Newport Harbor Hotel & Marina

The staff and the backyard...

Liked: THE STAFF ARE GREAT Rhonda & Matthew in the restaurant. Eli (who brought towels out for me to lay on the hammock after a huge storm and I didn't even ask). Ethan on the overnight shift, housekeeping, and the front desk staff. The location and staff MAKES the experience, but it is NOT worth the price. The backyard with hammocks, fire pits and Adirondack chairs needs a makeover, but it was so great to have them and they made the experience so much better. The front desk should advertise that they have free bikes/kayaks and paddleboards to take out into the bay at no cost. We had no idea till the end of our stay. The staff at the Marina were great as well!
Disliked: THE ENTIRE FACILITY. Trust the reviews-this place MUST BE RENOVATED! The mattresses are old/saggy and HAVE SPRINGS (which you can feel). Supposedly (and we asked for a room with them but never heard back) there ARE some rooms with new mattresses Other guests woke up in such pain after a night on them. Bring your own pillows if you are driving. The hotel has a "chemical" smell, but it's even WORSE in the rooms. Someone else's hair in the tub when we arrived. The restaurant MUST get a better chef. I turned people away who asked my opinion where to eat. We ended up ordering just eggs and fruit. Even just a bowl couldn't be cooked right. It was oatmeal floating around in water. The pool area is kinda scary. THIN WALLS. We heard everything from sneezes/simple talking, drunk guests and parents hollering at kids. It's a risk each night who will be next to you. Little touches, like drying off the Adirondack chairs after a storm, would be a lovely gesture. The maps are hidden away, but you must pick up the shiny one that most businesses have. It's a godsend.