Dana Point Monarch Beach Resort Ditches Independent Status to Become a Waldorf Astoria Property

It seems impossible for the Hilton portfolio to top itself, but they may have just done it. The Monarch Beach

Ivy Griffith

Oct 2, 2020

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It seems impossible for the Hilton portfolio to top itself, but they may have just done it. The Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California, is breathtaking. The all-inclusive resort with stunning views of Monarch Bay just ended it’s independent status to join the fold of the Hilton family portfolio, becoming a Waldorf Astoria property. 

History of the Monarch Beach Resort

The resort website shares a brief history; “The St. Regis Monarch Beach opened its doors on July 30, 2001, featuring Tuscan-inspired architecture designed by Holmes & Narver, as well as the internationally renowned Spa Gaucin. The grand yet inviting Mediterranean retreat earned consecutive AAA Five Diamond Awards beginning in 2003 and consecutive Mobil/Forbes Five Star Awards beginning in 2007.

In 2006, the award-winning Stonehill Tavern, A Michael Mina Restaurant, opened within the resort to critical and local acclaim. In 2015, The St. Regis Monarch Beach turned to Los Angeles-based Rodrigo Vargas Design to begin a $40 million renovation that would reflect the resort’s pristine coastal setting. The reimagined luxury resort debuted on June 1, 2016 as the Monarch Beach Resort, showcasing a sea-inspired palette of cool blues, greens and crisp whites as well as the first Miraval Life in Balance Spa in California.”

And now, the OC Register reports, “The 400-room, five-diamond hotel in Dana Point announced it’s joining with Hilton to manage and market the resort and will be rebranded as the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club. The independent resort was bought by Ohana Real Estate Investors for a reported $497 million in November.”

Good News for Hilton Honors Members

One of the best parts of the new partnership is that those who belong to the Hilton Honors membership program will be able to enjoy this resort with all of the benefits of a Hilton property. 

One Mile at a Time explains, “The main reason to be excited about the Monarch Beach Resort becoming a Waldorf Astoria is the implications that it has for Hilton Honors members:

• Hilton Honors members will be able to earn and redeem Hilton Honors points for stays here, and also redeem free night certificates
• Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members can take advantage of elite benefits, ranging from room upgrades, to free breakfast
• I love Hilton Honors because of how easy it is to earn top tier status with the Hilton Aspire Card

Being able to use Hilton Honors free night certificates will be especially lucrative here. You can get these quite easily with Hilton credit cards, and they’ll offer outsized value for weekend rates.”

When Will The Transition Occur? 

The timing on the transition to a Waldorf Astoria property remains unclear. Hilton released a statement about the exciting news, writing, “‘The Monarch Beach Resort’s impeccable product, unmatched service standard and enviable location make it a perfect addition to the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts portfolio. We are incredibly excited about welcoming the resort and its team members to Hilton,’ said Danny Hughes, Executive Vice President and President, Americas, Hilton. ‘We are already partnering with the team at Ohana Real Estate Investors as we transition the resort management, and we look forward to welcoming guests and members to Southern California’s premier luxury destination.’”

What Will The Resort Offer?

According to the Hilton press release, this is what visitors to their new property will be able to look forward to:

Guestrooms and Suites

“A coastal palette of cool blues, greens and crisp whites distinguish the exquisitely appointed 400 guest rooms and suites. All rooms feature lavish textiles, comfortable chaise lounges, ocean-inspired artwork, and marble top armoires to complement the full marble baths. Modern patio furniture adorns the balconies off every room and suite, and first-floor patios feature fire pits for true beach lifestyle. Bluetooth-enabled alarm clocks and flat screen televisions allow guests to seamlessly sync phones or tablets to play music and stream movies. 

Amenities

Offering an unmatched level of world-class amenities, resort guests and club members can access coastal paths leading to seaside bluffs and exclusive access to the private beach club, via a scenic Monarch Beach Resort tram ride. An expansive outdoor pool area includes the Monarch Pool, a family pool and two infinity-edge ocean view Jacuzzis that seamlessly spill into the stunning seascape, private cabanas with built-in music, stocked outdoor mini-bars, and outdoor fire pits for evening relaxation. An award-winning, oceanfront 18-hole golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., welcomes golf enthusiasts.

The 30,000 square foot Spa at Monarch Beach Resort provides guests and members with an expansive wellness and spa experience inspired by the resort’s oceanfront location and rooted in practices that deliver a healthy lifestyle. With 24 treatment rooms and suites, the spa offers more than 70 signature treatments and wellness programs, a lap pool, boutique, Dana Point’s only Drybar salon and Deborah Lippmann nail studio.  More than 40 weekly fitness, yoga and meditation classes are offered, including beach yoga. 

Culinary Delights

A one-of-a-kind Southern California escape, the resort boasts seven culinary options, perfect for every palate:  

• Bourbon Steak Orange County is Michael Mina’s acclaimed restaurant concept, known for its modern, seasonal take on the classic steakhouse dining experience.
• AVEO Table + Bar features a Mediterranean concept that embraces the seasonal bounty of the Californian coastline, including a ‘Farm-to-Bar’ approach and ocean views.  
• The lobby lounge area 33˚North offers a bar, a living room salon and an ocean view outdoor patio.
• Exclusive to resort guests and members, the Monarch Bay Beach Club is an oceanfront bar and restaurant that showcases a refined yet approachable menu of seafood and coastal cuisine.
• Part & Parcel Market is a marketplace perfect for guests on the go with its wide selection of gourmet coffee, delectable pastries, freshly-made juices, smoothies, gelato and savory snacks served in a casual atmosphere and convenient location.
• Club 19 offers a Gastro Pub dining experience located at the 1st tee on the golf course, with an outdoor terrace warmed by a large fireplace and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.
• The poolside Mexi-Cali cantina Sombra serves authentic and fresh Mexican cuisine, such as fish tacos, inventive healthy salads and citrus-y ceviche.

Meetings & Events

With more than 30,000 square feet of indoor event space, Monarch Beach Resort offers meeting, event and wedding planners innovative and integrated technology capabilities, elegant venues and personalized menu options. The resort’s expansive 60,000 square feet of outdoor event space includes a lush botanical garden, gazebos, spacious verdant lawns, and ocean view terraces.

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts guests can access additional benefits of Hilton Honors membership, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive Member discount, and free Standard WiFi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app.”

It Sounds Like a Dream Combination

We’ll keep an eye on this as information becomes available. We don’t know about you, but we’re ready to visit Waldorf Astoria’s beautiful new property, with everything the soon-to-be-formerly independent Monarch Beach Resort has to offer.