Fairfield Resorts Inc., one of the world’s largest vacation ownership companies with more than 70 resort properties and 500,000 owners, broke ground on a 168-unit time-share and hotel project in Oceanside.
The $75 million project is near the Oceanside Pier in downtown and is to be completed in the spring of 2008.
The two-tower resort, to be called the Fairfield Oceanside at the Pier, will include 32 hotel rooms and feature a public promenade and plaza that will have retail shops, a restaurant and an outdoor caf & #233;.
The condominium-style units will have from one to four bedrooms, living and dining areas and full kitchens and will come fully furnished. Resort amenities include an outdoor pool, spa, children’s play area and exercise facility.
The announcement came from Jane McVey, Oceanside’s economic development director.
Fairfield Resorts is based in Orlando, Fla., and is a subsidiary of Cendant Corp., traded on the New York Stock Exchange as CD. Other Cendant brands include Orbitz, Cheap Tickets, Avis, Days Inn, Ramada, Century 21 and Coldwell Banker and RCI.
Expectations are that the time-share owners and hotel guests will pump approximately $10 million into Oceanside’s economy annually.
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In The Sprit Of It All:
The San Diego Harbor Excursion was to celebrate its 90th anniversary last week with the christening ceremony of it $5 million, 160-foot mega-yacht, the California Spirit. The event was scheduled for the evening of Sept. 8 at a dock between the Navy Pier and the Broadway Pier on San Diego Bay, where it is berthed.
“The Port of San Diego congratulates San Diego Harbor Excursion on reaching its 90th anniversary,” said San Diego Unified Port District Chairman William Hall. “For decades San Diego Harbor Excursion has served as an integral part of San Diego’s waterfront transportation and tourism industry. They have been an outstanding tenant of the port.”
The California Spirit can carry up to 600 passengers. Built by Keith Marine in Palatka, Fla., it represents a new concept in dinner cruise vessels of more than 150 passengers.
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Somebody To Watch:
Gordon Hattersley III, who owns the historic Britt Scripps Inn on Banker’s Hill, was named one of Estates West Magazine’s “15 People to Watch.”
The list, which includes hoteliers, architects, interior designers and landscape architects, appeared in the fall edition of the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based magazine.
In the article, Hattersley was applauded because of his “spare-no-expense” approach to restoring the inn, as well as his attention to detail in everything from its antique furniture to the way guests are greeted at the front door, instead of a front desk.
He purchased the Britt Scripps house in 2001. Following a 24-month restoration, it opened as an inn Feb. 14, 2005.
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New Sales Director:
Brad C. Mettler has been named director of sales and marketing for the 419-room Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine.
He previously served as director of sales and marketing at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque in New Mexico.
Mettler began his career with Hyatt in 1995 in the company’s corporate management training program at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans in 1995 after graduating from Tulane University with a bachelor of arts degree in political economy.
Send tourism and hospitality information to Connie Lewis via e-mail at clewis@sdbj.com. She may also be reached by phone at (858) 277-6359.
