Southern California's AAA Five-Diamond Monarch Beach Resort Accepted Into Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)

. May 10, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 2016) - Southern California's newly independently branded Monarch Beach Resort, which is slated to complete a comprehensive year-long $40 million renovation this June, has been accepted as the newest Member of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI). Formerly known as The St. Regis Monarch Beach, the luxurious AAA Five-Diamond beachfront resort is widely recognized among the best in the world. Nestled along the coast in Dana Point in Orange County, California, the resort is now represented by ALHI to the North American Meetings & Incentive marketplace, according to ALHI President Jim Schultenover. Providing panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, along with a vast array of indoor and outdoor function space options, the independent resort is now managed by KSL Resorts, which also manages such other ALHI Member resorts as San Diego's renowned Hotel del Coronado and the exclusive Beach Village at the Del.

“We are very proud to represent the incredible, and newly independent, Monarch Beach Resort to the North American M.I.C.E. marketplace,” said Schultenover. “While it already was a AAA Five-Diamond resort, the dramatic $40 million transformation has taken the resort to an even higher level of service and product excellence, which groups will absolutely enjoy. In addition to becoming a wonderful new option in ALHI's worldwide and California portfolio, Monarch Beach Resort also helps us expand our very popular 'ALHI Level 5 Collection,' consisting of remarkable hotels and resorts that have earned the industry's highest and most celebrated honors such as the AAA Five-Diamond and/or Forbes (Mobil) Five-Star rating. With Monarch Beach Resort, we now have 43 exceptional and diverse 'Level 5' options around the world for those most special programs.”

Schultenover added, “As ALHI is the longest established and leading worldwide independent Global Sales Organization specifically serving the North American M&I marketplace, we are very proud that ALHI is the GSO of choice for newly independent, luxury-level, meeting-focused hotels and resorts in North America. We look forward to working with the Monarch Beach Resort team to reach and serve the meeting and incentive market throughout North America.”

Maximizing incredible views of the Pacific Ocean, Monarch Beach Resort offers 400 exquisitely appointed guest rooms and suites, and more than 30,000 square feet of indoor meeting space. In addition, the resort offers 60,000 square feet of outdoor event space, which includes a truly beautiful botanical garden, lush and spacious lawns, and ocean view terraces - ultimately providing multiple options and experiences in one location. Additional resort offerings include the challenging, 18-hole beachfront Robert Trent Jones-designed Monarch Beach Golf Links, and access to one of the most exclusive beaches in Southern California.

Monarch Beach Resort's comprehensive $40 million renovation included the addition of the new Miraval Life in Balance Spa, which just opened in April 2016. Featuring 24 treatment rooms and tranquility zones, the new spa offers more than 70 signature treatments. The extensive renovation also included an impressive new arrival experience, which debuted in January 2016, with a transformed lobby that now boasts panoramic windows to showcase unobstructed ocean views. Plus, an expansive new pool complex will debut in June 2016 with an infinity-edge Ocean Pool, an outdoor fire pit, and a multi-level design with a second tier dedicated to sunning and lounging.

In addition to award-winning Chef Michael Mina's Stonehill Tavern (which continues as the resort's signature restaurant), Monarch Beach Resort has such new culinary options as: the Mediterranean restaurant and bar AVEO Table + Bar (opened in March 2016); 33oNorth, a contemporary bar that opened in January 2016; the indoor-outdoor dining concept Westwind Terrace; and the Mexi-Cali poolside cantina Sombra (opening this June). Located in between Los Angeles and San Diego, Monarch Beach Resort is conveniently situated within close proximity to four airports. The resort is just 21 miles from John Wayne - Orange County Airport (SNA); 41 miles from Long Beach Airport (LGB); 60 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX); and 68 miles from San Diego International Airport (Lindbergh Field - SAN).

Monarch Beach Resort becomes ALHI's first and only Member hotel in Dana Point. The resort also becomes the seventh California member in the exclusive “ALHI Level 5 Collection,” joining: Pebble Beach's exquisite The Inn at Spanish Bay, featuring some of the most breathtaking shoreline in the world; Orange County's luxurious 292-room Island Hotel Newport Beach, offering magnificent coastal and city views; the elegant 380-room The Langham Huntington, located at the base of the picturesque San Gabriel Mountains in Pasadena; the renowned The Lodge at Pebble Beach, featuring world-class golf, spa, recreation, accommodations, and meeting facilities; the iconic Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, widely recognized as one of the world's greatest resorts; and Newport Coast's inspiring The Resort at Pelican Hill, providing spectacular panoramic views of the Pacific.

ALHI (alhi.com), the leading independent Global Sales Organization serving the North American Meetings & Incentive marketplace, provides one-call local access for its distinguished Membership of over 250 luxury-level hotels and resorts, plus an Alliance including 23 luxury cruise ships and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) in over 100 locations worldwide. ALHI serves its clientele with an impressive variety of Meeting & Incentive solutions around the globe.

ALHI is a member dues-funded Global Sales Organization, by the worldwide membership, with GSO sales services at no cost to the Accounts served. To access the ALHI GSO network with local professionals throughout the United States and Canada, go to alhi.com to identify the GSO office nearest you, which can provide valuable expertise and market intelligence, along with the ease of discussing viable options for programs.

Collectively ALHI is prepared to assist Accounts in the U.S. and Canada with their programs in the U.S.A. and over 90 other countries worldwide. ALHI provides a team of experienced and knowledgeable sales professionals for Account advocacy with full market one-call professional GSO sales assistance and access to their distinctive hotels, resorts, and venue resources for M&I programs of any size and scope worldwide. ALHI helps Accounts best achieve their objectives and budgets, with distinctive venues, vital insights, and responsible service to enhance the ease and success of their programs.

For information about any of ALHI's Members and resources, planners should contact their nearest of the 20 professionally-staffed ALHI Global Sales offices situated coast-to-coast in the United States and in Canada, with locations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Connecticut, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Louisville, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Richmond, Southern California (3), Toronto, Washington, D.C., and Washington (state). For specifics, go to alhi.com to identify the nearest “ALHI GSO Team” sales professionals in your state/area.

For more information about ALHI, to inquire about any of the ALHI portfolio properties and Alliance partners, and/or to acquire a free copy of ALHI's “2016 Meeting Facilities Guide” or the ALHI app, contact your nearest ALHI Global Sales Office, or call the “ALHI Group Desk” toll-free at 866-303-ALHI (2544), and visit alhi.com .