Located less than 15 miles from downtown San Diego, La Jolla offers a blend of natural beauty, upscale charm and a vibrant cultural scene, making it a highly desirable destination for leisure visitors and business event groups alike. Scattered among the destination’s scenic coastal environment sit more than two-dozen hotels and resorts, ranging from upscale and luxurious to more modest boutique accommodations.

Two of these properties, Hotel La Jolla and Estancia La Jolla, completed extensive renovation projects that corporate event organizers will find appealing when planning their next meeting or conference in this picturesque Southern California community.

Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton

In March, this 50-year-old city landmark in La Jolla Shores finished a full-scale, multi-million-dollar property renovation that encompasses 110 guestrooms and suites, 1,600 square feet of meeting and events space, a new penthouse- level restaurant and a sophisticated, modern beach-inspired aesthetic.

Imagined by hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates, the downtown property’s new look and ambiance are inspired by its coastal location and surrounding landscape. The venue features neutral flooring, muted blue furnishings and artwork reflecting the local culture, scenery and region’s rich past.

Coastal-Inspired Upgrades

Updated guestrooms and suites include new textiles and wallcoverings, high-end furnishings, oversized work desks, modern dressers, 55” televisions, upgraded bathrooms and balconies with modern outdoor furniture for enjoying the ocean views offered by all west-facing guestrooms and suites.

The property’s new 850 square-foot King Ocean View Suites feature separate living areas, a wet bar, work desk, sofa bed, walk-in shower and an additional half bathroom.

The property-wide remodel added an all-new penthouse-level restaurant concept, Sea & Sky, a sea-to-table restaurant perched on the property’s 11^th floor. Showcasing expansive sea views, the bright, modern space features a contemporary color palette and updated design, an enclosed show kitchen and expanded bar. In addition to an elegant main dining room, the restaurant offers a private dining area with seating for 16, providing an additional option for business dinners and smaller receptions. 

The restaurant’s innovative drink menu features a variety of regional California and Valle de Guadalupe wines, as well as handcrafted cocktails presenting elixirs, herb infusions, fresh-pressed juices and exotic ingredients from across the globe.

Overseeing all food-and-beverage operations for the hotel is James Beard-nominated Executive Chef Anthony Wells, who has developed a menu showcasing the freshest, locally caught seafood and regional ingredients.

Meetings With a View

The hotel’s 1,600-sq.-ft., light-filled indoor meeting space has been refreshed with new flooring, wall coverings, paint and updated lighting that complements the property’s new soothing coastal aesthetic. Fully A/V-equipped, it features a large divisible room with seating for up to 80 and floor-to-ceiling views of the adjacent Pacific Ocean, and planners can leverage the property’s team of expert planners and onsite catering to elevate their events.

Groups wanting to gather outside can take advantage of the lushly landscaped Hiatus Lounge, a 1,700-sq.-ft. pool terrace with fire pits, plush seating and modern furniture, available year-round for private events.

Located blocks from the Pacific Ocean, Hotel La Jolla is close to the area’s most popular sights, including La Jolla Shores Beach, La Jolla Village, Birch Aquarium and the Del Mar Racetrack. Owned by Kawa Capital Management and CL Hotels and operated by Aimbridge Hospitality, the property is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection of hotels.

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

Nestled between La Jolla and Del Mar, this Noble House Hotels & Resorts property, owned by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, completed a property-wide, $26 million renovation and redevelopment in April, just in time for its 20^th anniversary.

Featuring historic, ranch-inspired touches blended with modern design, the hotel’s reimagination includes elevated guest rooms and suites, a new lobby and pool complex and upgraded meeting and group spaces designed by global strategy and design studio EDG.  

A Rustic, Equestrian-Inspired Aesthetic 

Featuring cozy fireplaces and an intimate outdoor patio complemented by lush landscaping, Estancia La Jolla’s expanded and reconfigured lobby includes a lobby bar offering a selection of small plates and classic cocktails with a twist that celebrate the flavors of Baja California and Napa Valley. Besides live music, the bar will also host a regular happy hour and rotating Friday tasting activations.

Offering 210 guestrooms and suites with views of its botanical grounds, the hotel’s elevated accommodations feature matte floor tiling inspired by Mexican encaustic cement tile and a color palette of earth tones and pops of color complemented by rich wood furniture, finishes and textured fabrics. 

Modern accents include banquette seating draped with leather strap accents, stately guest beds with old-world headboards, custom wall coverings, wood dressers and leather-fronted bedside tables. All rooms feature technology upgrades, such as wireless chargers and enhanced entertainment with access to major streaming services.

Tucked behind sliding barn doors, upgraded bathrooms feature luxurious marble countertops, modern amenities and tile-lined, walk-in showers, with select accommodations offering spacious soaking tubs. Each room also features private balconies or patios.

Napa Valley and Mexican-Inspired Flavors

The resort boasts several dining destinations serving authentic West Coast cuisine, including The Palma, the hotel’s reimagined poolside bar and restaurant. Serving craft cocktails and flavorful bites, the laid-back venue features Hacienda-inspired design with earth tones and vibrant pops of color, with luxurious cabanas and a rotating calendar of events.

The Trading Post Café, an elevated casual concept, highlights locally sourced ingredients, including honey from the on-property apiary, and a curated selection of coffees, teas, breakfast items and gifts.

Elevated Meeting and Event Venues

Offering nearly 47,000 square feet of customizable indoor and outdoor event spaces, Estancia carried out a floor-to-ceiling revitalization of its 6,864-sq.-ft. La Jolla Ballroom, which now features elevated upgrades, including textured wall treatments, modern lighting and whimsical flooring. The property offers nine indoor meeting rooms, including the 3,920-sq.-ft. Pacifica Ballroom.

The hotel also revitalized its five existing event lawn spaces and added the 1,000-sq.-ft. Mariposa Lawn, located adjacent to the hotel’s Learning Theater and surrounded by botanicals and lush greenery. All meeting spaces offer modern technology and on-site catering services.

Eco-Friendly Enhancements and Amenities

As part of its sustainability and corporate social responsibility efforts, Estancia’s lawn revitalization project reduced the amount of irrigation required for grounds maintenance, and the property partnered with Alvéole to introduce an apiary to aid with native pollination and create a sustainable source of honey and an educational opportunity for guests. The hotel is also home to herb and butterfly gardens that are open to guests, with herbs grown found in recipes at each of the property’s food and beverage outlets.

Estancia features a full-service spa, a fitness center and a rotating calendar of signature events and experiences. 

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