catamaran resort san diego ca

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

3999 Mission Boulevard, Mission Bay, San Diego, CA 92109, United States of America – Excellent location – show map

Cleanliness

Value for money

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa Reserve now

Located 100 yards from the Pacific Ocean, this San Diego resort features an outdoor pool and full-service spa with beauty treatments. Rooms at the resort include free Wi-Fi. Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa provides rooms with balconies or patios. Every room contains a flat-screen cable TV with HBO and an iPod docking station. Guests can enjoy on-site dining at the property's restaurant, Oceana Coastal Kitchen. Guests can also rent inline skates and bicycles at Catamaran Resort Hotel. Water sport rentals, sand volleyball courts and children’s activities are also available at the hotel. The Catamaran Hotel Resort is 4 miles from SeaWorld. The San Diego zoo is 10.5 miles from the hotel.

Couples in particular like the location – they rated it 9.1 for a two-person trip.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

• Outdoor swimming pool
• Private Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Fitness center
• Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
• Private beach area

Property highlights

Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.1)

Want a great night's sleep? This hotel was highly-rated for its very comfy beds.

Private parking available

Saved to 3347 lists

Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

Property practices

Categories:, hotel area info, restaurants 1 restaurant on site.

• Cuisine American
• Open for Breakfast • Brunch • Lunch • Dinner • Cocktail hour
• Ambience Modern

Amenities of Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

• Free toiletries
• Outdoor fireplace
• Outdoor furniture
• Bicycle rental Additional charge
• Movie nights
• Water sports facilities on site Additional charge
• Flat-screen TV
• Cable channels
• Fruit Additional charge
• Wine/Champagne Additional charge
• Tea/Coffee maker
• Parking garage
• Accessible parking
• ATM on site
• Baggage storage
• 24-hour front desk
• Daily housekeeping
• Dry cleaning Additional charge
• Meeting/Banquet facilities Additional charge
• Fire extinguishers
• CCTV in common areas
• Smoke alarms
• Key card access
• 24-hour security
• Vending machine (snacks)
• Vending machine (drinks)
• Air conditioning
• Smoke-free property
• Wake-up service
• Facilities for disabled guests
• Room service
• Open all year
• All ages welcome
• Heated pool
• Pool/Beach towels
• Beach chairs/Loungers
• Locker rooms
• Yoga classes
• Full-body massage
• Couples' massage
• Back massage
• Spa/Wellness packages
• Spa lounge/Relaxation area
• Spa facilities
• Beach umbrellas Additional charge
• Hot tub/Jacuzzi
• Massage Additional charge
• Spa Additional charge
• Sauna Additional charge

See availability House rules

From 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card at check-in

Until 11:00 AM

Cancellation/ prepayment

Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.

Children & Beds

Child policies

Children of all ages are welcome.

Children 18 and above will be charged as adults at this property.

To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.

Crib and extra bed policies

Cribs and extra beds aren't available at this property.

No age restriction

There's no age requirement for check-in

Pets are allowed. Charges may apply.

When booking more than 3 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

Accepted payment methods

Cash is not accepted Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.

The fine print Must-know information for guests at this property

Please note:

The hotel allows only 1 room per reservation.

There will be a resort fee at the property beginning 1 October 2018. Please contact property for pricing details.

Resort fee includes:

Complimentary WiFi access in guest rooms and public areas

Use of beach chairs and umbrellas on Bay Beach, towels at the resort pool and whirlpool and fitness center

Two in-room waters per day

USA Today newspaper each morning in the lobby

Discounts at the on-site spa, Morays’ Happy Hour and Oceana Coastal Kitchen

Complimentary local and domestic long-distance phone calls.

Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

FAQs about Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Does catamaran resort hotel and spa have a pool.

Yes, this hotel has a pool. See details about the pool and other facilities on this page.

What is there to do at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

• Swimming pool
• Couples' massage
• Water sports facilities on site
• Bicycle rental

What type of room can I book at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

What are the check-in and check-out times at catamaran resort hotel and spa.

Check-in at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is from 4:00 PM, and check-out is until 11:00 AM.

Does Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa have a hot tub for its guests?

Yes, there's a hot tub. You can find out more about this and the other facilities at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa on this page.

How close to the beach is Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

The nearest beach is 350 feet from Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

How far is Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa from the center of San Diego?

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is 7.5 miles from the center of San Diego. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

Does Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa have a restaurant on site?

• Oceana Coastal Kitchen

How much does it cost to stay at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

The prices at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel's policy etc.). To see prices, enter your dates.

The Best of San Diego

Attractions.

