The Colony

If we could give more than 5 stars… we would!
The Colony is being remodeled and we are waiting for a new unit with views of the Golf Course to become available. Their remodels are tasteful and elegant– the ‘Luxury’ one even has a wine fridge in the kitchen (how cool is that ;)
The only other thing we would have hoped for would have been better windows and sound protection but hey… if you are overlooking the OCEAN and THE BAY and can view the SUNSET who can really complain about a little street noise?

I received a tour of the Colony property by Lisa Dunham who is one of the leasing consultants on site. Lisa was nice and the consummate professional, but I have the feeling she is used to dealing with individuals that are rich and wealthy. I am very much an average joe. The complex and the apartment was by far the best I have ever seen, but I am worried about the thin walls too. I think Donald Bren is cheap while he put in an elevator in this property because the law says an elevator is required for any apartments 4 stories or more, the new Irvine Company communities there are not elevators being put in.

The Colony has a wonderful style to it, and it’s great it’s right next to Fashion Island! If you ever need anything, it’s just a minute walk!
But there are some very bad problems: you can hear EVERY SINGLE STEP the people above you take. And they can hear just about EVERYTHING you say. Not only that, but you always have noise between 7AM-​9AM if you live on Santa Maria.
Irvine Company even told me about converting into a condo, but I don’t think that’s going to happen with these weak walls.
Overall, it’s a great place and stuff, but Irvine Company better think about making their walls and ceilings better.

Hands down, this is the nicest apartment complex I have ever had the honor of living in. I just moved in about a month ago and Ramon, the general manager, has been so gracious and helpful The amenities are of the highest quality, the grounds are immaculate, and my neighbors are quiet and courteous. I moved here from 3400 Avenue of the Arts in Costa Mesa, and the difference is like night and day, Yes, it’s expensive, but so is a Mercedes-​Benz — and this is also a true luxury experience. I feel so blessed to call the Colony my home.

I am writing this review about the quality of the service at The Colony.
Ramon Bonilla, the General Manager, and his staff are exceptional in every sense of the word! They always have a smile and strive to create a welcoming atmosphere in the leasing office.
Ramon is truly the heart and soul of The Colony. He genuinely cares about whether you are happy living here and will ALWAYS see an issue through to a resolution.
Ramon is truly an asset to The Irvine Company and a role model as to what a General Manager should be like.
A BIG thank you to the ENTIRE staff at The Colony for truly helping me to «love where I live!»

I moved into my apartment this past February and have enjoyed every moment since. The staff, led by Ramon, do everything in their power to make me feel happy, comfortable, and safe. Nothing seems too much for them to do. Their goal seems to be to create the highest quality of life for all the residents. The pool and jacuzzi are fabulous! There is always an ample supply of fresh coffee, bottled water, and even freshly baked cookies on hand. The Fitness Room has a more than adequate variety of free weights and machines along with T. V, fresh towels and bottled water My friends all envy me because of how they are made to feel when they come for a visit. The only things lacking are sufficient storage space and a T.V. that works in the Clubhouse which could be easily replaced. Other than that, I couldn’t have found a more attractive, welcoming, immaculate complex to call my «home». Ramon, Dan, Andrew, Martin, Kenia, Nazar, Anna, Victoria, Meercha, Eddie, Richard and all the other members of Team Colony are to be congratulated on a daily basis for giving 100% of their time, energy, and expertise in making The Colony the most magical, fabulous place in which to live!

To The Colony at Fashion Island. I appreciate your feedback to my comments. I realize that you have given your best efforts to assist my family and me. The purpose of my review was to give information to any person who was considering leasing at The Colony Apts. information regarding the construction noise and issues that we have experienced since our move to The Colony. We would never have rented the particular apartment (on Santa Maria) had we known the noise that we would experience at all hours of the week, particularly early morning hours. A year is a long time to put up with these issues. Our only hope is that the Construction company will follow the City laws, however, to date, this appears to be hit and miss. Since these construction companies are being paid by the Irvine Company and the Colony Apts. are owned by the Irvine Co., it seems logical to us that the Irvine Company would be in the position to control their vendors. Again, we appreciate your feedback.

