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Located just five miles from the coast and set beside the breathtaking Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar Golf Resort & Spa is a luxurious Mediterranean-inspired resort. Award-winning service, amenities, and design deliver at every turn, including a championship golf course, 5-star spa and exquisite dining options.
We’ve stayed at this hotel on several occasions, and it is always a treat. The reason we keep coming back is the luxurious atmosphere and world-class service provides an absolute escape from the every day. In this post, we’ll share our thoughts to help you decide if this hotel is worth the hefty price.
Fairmont Grand Del Mar Review
In a word: Magnificent. Beautiful. Luxurious. Classy. Okay, that’s several words, but it’s hard to define a resort of this level in just one word.
The Fairmont Grand Del Mar captures the elegance and comfort of an old-world Mediterranean estate with an enviable Southern California locale. Though it looks like a grand estate that has been basking for decades, it was actually just built in 2007.
Amenities
The Fairmont Grand Del Mar resort boasts four heated swimming pools, including an adults-only pool and spa. And by heated I don’t just mean “not freezing.” At the Fairmont the water is downright delightful. We visited in January when the weather was quite chilly and were still able to enjoy the pool as well as the big hot tubs.
Equally enjoyable, relaxing on a comfortable lounge chair with my book, while the super-friendly poolside service staff kept the fresh towels and drink refills coming. Definitely a luxury experience!
Two tennis courts, a golf course and an array of jogging trails wind through the property.
Take some time to explore the beautiful landscape. Miles of trails ranging from moderate to strenuous begin right outside, winding through canyons and scenic hillsides above the resort. Trail maps are available from the Concierge.
For the less adventurous or more time-crunched, a .7 mile loop encircles the resort. Every Saturday morning the resort offers a complimentary Canyon to Waterfall Hike.
In addition, the resort has a focus on wellness. This is reflected through its Fairmont Fit programs, miles of hiking trails, spa amenities and healthy menu offerings. There is even a shop dedicated to wellness.
The Fairmont Grand Del Mar charges a nightly resort fee, but you get a lot of great amenities included with your stay, and some unique options to try for an extra fee.
Hotel amenities include:
- Four outdoor pools
- Cabanas, poolside bar and padded lounge chairs
- Fire pits
- Tom Fazio-designed golf course with 18 holes
- Equestrian center and horseback riding lessons
- Archery
- 5-star world-class spa
- Explorer’s Club kids club
- Babysitting services
- Fitness Center
- Yoga and fitness classes
- Personal training
- Hiking trails
- Pickleball and tennis courts
- Valet parking
- Free wi-fi
Architecture & Design
An intriguing mix of Mediterranean elements make up the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, and the different styles lend a relaxed, yet sophisticated ambiance.
The interior and exterior details pay tribute to the indelible architecture of Addison Mizner, a turn-of-the-century visionary whose worldly design approach defined the resort communities of Palm Beach and Boca Raton in the 1920s. Mizner’s exotic style is evoked throughout Fairmont Grand Del Mar, with its arched doorways, rotundas, wood-beamed ceilings, ornate stone and wrought-iron accents, decorative columns and gracious verandas.
The architecture is complemented by lush landscaping, fountains, courtyards and meandering walkways. Even the hotel’s restaurants and pools reflect this opulent style.
Hotel Rooms
The Fairmont features 249 guest rooms and 31 suites, all with private balconies and beautiful views of the resort’s gardens, golf course or pools.
At 550 square feet, standard rooms are larger than those at most other hotels. They are luxurious and spacious, with a deep blue and gold color palette, large flat-screen TVs, minibar, and cherry wood headboards.
The marble bathroom features dual sinks, upscale toiletries, and thick linens. They also have deep soaking tubs, a separate shower, and long marble counters. If you are traveling with kids, these spacious bathrooms are especially nice!
There are several room types available, including rooms with two queen beds or one king bed. The deluxe veranda room and signature terrace room add an extra level of luxury, or you can reserve a one, two, or three bedroom suite.
We stayed in a deluxe king room, which had a large balcony and lovely view of the golf course. The beds were very comfortable, and the bathroom was luxurious and well-appointed. (And the plush bathrobes and slippers were a nice touch, too!)
