The Viejas Hotel in East San Diego County opened in March. The five-story, 128-room proerty neighbors the Viejas Casino and features a spacious pool and lounge area with private cabanas, a fitness center and a business center.
In April, LEGOLAND California Resort opened the first LEGOLAND Hotel in Carlsbad. It features 250 guest rooms and a choice of themed floors inspired by a trio of popular LEGO lines: Pirate, Kingdom and Adventure. The property also showcases themed elevators and play areas, a buffet restaurant and a heated swimming pool, and is located at the main entrance of the theme park.
The Holiday Inn San Diego Bayside wrapped up a $13 million expansion this summer. The new four-story, 44,000-square-foot expansion includes a 2,000-square-foot grand lobby with 18-foot ceilings, 57 guest rooms and suites with bay views, a 3,400-square-foot ballroom and a modern boardroom.
Loews Coronado Bay Resort recently wrapped up substantial upgrades to its lobby, Bay Terrace outdoor patio, Cays Lounge, Market Cafe and Market-to-Go outlet. The property has 439 rooms and 65,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor function space.
The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego completed the renovation of its 1,628 guest rooms in July. The hotel also created a brand-new Executive Club Lounge on the 33rd floor Grand Club Level. An upcoming renovation phase will include revamping the meeting facilities, lounges, restaurants and public spaces.
San Diego Marriott Mission Valley completed a $9 million renovation of its hotel lobby, all 350 guest rooms, six Parlor Suites, Concierge Lounge and outdoor spaces. The property features 28,000 square feet of function space and 19 meeting rooms.
In July, Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort in northeast San Diego County unveiled its newly expanded pool area and a new restaurant (complete with a food truck), the first phase of its $160 million expansion.
The San Diego CVB changed its name to the San Diego Tourism Authority, effective Jan. 1, 2013. The new moniker follows the prevailing corporate naming of destination marketing organizations and aims to better communicate the entity’s role as the official San Diego region travel resource.
La Jolla’s La Valencia Hotel will debut a new 10th floor event venue this winter that will boast 180-degree ocean views and be designated for meetings, cocktails and wedding receptions.