Today, La Bahia Hotel & Spa opens its doors as the newest resort in Santa Cruz, and the first luxury hotel in the destination. Located at the heart of Main Beach where the tip of Monterey Bay meets the Pacific, the hotel stands proudly as a beacon of Santa Cruz's rich heritage, hospitable culture and vibrant spirit.
La Bahia Hotel & Spa will debut as the newest resort in Santa Cruz, set to open its doors in Summer 2025. The hotel, poised to redefine luxury hospitality in the destination, is officially accepting reservations for stays beginning in late Summer 2025. A celebration of one of California's most idyllic, storied coastal towns, La Bahia Hotel & Spa blends a bygone era of relaxed surf culture and eclectic design with a contemporary, hostess-approach to hospitality.
The coastal California destination offers guests and groups a refreshed wellness experience.
Hotel Paradox, Autograph Collection has selected Stefen Shatto as executive chef to oversee Solaire Restaurant + Bar in addition to banquets, catering, and in-room and poolside dining at the 170-room boutique hotel. Born in Santa Cruz, Calif., raised on a farm in Iowa, and trained in Italy, Stefen brings his distinct culinary perspective rooted in quality agriculture, sustainability, flavor, presentation and a culture of community to reinvigorate the concept of “expect the unexpected.”
Led by Remington Hotels, Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley has completed a $4 - million renovation to its 178-room property. This renovation includes guestrooms, meeting space, restaurant/lounge, lobby, and hotel technology. Pet-Friendly and Pure Wellness rooms are now available making this hotel the perfect stay for business and leisure travelers alike.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,000 hotels across nearly 95 countries, today announces the opening of La Quinta Inn & Suites Santa Cruz in Calif. This opening marks the latest addition to the La Quinta portfolio, which includes more than 920 hotels. There are approximately 180 hotels in the La Quinta development pipeline, with additional openings scheduled this year in key U.S. markets such as Austin, Denver and San Jose.
Considered one of Santa Cruz's premier, luxury destination resorts with breathtaking views of Monterey Bay, the 156-room Chaminade Resort & Spa is celebrating the completion of an extensive, $10 million transformation.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Pete Page as executive chef for Chaminade Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels historic property located in Santa Cruz, California. Kevin Herbst, general manager, made the announcement.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Connie Hagston director of sales and marketing for Chaminade Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Santa Cruz, California. Kevin Herbst, general manager, made the announcement. Connie Hagston assumes her new position with more than 20 years of experience leading sales and marketing teams and turning around hotels. Ms. Hagston was previously director of sales and marketing for The Silverado Resort and Spa of Napa, California, where she and her team received the 2014 Sales Team of the Year from the property’s management company. She served in the same role for The Lodge at Sonoma, a Marriott Renaissance Resort & Spa in Sonoma, California, where she was honored with the Key Contributor and Sales Leader of the Year awards. She began her career at The Broadmoor of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ms. Hagston is a graduate of Blair Business College of Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is a past member of the American Society of Association Executives, the Professional Convention Management Association, Meeting Professionals International, the Association of Meeting Professionals and the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives. Ms. Hagston is relocating to Santa Cruz.
Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Nicholas Church executive chef for Chaminade Resort & Spa, the award-winning Benchmark Resort® perched on a hill overlooking Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz, California. Kevin Herbst, general manager for the resort, made the announcement. Nicholas Church is a veteran of the culinary arts and of Chaminade Resort & Spa. For nearly two decades he actively contributed in the resort’s kitchens, initially as line cook, and eventually as executive sous chef. In 2012, he exercised his entrepreneurial aspirations and a life-long dream, opening his own restaurant, Mama Mia's, located in Felton, California. Subsequently he returned to Chaminade assuming his previous role as executive sous chef.
Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Kirsten Ponza director of food & beverage for Chaminade Resort & Spa, the award-winning Benchmark Resort® located in Santa Cruz, California. Kevin Herbst, general manager for the resort, which overlooks the city and Monterey Bay, made the announcement. Kirsten Ponza was previously executive chef for Chaminade Resort & Spa, a position to which she was appointed in 2013. She has also served as executive sous chef and as pastry chef for the resort. While Chaminade’s executive chef, Ms. Ponza actively brought the resort into the community, with annual participation in Santa Cruz’s Grazing on the Green Food, Wine & Beer Festival to help raise funds for the Santa Cruz Cancer Benefit Group. She remains active with the culinary arts program at Cabrillo College in Aptos, California, near Santa Cruz. Never one to shy away from a particularly unique opportunity, Kirsten Ponza has served as tour chef for the legendary English rock band, The Rolling Stones. A native of Canada where she launched her culinary career, Ms. Ponza is a graduate of Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, where she earned her Culinary Management Degree. She resides in Santa Cruz.
Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Larry Tompkins controller for Chaminade Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resort® located in Santa Cruz overlooking Monterey Bay. Kevin Herbst, Benchmark's general manager at the resort, made the announcement.
Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Jeff Livingston director of sales & marketing for Chaminade Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resort® located in Santa Cruz, California, featuring majestic views of Monterey Bay. Kevin Herbst, Benchmark's general manager at the resort, made the announcement.Jeff Livingston was previously director of sales for L'Auberge Del Mar, located in Del Mar, California. Mr. Livingston experienced significant success during his tenure at the resort and its sister property, Estancia La Jolla, receiving several promotions and serving at times as associate director of sales as well as national sales manager. Earlier in his career he held sales positions of increasing responsibility for major-brand hotels and resorts.
Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named John Hanrahan director of food & beverage for Chaminade Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resort® situated on a Santa Cruz, California hilltop with breathtaking views of Monterey Bay. Kevin Herbst, Benchmark's general manager at the resort, made the announcement. John Hanrahan most recently served as general manager of LB Steak Santana Row, a full-service restaurant located in San Jose, California. In this position he was also responsible for an extensive wine program. Mr. Hanrahan has previously held management positions for The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California, and for Moana Hospitality of Mill Valley, California. Mr. Hanrahan resides in Soquel, California, with his family.
Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Kevin Herbst general manager for Chaminade Resort & Spa, a Four Diamond property overlooking Monterey Bay in Santa Cruz, California. Greg Parsons, Benchmark’s senior vice president, made the announcement.
Denise O’Laughlin comes to Chaminade Resort & Spa with over a decade of progressive human resources experience, having served at the departmental level and as a strategic partner implementing global projects. Most recently she was director of human resources for John Q. Hammonds Hotels in Monterey, California. In this role she created highly successful employee safety programs and worker satisfaction and retention programs.