Conde Naste Traveler gives Pelican top ranking

The Resort at Pelican Hill is Condé Nast Traveler readers’ top resort in the country, according to the results of the annual 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards released last week.

Pelican Hill, which celebrates its third anniversary Nov. 26, scored 96.3 in the annual awards that rank more than 1,120 top resorts and hotels worldwide.

The Newport Coast resort is the only Southern California resort to earn a top national ranking in the history of the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, said resort spokeswoman Kate Starr.

“From the spa, golf club and resort restaurant professionals, to our hospitality, culinary and special events staff, the entire Pelican Hill team is humbled by this remarkable accolade,” Giuseppe Lama, managing director of Pelican Hill, said in a prepared statement. “With both gracious appreciation and resounding pride, we will continue to passionately pursue our goals of providing unparalleled guest experiences at our ‘Italian Seaside Village’ along the coast of Newport Beach.”

The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain, Avon, Colo., was listed as second with a score of 96.1. For hotels, the top-ranking destination in the country is Elysian Hotel, Chicago, with a reader score of 98.2.

The global top-ranking resort is Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, at 98.6, according to the survey results.

The Resort at Pelican Hill was also recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as the No. 1 Readers’ Choice California golf resort and second-best in top 100 U.S. mainland resorts in the 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards.

Rooms start at $395 per night for a bungalow and from $695 per night for a villa.

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