MARINA -- The Marina Dunes Resort, the first luxury property built
on Monterey Bay in decades, opened in December with introductory
rates of $119 per room, per night through May.
The property rests on 19 acres between the cities of Monterey
and Santa Cruz and in the large expanse of sand dunes between the
Pacific Ocean and state Highway 1.
The property is located 10 miles from Cannery Row in Monterey,
home of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
It is the first hotel in the seaside town of Marina and the
first oceanfront development approved by the California Coastal
Commission since the 1976 passage of the California Coastal Act,
which sets rigid controls on development along the oceanfront.
Built on the site of a former sand quarry that processed sand
from the bay, the resort is funding a permanent restoration program
in the dunes.
"In locations where we manage properties, it is part of our
operating philosophy to be sensitive to the surrounding
environment," said Helmut Horn, president of Chicago-based Coastal
Hotel Group, which manages the resort.
"We were one of the first management companies in the U.S. to
make this part of our standard operating practices."
Horn described the 60-unit Marina Dunes Resort as "an upscale
boutique property" and said its key markets will be business and
family travel.
The architecture of the hotel is "California bungalow,"
according to the company, with low-rise structures that blend with
the surrounding landscape. The two-story main lodge contains two
spa and massage treatment rooms, a fitness facility and 1,000
square feet of meeting space.
Behind the main lodge and surrounding the swimming pool area are
33 units that will be managed as time-shares. The units are located
in five one- and two-story buildings.
Adjacent to the beach are the hotel accommodations, which are in
20 one- and two-story bungalows containing four units per
building.
The resort's 120-seat restaurant is a two-story building with
decor of the Old West and a menu of beef, chicken and seafood.
Rooms have oceanview decks with spa tubs, granite bathrooms with
slate and tile finishes, gas fireplaces, wet bars, king-size beds
and telephones with data ports for computers and faxes.
Suites offer separate sitting areas with leather loveseats and
chairs, two TVs, granite-topped desks and double sink vanities.
Maureen Doran, former room division manager at the Highlands
Inn, now a Park Hyatt, in nearby Carmel, was hired as general
manager. Bobbi DeMore was named director of sales. She was also
with the Highlands Inn, serving as director of sales and
marketing.
For more information, visit the property's Web site at www.marinadunes.com or call (877) 944-3863.