This is a sponsored post about our wellness vacation at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach California. All opinions are my own.

It’s been too long since I’ve seen my sweet friend Yulia. We used to be roommates in college and developed a close bond. So when life separated us across the state lines, we’ve vowed to see each other as often as possible. My amazing husband kindly agreed to hold the fort at home for the long weekend, and our California vacation was on!

One of my most favorite things to do when we travel is to explore new resorts that we haven’t been to. I get asked a lot about fitness-friendly and health-conscious hotels that are worth booking. I absolutely love sharing our favorite places with you, and I am excited to add a new resort to the list – the gorgeous Hyatt Regency Newport Beach in California.

There are so many amazing hotel options in Orange County but Hyatt Regency Newport Beach was at the top of my list because of it’s close proximity to the beach, their locally sourced restaurant and a variety of activities available both on site and nearby. It was truly a health nut dream come true. So when they kindly agreed to host us for the weekend, I was beyond excited!

Hyatt Regency knows how to create a good first impression on their guests. Massive palm trees and magnolias surround the drive up to the hotel lobby and give it a tropical Hawaii-like feel.

The staff at the front desk were incredibly welcoming and gracious, and our check in went smooth. Soon enough we were exploring the area.

From the moment you arrive, you realize how close you are to all the action: the beautiful marina bay is just a short five minute walk away, Fashion Island Mall and the beach are both within a ten minute drive. The hotel’s close proximity to beautiful walking and biking trails make it a perfect wellness vacation destination for all ages and activity levels.

The resort property is absolutely beautiful. I was amazed at how peaceful, serene and laid back this resort felt.

What made me fall in love with Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, among other things, was the variety of recreational activities available on property. Guests who like to stay active on vacations would appreciate tennis courts, shuffleboard, ping-pong, sand volleyball, giant outdoor chess board, and lawn games all within a minute walk from your room.

A sizable nine-hole Back Bay Golf Course stretches around the property. I spotted quite a few couples teeing off in the morning and families with kids putting on the greens in the afternoon.

Going on a walk around the resort’s lovely alleys was such a pleasure! I couldn’t help but think how romantic this place is and that I couldn’t wait to come back here with my husband.

Now, those who like to keep up their fitness routine on vacation will understand my excitement when I discovered 24-hour StayFit™ Gym at the resort.

There’s nothing better than traveling and finding the hotel “gym” is actually a GYM, not a treadmill & random set of weights!

For most of us, It’s not easy to stick with workouts on vacation but the second I saw a rowing machine and brand new kettle-bells, I felt immediately inspired.

I was happy to squeeze in a quick HIIT session alternating burst of rowing and weight lifting. It was glorious!

The room deserves a mention too. It was clean, well kept, with a simple minimalist design. It was all we really needed for the weekend, considering we’d be spending the majority of the time outside.

Or on this balcony… Our bay view room offered the most serene views of the bay and the lush greenery. Imagine waking up to it in the morning! Nothing says “vacation” more than sipping on a freshly brewed coffee surrounded by palm trees, bay views, and sounds of birds chirping.

That’s pretty much how my morning started at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. I enjoyed this time of quiet and peace which happens so rarely in a full time mom’s life. Unplugging from the world and soaking in the nature around you can do wonders to someone who is always on the go, like me.

Pictured: yogurt parfait topped with fresh berries and granola from the hotel room service menu

Another breakfast option is a bar near the lobby that features all the basics like tea, coffee, juices, pastries, bagels and yogurt.

A health nut in me gave a little hooray at the sight of these smoothie options. If we stayed here longer, I could see myself going for a run along the trails in the morning, followed by a nutritious freshly blended smoothie.

A wellness vacation wouldn’t be complete without trying the resort’s restaurant, especially if it features healthy choices and fresh seasonal ingredients. My friend and I were pretty excited to have brunch at SHOR American Seafood Grill which serves a fusion of French and Southern California cuisine. There were plenty of great, healthy choices for fitness lovers and families alike on the menu.

We went with California Smoked Salmon Benedict and Cali Scramble Bowl with spinach, red onion, tomato, avocado, and burrata cheese. Both were a perfection. We sat on the patio surrounded by luxurious palm trees and tropical plants and enjoyed the sun while catching up on our lives. It was the ultimate girls brunch!

For my coffee I asked for coconut milk on the side, and the waiter also brought out almond milk which I ended up using. Every employee we came in contact with were such gracious hosts!

Shopping lovers would appreciate that Hyatt Recency is just a ten minute drive from Fashion Island, a.k.a. best shopping outdoor and department store mall in Orange County. So we geared up and headed out to play tourists.

The Fashion Island is such a large mall with a good mix of upscale and casual shops. My little heart was happy when I discovered both Lululemon and Athleta stores, along with LUSH (<<– best fresh ingredient products!) and Nordstrom!

When you’re done browsing the shops, enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants right at the mall. There is sushi, Cheesecake Factory, and pizza parlors. To any health conscious traveler I would recommend a more causal Lemonade or a more polished True Food Kitchen. Both serve a good variety of healthy organic, vegan and vegetarian options.

Since we like to do active adventuring on our wellness vacations, we were especially interested in exploring the local area on bikes.

A two hour bike rental is included every day of your stay at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, and we took a full advantage of it.

When you vacation here, make sure to ask for Chloe at the concierge desk. She was a delight to talk to and gave us a bit of a Balboa Island history tour where she grew up along with helpful restaurants recommendations and local must-see spots. I am forever grateful for the day full of adventures on the bike ride she mapped out for us.

We cruised through the Balboa Island, ate lunch at a local happening spot and treated ourselves to a frozen banana dessert. I’ll have to write a separate post about it soon!

One of the best ways to manage stress is to unplug from the world and indulge in nature observation. Luckily at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, magical views are available within a five minute walk from the property. There is a back gate that opens with a room key. Cross the road, and soon you find yourself in a lovely marina bay.

On my walk I spotted a large events pavilion and the prettiest gazebo. It was so relaxing to stare at the beautiful sunset and not at my phone for a change.

The amazing part about vacationing in Southern California is that even in the middle of January it was sunny and warm. I wore a light jacket in the morning and at sunset, but the day time hours were so nice!

The road led me to a lovely bridge across the marina bay. I could hardly believe that all this beauty was just a ten minute walk from the hotel.

We finished the night with a glass of vino at the Hyatt’s lounge patio. Cushy couches and dancing flames from a fireplace gave it cozy laid-back atmosphere. Our conversation easily floated. I really couldn’t think of a better place to reconnect with a good friend!

In the morning we lounged by the pool. Most resorts have pretty pools, but I was taken away by the lush greenery surrounding the pool area at Hyatt.

Placed among the palm trees and sand were lounge chairs, hammocks and couches that created a unique tropical vibe.

There are three outdoor heated swimming pools and whirlpools on property and you can enjoy them pretty much year round, considering warm Southern California climate. I knew I had to come back here just to spend a full day with a good book by the pool.

Overall, I had a very positive experience at Hyatt. The resort is beautiful, clean and well maintained. Staff went above and beyond to accommodate us on a few occasions. I liked that we didn’t even have to leave the resort for a wonderful experience. There are so many options to recharge your body and mind right on property, which makes it a great wellness vacation destination!

The only thing that would make Hyatt Regency better would be if they offered occasional outdoor yoga classes. There were so many perfect spots all around the property!

So tell me do you have any exciting vacations to look forward to this year? 

Read about our other travel adventures:

San Diego Getaway

Sedona Getaway

Polar Express Experience

Have a wonderful day and I’ll be back tomorrow with a new post about my Wednesday eats.

Cheers,

Katrina