This year we spent New Years at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. The Fairmont has a great reward system in place if you are a member. In July of 2018, their reward system changed slightly as they merged with Accor hotels. For being a platinum member, you can enjoy a number of benefits including early check-in and late check-out in addition to free internet access, welcome drink, welcome gift, and turndown service. Also, for the yearly gift, they sent a pair of bluetooth headphones presented in lovely packaging. Occasionally they send out emails with great promotions and perks. For a month, we were able to listen to bedtime stories from the Calm app for free, which I absolutely loved. As you stay at their properties, you can accumulate additional rewards. My husband had a number of rewards expiring at the end of February, so we were able to enjoy our room, welcome drink, and dinner all for the price of the resort fee and valet parking (about $80). It was fantastic!
This is a large property, and the feel is very secluded. You would never know you are in San Diego. It is very serene and quiet. There are a couple of restaurants on the property as well, Addison and Amaya. Once we arrived, we did not see any reason to leave until our check out! After leaving our bags in the room, we walked around the property. Our room had a terrace that walked out into the pool area directly by the hot tub. The gym and spa were just down the hallway from our room as well. Outside the main entrance, they were having a winter wonderland with games for children and champagne for adults. This is something they evidently do right around New Year, and it was open to the public this year and packed!
After enjoying the winter wonderland, we made our first stop at the bar just by the lobby for a welcome drink. Jonathan Camacho, our bartender, was absolutely fantastic. I had one of the cocktails that he specifically created for the Fairmont. It came with it’s own bookmark (very official). The drink was amazing. Actually, all of the drinks he created were top notch. If you enjoy a drink at the lobby bar, the options will not leave you disappointed.
After enjoying our welcome drinks, we planned to have dinner at the restaurant within the hotel, Amaya. The other restaurant, Addison, is just a short walk. It is a little bit pricier and has a tasting menu available. Amaya turned out to be great, much better than I expected. Also, the convenience of walking through the hotel and being right there was ideal for our needs. As our appetizer, we had a charcuterie board. For my main course, I had the chilean sea bass. Both were great choices. My dinner cocktail was good, but the cocktail I enjoyed in the lobby bar was far better.
Since we came locally from San Diego, we brought along a bottle of champagne to enjoy in the room and on our terrace after dinner. It was a little chilly, but the patio area outside the room was great. I liked being on the first floor and being able to walk right out to the pool and hot tub from our patio.
The next morning, we took advantage of the gym and hot tub. The gym is spacious with a great variety of cardio equipment and weights. One advantage to being a reward member is the hotel having gym clothes and shoes waiting for you in your room. I always hate bringing workout gear along! I struggle with packing lightly, so I feel like this service is such an advantage.
Gorgeous garden view from terrace off main lobby
I have to say this might be one of my favorite Fairmont properties in the US. It definitely was designed to have the resort feel where there wasn’t necessarily much need to leave the property. Can’t wait until my next visit!
