Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar

4.4

15 Reviews

$30 and under

Californian

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 21, 2025

7:00 PM

Experiences are available.

Fancy
Good for special occasions
Romantic

The Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar has been magnificently reimagined to combine the lavish splendor of Italian palazzos with the natural grandeur of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve. Indulge in afternoon tea as the San Diego sun casts its golden light through large arched windows, or linger into the evening over inspired tapas, cocktails, and elevated programming under the warm glow of Venetian glass chandeliers.

Take in the beauty of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve —or while sipping a craft cocktail in the bar. In a specially commissioned mural that spans all four walls, artist Jim Wodark pays homage to the canyon’s most iconic elements: its ancient rocks, cascading waterfall, and distant mountains.

Live entertainment Fridays and Saturdays 8:00 pm - 12:00 am.

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Californian, Tapas / Small Plates, Seafood
Hours of operation
Afternoon Tea Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–3:30 pm Bar Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–12:00 am
Phone number
(858) 314-2000
Website
https://www.granddelmar.com/dine/lobby-lounge/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Resort Casual
Executive chef
Bryn McArthur
Private party facilities
Please email all inquiries to Dezirae.Chung@Fairmont.com.

Location
5300 Grand Del Mar Ct, San Diego, CA 92130-4901
Neighborhood
Carmel Valley
Cross street
<br />Carmel Country Road
Parking details
Valet
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Vegan, Wine

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Experiences

Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Grand Del Mar
$25.00 - $26.94 per person
Prepaid
Jan 11, 2025 - Nov 23, 2025
Pricing: Adults $95 Child $45 $25 deposit per person Exclusive of tax, gratuity and alcohol Relax and indulge in an elegant Afternoon Tea experience at The Lobby Lounge, where luxurious treats and stunning views of the coastal canyon come together for a truly memorable occasion. Savor a delightful selection of finely brewed teas paired with an assortment of decadent pastries, delicate finger sandwiches, and freshly baked scones. Perfect for all ages, this charming tea service offers a wonderful opportunity to share special moments with loved ones, whether it’s an intimate gathering or a fun family outing with the kids. Let the serene ambiance and attentive service elevate your afternoon as you unwind and create cherished memories.
Celebrate Valentine's Day with Jonathan Karrant
$53.88 per person
Prepaid
Feb 14, 2025 only
$80 food and beverage minimum per person – deposit required Live performance from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Seating times between 6:00pm to 8:00pm This Valentine’s Day, immerse yourself in an evening of timeless romance as acclaimed singer Jonathan Karrant graces the Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Renowned for his soulful voice and magnetic stage presence, Jonathan will serenade you with some of the most cherished love songs ever written, setting the perfect mood for this special occasion. Let the enchanting melodies fill the air and touch your heart, creating unforgettable memories for you and your loved one. Jonathan Karrant’s album “On and On” hit #4 on the Billboard Jazz Charts and his album “Live” hit #2 on the iTunes Jazz Charts.

What 15 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.4

4.4 based on recent ratings

4.1Food
4.4Service
4.5Ambience
3.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar offers a visually stunning setting, especially during the holidays, with "spectacular ambiance" and "gorgeous fireplaces." Guests praise the "artful and amazing" food and "fantastic" service. While some mention high prices and mixed experiences, the overall atmosphere and attentive staff stand out.