• San Diego Zoo
• SeaWorld San Diego

Convention Centers

• San Diego Convention Center

Institutions

• San Diego State University
• University of San Diego
• Scripps Institution of Oceanography
• San Diego City College
• National University
• San Diego Miramar College
• Torrey Pines State Reserve
• USS Midway Museum
• Maritime Museum of San Diego
• Balboa Park
• Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
• Cabrillo National Monument
• Sunset Cliffs

Popular Areas

• Coronado Beach
• La Jolla Cove
• Liberty Station

Shopping Areas

• Fashion Valley Mall
• Coronado Shopping Plaza Shopping Center
• Coronado Ferry Landing Shopping Center
• Clairemont Village Shopping Center
• Spreckels Theatre
• San Diego International Airport (SAN) 5.1 miles
• North Island (Halsey Field) Naval Air Station (NZY) 6.6 miles
• McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) 23.3 miles

Train Stations

• San Diego - Santa Fe Depot Amtrak Station

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Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

View prices for your travel dates

• Excellent 4,768
• Very Good 1,272
• Average 539
• Terrible 203
• All languages ( 7,040 )
• English ( 6,863 )
• German ( 61 )
• French ( 42 )

" If you stay in the Tower,request a High floor overlooking the Bay. "

" The pool does get crowded. Expect an additional $50-$70 in fees (not even taxes) a night on top of the room cost. "

" No need to use your car! Just park and enjoy the ocean and the bay. "

" Make sure you come at the right time of the year. Many of the days have already been reserved so check directly with in house reservations "

" Book the suite that you are able to walk out to the bay! "

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

CATAMARAN RESORT HOTEL AND SPA (San Diego) - Resort Reviews, Photos, Rate Comparison - Tripadvisor

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

rate per night

based on 307 reviews

About Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

• Hotel Room You’ll have a private room with all the hotel’s amenities
• Freebies This stay includes Wi-Fi for free

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa features exotic amenities and over 300 rooms and suites to choose from. It's located in San Diego, and guests can enjoy exploring the vast range of dining, spa, and entertainment options available both inside and outside of the hotel.

Each room features Polynesian-Colonial style decor, as well as free WiFi and 24-hour room service. Guests can take advantage of the iHome docking station, laptop-sized safe, and the HD TV set with free DirectTV.

A variety of premium restaurants are located at the resort for seaside fare. Guests can dine at Oceana Coastal Kitchen or Moray's, which feature popular menu offerings of burgers, locally-crafted beers, and delectable seafood dishes. A Sunday champagne brunch is also available at the resort, as well as an in-room dining service. For additional restaurants outside of the resort, guests can check out Rum Social and Oasis Snack Shack.

Business travelers can make use of the 14 meeting rooms at Catamaran Resort Hotel. Guests may choose from banquet halls, conference rooms, beachfront meeting areas, and cruise-ship meeting rooms, which are located on the Victorian-style sternwheeler. Each meeting room includes a fresh buffet or innovative culinary menu.

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is located a short distance away from the San Diego International Airport. It offers a variety of activities to keep guests entertained, with popular choices like ultimate pool day, bird shows, games at the arcade, and sunset luaus. Guests may also indulge in the Catamaran Spa and stay fit at the fitness center, which boasts views of Mission Bay.

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa combines luxurious amenities with relaxing accommodations for a premium getaway experience in the heart of San Diego.

Photos of Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Latest deals for catamaran resort hotel and spa.

* Total includes estimated local taxes & fees payable on check out.

Prices are based on 1 night, not including taxes and fees

Amenities at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

• Private beach
• Outdoor pool
• Spa and wellness center
• Fitness center
• Room service
• Tea/coffee maker
• Coffee machine

Services and conveniences

• ATM on-site
• Business center
• Wake-up service
• Concierge service
• Safety deposit box
• Meeting/Banquet facilities
• Express check-out
• Bottle of water
• 24hr front desk

Pool and spa

• Heated pool
• Fire extinguisher
• Free toiletries
• Smoke alarms
• Air-conditioned

Things to do

• Bicycle rental
• Water sport facilities (on site)
• Vending machine (drinks)
• Vending machine (snacks)
• Refrigerator
• Kitchenette

Accessibility and suitability

• Pets allowed on request. Charges may apply.
• Increased accessibility
• Beach towels
• Laundry facilities
• Laundry service
• Iron and ironing board

Parking and transportation

• Private parking

Media and entertainment

• Flat-screen TV
• Cable or satellite TV
• Storage available

Health and safety

• Daily housekeeping
• Wardrobe or closet

Family friendly

• Babysitting or child care

Reviews of Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

All reviews are collected from real users with a verified booking made with KAYAK or one of our trusted external partners.

Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

• Staff was great and accommodating. (in 35 reviews)
• The location was perfect! (in 27 reviews)
• The property is beautiful and relaxing. (in 17 reviews)
• The room was dirty! (in 37 reviews)
• the beds are uncomfortable with the worst bedding! (in 2 reviews)
• The bathroom was old and dirty. (in 16 reviews)

Traveler type:

Time of year:, traveler rating:, what's nearby.

• Mission Beach 1.1 mi
• Mission Bay Park 2.1 mi
• SeaWorld San Diego 2.3 mi
• Windansea Beach 3.2 mi
• Mount Soledad 3.4 mi
• Old Town San Diego State Historic Park 4 mi
• La Jolla Cove 4.3 mi
• La Jolla Shores 4.7 mi
• Sunset Cliffs Natural Park 5 mi
• Maritime Museum 6.6 mi
• USS Midway Museum 6.9 mi
• Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery 7 mi

Essential information about Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

When to book a room at catamaran resort hotel and spa, top tips for your stay at catamaran resort hotel and spa.

• If you’re after a cheap room at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, then you should consider staying during the low season. The cheapest deals can generally be found in April and January.
• Prices can also vary depending on which day of the week you stay. For the best room deals at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa, plan to stay on a Sunday or Saturday. The most expensive day is usually Tuesday.
• The cheapest price a room at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa was booked for on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks was $254, while the most expensive was $460.
• How long should you stay at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa? KAYAK users usually book their rooms here for 2 days.

FAQs when booking at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

What can i expect from the rooms at catamaran resort hotel and spa.

The rooms at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa feature Polynesian-Colonial style decor, free WiFi, 24-hour room service, iHome docking station, laptop-sized safe, and HD TV set with free DirectTV. Some guests have mentioned that the rooms are updated and wonderful, while others have noted that the decor is dated and the rooms are in need of a remodel.

How is the food quality at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa offers a variety of premium restaurants for seaside fare, including Oceana Coastal Kitchen and Moray's, which feature popular menu offerings of burgers, locally-crafted beers, and delectable seafood dishes. Some guests have described the food as very good and delicious, while others have mentioned that the restaurant was overpriced with mediocre food.

What are the amenities available at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa offers a range of amenities, including a spa and wellness center, massage, heated pool, outdoor pool, sauna, steam room, fitness center, private beach, and garden. Additionally, guests can enjoy activities like ultimate pool day, bird shows, games at the arcade, and sunset luaus. However, some guests have mentioned that the rooms are in need of a remodel and that the decor is dated.

Is parking available at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa provides parking and valet parking for guests. However, some guests have mentioned that they had trouble with the sliding door in their room and that the decor is dated.

What is the best time to visit Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

The high season at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is in May, while the low season is in December. Guests can enjoy the beautiful property, location, and a variety of amenities, but some have noted that the rooms are in need of a remodel and that the decor is dated.

What amenities are provided for guests spending time on the beach at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is in a beach community. Consequently, during your vacation to this hotel you’ll likely spend lots of time by the ocean. To enhance your time at the beach, the hotel offers guests an array of accessories such as toys, towels and a beach umbrella to protect you from the sun. You can also request a lounger so that you can kick back and relax with your feet in the sand.

What is a spa day like at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

The spa at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa offers a variety of treatments from massages to body treatments like nourishing wraps. Along with these services, there are several other amenities that you can enjoy on your spa day. When you’re scheduled for a treatment, you’ll have access to the spa’s private outdoor pool, a steam room and hot tub. Between spa services, you can munch on fresh fruit and drink hot tea.

Are there any activities we can do as a family at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

Ride a rented bike along the bike trail or explore the town together while getting in a little exercise. Power boats, kayaks and paddleboards are also available for rent. On Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, gather on the beach to watch a family-friendly movie.

Is there a kid’s club at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

Register the kids for the Keiki Club. This is a free activity offered to guests of the hotel. Under adult supervision, the kids will enjoy educational, physical and artistic group fun such as craft projects. The club is scheduled daily at 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm, and is located by the pool.

Does Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa offer any special vacation packages?

Take advantage of packages that include tickets and room discounts for popular San Diego tourist attractions such as the San Diego Zoo and LEGOLAND California. If you’re looking to have a romantic vacation, why not book the resort’s Bed and Breakfast package? Along with your room, you’ll receive a complimentary breakfast for two in the hotel’s Oceana Coastal Kitchen.

What wedding services are offered at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

Get married on the beach at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa. Exchange vows and have your reception outdoors. Or, you can move your reception indoors to the ballroom. Great for destination weddings, staff can take care of all of your wedding details from photography to catering.

