Marriott Newport Coast Villas -Nov. Building/View Recommendation

[mlsmn]

We've stayed Newport Coast here before in building by check in. Any suggestions for mid November stay?
Also any favorite restaurants in the area?

 

[BJRSanDiego]

In a couple weeks I'm going to be an Newport Coast. Last night I went to make a reservation for the Beachcomber restaurant. I was really surprised with how FEW openings showed up. I plugged in some requested times and dates and there were only 2 openings for lunch in the week that I'll be up there. All the rest were out 1, 2 or 3 weeks. Yikes.

I'm wondering if something else is going on - - like they are limiting reservations (and seatings) because of staffing issues, or they are only releasing a few tables to res's and saving the rest for walk-ups?

Does anyone have any insight and/or recent experiences?
------------------------------------
@mlsmn - we usually stare at the resort map and google maps satellite view to choose our unit. But there are so many variables that are driven by a person's own interests, so it is hard to suggest a building w/o knowing your interests (quiet, close to pool, need elevator, don't care about elevator (there are 3 or 4 two-story buildings w/o an elevator) close to the restaurant, close to quiet pool, close to exercise area, shortest distance to Crystal Cove state park for hiking, etc.).

 

[VacationForever]

In a couple weeks I'm going to be an Newport Coast. Last night I went to make a reservation for the Beachcomber restaurant. I was really surprised with how FEW openings showed up. I plugged in some requested times and dates and there were only 2 openings for lunch in the week that I'll be up there. All the rest were out 1, 2 or 3 weeks. Yikes.

I'm wondering if something else is going on - - like they are limiting reservations (and seatings) because of staffing issues, or they are only releasing a few tables to res's and saving the rest for walk-ups?

Does anyone have any insight and/or recent experiences?
------------------------------------
@mlsmn - we usually stare at the resort map and google maps satellite view to choose our unit. But there are so many variables that are driven by a person's own interests, so it is hard to suggest a building w/o knowing your interests (quiet, close to pool, need elevator, don't care about elevator (there are 3 or 4 two-story buildings w/o an elevator) close to the restaurant, close to quiet pool, close to exercise area, shortest distance to Crystal Cove state park for hiking, etc.).

Beachcomber has a disclaimer that they only open up 10% of their seating capacity for online reservations. Just show up and you should be able to get in, and even if it was busy, we had never needed to wait for more than 15 minutes.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Beachcomber has a disclaimer that they only open up 10% of their seating capacity for online reservations. Just show up and you should be able to get in, and even if it was busy, we had never needed to wait for more than 15 minutes.

Thanks for this info. I missed seeing the disclaimer. That makes sense.

 

[planada]

Beachcomber is awesome. I ran into the same problem trying to make online reservations. Just show up, get a buzzer and walk on the beach until you are paged. Night time was pretty easy, we went at lunch and still pretty easy. Worthwhile though! Another great place is next door to the resort at Newport Coast Center where Trader Joes is. Momo Mia is fabulous. Italian, white table clothes but fairly inexpensive for the food and the ambiance. There is always Shake Shack that sits on the highway above Crystal Cove. You can drive up or….. walk up from the beach. A lot of stairs but great shakes!

 

[VacationForever]

Our favorite restaurant is Zovs, in the same parking lot as Pavilion grocery store.

 

[VacationForever]

Another great place is next door to the resort at Newport Coast Center where Trader Joes is. Momo Mia is fabulous. Italian, white table clothes but fairly inexpensive for the food and the ambiance.

I think you meant Modo Mio?

 

[planada]

I think you meant Modo Mio?

I did, Sorry should have seen that auto correct

 

[Lv2Trvl]

Yes. Modo Mio is terrific! Headed that direction next week. Always busy. We are headed to MVC Newport Coast for our annual September or October family get together. Daughter flies out from DC and son & family (2 grandkids) come up from east San Diego County. So happy it was not this past week!

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[winger]

We like BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (several in the area) or any of the restaurants in Catalina Island if you can get a trip over there.

 

[vikingsholm]

Modo Mio makes lasagna, which I often don't see at Italian restuarants anymore. Don't know why, maybe too time intensive. I always look forward to that.

Agree with VacationForever that Zov's is another good one.

Pelican Grill for a fancy meal and beautiful setting.

Cliff House and Las Brisas in Laguna Beach for outdoor ocean views. The high tables at Shake Shack on the coast for an ocean overlook with a fun casual fast food meal.

The Farmhouse at Roger's Garden in Corona del Mar for a fun experience surrounded by the feel of an outdoor arboretum.

Plenty of small places when walking around Laguna Beach.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Beachcomber has a disclaimer that they only open up 10% of their seating capacity for online reservations. Just show up and you should be able to get in, and even if it was busy, we had never needed to wait for more than 15 minutes.

Update:
We went on Monday and got a great table on the outer rail. Good food, good service.

I noticed that they have a second seating area NW of the restaurant for outdoor dining on/by the beach with umbrellas for shade. Maybe it has been there a while and I just never noticed. We had a 2:45 pm res and there were always a table or who in the restaurant that was empty. So, you're right that a person probably doesn't need to make a res.

 

[Bill4728]

RE Building to request

We love any of the 4xxx blds except the 46xx & 47xx bldgs

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Update 2: Tonight we ate at Modo Meo. It is close to NCV and is in the Crystal Cove Promenade. I knew that it was a winner when my wife said, "we HAVE to come back here the next time we are at Newport Coast". Service: very good, Price: okay, food: great.

BTW, I really like the 4000 building or 4100 building. But they put me in 4300. We are on the 2nd floor so the 4000 building is in our view. But if we were on the 3rd or 4th floor, that wouldn't have been an issue. So, it is okay. As a plus, the building is quiet. We don't hear as much noise from Hwy 1 (PCH) or the Newport Coast Drive.

 

[HudsHut]

We were placed in 4300, first floor. Both 4100 and 4000 blocked a good portion of our view. We agree that it was quiet.
Last time we were placed in 2600, 2nd floor. Quite a bit of noise from PCH, and only a sliver of a view through the trees. 2600 is a 2 story building with no elevator, so you have to carry all your suitcases up the stairs. The only positive is that it's a "top floor" and not a "cave unit". I didn't make any requests last time since I booked it a few days in advance.

 

[dioxide45]

Resurrecting this older thread. When we were at NCV, I asked which buildings do not have elevator access; 1000, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1800, 1900, 2600 and 4200. When you get the pre-arrival email, one of the options to select in the drop down is Elevator Access.

 

[ljmiii]

When we were at NCV, I asked which buildings do not have elevator access...

Thank you!