Authored by Vicki Arkoff, Editor at Large…
Newport Beach boasts one of the most picturesque harbors on the West Coast, well-known to yacht owners. The glamorous stretch of Pacific Coast Highway, Mariner’s Mile, is home to million-dollar yachts and the prestigious Balboa Bay Club and Resort, the only Forbes Four-Star AAA Four-Diamond hotel in the area. Visitors often stay at this Southern California resort to enjoy its waterfront guestrooms, spa, pool, wellness programs, and the A+O Restaurant and Bar, where they can watch sailboats, super yachts, and stunning sunsets.
Pets are also welcome to join their owners in enjoying these luxurious amenities. Dogs frequently accompany their owners, making the Balboa Bay Resort a perfect destination for a first vacation with my terrier, Ziggy, who we adopted during the Covid lockdown. Ziggy took his job of testing the resort’s new Pampered Pooch program seriously and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Upon arrival, Ziggy was warmly greeted by the valet staff, who parked our car next to a silver Porsche Taycan. Ziggy, friendly and confident, received lots of attention from the staff, who treated him like a show dog.
In the lobby, Ziggy received a special welcome from the check-in staff, who recognized him from a photo sent during booking. He was given a bow tie and introduced to a mini red carpet setup with a Hollywood-style “Paws and Repeat” backdrop for Instagram photos. A sign welcomed him as a VIP (Very Important Pet).
The Pampered Pooch Package at the resort includes a lobby photo station, a bow tie or bandana, branded accessories like a portable bedroll and bone-shaped poop-bag dispenser, and an option for a custom photoshoot at Dogma Pet Portraits in nearby Costa Mesa.
Francine Slosser, Director of Marketing, stated, “At Balboa Bay Resort, we understand that dogs are often the stars of the family. Now you can give them the celebrity treatment when you travel.” A portion of the package proceeds benefits the foster-based animal rescue, Lovebugs Rescue.
Ziggy, a former shelter dog, quickly adapted to the resort’s luxurious atmosphere, enjoying the lobby, poolside sunbathing, walks around the landscaped grounds, and birdwatching from our room’s bay-front balcony. He also delighted in meeting the bellhop, who enjoyed greeting dog visitors.
Newport Beach is a very dog-friendly town with many patio restaurants, including A + O downstairs and Pizzeria Mozza Newport Beach. The resort offers in-room dining with a special dogs-only menu.
Ziggy’s favorite part of the stay was likely the luxurious king bed, which he claimed after several naps on his new dog mat. Despite waking me up at midnight to snuggle, he slept soundly like a truly pampered pooch.
About the Author:
Based in Los Angeles, Vicki Arkoff is Editor at Large for Pursuitist and a founding editor for Holiday Goddess. Her travel and lifestyle reports have appeared in numerous publications, including Atlas Obscura, The Chicago Tribune, CNN Travel, and Lonely Planet. She has co-authored bestselling travel guides and edited various books. Vicki is also known for her work with MAD Magazine and as a biographer for pop culture icons.