Are there any wineries or breweries within walking distance of Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

About a half-mile from the resort is the Baja Winery. Along with sampling wines, you can also take an educational tour and learn all about how wine is produced here. Also close by is the PB Ale House with its wide array of craft beers and stylish cocktails. From its downstairs dining room, you’ll have picturesque views of the beach and ocean.

Where is Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa located?

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is located at 3999 Mission Boulevard in Mission Bay, 7.6 miles from the center of San Diego. Mission Beach is the closest landmark to Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa.

When is check-in time and check-out time at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa?

Check-in time is 4:00 PM and check-out time is 11:00 AM at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa.

Does Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa offer free Wi-Fi?

Yes, Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa offers free Wi-Fi.

How far is Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa from the airport?

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is 5.2 miles from San Diego. Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa is 23.3 miles from San Diego Carlsbad-Palomar.

Does Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa have a pool?

Yes, Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa has a pool onsite.

How does KAYAK find such great Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa hotel deals?

KAYAK scours the web for all room deals available at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa in San Diego and lets you compare them to find the best rate for your stay. Many different travel sites will offer discounts or deals at different times for rooms at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa and KAYAK will provide you with prices from a huge range of travel sites. That means that you can always find a great deal for Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa.

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Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

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• Excellent 4,768
• Very Good 1,272
• Average 539
• Terrible 203
• All languages ( 7,040 )
• English ( 6,863 )
• German ( 61 )
• French ( 42 )

" If you stay in the Tower,request a High floor overlooking the Bay. "

" The pool does get crowded. Expect an additional $50-$70 in fees (not even taxes) a night on top of the room cost. "

" No need to use your car! Just park and enjoy the ocean and the bay. "

" Make sure you come at the right time of the year. Many of the days have already been reserved so check directly with in house reservations "

" Book the suite that you are able to walk out to the bay! "

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

CATAMARAN RESORT HOTEL AND SPA: 2024 Prices & Reviews (San Diego, CA) - Photos of Resort - Tripadvisor

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• Kid-Friendly

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Mission Bay, California, United States

• Full Review
• Lovely beachfront grounds with lush greenery, koi ponds, and tropical birds
• Spacious rooms with private balconies, Keurig machines, iHome docks, and flat-screen TVs
• Studios and suites have kitchenettes and living/dining areas
• Pretty pool area with hot tub, loungers, and poolside bar and grill
• Direct beach access with free loungers and umbrellas, plus water sports available
• Restaurant and casual eatery with outdoor seating, plus room service
• Spa and salon offer a variety of treatments, plus small fitness center
• Beautiful boat offers sunset cruises around the bay, plus live music, DJs, and dancing at night
• 14 meeting rooms
• Game rooms with variety of arcade games
• Shop with souvenirs, snacks, and drinks
• Free Wi-Fi throughout
• Interiors are dated and could use a refresh; room decor is bland and old
• Fitness room is small and could use an update
• Fee for parking

Bottom Line

Although the dated Polynesian-style decor and interiors could use an update, this three-pearl resort in San Diego's Pacific Beach area is a great family-friendly choice with an array of features and direct beach access. Set on pretty grounds filled with lush greenery, koi ponds, and exotic birds, the hotel offers two on-site eateries, a lovely outdoor pool and hot tub, as well as a spa, salon, and fitness center. There's even a beautiful classic boat that offers sunset cruises and family activities, transforming into a nightclub scene in the evenings. The 310 guest rooms are bland and could use a refresh, but they're spacious and outfitted with modern comforts like flat-screen TVs, Keurig machines, iHome docks, and free Wi-Fi, while studios and suites add kitchenettes and dining/living space. For nicer and more modern rooms, check out the similarly priced and also beachfront Paradise Point Resort and Spa in Mission Bay.

Hotel & Amenities Photos

Spa Jacuzzi

Restaurants and Bars

Fitness Center

Pets allowed, oyster hotel review, mid-range family-friendly resort with dated polynesian-style decor, but pretty green grounds.

This beachfront hotel sits on pretty green grounds full of palm trees, lush plants, trim lawns, ponds with colorful fish, and even exotic birds flying about. The greenery creeps inside as well -- a rock waterfall and koi pond in the lobby is skirted in ferns, small palms, and tropical greenery sprouting here and there beneath the sloped roof. Though dated, it somehow works, bringing a kitschy dose of the natural world inside. The place has a Polynesian vibe, with bamboo and rattan furniture, wooden art hanging on the walls, and teak wood elements. Though many spaces could use an update -- like the drab carpeting and beige walls in the lobby and hallways -- the resort is a fine choice with a great location and a good selection of amenities, garnering terrific ratings and reviews from guests.

