Talia's Bucketlist

When I first saw images of the Fairmont Grand Del Mar on Instagram, I immediately saved them to my collection and knew I want to stay at this hotel one day. The hotel looks like a Mediterranean Dream, no kidding. If you want to feel like you are in Europe, without actually flying to Europe but staying in California, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar is perfect for you. Trust me, when I am telling you that it will make you feel like you are somewhere in Spain. The charming architecture and well-thought-through design aspects of the Fairmont Grand Del Mar will give you all the European vibes you will need.

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Location

The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is close to the coast in Northern San Diego and surrounded by gorgeous neighborhoods like La Jolla, Del Mar and, Rancho Santa Fe. Since it is located outside of San Diego in a remote and quiet area, you will most likely need a car to get around. We rented a Chevrolet Tahoe during this trip, check out the blogpost here. The location of the hotel is perfect when you want a peaceful place away from all the hustle. It is also fairly close to airports like San Diego International Airport, John Wayne Airport-Orange County, Los Angeles International Airport, and Tijuana Airport.

Rooms

We had the pleasure to stay in the Signature Poolside Room. This room gives you direct access to the heated adult pool from the patio. The rooms are very luxurious, spacious with a European charm. My highlight was the huge golden mirror in the bathroom and the stunning bathtub. With 550 square feet of space, they feature expansive patios overlooking the adults-only Relaxation Pool. The room was the perfect choice for us since we like to relax and have a quiet place. Other room options are the Fairmont Room, Deluxe Veranda Room or if you want even more luxury and space you can book a villa or suite. Book your stay at the Fairmont now!

Dine Options

You probably know by now, that I love good food and that food is a major part of my travel experience. One thing that definitely stuck in my head was the extraordinary dining experience that the Fairmont Grand Del Mar is offering. Even if you decide to stay at the hotel for a couple days, I promise you that you will not get bored by the restaurant and food options. In fact, you have 4 restaurants that you can dine at the Addison, Amaya, Fireside Lounge, and the Clubhouse Grill.

Fireside Lounge

One of my personal favorites was the Fireside Lounge Experience, open-air dining next to your own fire-pit overlooking the stunning Pavilion and valley. We had dinner during sunset and it was magical. Let me explain why this experience was so extraordinary to me. First, imagine sitting next to a private fire pit overlooking the stars and watching the sunset with your significant other. Now tell me, isn’t this already a unique experience. Second, the food and the drinks were exquisite. I can’t rave enough about the Truffle Risotto. Probably the best one I have ever had. Lastly, the unique Mediterranean architecture of the hotel makes the experience even more unique.

Amaya

In the morning we had breakfast at the Amaya restaurant. Both mornings, I ordered avocado toast and Johannes had the French Toast and it was delicious. Dining at this restaurant made me feel like being somewhere in France or Spain. Truly a great restaurant with great service and ambiance.

Needless to say, I can highly recommend dining at the Amaya and the Fireside Lounge. Both restaurants were great. Next time I want to try Addison and the Clubhouse Grill as well. I am sure those are also fabulous options. All restaurants are can be booked even if you are not staying at the hotel.

Common Spaces: Pool, Courtyards, Fountains and Grounds

Relax at one of the four heated pools at the hotel. Three of them are family-friendly and one is a Relaxation Pool for adults only. All pools and their surroundings were equally stunning. The hotel also has plenty of space to just stroll around the property with beautiful gardens, courtyards, pavilions, and fountains to explore. The 400 acres offer so many great photo opportunities and make it extremely hard to not take a good picture of the property.

Activities

The Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve is just by the resort and offers 37 miles of scenic trails on foot, bike, or horseback. There is truly something for everyone. You can either go on a self-guided hike yourself, take the bike or book a horseback riding tour. If you are into golfing, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar will be the perfect getaway for you. The hotel offers golf courses as well, in case you want to try golfing for the first time and take some extra lessons. Neither Johannes nor I golf, but would like to try it in the future. Definitely will keep the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in mind for that.

If you are traveling with kids, you won’t be disappointed either, because the Fairmont makes sure to have plenty of activities for you and your family. Either hit the courts for a private tennis lesson or pickleball game. Relax by the three family-friendly pools with underwater music and a white sand area for building sandcastles.

One thing that really wowed me is that this hotel is really for everyone. It does not matter if you are visiting the Fairmont Grand Del Mar with friends, your family, alone, or as a couple, the experience will still be incredible and you will not regret it.

Pet Friendly

Another great thing about the Fairmont Grand Del Mar is that it is pet-friendly. We do not have a furry friend yet but want to have one in the future. That’s why this is so important to me. I just love hotels that allow you to bring your furry friend with you.

Spa

Another thing worth mentioning about the Fairmont Grand Del Mar is the spa. It is one of only 60 Forbes Five-Star spas in the world. Book a treatment such as cleansing facials or therapeutic massages. Each treatment offers a unique experience.

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