The landmark coastal resort will undergo a comprehensive reimagination featuring expanded event venues, a redesigned arrival experience, a signature restaurant concept, and enhanced resort amenities, reflecting its entrance into the JW Marriott portfolio
DANA POINT, Calif., Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- JW Marriott, part of Marriott International, Inc., and Aimbridge Hospitality today announced plans for a dramatic transformation of its Dana Point resort property, which will debut as The Ocean Cliffs at Dana Point, a JW Marriott Resort. The reimagination will reposition the landmark coastal resort through thoughtfully elevated design, expanded gathering spaces, and enhanced amenities and experiences aligned with JW Marriott's approach to exceptional hospitality, holistic well-being, and meaningful connection.
From its picturesque blufftop perch overlooking Dana Point Harbor, the landmark resort has anchored the Dana Point community for nearly four decades with its lively indoor-outdoor gathering spaces, classic Victorian-era architecture, and unmatched views of the California coastline.
Now, the cherished resort will embark on an exciting new chapter and thoughtfully phased transformation as it transitions to The Ocean Cliffs at Dana Point, a JW Marriott Resort. The full-scale evolution will introduce an expansive resort pool, an expanded multi-acre event lawn, enhanced ballroom and meeting facilities, including a new 6,000-square-foot ballroom, a reimagined arrival experience, a signature chef-driven restaurant, and elevated resort amenities. Together, these additions will further establish the property as one of Southern California's premier destinations for leisure travel, meetings, and celebrations.
Ben Ly, General Manager of The Ocean Cliffs at Dana Point, a JW Marriott Resort, said the renovation and entrance into the JW Marriott portfolio showcases the resort's commitment to the Dana Point community as it embarks on its own anticipated evolution.
"For nearly 40 years, this storied property has stood as a beacon overlooking Dana Point Harbor, calling both locals home and visitors to our shores to experience the quintessential Southern California coastal lifestyle. This renovation evolves the resort to be in tune with the rising tide here in Dana Point, complete with a refreshed design, new destination-style resort pool, a prominent signature restaurant concept, engaging experiences, and larger gathering spaces catering to both visiting guests and locals alike."
The expanded gathering spaces and a new resort pool positioned at the heart of the property will maximize the resort's sweeping Pacific views while creating new opportunities for meaningful connection and gathering. Long recognized as one of Orange County's premier destinations for meetings, weddings, and special events, the resort will also introduce enhanced event venues, including a new ballroom and reimagined gathering spaces designed to better support groups of all sizes.
The renovation and entrance into the JW Marriott portfolio marks an elevated new phase for Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, which has been an enduring favorite in Dana Point for California travelers, weddings, meeting planners, and the local Orange County community for decades. The resort's transition to The Ocean Cliffs at Dana Point, a JW Marriott Resort, will introduce new elevated guest experiences, refined design and sophisticated service, creating a modern interpretation of Dana Point hospitality and embodying the thoughtful approach to luxury hospitality that today's travelers are seeking.
A DANA POINT ICON, REBORN THROUGH DESIGN
The Ocean Cliffs at Dana Point, a JW Marriott Resort, will undergo a comprehensive redesign that balances the property's historic character with a refined contemporary aesthetic inspired by Dana Point's coastal heritage, creating an environment designed to foster connection, restoration, and a stronger sense of place.
The grand dame property tapped global hospitality design firms HKS and ROAM to reinterpret its classic design with a contemporary, yet luxurious aesthetic rooted in Dana Point's unique history, painted cottages, historic Lantern District, and endless summer surf culture.
The resort's arrival and public spaces will be expanded to showcase ocean views and deepen the property's connection to its bluff-meets-sea setting. The entry drive and porte cochere have been refined to create a true sense of arrival: a gracious, welcoming threshold that immediately signals relaxed luxury and strong sense of place along the coast. The lobby will flow through dining spaces and onto an expansive ocean view deck, ideal for sunset cocktails and mingling, while pre-function meeting areas will be reimagined as indoor-outdoor environments to enhance flexibility and flow for gatherings.