Across the street from the beach on the shores of Mission Bay, close to restaurants and shops

The hotel is situated across the road from a beach in San Diego’s Pacific Beach community. The immediate area is residential, with private homes and vacation rentals, but there are a variety of shops and restaurants within walking distance. Nearby attractions include Belmont Park (five-minute drive), SeaWorld San Diego (10-minute drive), San Diego Zoo (17-minute drive), Cabrillo National Monument, (22-minute drive), and Legoland California (35-minute drive). Downtown San Diego is about a 15-minute drive from here, while the historic Gaslamp Quarter is 20 minutes away. San Diego International Airport is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel, or around an hour by public transportation. The nearest bus stop is a two-minute walk away.

Spacious but dated rooms, suites, and studios with private balconies/patios; some have kitchenettes 

Rooms are plain and simple, and though they could use an update, they're clean and offer a decent set of amenities. Decor is dated, with beige walls and carpets, wooden furniture, and beds topped with striped bed runners. They're spacious, though, and have large glass doors that open onto private balconies or patios with views over the surroundings or onto the hotel's green grounds. Studios and suites have kitchenettes with four-burner stoves, ovens, microwaves, sinks, toasters, and full fridges, as well as living/dining space with blue couches, coffee tables, and chairs flanking small round tables. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, mini-fridges (full fridges in units with kitchenettes), iHome docks, laptop safes, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are equally bland decor-wise and quite small. They're outfitted with shower/tub combos, toiletries, and hairdryers; bathrobes can be found in the closets.

Two dining options, lovely pool and hot tub, direct beach access, spa and fitness facilities, and plenty of meeting rooms

The hotel offers two on-site dining options: Oceana Coastal Kitchen is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving Californian fare in an waterfront setting (outdoor seating overlooks the beach), while Moray's is the more casual option serving light bites and drinks, with a fun outdoor space with fire pits and tiki torches. A Sunday Champagne brunch is also available, as is room service. For an alternative dining/drinking experience, guests can hop onto the Bahia Belle, the hotel's classic sternwheeler that offers family hour and cocktail cruises on Mission Bay. Drinks, snacks, and family activities are available during the evening, while at night, there is music and dancing, and on the weekends live DJs.

The hotel's lovely, green grounds include a pretty outdoor pool and hot tub surrounded by loungers and tall palm trees, plus there's a poolside bar and grill. The resort has direct access to a beach, where guests can use the free beach chairs and umbrellas. Various water sport rentals and lessons are available here, including surfing, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking. Bike and Segway rentals are also available.

The hotel has a spa that offers massages, body wraps, hydrotherapy treatments, facials, and other treatments. There's also a salon that offers hair styling, makeup, and nail services. The fitness room offers a handful of cardio and strength training machines as well as weights. Family-friendly facilities include a game room with a good selection of arcade games. Other facilities include 14 on-site meeting rooms available for various events, as well as a gift shop stocked with souvenirs, snacks, and drinks. There is a fee for both self-parking and valet.

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Things You Should Know About Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

Also known as.

• Catamaran Resort Hotel

3999 Mission Blvd, San Diego, California 92109-6959, United States

Air Conditioner

Balcony / terrace / patio, basic television, beauty / hair salon, business center, dry cleaning, full kitchen, gameroom / arcade, kids allowed, meeting / conference rooms, poolside drink service, rental car service desk onsite, room service, separate bedroom / living room space, supervised kids activities, swim-up bar, tennis court.

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.

View Top Offer For This Hotel

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Next-level activities

Activities and experiences have long been part of luxury hotel offerings. But many current offerings come with extra cachet.

“We are constantly trying to find cool things for our guests to do,” said Olivier Lordonnois, who, as managing director of Aman , oversees the luxury resort company’s properties in the Americas, including its newest in New York City . That could mean an invitation to an artist’s private studio to learn about their process ($7,500) or mastering fish butchery and handcrafted sushi ($750).

The resort also partners with the camera manufacturer Leica and offers master classes, such as photography with the fashion photographer Mark de Paola, who will help guests run a true-to-life shoot that includes hair, makeup and styling. Guests photograph models at iconic New York backdrops (starting at $7,000, lunch at an Aman restaurant included).

Set in a rainforest on Vancouver Island, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge offers canyoning, horseback riding, salmon fishing and more. You can also take it to the next level and charter a helicopter to whisk you away for mountaintop adventures (650 Canadian dollars, or about $475, per person). “When you get to the top of the mountain, you’re talking to God,” said the general manager, Sarah Cruse. “I’ll send you up there with a bottle of Champagne and say, ‘Just sit down and have a chat.’”

Even resorts that offer a selection of activities included in the room rate take special pains to develop additional offerings. “Guests are paying a high room rate, so we need full programming and activities on the calendar,” said Corey Lens, the assistant general manager of Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport, Maine. That means no additional charge for forest-bathing sessions, watercolor lessons, and visits with orphaned owls, turtles and other wildlife. But you can also pay for extra sessions with a forest therapist to take you on a mindfulness hike ($85 per hour) or mixologists ($60) to level up your cocktail-making skills.