As with many luxury hotels, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar provides turndown service every evening. Nothing makes for sweeter dreams than a chocolate-covered Oreo cookie on your pillow!
One thing I really love about the Fairmont Grand Del Mar hotel is that they also offer adult-only rooms. The Signature Poolside Adult Only Rooms are located in a quiet area exclusively for adults. These ground floor rooms have a large, enclosed terrace overlooking the adult pool. So, while the Fairmont Grand Del Mar is a family resort, it is also a perfect choice if you are looking for a peaceful escape from the kids.
Dining at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Six dining venues plus poolside service and 24-hour room service offer a wide array of dining options.
Enjoy elegant fine dining for adults only at Addison, or bring the kids to a family friendly meal at Amaya. You can enjoy poolside dining, a meal at the Clubhouse Grill overlooking the golf course, a quick coffee and pastry off the lobby, or afternoon tea in the elegant Lobby Lounge.
We enjoyed dinner at Amaya and loved the outdoor patio setting overlooking the hotel’s expansive lawn. The food was amazing, though a little pricey, but worth the splurge for an elegant meal. (You have got to try the French Onion Soup!)
During the summer months, mix, mingle, and play at Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s reimagined outdoor lounge, Grand Social. Play spirited rounds of bocce, savor tempting wood-fired dishes and handcrafted cocktails.
Club M offers late night tapas, signature cocktails and live entertainment on the weekends.
In the morning, you can have breakfast at Amaya, or take a short walk to the Clubhouse Grill for casual cuisine overlooking the Grand Golf Club’s 18th green. Cent’Anni Café in the hotel lobby is the place to go to grab a coffee or quick breakfast. They offer organic iced teas, espresso, pastries, sandwiches, seasonal soups, salads, gelato, and daily special offerings.
Horseback Riding
Located adjacent to the tennis courts is the Equestrian Center. Trail rides through Los Peñasquitos Canyon and professional riding lessons are available and reasonable priced. And if you just want to come say hello to the resort’s six horses, that is fine too!
We did not have the opportunity to ride during our most recent stay at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, but when we visited a few years ago with my son took a trail ride and enjoyed the experience immensely!
The Spa Experience
The Spa at the Fairmont Grant Del Mar is an absolute oasis! It is San Diego’s premier 5-star resort spa, offering a comprehensive menu of treatments including facials, massages and salon services. The Fairmont Spa has the prestigious honor of being one of Forbes Five-Star Spas.
I had a facial—which was fantastic—but it was the spa facilities that really stood out. Adorned with marble, wood accents and tile, the spa is elegant and relaxing. Separate locker rooms for men and women each feature a lounge area, whirlpool, sauna, steam room and outdoor seating area.
If you happen to be visiting the spa without being a guest at the hotel, you are invited to enjoy the adult pool after your spa service, where you can enjoy the lounge chairs, relaxation pool and hot tub, and even order lunch.
Things to Do Near Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Located just minutes from some of Southern California’s most pristine beaches, you can easily spend the day at the beach or experience one of the many other fun things to do in Del Mar and still have time to relax by the pool in the afternoon and enjoy dinner at one of the resort’s upscale restaurants.
San Diego’s many attractions, including SeaWorld San Diego, Balboa Park, La Jolla, Torrey Pines State Park, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Horseracing Track, San Diego Zoo, Legoland, Seaport Village, the Birch Aquarium and the wineries of Temecula are all located within a short drive.
San Diego International Airport is also less than 30 minutes away.
Final Thoughts: Fairmont Grand Del Mar Reviews
The old adage is right – you really do get what you pay for! Room rates at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar may be high, but the quality, service, luxurious room, and amenities make the high price tag worth it.
We had a wonderful stay at this luxury Southern California resort. Though we are lucky enough to live nearby, a weekend at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar felt like an international vacation. If luxury, service and proximity to awesome attractions are high on your list, then this resort may be the perfect destination for your next California getaway.
Be sure to also check out this L’Auberge Del Mar Hotel Review, for another luxurious option in Del Mar but on the beach!
Hotel Information & Reservations
- 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego
- (858) 314-1988
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