Luxury Southern California Resort and Spa, L’Auberge Del Mar, to Undergo $25 Million Renovation

Del Mar, CA October 18, 2007 – In June 2008, L’Auberge Del Mar Resort and Spa will be reborn. Respected for its romantic coastal sophistication and uncompromised service, the historic California hotel, managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, will set a new standard in hospitality as a result of a $25 million comprehensive property renovation including a new restaurant, spa and remodeled guestrooms.

Since its opening in 1989, L’Auberge has experienced many elegant transformations and has continually been recognized with the travel industry’s highest honors. The Southern California luxury hotel has earned a respected place as San Diego’s home away from home for celebrities, the business elite, society figures and upscale travelers in the know, and Destination Hotels & Resorts plans to raise the bar even higher by introducing a renewed look and feel, as well as upgraded services.

“Plans for this renovation have been in the works for close to three years and I am thrilled that they are finally coming to fruition,” stated Michael J. Slosser, General Manager, L’Auberge Del Mar. “The new L’Auberge Del Mar will enhance the face of hospitality in San Diego and will deliver a product above and beyond everyone’s expectations. The new design at L’Auberge will be a sophisticated beach estate blended perfectly into our surroundings.”
The revitalized L’Auberge will introduce an upgraded luxury resort that is reminiscent of a welcoming, private coastal estate. From the moment guests arrive, they will see and feel the difference. A new entry will boast large estate columns and lush landscaping, designed by landscape architect Susan Whitin, of Whitin Design in Laguna Beach, whose experience includes an extensive portfolio within the hospitality and retail industries. The entire building will have a new color scheme featuring a green exterior with white shutters.

A new lobby will feature elegant dark wood floors, white-beamed ceilings and bold furnishings that combine a relaxed modern sense of style with the feel of a sophisticated beach home. Destined to be a favorite among locals, the new lobby bar will feature a wine and cheese barista. The new outdoor pool bar will boast direct views of the Pacific Ocean, as well as water features, fire pits and intimate gardens. The new pool deck will provide an open feeling for the entire resort. One thing missing from the lobby will be lines at the front desk. Guests will now be escorted directly to their rooms for a private check-in upon arrival.

Within the hotel will be a new signature restaurant, which is yet to be named. Designed by renowned Andre Kikoski of New York, with consultation from highly experienced food and beverage consultant Michael Bonadies, of Ace Hospitality, the fashionable new restaurant will feature white vaulted ceilings and modern furniture, and will offer a level of contemporary-chic sophistication rarely seen at a resort.

At the center of the restaurant, guests will enjoy an open demonstration kitchen where the culinary team, headed by James Beard Chef Paul McCabe, will artistically prepare a sumptuous collection of international fusion cuisine, featuring small and large plates so that every diner can enjoy a variety of decadent flavors. Expressing pride in its food excellence, the restaurant will offer an Epicurean Studio with a camera in the kitchen that will allow the culinarians to broadcast their talents to guests throughout the resort. Continuing with the renovation’s emphasis toward merging the indoors with the al fresco, the restaurant will feature outdoor dining under romantic hanging lanterns and offer intimate seating areas under the stars around various water features and fire pits, specifically designed to be a social gathering place for locals and resort guests. Several private cabanas will offer unique venues to enjoy a cocktail and delicious restaurant fare. Finally, an elegant wine room will present the perfect location for private dinner parties in Southern California.

Venturing out from the main lobby amidst the romance of the fireplace deck, guests will encounter a twelve seat open bar, where they can sip a cocktail while enjoying the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. The adjacent pool deck, with a pearl-bottomed pool, will feature private cabanas as part of its new look where adults will enjoy a serene environment. And children will enjoy their own special play area when the new family pool is unveiled. A new outdoor space will feature 2,000 square feet of tasteful landscape which will make the resort a perfect Southern California wedding location and place for private events.

All guest rooms will receive a complete overhaul adding not only an enticing new, sophisticated look, but the latest in technological advancements and personal amenities. Designer Barclay Butera of Newport Beach, best known for his work with luxurious private homes, will help produce a relaxing environment, all while maintaining the elegant feel of the property. Butera’s goal is to create personal havens that embrace his concept of “redefining luxury” and his current endeavor with L’Auberge Del Mar will produce just that. All guest bathrooms will be completely renovated and will feature impressive walk-in showers with dual rain shower heads. Additionally, 14 rooms will enjoy private outdoor cabanas, providing guests with intimate settings both in and outdoors.

A new 4,100 square foot luxury spa will be located just outside of the south wing of the hotel. This new spa, which will be open to the public, will offer the latest treatments and amenities, as well as a romantic enclave for guests to receive couples treatments in their own private suite. Guests at this Del Mar spa resort will be pampered with a complimentary wine and juice bar, offering fresh fruit, hand squeezed juices and some of the best wines from around the world. The new spa will include a bakery and smoothie bar, a retail boutique, and a manicure/pedicure area, sure to please locals and guests alike.

“We have long been the choice of meeting planners and vacationers who want to get away from the norm and find themselves somewhere special, and our renovation will definitely reinforce this tradition,” stated Francine Williams, Director of Sales and Marketing for L’Auberge Del Mar. “We are excited about re-introducing L’Auberge to our clients and the local community.”

Due to the extensive renovations, the resort will be closed from November 2007 until June 2, 2008. Reservations will continue to be taken for both overnight stays and banquet events outside of these dates.

About L’Auberge Del Mar Resort and Spa
L'Auberge Del Mar Resort & Spa is a luxury resort located in the heart of Southern California's most picturesque coastal village of Del Mar. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the luxury boutique resort offers 120 deluxe guest rooms and suites; distinctive indoor and outdoor meeting facilities, ideal for executive retreats, banquets and special occasions; fine resort cuisine and patio dining atmosphere of J. Taylor’s; local gatherings at Durante's Pub; the exclusive Spa at L'Auberge Del Mar; and tennis courts, lap pool and new health studio. Managed by Destination Hotels and Resorts, Inc., L'Auberge Del Mar Resort & Spa is located at 1540 Camino Del Mar at 15th Street in Del Mar, Calif. For information or reservations, call (800) 553-1336 or (858) 259-1515 or visit www.laubergedelmar.com

About Destination Hotels & Resorts
Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held lodging management company headquartered in suburban Denver, Colo. With more than 30 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the fifth largest independent hospitality management company in the country. The company’s portfolio features more than 7,000 guest rooms, 10 golf courses and 11 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Houston, Denver, Dallas, San Diego, Aspen, Austin, Phoenix, Portland, Palm Springs, Maui and Lake Tahoe. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.

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