News + Events

A Little Hisotry of Our Iconic Hotel

The Hyatt Regency Newport Beach was built in the early 1960’s by a Newport Beach local named George D. Buccola. He constructed what would become the city’s first luxury hotel. Completed in 1962, the Newporter Inn was built on the grounds that were once used for the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 1953.
The luxury property boasted the classic California low-profile architecture associated with that era. When Buccola sold the property to Del Webb, it became Del Webb’s Newporter Inn. While it was renowned as Newport’s original luxury hotel, it also hosted many visiting celebrities and notables. In the 1970’s, it became known as the Western White House, as President Nixon and many of his cabinet members were frequent guests.
In addition to the Nixon administration, such luminaries as Marilyn Monroe have stayed the hotel’s villas. Each of the two-story villas, have 3 bedrooms and 3 baths and a private patio and pool. The villas were featured in two recent films about Martha Mitchell, wife of Nixon cabinet member John Mitchell, “Gaslit” and “The Martha Mitchell Effect.” For history lovers, it was during the Watergate scandal and Martha was being watched carefully in a Newporter villa to keep her from leaking information to the press.
On the lighter side, the hotel’s Wine Cellar private dining room was once a favorite spot of legendary actor John Wayne’s weekly poker game. Oscar winner John Wayne lived in Newport Beach for two decades. His family home, since refurbished and rebuilt, sits on a large waterfront plot on Newport Bay. Guests can take a guided boat tour around the harbor to see Wayne’s and other Hollywood star homes. His yacht, the Wild Goose, now owned by Hornblower Cruises, is still docked at Newport Harbor where tours are available.
 

Special Offer for Newport Landing Whale and Dolphin Cruises for hotel guests

Guests of our hotel can save up to $14 per ticket on whale and dolphin watching cruises leaving daily from nearby Balboa Pier.  Select from several whale watching cruise times daily and year-round.  Whale and dolphin cruises view giant blue whales, finback, grey, humpback and minke whales as well as several species of dolphin. Reservations and discounts are available here:

 https://newportwhales.com/Newport_Beach_Hyatt_Whale_Watching.html