From entrepreneur and businessman Doug Manchester—owner of Manchester Grand Resorts—comes this multi-million dollar grand palatial hotel, opened in October 2007. Nestled in a 4,100-acre expanse of land in the hills of Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve just east of the San Diego coastline, the hotel certainly lives up to its grand title.

Rarely have we seen such an extraordinary project with complete attention to every aspect, down to the smallest detail. Everything about the resort is solid: from the construction and materials selected for the 249 guestrooms and suites, to the team that brought the entire project to fruition. With its Mediterranean-style design set off by a combination of Spanish, Portugese, Moroccan and Venetian influences, this is a luxury resort fit for the inner king and queen inside each of us.

The Grand Del Mar is certain to become an ultimate destination, not just for avid golfers—who are bound to spend an inordinate amount of time on the magnificent Tom Fazio designed 18-hole course—but also to those who seek to indulge in a myriad of activities. Guests can choose to indulge in nature hikes and horseback riding in the 37-mile expanse of trails in the canyon, practice their backhand on the pro-tennis courts, swim in one of the four pools, or take advantage of the first class fitness center and the contemporary, Renaissance-inspired 21,000–square-foot spa, which boasts eleven treatment rooms and provides earth-inspired packages.

The quality of the resort also extends to the hotel’s restaurants. With six dining venues to choose from—including the hotel’s signature fine dining Addison restaurant, set off on the hill overlooking the hotel and golf course, as well as the Amaya Restaurant, which serves up a distinctive Mediterranean-style menu—the regional dining on offer is sure to continuously rank amongst visitors’ favorites in the area.

Be sure to check out the resort’s centerpiece: The Chapel (called the Elizabeth Capella), a Mediterranean-style sanctuary with expansive windows, limestone and marble floors, where families and groups can come together to celebrate special occasions and to form more families by getting married in this sumptuous place.

And if you can drag yourself away from this haven, then you’ll only be minutes from San Diego’s major attractions including art galleries, museums and fine shopping.