San Diego has a new luxury resort, The Grand Del Mar, which opened in October 2007. The resort's 249 guest rooms, including 31 suites, don't skimp on the details: They feature gilded gold and wrought-iron accents and hand-stenciled ceilings.

Golf is a main attraction, and the 18-hole, 7,160-yard, par-72 Grand Golf Club, opened in 1999, spans 380 acres. The course was recently renovated and additions include a water feature with an 18-foot waterfall; a practice area featuring a chipping green and sand bunkers; a second 4,200-square-foot putting green; and a 5,000-square-foot practice tee. Resort guests have exclusive access to the private club.

Also featured are four swimming pools, tennis, fine dining, and a 21,000-square-foot spa with 11 treatment rooms. Guest rooms have marble bathrooms with 13-inch, flat-screen TVs; pillow-top beds with goose-down pillows and Italian cotton linens; 40-inch, flat-screen TVs; and wireless, high-speed Internet access.

The Grand Del Mar offers more than 20,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 10,000-square-foot ballroom; an 8,400-square-foot event lawn; a 2,500-square-foot salon; three wine-themed meeting rooms with an adjacent private dining area in the wine cellar; and access to Yacht America, a replica of the vessel that won the 1851 America's Cup, which is available for groups of up to 85 people.

Venue News

Golf & Spa Update

Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

The News: The resort changed its name from Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa to Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa, expanded its lobby, and opened Kelly's Pub.

Specs: 508 guest rooms, more than 56,000 square feet of meeting space, and a 25,000-square-foot spa

Timeline: Pub was completed in January as part of a three-year plan begun in 2006. A $16 million guest room renovation was also completed that year.

Extra: $40 million in improvements to the TPC Sawgrass course in 2006. A $30 million, 77,000-square-foot clubhouse was built in 2007.

Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village

St. Augustine, Fla.

The News: A $10 million renovation wrapped up in May.

Specs: 301 remodeled guest rooms; two championship golf courses; the PGA Tour Spa Laterra; the PGA Tour Golf Academy; and 86,000 square feet of meeting and event space when combined with the adjoining St. Johns County Convention Center and the adjacent World Golf Hall of Fame

Isleta Casino & Resort

Albuquerque, N.M.

The News: A new Hotel and Convention Center, connected to the 300,000-square-foot casino. The on-site Isleta Eagle Golf Course has 27 holes and an all-new clubhouse with banquet rooms and a golf shop.

Specs: more than 200 rooms and suites and 30,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting space.

Timeline: At press time, the Hotel and Convention Center were scheduled to open July 1, 2008.

L'Auberge Del Mar

Del Mar, Calif.

The News: A $25 million renovation was completed in June.

Specs: 120 guest rooms with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, and some with fireplaces and cabana-inspired patios; open-air lobby; 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, including six meeting rooms

Extra: A new 45,000-square-foot spa will be set in a freestanding facility. Spa treatments will feature 95 percent organic ingredients.

Timeline: Spa to open in December.

Ocean Edge Resort & Club

Brewster, Mass.

The News: The $8.5 million Nicklaus Design remodel of the Cape Cod resort's 18-hole, par-72 course and clubhouse is complete. A $10 million expansion is adding 5,000 square feet of meeting and function space and a 2,500-square-foot pavilion.

Specs: 15,000 square feet of meeting space in 13 rooms; 334 guest accommodations.

Timeline: The course celebrated its grand opening in June.

News Makers

• William Courtney Lowe has joined Bedford Springs Resort, Bedford, Pa., as director of sales and marketing. The resort completed a $120 million renovation that included its A.W.Tillinghast/Donald Ross 18-hole golf course.

• The Resort at the Mountain, Welches, Ore., has appointed Chy Charles sales manager. The resort has a 27-hole golf course and is undergoing a $14 million renovation, to be completed in late 2008.