Exclusive access

Personalized experiences are something Annabel Rayer, a global communications director for IHG brands, which includes Six Senses , Regent , InterContinental and others, sees as nonnegotiable. “It’s not just the case of going for a Michelin-star meal,” she said. Our guests want to meet the chef, and they want to understand everything that’s going on.” At the InterContinental London Park Lane , that Michelin-starred chef is Theo Randall, and guests can learn from him in a kitchen master class before indulging in a four-course meal (from 185 euros, or about $200).

In France, at Carlton Cannes , a Regent hotel, guests explore the perfume capital of Grasse in a vintage Citroën 2CV and create their own fragrance with some of the world’s best perfumers (from 109 euros), and at the Regent resort on the Vietnamese island Phu Quoc, guests can get lessons from an expert sailing crew aboard a catamaran (64,000,000 Vietnamese dong, or about $2,520, for up to 12 guests).

In Chicago, the city where the architect Frank Lloyd Wright established himself, the Langham tempts guests with an intensive tour of his home, which he built for himself in 1889 in Oak Park, west of downtown.

The three-hour excursion ($1,240) includes a chauffeured ride to Oak Park, which has the highest concentration of Wright-designed houses in the world, along with a tour of Wright’s own home and studio. The experience, said Mr. Gills, of the Langham, gives guests a new perspective on someone they thought they knew. “It’s a different kind of ‘wow,’” he said.

Jesmine Hall is director of communications for Raffles Singapore . “We see a hotel being a destination for not just rest and rejuvenation,” she said, “but a setting for cultural immersion.” The hotel’s Enlightenment Retreat (from 7,800 Singapore dollars, or about $5,745) features four days of holistic treatments — including yoga, meditation, hydrotherapy herbal body wraps — along with personalized menus from the hotel’s restaurants. It also includes visits to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the Intan, a private house museum devoted to Peranakan culture — a mix of local and Chinese heritage. Tea with the owner, Alvin Yapp, well known in Singapore’s cultural circles, gives it that extra insider’s feel.

Exceptional locations

Sometimes the location itself is the experience. Rather than choosing downtown San Diego when it opened a new California location three years ago, Alila Hotels and Resorts went 28 miles north to Encinitas, Calif. “It’s this little beach town that’s always been known as a surf destination, always been known as laid-back and friendly,” said Emily Teachout, director of marketing for the 130-room Alia Marea Beach resort . Through Fulcrum Surf , a top-tier surf school, guests can take a one-hour lesson ($200) on the resort’s beach. Or they can opt for a private coastal tour ($925) to scope out the best breaks, take in the local scene and get an extended lesson on different surfboards.

Other resorts make the most out of their natural environment. When Jon Borschow, 72, and his wife, Galina, 68, of San Juan, P.R., arrived at Amanpulo resort on the private Pamalican Island in the Philippines, they noticed a lot of birds. Being amateur birders, they inquired about them and were offered a tour with the resident naturalist. “I would say we saw at least 30 different species,” said Mr. Borschow, including Thai imperial pigeons and a Philippine megapode.

Personalization. Personalization. Personalization.

“Travelers really just want to be taken care of by hotels and have them provide and arrange everything,” Ms. Hall, of Raffles Singapore , said. Responding to that desire, Raffles offers a personalized shopping extravaganza, in which guests consult with a personal shopper before arrival, and then enjoy a chauffeured four-hour trip to some of Singapore’s best boutiques (from 3,900 Singapore dollars, or about $2,860, which includes two nights in a suite and breakfast).

Hotels also seize opportunities to deliver a personal touch.

When David Anderson, 78, of St. Louis, took his extended family on a trip to the Clayoquot lodge, he emailed Ms. Cruse, the general manager, in advance, sharing a bit on each of the nine family members.

“She guided us toward taking a family hike,” said Mr. Anderson, acknowledging they had been inclined to split up and do different activities. “She knew that we were working on communication as a family. We were going to pass on the hike. She really pushed us,” he said about the outing with experienced guides.

A year and a half later, Mr. Anderson still feels the effects on his family. “I can honestly say after that trip, our communication has gone to a higher level.”

What’s next

Hotel experts say that the arms race for bigger, bolder, more creative experiences will continue. “Guests are starved for something new because everything around them has been turned into an algorithm,” said Mr. Gills, who is constantly digging deeper to come up with the novel.

