Artist’s conception of the $26 million Stone Hotel.
Escondido is poised to get its first full- fledged hotel after decades without one.
Stone Brewing and Untitled Hospitality Friday announced that the $26 million Stone Hotel would break ground across the street from the brewery with an opening date of early 2018.
Stone Brewing, the 10th largest craft brewery in the United States, and San Diego-based hospitality collective, Untitled Hospitality, announced their partnership to develop Stone Hotel — the companies’ first-ever brewery hotel.
The concept aims to open in the first quarter of 2018 and will be constructed, owned and managed by Untitled Hospitality through an exclusive license agreement.
Located on 13 acres of land adjacent to Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Escondido, the Stone Hotel, according to the press release, “will offer an all-encompassing experience with amenities to captivate craft beer enthusiasts and novices alike, alongside the usual healthy dose of Stone’s disregard for convention.”
Escondido Mayor Sam Abed and other members of the city council greeted the news of the new hotel enthusiastically. Abed told the Times-Advocate: “Stone Brewing Company is a phenomenal success that has been nationally recognized. This new expansion project will make this regional destination a national attraction and will provide an amazing experience to the half million visitors who visit Escondido every year. We are very proud to have them in Escondido.”
Deputy Mayor Mike Morasco said, “I am very pleased that Stone has elected to move forward with this project at this time. This will enhance what is already one of the top destination venues in SD County. Like everything Greg and company does, I have no doubt that this will be world class, exciting and beautiful. My hope is that unitedly, as a team, we do everything feasible to make sure this project is completed in an efficient and timely manner.”
Councilmember Ed Gallo added, “The biggest business boost for Escondido is this city will have a first class hotel. A hotel that will attract performers at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, who may stay at a unique hotel experience in town rather than travel out of town. Professionals visiting from Palomar Medical Center as well as out- of-towners visiting friends and relatives will also benefit from the hotel location. Stone is now the third largest tourist attraction in North County and, who knows? This may take them to number two. Although jumping ahead of Legoland might be a stretch. In addition to the Marriott branded hotel coming to La Terraza this puts Escondido high on the list of visitor’s travel destinations. These new upscale hotels will help us in attracting new business to Escondido. So many upsides.”
Escondido Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rorie Johnston commented, “With the Center for the Arts, Escondido and hosting sports events, the city pulls in a lot of people. However, the majority of them are unable to stay overnight in Escondido as we have inadequate accommodations. The hotel that Stone and the partner investor are proposing will add much-needed hotel space to our city and will be a positive impact on the economy. Restaurants receive the greatest positive economic impact from hotel patrons. The city will also benefit from the TOT (transient occupancy tax) paid by hotel guests.”
Guests to Stone Hotel will be able to immerse in a craft beer experience complete from the moment of arrival. An inlay on the hotel’s driveway artistically displays beer flowing from a tap at the top of the driveway down to Citracado Parkway.
Alongside rare historical Stone memorabilia, the watchful eye of the gargoyle will be discreetly on guard throughout the hotel, and Stone beers will be available upon a moment’s notice.
In addition to the normally wide array of Stone beers that will be on tap, archive special release beers and unique casks will be periodically tapped at the three on-site bars. Hotel amenities will be equally beer-centric, epitomized by the availability of a complimentary Stone beer immediately upon check-in and in-room growler delivery service.
According to the press release, “Stone Hotel will mirror the philosophy of all Stone projects, exhibiting a high level of creativity and wow factor, ultimately creating a memorable, true craft beer experience.”
The concept and inspiration for Stone Hotel comes from Stone co-founders, Greg Koch and Steve Wagner. Having founded the brewery in 1996 the team has made an impact on the growth and evolution of the craft beer movement worldwide.
One of the largest craft breweries in the country, Stone employs more than 1,200 team members and is committed to remaining independent.
Untitled Hospitality was founded by CEO Robert Cartwright, a veteran of over two decades of experience in operations and business development for global hotel and leisure companies, including Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Marriott, Intercontinental Hotel Group and Key Hospitality Group. Alongside President and Chief Development Officer, Dan Klunk, and Vice President of Operations, Hopi Stradling, Cartwright has built Untitled Hospitality on what the company describes as “the foundation of collaborating, sharing, and galvanizing the creative process to fashion uncommon hotels that celebrate each concept’s unique history, location, experience and design.
Through a joint venture, Untitled will partner with San Diego developer McMillin LLC to build-out the Stone Hotel property.
“You can’t rush a good thing,” said Koch. “After originally envisioning a hotel on the property more than six years ago, we had put the project on permanent hold due to our need to focus on our core obsession of brewing. When Robert and Untitled Hospitality approached us with the idea of them taking the ball and running with it, we found a partner who was fully engaged in the idea of executing on the Stone ideals, ethos and creativity. Years of thought have gone into the development of Stone Hotel and it will be reflected throughout every corner of the place. I can’t wait to give our fans this amazing extension of the Stone experience.”
Designing the $26 million, 100,000 square foot build-out is one of the most prolific names in interior design, Paul Basile of BASILE Studio. The San Diego based designer is credited for his ability to custom build progressive commercial, hospitality and retail projects with an exhaustive attention to detailed craftsmanship.
The design of Stone Hotel will be far from ordinary, offering a wide variety of unique guest experiences ranging from a bar-style lobby check-in to oversized guest rooms, all in excess of 375 square- feet. Underscoring Stone’s environmental sustainability efforts, each of the 99 rooms, including 6 suites, will utilize state-of-the-art energy efficiency and water saving features. Rooms will incorporate signature BASILE Studio details such as custom designed furniture and floor-to-ceiling window systems, which flip open to an expansive balcony, providing an open-air in-room experience. Stone Hotel’s event facilities will include an 8,000 square-foot ballroom, a 10,000 square-foot rooftop garden located adjacent to the pool deck, and nearly an acre of outdoor event space.
Guests to Stone Hotel will enjoy extended perks beyond their overnight stay, with access to the hotel’s expansive fitness center, walking trails surrounding the property, and priority seating at the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Escondido, located directly across the street. The hotel will also provide guests with a unique culinary experience to complement that of the neighboring brewery and eatery.
Stone Hotel will be located at 1990 Citracado Parkway in Escondido, California. For more information about Stone Hotel, visit stonebrewinghotel.com.
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