The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is one of the top luxury 5-star hotel and resorts in the United States, located in San Diego, California. The resort has won countless awards and continues to do so year after year, including the AAA Five Diamond Award, 2009-2018 and Forbes Five-Star Awards, 2012-2018. The once independent hotel joined the Fairmont brand in 2015.
The Elegant designs that encompass the entire resort were inspired by Addison Mizner, an architectural legend of the 1920s. As you gaze upon the resort and walk around the grounds, guests are exposed to incredible characteristics of Spanish, Portuguese, Moroccan and Venetian designs.
The beautiful grounds have gained the hotel its popularity over the years, yet it is the extraordinary service keeps customers coming back to stay at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. The staff is attentive and proactive when it comes to the needs of guests. Even children are treated like royalty, from the toy chest at check-in, to a personalized plate of gummies and cookies waiting in the hotel room. For a Northern California counterpart in the same group, see our review of the Fairmont San Jose.
The resort is ideally located just minutes away from some of the best beaches Southern California has to offer, including La Jolla Cove and Del Mar. The Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers a unique service for beach day. A driver will take guests to the beach of their choice, bring along and set up beach chairs, towels, water bottles, toys for the children and umbrellas, and will then clean all of it up and take it back to the hotel with the guests afterwards.
The resort hosts six dining venues, including Addison, an award winning fine dining French restaurant. Our favorite place to eat at the property was Amaya, offering all-day service and outdoor seating. We highly recommend frequenting Cen’Anni, which offers coffee, tea, pastries, ice cream and other snacks.
There are four heated swimming pools, including an adult-only spa pool, and a children’s pool. The staff accompanies guests in setting up their beach towel, offering bottles of water and sunscreen. They regularly stop by to offer beverages and food.
The hotel features a luxurious spa that is 21,000 square feet and offers many services, from cleansing facial treatments using natural therapies, to herbal reflexology and therapeutic massages. Steam and sauna rooms are also accessible for all guests.
There are many outdoor activities at the resort that guests can participate in. There are pro-style tennis courts and a championship golf course. The Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve stretches 37 miles and is great for bike riding, hiking and horseback riding, with trails starting right next to the hotel grounds.
The Fairmont Grand Del Mar has 249 guest rooms. There are 31 luxury suites that include one-bedroom suites, and two-bedroom presidential suites that can be expanded to three-bedrooms. These suites range from 1,010 to 2,840 square feet, some of which include private balconies. The sophisticated and classic spaces include detailed crown moldings, hand-stenciled ceilings, and gilded gold and wrought iron accents. Each room includes feather down pillows and a luxurious bathroom with dual sinks and a European-style bathtub. One of our favorite features is that every room includes a Nespresso coffee machine.
The Fairmont Grand Del Mar has an inviting atmosphere offering many different activities that guests can enjoy during their San Diego vacation without ever having to leave the grounds. The hotel caters to each of its guests and truly makes them feel as though they are living a life of luxury. Travelers weighing high-end brands may also enjoy our Aman vs Four Seasons comparison.
The night rates at Fairmont Grand Del Mar start under $500 per night.
LUX Tip: Keep your calendar outside the resort light. Once you arrive at Fairmont Grand Del Mar you won’t want to leave, as there are endless activities to keep you entertained or relaxed depending on your preference.
Fairmont Grand Del Mar
5300 Grand Del Mar Court
San Diego, CA 92130