So, if hotels want to stay competitive, it seems that no experience is too “out there.” Not even a mountaintop chat with the gods.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

An earlier version of this article inaccurately described Hidden Pond, a resort in Kennebunkport, Maine. It is not an all-inclusive resort.

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New California law means no more surcharges at San Diego restaurants but expect higher menu prices

Restaurants, from Mister A’s to Rockin’ Baja Lobster, have long been adding extra charges to diners’ bills to help defray rising labor costs but come July, a new state law will effectively outlaw them, forcing some eateries to raise menu prices even more than they already have

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Dining out — and running a restaurant — have become increasingly costly in San Diego, but one way many local restaurateurs have coped financially over the past several years was to tack on a surcharge to diners’ bills.

Not anymore.

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A state bill designed to combat what are known as junk or hidden fees will go into effect in July, effectively outlawing added charges of 3, 4, 5 and 6 percent that have become increasingly commonplace at San Diego County restaurants, from Mister A’s, Fort Oak and Coasterra to Rockin’ Baja Lobster and Barefoot Bar & Grill. While there had been some lingering uncertainty if surcharges on restaurant bills would definitely be disallowed under the bill, that ambiguity ended last week when the Attorney General’s Office released a set of guidelines setting the record straight.

“Under the law, a restaurant cannot charge an additional surcharge on top of the price listed,” the Attorney General’s Office wrote.

The legislation, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law in October, covers an array of businesses, from ticket sales vendors and delivery apps to restaurants and hotels. But it’s been the restaurant service charges that have gotten the most attention — and debate.

Before diners start cheering the news, be forewarned. It’s likely that menu prices at many of the dining venues where surcharges are levied will start heading upward this summer.

The chicken Caesar salad at the Bahia hotel, for example, will probably jump from $21 to $22. And Trust’s chicken fried quail with cornbread, red beans and dates? It’s looking like there will be a dollar increase from $23 to $24.

“Prices have been rising and I’ve had to figure out how to stay afloat during these ebbs and flows of a market that’s been volatile, so I try not to pass absolutely everything off to the guest,” said Brad Wise, chef and owner of San Diego’s Trust Restaurant Group. “But the surcharge has been a part of my budget in order to match wages for my employees, match 401(k) contributions, so I have to figure out how to recoup that 4 percent so I can still be comparable in today’s market in Southern California.

“Believe it or not, I’ve had a lot of calls with my peers and some are saying, I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

Wise, a highly regarded chef whose ever-expanding portfolio of restaurants includes Trust, Fort Oak, Cardellino and multiple locations of his steakhouse brand, Rare Society, said he last had to raise prices on Jan. 1, when San Diego’s minimum wage rose, as it does every year.

Cutting costs or hiking prices?

Many, like Wise, are reviewing their budgets, exploring more ways to cut costs and pondering whether they will leap into price-hike mode. The owners of the Puesto chain of Mexican artisan restaurants hope they can avoid boosting menu prices.

“Raising prices for us is the last avenue,” said co-owner Eric Adler. Prices at the restaurants were last raised 1 1/2 years ago.

“We’ll go to our suppliers, tighten things, get more efficient, but everyone is so sensitive to inflation, we hope not to raise prices. Obviously, we hope not to. I just can’t commit either way. If we can’t find another way to pay our bills, then we’d have to. And there will probably be some court challenges because we’ve seen that in the past with state legislation that has a fast turnaround.”

While costs for everything have risen dramatically, the surcharge, at least in San Diego, was born largely out of what restaurateurs said was a need to keep pace with the fast-rising minimum wage, which has increased nearly 50 percent over the past seven years in the city. Some restaurateurs have implemented the surcharge to help boost the pay of their “back-of-the-house” workers like cooks and dishwashers, who aren’t tipped, while others, in cities like San Francisco, use it to cover health benefits.

Although dozens of restaurants throughout the county have increasingly embraced the surcharges, they are not commonplace at most local eateries.

They’ve also proven to be a sore point with diners who sometimes balk at the added charge, prompting frequent rants online.

“I am having a hard time finding any restaurant that doesn’t have this now. Can we compile a list of restaurants that aren’t doing this?” wrote one San Diego poster on Reddit. “I refuse to eat at a place that does this. They increased their prices already and then put that surcharge on there to milk more money out of their customers.”

Eliminating ‘bait and switch tactics’

The legislation, Senate Bill 478 , makes clear that it’s all about transparency for consumers, whether purchasing concert tickets, staying at a hotel or dining out. While a mandatory fee at a restaurant is not outright prohibited, it effectively is because, as the Attorney General’s Office stated last week, it must be included within the price of each menu item. A restaurant, it clarified, cannot charge an additional surcharge on top of the price listed. Additionally, tips that aren’t voluntary — like a mandatory gratuity of 18 or 20 percent for large groups of diners — must also be included in the list price.

