NEWPORT BEACH MARRIOTT REEMERGES AS VEA NEWPORT BEACH, A MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA, IN SPRING 2022
Following a top-to-bottom reimagination under the ownership of Eagle Four Partners and Lyon Living, VEA will bring a new luxury entertaining and retreating destination to Orange County
TL: VEA Entryway on Newport Center Dr.; TR: Lobby Lanai Overlooking the Pool Deck;
BL: VEA Pool Deck; BR: VEA Guestroom
Following an extensive transformation , VEA Newport Beach, a Marriott Resort & Spa, will officially debut this spring. Formerly the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa, the property is undergoing a complete top-to-bottom refresh, including new coastal-inspired luxury guest rooms, the introduction of two new suite categories, three newly imagined restaurant and bar concepts, a wellness focused spa and high-performance fitness center, expansive new indoor and outdoor event spaces, and a luxury destination pool experience.
“As Newport Beach locals ourselves, we are proud to present something created by the community, for the community,” shares Kory Kramer of Eagle Four Partners. “With the reimagination of the longstanding Marriott property, our objective was to create a resort experience authentic to the Newport Beach community, while being a California costal destination unlike any other.”
Translating to mean “see,” VEA’s namesake celebrates its defining ocean and city views of its location within Newport Beach, providing guests with a multitude to experience and witness. Situated above Newport Beach’s panoramic tapestry, the property is being created as a social sanctuary – a place to get away in the center of everything; a destination that while not far from main metro hubs in Southern California, still feels miles away from the busy city buzz. It will be a destination for socializing (with live music regularly, a vibrant pool scene, designer fashion experiences at nearby luxury shopping destination Fashion Island, and dynamic culinary experiences) but also for tucking away, whether in a solo retreat at a wellness suite or time spent at SpaVea. A captivating destination within an iconic city, guests of VEA will delight in a social sanctuary with views and experiences that embody the quintessential elements of Newport Beach.
DESIGN
VEA is being redesigned to focus on the most important aspect of the hotel: the ocean view. The vision for VEA is being brought to life by esteemed architecture and design firms HBA, Gensler, Burton Studio, and Houston Tyner Architects, featuring warm woods, muted neutrals, delicate marble, and sculptural glass for a high design without excessive complexity. “Eagle Four Partners and Lyon Living’s inspiration for VEA emanated from various international flavors and travels around the globe, establishing contemporary, cosmopolitan influences from the world’s greatest waterfront destinations,” remarks Kevin Martin of Eagle Four Partners. “This fuses seamlessly with the unique spirit of California’s own ‘Riviera’ to set the scene for a gathering place alive with both sophisticated energy and treasured pockets of tranquility. We are thrilled about debuting our transformation,” adds General Manager Debbie Snavely of Marriott.
“From an architectural standpoint, some parts of the hotel are being repurposed, while others are completely reimagined and transformed,” states Frank Suryan of Lyon Living. “An existing tower is being recreated from standard guestrooms to be made up entirely of premium rooms all with ocean views.”
LOBBY & PUBLIC SPACES
VEA’s lobby will be a place that brings the outside in, with folding glass NanaWalls on both the front and backside of the lobby, opening an entire wall of the space to create a truly indoor-outdoor experience. Upon arrival within the entrance oculus, guests will be welcomed by an impressive pier-inspired entrance with a massive circular waterfall that leads into the luxury lobby enveloped by stunning wave-inspired millwork with a view to the ocean beyond. In addition to a signature restaurant and lounge that opens up to the lanai area with golf course and ocean views, the lobby will feature curated, commissioned artwork and a European-inspired coffee bar and patisserie, which transitions into a wine bar in the evening with charcuterie and other shareable small plates.
GUESTROOMS & SUITES
All the guestrooms are completely redesigned for an ultimate coastal luxury experience, featuring soft, beach-inspired color palettes of tans, greys, and blues and minimal artwork to celebrate the main feature of the resort, the views. Other amenities and standouts will include firepits in select premium rooms, Frette robes and bath towels, crisp linens, luxury Molton Brown bathroom amenities, Nespresso machines, evening turn down service, and more.
The Four-Bedroom Group Suites will feature an expansive layout with a full kitchen with Bosch, Fisher & Paykel, U-Line and Perlick appliances, and a luxuriously appointed living room—all with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. These were created with group travel in mind, ideal for friends getaways, wedding parties, family vacations, corporate gatherings, and more.
The Wellness/Mindful-Focused Suites were designed to create the ultimate relaxed experience at VEA. Their décor will feature soft, muted colors and natural elements like wood, marble, and stone, as well as a spacious bathroom with spa products and a deep soaking tub with bath salts. VEA will not only be a destination for socialization, but also for ultimate relaxation, making these suites a great choice for travelers looking to unwind, experience additional wellness offerings beyond a typical guestroom, and seek some rest and respite.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
With the forthcoming of VEA will be three new food and beverage destinations:
- A spacious restaurant/lounge at the heart of the hotel connected to a lanai by collapsible glass doors that seamlessly blend indoors and out, featuring firepits, cozy seating, live music, abundant greenery, ocean and golf course views, breakfast/lunch/dinner service, and late-night offerings. Its cuisine will be Mediterranean in flavor and California in lifestyle, and will serve bites throughout the day with a beverage focus, including tableside martinis.
- A European-inspired coffee bar and patisserie in the lobby lounge featuring artisanal coffee with pastries and espresso drinks, which will transition into a wine bar in the evening with charcuterie and other shareable small plates.
- In the back of the property will lie a poolside terrace bar that represents the end of the pier overlooking the Newport Beach Country Club, with a menu of California-inspired favorites, including local fresh seafood, craft beers and signature cocktails (including a VEA favorite, a frozen paloma with an Aperol finish).
SPA & FITNESS CENTER
The 14,000-square-foot spa will feature 14 treatment rooms, a dedicated saltwater pool and fitness center with a yoga studio, offering a variety of classes and equipment. In addition, there will be new cabanas, a private event lawn with a fireplace, and lounge seating at the spa pool.
MEETINGS & EVENTS
For all occasions large and small, a total of more than 60,000 sq. ft. of indoor/outdoor event space is being developed, creating the perfect setting for a wide range of corporate meetings or social engagements at VEA, featuring:
- an ocean-facing event lawn with the ideal Southern California backdrop;
- a new outdoor event lawn adjacent to the ballrooms facing the cosmopolitan beauty of Newport Center;
- a new indoor/outdoor flex event space behind the property overlooking the coast, perfect for larger social engagements and weddings;
- additional spaces that boast indoor and outdoor environments for business and play.
VEA Newport Beach is located at 900 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660, and will begin debuting pieces of its refresh as soon as February 2022, followed by rolled out updates through the spring. Follow @VEANewportBeach on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and more information will also become available at www.VEANewportBeach.com.