Arrival/Check-In: I arrived a little before the official check-in time and my room was not yet ready. I planned to wait in the Lobby Lounge, check email and enjoy a late lunch. The cheese plate there was delightful. After about an hour and a half I checked again and was told the room still wasn’t ready, which was disappointing. When I returned roughly two hours later the room was finally available — I was never notified. The hotel was clearly busy that day, with late departures and several guests disputing a resort fee they said they had not been aware of. It was awkward to overhear those conversations. The fee is listed on the hotel’s website as $40 per room per night, and for families checking out with multiple rooms that added up quickly.
A wonderful bellman escorted me to my room and delivered my luggage. He mentioned he had worked at the property since it opened, and I remembered him from previous stays.
Guest Quarters: By the hotel’s standards the room felt compact and the balcony was quite small, but the bathroom more than made up for the modest sleeping area. From the entrance a long hallway led to the bathroom on the right, followed by a well-stocked minibar and an open plan bedroom with a king bed and two nightstands. One wall featured a window-style opening into the bathtub area that could be closed for privacy or opened to the bathroom while soaking. A small vanity sat in that cut-out space, and a curved sofa with a small table occupied the far right corner. The desk offered ample workspace, although the outlets and power setup near the desk felt dated. A large TV was mounted within an ornate picture-frame surround, which made viewing from the desk awkward. Overall the room was comfortable, and the small balcony allowed me to sit outside and watch guests enjoying the gardens below.
The bathroom was exceptional for anyone who enjoys soaking — a large tub on the left, double marble sinks, a spacious separate shower stall, and a toilet in its own enclosed area for privacy. A generous dressing area was especially useful as I was in the middle of a trip transition and needed space to organize items I planned to ship home.
The property has become very family-oriented; the majority of guests were families and multigenerational groups. There were few couples or solo travelers during my stay.
Services/Amenities: The golf course and its staff deserve high praise (I previously reviewed the course in the September 2018 issue). The hotel offers multiple dining options and I recommend trying a few. Addison remains one of my favorites for its thoughtful, artisanal cuisine under Chef William Bradley. Amaya serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes with attractive views of the course and is a good breakfast spot for larger groups. The Lobby Lounge provides a cozy, relaxed atmosphere ideal for unwinding. The Clubhouse Grill at the golf course is within walking distance.
I ordered room service my first night because I had an early tee time and some work to finish. While the meal itself was well prepared, service was slower than I expected — I had to call twice for status during both dinner and breakfast, which is uncommon in my experience. It felt as though in-room dining was overwhelmed during a busy period.
I also had difficulty finding a simple shipping box for some items I needed to send. That seems like a basic service many travelers require and worth improving.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
◆ Grand, elegant property set within beautiful gardens.
◆ Outstanding golf experience on-site.
◆ Bathrooms include premium amenities, with Red Flower shampoos and toiletries.
FAIRMONT GRAND DEL MAR
5300 Grand Del Mar Court
San Diego, CA 92130
tel 858 314 2000
fairmont.com