The net effect, said Attorney General Ron Bonta, is to eliminate “bait and switch tactics” so consumers are aware upfront what the total cost is for a good or service they’re purchasing.

“The law is simple: The price you see is the price you pay,” Bonta said. “Laws work when everyone can comply.”

California’s restaurant industry immediately pushed back, releasing its own statement in response to Bonta’s interpretation of the legislation. Nothing in the bill, nor the ongoing debate over the legislation, “suggested an intent to change the pricing structure for every restaurant in this state,” said Matthew Sutton, senior vice president of government affairs and public policy for the California Restaurant Association.

The trade group, he added, will be “considering all available options to block implementation of SB 478 in the manner suggested by the AG’s office.” The legislation was co-authored by two Northern California senators — Bill Dodd, D-Napa, and Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, and co-sponsored by the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition.

Equally unnerved by the latest news was the Golden Gate Restaurant Association in San Francisco, which has been closely monitoring the bill’s implementation for months. In a statement, the group said that the end of service charges “will have a very negative impact on the survival of this still struggling industry. Diners will not pay less, instead they will see significant menu price increases, which we believe will further cause them to pull back on dining out.”

Executive Director Laurie Thomas acknowledged in an interview with the Union-Tribune that diners may well be paying about the same after eating out, whether their entree and appetizer cost more or they had a surcharge on their bill. Her concern, she said, is that more regular price increases could prove to be a psychological barrier to eating out.

“Anyone who’s doing a surcharge now will have to raise their prices, said Thomas, who also owns two San Francisco restaurants. “The concern is there’s no guarantee customers won’t have sticker shock when they see that. You’re not going to save money out the door (with no surcharge) but psychologically, when you look at the price of an item and it’s now $12 instead of $9 or $10 the thought is a customer may pull back from eating out or spend less.”

Weighing higher prices for pasta

Niccolò Angius of Cesarina and Elvira restaurants in the Point Loma/Ocean Beach area says their 4 percent “famiglia benefit” surcharge is used for a variety of things to improve the physical and mental well-being of the staff, like premium health insurance that includes vision and dental coverage, as well as yoga classes and educational seminars.

Prices last increased on the food menus in December 2022 and in September for the dessert menu and wine list. The owners, he said, are still weighing how to price their new menu.

“We don’t plan on compromising the incredible culture we have inside the restaurants, and we don’t plan on removing any of these benefits, so we will obviously be forced to increase pricing,” Angius said. “Skyrocketing prices are not good for us because people will stop coming in, and we don’t want to scare people away. Maybe a pasta priced at $23 might go to $25, but we wouldn’t be increasing every item at that kind of percentage.” . Arsalun Tafazoli of CH Projects said his restaurant group’s foray into added service charges was more recent and only applies to a few higher-end dining venues, among them Born & Raised and Seneca, both in downtown San Diego. He’s sort of ambivalent about surcharges, he conceded.

“We resisted it for a very long time and felt we could build this into our pricing but it’s ubiquitous in our space and our chefs were advocating for it,” Tafazoli said. “So I was sort of talked into it, and we decided to test it out. I think it is more challenging these days to figure out how to create a sustainable model with increasing costs, but at the end of the day menu prices are going to go up. It’ll get rolled into menu prices, which we do across all our other spots.”

Hotel resort fees, which have become far more widespread in recent years, will not be outlawed in the same way as restaurant surcharges — as long as they are wrapped into the total room rate, not including taxes and other government-imposed fees. Big chains like Marriott have already started doing this, identifying the total nightly rate, including the resort fee, during the online search process.

“While we were always disclosing resort fees and other mandatory charges, they were not in the first number presented, so this change shifts that,” said Robert Gleason, president of Evans Hotels, which owns the Bahia and Catamaran hotels on Mission Bay and the Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla. “So the room rates will get more expensive, and San Diego and California will look more expensive because this is not a uniform federal law. The same rule should apply to everyone.”

Restaurant surcharges in San Diego have weathered a long, sometimes contentious path, ultimately surviving multiple legal challenges that were launched in 2017. More than a year later, a Superior Court judge ruled that nearly a dozen San Diego restaurants that had been sued over the extra charges they had added to diners’ bills were within their legal right to do so.

Wise of Trust Restaurant Group expects some diners will be pleased to see the removal of surcharges when they get their bills.

“I haven’t wrapped my head around what people will say but there will be some positivity from people not seeing the 4 percent surcharge because we do get a fair amount of people asking to remove it,” Wise said. “Still, a lot of people coming into our restaurants understand the economics behind restaurants so they don’t have a hard time with it.”

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