Brad A. Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
    • Food Photography
    • Travel Photography
    • Restaurant Photography
    • Hotel & Resort Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact
Brad A. Johnson

Food & Travel

Brad A Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
    • Food Photography
    • Travel Photography
    • Restaurant Photography
    • Hotel & Resort Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact

Hotel Review: Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego

  • December 3, 2021
  • Brad A. Johnson
The Grand Del Mar in north San Diego County rebranded in 2015 as the Fairmont Grand Del Mar and is now managed, as the name suggests, by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. 
Located midway between Oceanside and downtown San Diego in the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, the gated 249-room resort was originally developed by San Diego real-estate tycoon Doug Manchester, who still retains a minority stake but sold controlling interest to Fairmont’s parent company in partnership with Blum Capital, the equity firm founded by Richard Blum, husband of senator Dianne Feinstein. The resort underwent a light refurbishment shortly after that transition. 
Fairmont Grand Del Mar in north San Diego County (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Fairmont Grand Del Mar in north San Diego County (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Fairmont Grand Del Mar in north San Diego County (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Fairmont Grand Del Mar (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Fairmont Grand Del Mar in north San Diego County (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Fairmont Grand Del Mar (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Fairmont Grand Del Mar in north San Diego County (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)

Widely regarded as one of the best resorts in California since its debut in 2007, the Grand Del Mar is a sprawling 400-acre ode to the late Addison Mizner, the legendary American architect and designer who famously copied the most opulent hallmarks of Spanish, Portuguese, Moroccan and Italian grandeur to create the Mediterranean Revival style that would come to define large swaths of Southern California (not to mention most of Palm Beach, Florida, where much of his work was focused in the 1920s). 

The Grand Del Mar is a palatial estate, and to fully appreciate the splendor you might want to bring your running shoes and take advantage of the paved trails that wind around the resort. (If you want to venture farther into the canyon, I believe the resort does provide bikes.) The property includes a 21,000 square foot spa, four swimming pools, tennis courts, a Tom Fazio designed golf course and, most notably for me, the affiliated but independently operated Addison restaurant just up the hill from the hotel overlooking it all. 

I’ve stayed here several times over the years, but not since the transition to Fairmont, so I was curious to see how it had changed, if at all. I checked into a poolside room with a private terrace surrounded by manicured privacy hedges. At more than 500 square feet, these are some of the largest standard rooms in California. And also among the most lavishly appointed. 

I’ve seen entire apartments in New York that aren’t as spacious as the bathrooms here, wrapped in Italian marble and damask wallpaper. The extra-tall king bed is luxuriously swaddled with expensive sheets and goose-down pillows. I always sleep very, very well here. 

Amaya at Fairmont Grand Del Mar (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Amaya at Fairmont Grand Del Mar (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
One of several salons that comprise the lobby at Fairmont Grand Del Mar (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)

Unfortunately the resort’s beautiful Amaya restaurant was still closed for lunch, due to the pandemic, but I was able to enjoy breakfast there. For lunch, I had to dine at the golf course’ Clubhouse Grill, which was good but not necessarily a place I would choose to dine if I weren’t staying on property. The good news, though: Addison is better than ever — and probaby the best restaurant in Southern California at the moment. 

The only glaring change that stands out to me since Fairmont arrived is the unfortunate paving-over of the beautiful lawn surrounding the reflection pool adjacent to the wedding gazebo. This used to be a very special setting, flanked by towering cypress trees, but those were also removed. This was my favorite spot of many in the resort, but not anymore. I suppose the new landscaping serves a beneficial banquet function, but when not in use it looks jarringly out of context. Oh, well. This is just one corner of a sprawling estate, so perhaps most people won’t even notice. 