15 Reviews

B
Brian
VIP
San Diego
31 reviews
5.0
31 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful evening Parking $12 Great stuffed poblano Nice live music
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M
Marya
Los Angeles
3 reviews
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Did not love this party. Was put at a really bad table.
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y
yujun
VIP
Los Angeles
5 reviews
4.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 28, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Not much food for a $ 125-holiday tea. The scones were not warm, and the smoked salmon open sandwich was very dry. We love the ambiance, but it is difficult to justify the bill.
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K
Kristin
VIP
San Diego
35 reviews
5.0
35 reviews
Dined on December 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Was a lovely tea. It was disappointing to only be offered a table right in the walkway by the hostess stand or in the separate library where we couldn’t directly enjoy the piano or the extensive decor (only lightly decorated in there). I feel we had a far different experience than those in the main room despite having an advance reservation and arriving on/ahead of time. So although it was lovely it wasn’t what I was excited to bring my daughter to.
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K
Katherine
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 24, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The lobby was beautifully decorated for the season. The tea options were wide with oolong to herbal all laid out with matching tea pots, cups and saucers. The sandwiches were a modern take on the traditional ones with a sweet potato and maple, salmon with pomegranate garnish, and a turkey salad brioche. The vanilla bean and fruit scones served with strawberry-blueberry jam and clotted cream were excellent. The desserts were also beautiful and delicious.
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C
Carla
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 22, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had such an amazing experience at the Holiday Tea at the Grand Del Mar. The food was artful and tasted amazing, ambiance was spectacular and the service was off the charts great! Our server was Kara and she explained the difference between all the teas listed on the menu so well, I wanted all of them! She even had a great suggestion about how to experience the three-course serving which I had never heard in all my many years of attending Holiday Tea (mostly at the Grand Del Mar). Kara's service as the proverbial 'cherry on the cake' for Holiday Tea service!
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E
Egbert
VIP
Seattle
41 reviews
3.0
41 reviews
Dined on December 20, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 1
The standout was undoubtedly the attentive and professional service, which added a warm touch to the occasion. The food offerings were delightful, with well-crafted pastries and savory bites that showcased excellent quality and attention to detail. However, the lack of cleanliness at the table detracted from the overall experience. For a venue of this caliber and given the premium price tag, one would expect impeccable presentation and attention to detail, including properly cleaned tables. As for the price, $125 per person is significantly higher than usual. Is it worth it? I don’t think so. We’ve had high tea at multiple other Fairmont hotels that offered a better experience at a lower price. Overall, while the food and service were top-notch, the oversight in cleanliness and the high cost made it hard to justify as a truly luxurious experience. With a little more attention to the basics, it could be worth revisiting.
1 person found this helpful
E
Ellen
San Diego
9 reviews
1.0
9 reviews
Dined on December 19, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
We reserved Christmas tea for thee people, and I called ahead to let them know is my daughter has a severe nut allergy. There were two items on the tea service that contained ed nuts, one was the amuse bouche. The server brought my husband and I the amuse bouche, and told my daughter she would not get one since it had nuts (we asked about an alternative item, but the server never came back with a substitute). My daughter was served a sandwich that contained chestnuts, and we asked the server to remove the sandwich. He left the sandwich on her plate as he left to check with the kitchen about a substitute. When the server returned, he told us “the chef says chestnuts are not nuts”. We asked again that he remove the item and provide a replacement as our daughter was uncomfortable taking the risk, and the server replied “chestnuts are not nuts” If you google whether chestnuts are nuts, the answer is that the Food and Drug Administration classifies chestnuts as nuts. We were very disappointed on how our concerns were addressed, and would not recommend the tea to friends. Also, after spending $500 on the tea, the restaurant would not validate our parking.
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T
Toshihiko
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 16, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I was seated in a cozy spot in front of the fireplace and had a wonderful time. The server provided attentive service, truly living up to the reputation of the Fairmont Hotel. I would love to visit again for the Holiday Afternoon Tea next year.
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K
KARON
VIP
Orange County
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on December 15, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a wonderful holiday tea at the Grand Del Mar. The tea selection and deserts are especially good. Our server was fantastic and made the experience extra special. Love the architecture and ambiance of the Lobby Lounge with bookended gorgeous fireplaces, especially when the hotel is decked out for the holidays. It’s an hour drive each way for us, but well worth it for a special holiday treat.
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FAQs

Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar is rated 4.4 stars by 15 OpenTable diners.

Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Grand Del Mar does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.