EXCEPTIONAL, OUTSTANDING, FABULOUS, GOURGEOUS, FIRST RATE !!!
Everyone that works here goes 110% to make sure you are truly «Happy Where You Live» We moved in August 2012 and currently live here (and more than likely will be renewing our lease). What is there not to like? You’re close to everything … as in the airport (they give you complimentary livery service once a month to the airport), the water, Fashion Island, all kinds of places to walk and eat. They have many complimentary events here for the residents (quality events). Each of the four buildings have a unique water element and all of the grounds are well maintained and beautiful. The Leasing Office staff are «The best of the best!!!» (Ramon, the Leasing Mgr. is hands on), we have Concierge here (which we use on a regular basis), the pool is heated (and beautiful), seperate area has bathrooms and outside showers. The Clubhouse has recently been redone (as well as the pool). The Maintence staff is «Outstanding» (headed by Nazar) and the Security staff do an excellent job. The underground parking is well lite, clean and they even installed electric stations for the folks that own electric vehicles. The apartments are on the larger side compared to the other Irvine Company apartments. We have elevators (helps when you have a lot of stuff to haul up) and baskets to use to transport your things to the elevator. Our apartments are WELL MAINTAINED, and have upgraded amenties, along with a/​c. We are glad we have a/​c because you DO need a/​c out here in Newport Beach. We also have a fitness center with state of the art equiptment. Whenever we have vistors they all say the same thing…“you don’t live in an apartment complex, this is a resort!”. Ramon, along with his team of Andrew, Daniel, Martin and Keina do an excellent job in keeping it nice to live here. The Colony at Fashion Island is a great place to call home. Susan A.

My wife & I had the pleasure of living at the Colony at Fashion Island for 3 months while we searched for a home to buy in Newport Beach. We had just moved to SoCal from New Hampshire, and the staff at the Colony treated us with such care and kindness that we even had second thoughts about buying a home! However, we did want to own while home prices remained affordable for us, so we just moved out of the Colony to a condo. My wife and I (and our family and friends who visited us often) will miss the Colony dearly.
Our apartment was quite roomy (2 bedrooms + a private office) and felt brand new when we moved in. The amenities were excellent. The compound is a fastidiously well maintained resort. The pool & spa were spectacular. The location is amazing (we could walk to Fashion Island in 3 minutes). Excellent gym, parking facility, club house, security, etc., and events every week or two to get to know your neighbors.
The office provides all kinds of services, and their management team will treat every resident with customized luxurious care. Bree, Scott, Andrew, Jillian, Nancy, Kenya, Dave, Sean & Carlos were all wonderful to us.
If we were not resolute about purchasing a home, we would no doubt live at the Colony. What an exceptional place to call home!
Bob (in Newport Beach)

We’ve lived just over 3 months now and we love it! The staff, including the security guard, are attentive and pleasant; the amenities are nice, and the apt itself is a good place to call home. It’s comprised of 4 buildings, each 4 stories tall. Elevators are available. The one drawback is they have no recycling so I’m gonna try to work on them on this. You get 2 parking spaces per apt. Our apt has high quality appliances that I swear were brand new when we moved in. Maintenance here is a rare event but once you put in a request, they are super-​responsive and effective. Each request we’ve put in (minor stuff) was fixed within 24 hours. The location is hard to beat: about 1 or so from the beach, walking distance to Fashion Island, and PCH shopping barely 5 minutes away. The area is somewhat unique: it’s not really residential but it’s not commercial or industrial either. We’re between the gigantic Pacific Life building and a golf course, the PD and fire station are just down the street, pedestrian traffic is minimal as is vehicle traffic – except in the morning and after work when all the Pacific Life staffers are coming and going. Our apt is cozy and well-​laid out, but not crampy. The concierge is helpful. Brie and Scott have been great. We’re about to have a party at the Clubhouse that is decked out with fully-​equipped kitchen and plenty of mingle space, a media area and right next to the pool, free coffee. Pay your rent online, no checks or dropping off rent. Some of the residents have lived here 10+ years but there’s a mix of folks: families, retirees, working stiffs (like me), and folks waiting to find a house in the area. It’s quiet I can say that. Since we’re new here, the jury is still out but all in all we love it here and have no plans to move.

A crazy man lives on the floor above me and management does ZERO about it and even blames me for making too much noise and I live BELOW him-it’s nuts– I’m moving.

Ok, so since my last review I had ants in my bathroom because the people next door’s kitchen faces my bathroom and they left food out (this is what maintenance told me). Then they accommodated me with a model to wait in that was «all mine for the day» and they even offered to have lunch brought to me. Then a leasing agent walks in with an elderly couple and shows the apartment with my stuff all over the place. Awkward. So as I am walking to the model, the building that contains the models is flawless. Clean. An oasis if you will. It faces a golf course. There are like 3 gardeners tending to the grounds. My building has a dead cockroach on the stairs and greasy movers lugging stuff in and out. It is gross and run down. Now, I knew I was not hallucinating when I saw this place in 2006 and was like, «wow this place is nice.»
Ok, so I am not into astrology but if it did exist — this place would be a retrograde or the stars would unalign for me here because — yesterday a fed ex was left at my door step and it was stolen. It was a fed ex envelope with a check in it. Who steals a Fed Ex??? Perhaps someone in the building is pissed at my Unilocal?Hmmm.

The most upscale /​beautiful apartment living in OC. or California, in my opinion. The location is great too! Amenities! Amenities! Amenities!