Reflection pool at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, 2012 (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Reflection pool at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, 2012 (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Reflection pool at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, 2021 (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Reflection pool at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, 2021 (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)

All in all, however, this was another fabulous stay. Service throughout proved even better than what I remember from past visits, which has always been first-class. Given the universal staffing woes of the pandemic, that’s no small feat — and the hotel was at full capacity, too. Little did I realize when I selected my date for this stay that the Breeder’s Cup was taking place that same week at the nearby Del Mar Fairgrounds and Racetrack, an international event that draws a particularly demanding crowd. The staff handled all the frenzy with absolute aplomb.  

Bottom line: I’ve stayed at Fairmont hotels around the world, including Singapore, Whistler, Shanghai, London and Mexico’s Riviera Maya. The Grand Del Mar surely ranks among the finest of this luxury brand’s global portfolio. There is no better hotel in San Diego, for sure. And if you’re dining at Addison, this is an exquisite way to cap the evening.

Rates from about $650; 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego, 858-314-2000, granddelmar.com

For more travel inspiration and photos, I invite you to follow me and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Share
Tweet
Brad A. Johnson

Brad A. Johnson is a writer and photographer specializing in food and travel. His work has been honored by the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, James Beard Awards, World Food Media Awards, Food Photographer of the Year Awards, Society of Features Journalism Awards and others. Based in Southern California, Brad currently serves as Editorial Director of the new luxury consumer travel magazine of the Global Travel Collection (launching Spring 2023).

Previous Article

Hotel Review: Mission Pacific, Oceanside California

  • November 20, 2021
  • Brad A. Johnson
View Post
Next Article

Review: Addison, San Diego

  • December 4, 2021
  • Brad A. Johnson
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • California Hotels

Hotel Review: Azure Sky, Palm Springs

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • June 27, 2022
View Post
  • California Hotels
  • California Restaurants

Closer Look: Del Rey at Villa Royale, Palm Springs

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • June 4, 2022
View Post
  • California Hotels
  • California Restaurants

Hotel Review: Villa Royale, Palm Springs

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • May 30, 2022
View Post
  • California Hotels
  • Travel: Adventure

Review: AutoCamp Joshua Tree

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • May 22, 2022
View Post
  • California Hotels

Quick Look: Pendry, San Diego

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • May 14, 2022
View Post
  • California Hotels
  • Travel: United States

Motel Review: White Water, Cambria CA

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • February 6, 2022
View Post
  • California Hotels
  • California Restaurants

Motel Review: Cuyama Buckhorn, New Cuyama, CA

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • December 27, 2021
View Post
  • California Hotels
  • California Restaurants

Quick Look: Hotel Cerro & Brasserie SLO, San Luis Obispo

  • Brad A. Johnson
  • December 26, 2021
Hey, OC. FYI in case you missed it, @ryegoods has opened a new location on Red Hill in Tustin, just down the street from Flight/Mess Hall. Same incredible breads and pastries as the original on the peninsula. No lines here, plus a huge seating area. #sourdough #pastries #coffee #orangecounty 322 9
One more post from our lovely stay at @fstokyo. Delicious lunch at @maisonmarunouchi, the casual sibling to @sezannetokyo. Excellent all around. And clearly popular with Tokyo's ladies who lunch: the clientele during our visit, almost entirely women. Quite the see-and-be-seen crowd. 57 1
I’m not sure which I liked better about the @fstokyo, the valet greeter and escort from the train station, the view of the trains from our room, or the super comfy pajamas. Excellent service all around. #Tokyo #Japan #hoteljunkie 79 3
I think @sezannetokyo ⁠has a #footfetish, and I’m ok with that. Truly fantastic lunch. Impeccable service. ⁠ 63 1
We had a really fun "Lost in Translation" moment at @meatman_roppongi. Google Translate failed hilariously. Delicious meat/fat overload anyway. Great staff, charming hospitality. Lots of sake. Thank you, @fstokyo for securing the reservation! #Tokyo #Roppongi #sake 76 1
Well, that was interesting.  A toast to 2022. And looking forward to ‘23. Cheers, and safe travels to all. 81 1
Brad A. Johnson
  • Blog
  • About
  • Photography
  • Writing
  • Contact
Writer. Photographer. Traveler. Restaurant Critic.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.