Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point, California, plans to join the JW Marriott brand following a multiphase renovation scheduled for completion by early 2027. The property will become The Ocean Cliffs at Dana Point, a JW Marriott Resort, after nearly four decades operating under its current identity.
The conversion will move the hotel into Marriott International‘s luxury portfolio and refresh all 371 guestrooms. The project also includes a redesigned arrival area and a larger porte cochere, updating the guest experience from arrival through the stay.
A new signature restaurant and an expanded central resort pool are planned. The pool area will gain additional food and beverage service and lounge space, giving guests more options for spending time at the property between activities.
Meetings and celebrations are another major part of the renovation. Plans call for a new 6,000-square-foot ballroom alongside an enlarged, multiacre event lawn. The adjacent indoor and outdoor venues could give planners greater flexibility when arranging receptions, meetings and other gatherings.
The changes will build on earlier family-focused improvements. The previously renovated family pool area, cabana rentals, kids’ club and splash zone will remain as they are, preserving those amenities as other parts of the resort are redesigned.
Aimbridge Hospitality manages the property. The announced schedule places completion in early 2027, rather than specifying an exact date for the brand change.
For travelers and event planners, the development means an established resort will receive both a new identity and substantial facility upgrades. Anyone considering a stay or gathering around the transition should confirm which renovated spaces will be available on their dates, particularly when booking the new ballroom or expanded pool area.
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