. Regis Estate, unveiling a new era for the Newport Coast property.
Spanning more than 500 acres, the estate suggests tranquility and wellbeing: olive-tree-lined pathways, ocean views and rolling coastal hills frame its 16th-century Italian Renaissance inspired architecture. Elegant, residential-style bungalows and villas are set against Southern California’s dramatic natural beauty.
For its transformation into a St. Regis Estate, the resort is undergoing a refurb – elevating its Tom Fazio-designed 36-hole golf courses, reimagining all bungalows and villas with refined new interiors, and introducing a new world-renowned chef-led culinary experience alongside a Signature Bar and Lobby.
Additional enhancements include a renewed Coliseum Pool, a Roman-style colonnade anchoring The Spa, the debut of the Bella Vista Pool Caffè and Social Club, and an elevated Villa Clubhouse designed for longer, more leisurely stays.
IN KEEPING WITH the St. Regis brand ethos, The Resort at Pelican Hill will introduce signature butler service and hallmark rituals such as afternoon tea and sabrage, each interpreted through a distinctly local California lens.
Inspired by the legendary King Cole Bar, the reimagined Pelican Hill bar will feature a commissioned mural that reflects the estate’s sense of place.
“It is an incredible honor for Pelican Hill to serve as the inaugural St. Regis Estate,” said Kevin Kelly, general manager of The Resort at Pelican Hill, in a statement.
“This next chapter celebrates the resort’s ethos as a true sanctuary – a place where guests can experience the rhythm of Southern California through art, nature and gastronomy, elevated by the craftsmanship and service synonymous with St. Regis,” he said.
“We are proud that Pelican Hill will set the tone for the Estates collection, each hotel distinct in its history yet united by the same spirit of elegance, warmth, and care.”