Gaylord Bets $1.3 Billion on West Coast Meetings With New Pacific Resort
Photo Credit: Gaylord
Skift Take
The long-awaited Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center has officially opened. It's a high-stakes investment in California’s competitive meetings market amid economic uncertainty.
Gaylord Hotels and Marriott International have opened the $1.3 billion Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista (San Diego County), California, marking the brand's first West Coast presence and its first new property since 2018. The resort, developed in partnership with RIDA Development Corporation, features California's largest hotel convention center and ballroom.
"With over 477,000 square feet of event space, including the largest hotel ballroom in the state, it enables California to compete for large-scale conventions and events that may have previously gone elsewhere due to space limitations," said Johann Krieger, VP and managing director of Gaylord Hotels. "Ultimately, this expansion strengthens California’s position as a top-tier destination for national and international meetings."
The 36-acre waterfront property, which anchors the 535-acre Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan, includes 1,600 guest rooms and 477,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. The resort offers 135,000 square feet of event lawns and terraces, 67 breakout rooms, and four ballrooms, including a 140,049-square-foot ballroom and exhibit hall.
First New Gaylord Since 2018
Gaylord Pacific is the brand’s first new property since the opening of Gaylord Rockies Resort in Colorado in 2018.
The Port of San Diego projects $475 million in annual economic impact from the resort.
"What we're seeing in terms of interest and bookings gives us every confidence that this property is arriving at exactly the right time for the West Coast meetings market," said Peter Borum, director of marketing and PR for Gaylord Pacific.
Market Headwinds
The resort's launch coincides with Visit California releasing a new forecast on May 5, anticipating overall visitation in the state to decline 1% this year, to 268 million visits. This is the first projected year-over-year decline in visitation since 2020.
In addition, forecasts for 2025 predict a 9.2% decline in international trips to California, due in part to weakening consumer sentiment, limited airlift from key global markets, and a strong U.S. dollar that makes travel more expensive for visitors from other countries.
'While fluctuations in international travel are always a consideration, Gaylord Pacific is uniquely positioned to thrive due to a continued focus on domestic group and convention business," said Scott Seibert, the general manager of the Gaylord Pacific. "We’re confident that the demand for high-quality, immersive meeting experiences will continue to grow, and Gaylord Pacific is built to meet that demand."