The resort will reimagine its event lawn, set just steps from Dana Point's beloved Lantern Bay Park, to be expanded and relocated adjacent to its spacious Richard Henry Dana Ballroom, anchoring the guest experience with the ability to welcome larger groups and multiple simultaneous events, each with its own unique experience.
The resort's new central pool will serve as a focal point of the guest experience, complemented by locally inspired food and beverage offerings, refreshed lounge areas and sweeping ocean views. Drawing inspiration from Southern California's coastal landscape, the design will create an atmosphere that is both vibrant and restorative.
Standout aesthetic elements woven throughout the property mirror the inviting charm of California's coastal cottages, from classic millwork to thoughtfully curated art pieces and ocean curiosities peppered throughout the resort and honoring its maritime character. The result is a legacy resort with a transformation that is effortlessly elevated, featuring layered interiors and residentially inspired guest rooms adorned in a fresh, coast-spun palette.
The resort's 371 beautifully appointed guest rooms will be thoughtfully refreshed to reflect the property's reimagined design vision, drawing inspiration from Dana Point's coastal heritage and relaxed seaside character. As a cherished destination for multigenerational travel, the resort will continue to offer its recently renovated family pool area, cabana rentals, Kid's Club and Splash Zone, while introducing new locally inspired programming and outdoor activities designed to encourage discovery and meaningful shared experiences for guests of all ages.
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort and Spa in Dana Point, California, is operated by Aimbridge Hospitality.
ABOUT THE OCEAN CLIFFS AT DANA POINT, A JW MARRIOTT RESORT
With its classic Victorian-era architecture, stately grounds, and gabled roof recalling Dana Point's halcyon days as a quaint fishing village and seaside escape, The Ocean Cliffs at Dana Point, a JW Marriott Resort is a thoughtfully refined resort getaway catering to discerning travelers while honoring its history as the grand dame resort overlooking Dana Point Harbor. Ideally timed to the ongoing restoration of Dana Point Harbor, the resort will phase through a thoughtful refurbishment introducing a new marquee destination restaurant, redesigned arrival experience, updates to its spa, soft room refreshes, and the relocation of its event lawn and central pool to maximize its unmatched technicolor sunset views over the Pacific coast. For additional information, or to book a stay, visit: coastalhomecoming.com. Catch an inside look on social media at @lagunacliffs.
ABOUT JW MARRIOTT
JW Marriott is part of Marriott International's luxury portfolio of brands and consists of award-winning properties and beautiful resort locations around the world. Inspired by the principles of mindfulness, JW Marriott is a haven designed to allow guests to focus on feeling whole—present in mind, nourished in body, and revitalized in spirit—through programs and offerings that encourage them to come together and experience every moment to the fullest. Today there are over 95 JW Marriott hotels in more than 30 countries and territories worldwide that cater to sophisticated, mindful travelers who come seeking experiences that help them be fully present, foster meaningful connections and feed the soul. Visit JW Marriott online, on Instagram and Facebook. JW Marriott is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy™, the new name of Marriott's travel program replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®(SPG). The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including earning points toward free hotel stays and nights toward Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit Marriottbonvoy.com.
ABOUT AIMBRIDGE HOSPITALITY
Aimbridge Hospitality is the world's leading global hospitality management company. A trusted operator of over 80 globally recognized lodging brands and distinctive luxury and lifestyle assets, Aimbridge delivers compelling results for hotel owners by leveraging proprietary data and insights as an authority in key markets and destinations, while creating exceptional guest experiences. Aimbridge continually strives to set the new standard in hospitality excellence, leading the industry into the future through a wealth of unmatched resources and best-in-class supplier agreements, while recruiting and developing top industry talent in all key verticals and geographies. To learn more, visit aimbridgehospitality.com.
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SOURCE JW Marriott
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