Terranea Is Ready for Meetings

I grew up not very far from Terranea Resort. Perched atop a seaside cliff in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, only about a 20-mile drive from Los Angeles International Airport, this massive 102-acre, 582-room resort used to be Marineland of the Pacific, the world’s largest oceanarium when it opened in 1954 and home to Orky and Corky, the orcas who would later be known as “Shamu.” 

Looking at the property as it is now, it’d be hard to see that past— there are no giant water tanks or killer whales who call this place home anymore. But what you find in their place is equally breathtaking.

When Terranea Resort opened in June 2009, many locals — myself included — were surprised to see how that piece of land — all 102 acres of it — had changed. Befitting its coastal locale and climate, the resort looks like it was plucked out of the Mediterranean. I’m usually not one for hyperbole, but it’s not an overstatement when I say that the ocean views from here are just stunning. 

Even on the gray May day that I checked into the hotel, it wasn’t hard to see how beautiful the natural landscape was, and how the resort matched it equally with great service and luxurious accommodations. What surprised me even more, however, was just how much meeting and event space was also available. 

Although it’s easy to think of Terranea as more of leisure property because of its on-property golf course and its award-winning spa (voted one of the top five hotel spas in the continental U.S. by Travel + Leisure in 2012), it’s also a mecca for meetings, and I saw that firsthand during my stay. 

The entire property has 60,000 square feet of indoor meeting and event space that includes the 18,000-square-foot Palos Verdes Grand Ballroom, the 6,600 square-foot Marineland Ballroom, 15 different breakout rooms, and three boardrooms. Taking advantage of the generally sunny and mild SoCal weather, the resort also has 75,000 square feet of outdoor event space, almost all of it with views of the Pacific. All meeting rooms have the same warm colors that you’ll find throughout the property and are tastefully appointed with sea-inspired décor in neutral tones. All meeting spaces have Wi-Fi access and updated A/V equipment, too. 

One of my favorite meeting spaces was the Santa Rosa Boardroom, where you could watch the sun set from one of its private balconies. As I toured more of the meeting spaces, I even saw a group meeting in one of the Crystal Cove rooms. The day that I checked in, the hotel was hosting three different weddings, too, and one portion of the Marineland Ballroom was set up for an elegant reception.

Although all of the indoor meeting spaces are easily accessible from the main building, they’re also a bit tucked away so any groups that meet at Terranea are still able to retain some privacy. The meeting spaces are also near some of the hotel’s 50 casitas and 20 bungalows, where meeting attendees, especially VIP or C-suite level attendees, might prefer to stay. For all meetings and events, Terranea provides all food and beverages.

Terranea’s accommodations are plentiful — there are 582 rooms in total, 85 percent of which have ocean views. Standard king/double guest rooms measure 450 square feet in size, while suites, of which there are 32, range in size from 900 to 2,200 square feet. My double guestroom was inviting and serene, with my own private balcony overlooking the bluffs. One of my favorite things about the room was the large wooden desk; it had all the bells and whistles you look for when you come to a hotel for a meeting — lots of space, a small stand to hold up your papers, a nice leather desk pad, and, a comfortable leather chair to go with it. Bathroom amenities are plentiful — bath salts and even a dental kit are complimentary — and the bathrooms themselves are very spacious with a full-size tub and separate shower.   

Not far from the meeting spaces and main building are the casitas, which come with kitchen, living room, and laundry facilities, and range in area from 500 to 2,040 square feet, while the resort's bungalows start at 1,100 square feet. Guests who stay in bungalows enjoy complimentary VIP treatment that includes breakfast and lunch at the Spa Café, use of the spa, a 24-hour personal concierge, discounted spa and salon treatments, among other privileges. 

Further up the hill, villas with two-, three-, and four-bedroom options are also available, and are located closer to The Links at Terranea golf course; they range in size from 1,864 to 2,808 square feet. Each villa has a full kitchen, living room, and a private garage, and some also come with outdoor fireplaces. 

There’s no shortage of dining options here. For a fine-dining experience in contemporary Californian cuisine, book your group at mar’sel, which has a private dining room that seats 16. For more casual dining on property, there’s the all-day Catalina Kitchen, which overlooks the main resort pool, or Nelson’s, a beachy gastropub with amazing sunset views, an open firepit, and live music on some nights. If your group craves Asian fusion cuisine, there’s bashi, where chef Bruce Nguyen blends flavors from Vietnam, Japan, China, and Korea. For lighter fare, attendees can head to Sea Beans Coffee Boutique or the Spa Café. For cocktails or networking, the Lobby Bar, Living Room and Terrace, as well as the poolside Cielo Point bar, are ideal places to socialize.

Meeting attendees can also take advantage of Terranea’s prime oceanfront location by hiking along some of its spectacular nature trails, taking an ocean kayak tour, learning how to do stand-up paddle boarding, or taking surfing lessons at nearby Redondo Beach. Guided trail hikes, guided bike tours, horseback riding, and lessons in volleyball and even falconry are also available. 

For a special reception or excursion off the property, planners can arrange a group outing to nearby Catalina Island, which you can sometimes see from Terranea on a clear day. 

If your group includes spa-goers, a trip to The Spa at Terranea is a must. The 50,000-square-foot complex is peaceful and calming, with 25 different treatment rooms, three VIP suites, and a full-service spa. While there are also sauna and steam room facilities indoors, the spa also has an outdoor heated saline pool, whirlpool tubs, cold plunge pools, and fire pits. Health-minded attendees can take advantage of the fitness center as well as the revolving roster of fitness classes that includes everything from Tai Chi and yoga to cycling and Zumba.

If your group includes golfers, you’re in luck. Aside from the resort’s own course, the Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles, a public course, is also just down the road four miles away. The nine-hole, par-3 course at Terranea, however, is available for group outings and events, and a member of the golf staff can help meeting organizers plan and coordinate their golf outings. Planners can also purchase golf apparel and merchandise that’s customized with an organization’s logo. Other services include event catering, golf clinics, and a beverage cart.