CARLSBAD, Calif., June 25, 2012-- Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa, representing the most significant new resort construction to open in California this year, celebrated its ribbon-cutting and the arrival of first guests yesterday, Thursday, June 21, 2012.

Offering a premier coastal location directly across from Ponto Beach in north San Diego County, Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa was designed to offer spectacular views of the Pacific, not only from many of its 215 guest rooms but also from its 25,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and wedding space. The resort's stylish Chandler's Restaurant & Lounge presents the coastal regional cuisine of acclaimed international chef Pascal Vignau, while the 5,600 square-foot Ocean Crest Spa offers an environmentally-mindful spa experience inspired by the healing powers of the sea.

Owned by Wave Crest Oceanfront LLC and operated by Wave Crest Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa has a team of 200 employees, while more than 300 individuals were hired earlier as part of the resort's 18-month construction effort. "We are truly thrilled to have opened this beautiful resort, and we are grateful to our team, to our Carlsbad neighbors and to the many guests who have already booked stays, weddings and events with us," said Bill Canepa, managing partner, Wave Crest Oceanfront LLC and president, Wave Crest Hotels and Resorts. "I can't think of a more beautiful resort setting in all of San Diego County."

HIGHLIGHTS OF HILTON CARLSBAD OCEANFRONT RESORT & SPA

Rooms and Suites: Modeling the California Craftsman style, Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa features 215 guest rooms including eight suites, many offering panoramic ocean views and all providing travel conveniences including in-room mini-refrigerators, 42-inch flat-panel televisions, complimentary WiFi and complimentary printing. Guest rooms average 415 square-feet in size, with many connecting rooms available.

Chandler's Restaurant & Lounge: Chandler's brings innovation and style to the local restaurant scene, featuring coastal regional menus inspired by locally-grown fresh products and highlighted by the cuisine of famed chef Pascal Vignau. The heart of the restaurant is a spectacular bar serving signature cocktails, while a private wine room further complements the spacious ocean-view setting. Outdoors, multiple open-air terraces and a fire-pit take added advantage of Chandler's coastal panoramas and California's year-round outdoor dining weather.

Ocean Crest Spa: The 5,600 square-foot Ocean Crest Spa is inspired by the Pacific Ocean and offers seven treatment rooms, a couple's room with tub and private outdoor relaxation area, and men's and women's relaxation and locker rooms. A full menu of treatments features the usage of pure and organic products, with a focus on those derived largely from coastal California plants and growers.

Ocean-View Swimming Pool: The resort's large saline-treated pool is surrounded by a vibrant coastal desert garden of palms, succulents and grasses, enhanced by a children's splash pool, outdoor fire pits and expansive ocean views.

Fitness Center: A spacious aerobic area, free weights and state-of-the-art cardio equipment with televisions highlight this large and modern fitness-facility-with-a-view.

Meeting and Wedding Space: 25,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space is available for meetings, weddings and events, with many venues offering beautiful ocean panoramas.

Location and Views: The resort is located at the intersection of coastal Ponto Road and Carlsbad Boulevard, which runs directly alongside the beach in Carlsbad, California. Ocean panoramas are available from most areas of the resort, which is also located within five minutes of LEGOLAND California, the Carlsbad Premium Outlets, the famed Carlsbad Flower Fields and several world-class golf courses. San Diego and its many attractions lie 20 to 30 minutes south, while Disneyland and its neighboring entertainment parks are a 40-minute drive north of the property. Carlsbad itself is a vibrant beach city filled with sports and recreation activities, dining, entertainment, shopping, museums and year-round attractions for leisure, business, group, sports and family travelers. Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa is situated just 10 minutes from Carlsbad's Palomar Airport (CLD) and 35 minutes from San Diego International Airport (SAN).

For reservations, visit http://www.hiltoncarlsbadoceanfront.com, call 760.602.0800 or contact a travel professional. Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa is located at One Ponto Rd., in Carlsbad, CA 92011.

About Wave Crest Hotels and Resorts
Wave Crest Hotels and Resorts is a San Diego County-based hospitality company which manages high-quality hotel properties on and near the California coast. Committed to providing award-winning, intuitive and superior customer service, the company's high-performance teams deliver hospitality experiences which generate consistent guest accolades. From Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach, winner of the prestigious Trip Advisor 2012 Certificate of Excellence, to the new Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa, the properties of Wave Crest Hotels and Resorts set new hospitality standards for their regions. The name "Wave Crest" is a tribute to the origin of the company; headquartered in Encinitas, California, Wave Crest Hotels and Resorts is the operating arm of the development company, all of whose original developments offer magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean.