La Bahia Hotel & Spa Sets the Stage for Santa Cruz Events
From Surf to Spotlight: La Bahia Hotel & Spa Redefines Events on the Santa Cruz Coast
Summer 2025 will see the grand debut of a historic rebirth: La Bahia Hotel & Spa, a luxury beachfront destination set to reshape the Boardwalk and Wharf area in Santa Cruz.
A Santa Cruz Legacy Reimagined
Rising on the iconic grounds once home to the La Bahia Apartments and the celebrated Casa del Rey Hotel, La Bahia Hotel & Spa is more than a new addition to the Santa Cruz skyline — it’s a restoration of the region’s rich coastal legacy. With roots stretching back to the 1900s, the property carries the spirit of its predecessors while embracing a modern “beach-luxe” aesthetic that evokes international resort culture.
A Storied Coastal Legacy: The History Behind La Bahia Hotel
The roots of La Bahia Hotel & Spa trace back to the early 20th century, when Santa Cruz was emerging as California’s premier seaside escape. In 1904, visionary investor Fred W. Swanton built Neptune’s Casino and a tent city to welcome waves of eager tourists.
After a devastating fire destroyed the original casino in 1906, Swanton enlisted renowned architect William Henry Weeks to design a new Casino and Natatorium — a bold, elegant statement of Santa Cruz’s growing popularity. By 1911, Swanton doubled down on his vision of a true beachfront resort town, commissioning George Applegarth to design the opulent Casa del Rey Hotel. This luxurious hotel, with its Italian gardens and grand triple-arched pedestrian bridge to the Casino, became a symbol of leisure and modern design.
Photo: La Bahia Hotel
As tourism blossomed through the 1920s, so did the Casa del Rey complex. The Casa del Rey Apartments, built in 1926, and the breathtaking Spanish Gardens, opened in 1928, added residential charm and outdoor elegance. However, the hotel’s golden age was interrupted in 1943 when the U.S. Navy transformed the site into a convalescent hospital during World War II. Despite efforts to revitalize the property post-war, the hotel never fully regained its pre-war glory. In 1964, the apartments were renamed La Bahia Apartments, but by 1989, the original Casa del Rey Hotel was demolished following the Loma Prieta earthquake.
Timeline at a Glance
| Year | Moment |
|---|---|
| 1911 | Casa del Rey Hotel built—grand beachfront icon |
| 1926 | Casa del Rey Apartments (later La Bahia) built |
| 1928 | Spanish Gardens and café spaces added |
| 1943–44 | Converted to Navy hospital & therapy center |
| 1964 | Apartments renamed La Bahia and shifted to rentals |
| 1989 | Earthquake demolishes Casa del Rey; apartments decay |
| 2011 | Coastal Commission rejects oversized hotel plan |
| 2020 | Building mostly demolished, facades remain |
| 2022 | Groundbreaking on new hotel incorporating bell tower |
| 2025 | Hotel/s spa opening (155 rooms, spa, dining, pool) |
Now, after decades of quiet, the story comes full circle. Rising from the historic site of the La Bahia Apartments and echoing the elegance of its predecessor, the new La Bahia Hotel & Spa is set to open in Summer 2025. Located steps from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Main Beach, this reimagined destination honors over a century of coastal history — blending timeless beauty with modern luxury for the next generation of travelers and event-goers.
What This Means
There’s no sugarcoating: La Bahia’s transformation drips with irony. A historic relic mostly demolished, now reborn as a curated version of its former self. The bell tower lives on, gleaming in renderings—while the rest is newly minted. It’s not the original sanctuary for film star vacationers—it’s a modern stage set with a retro veneer.
But for all its flaws, it resurrects a piece of Santa Cruz lore. The debate over its soul—heritage or marketing prop—continues murkily. Sometimes history isn't preserved, it’s rebranded.
If you want to delve deeper into the activists, the design renderings, or local commentary you like, I can dig further.
Exceptional Event and Venue Spaces
Whether you're envisioning a beachfront wedding, a large corporate conference, or an intimate retreat, La Bahia Hotel & Spa offers an array of venue options to accommodate events of all types and sizes — all within a coastal setting like no other.
Bahia Ballroom
The crown jewel of the property, the Bahia Ballroom spans 4,000 square feet and accommodates up to 400 guests. With 16-foot vaulted ceilings, elegant arched entryways, and a tranquil sea-inspired color palette, the space is ideal for grand celebrations, keynote conferences, gala dinners, and immersive brand activations.
Cowell’s Cove
For smaller events or breakout sessions, Cowell’s Cove provides 1,100 square feet of flexible meeting space. Ideal for board meetings, wellness retreats, team-building workshops, or cocktail-style receptions, this space ensures privacy and productivity.
Bahia Ballroom & Coastal Event Spaces
At the heart of La Bahia Hotel & Spa is the stunning Bahia Ballroom — a 4,000-square-foot showpiece designed to host up to 400 guests in spectacular style. With soaring 16-foot ceilings, elegant arched doorways, and a serene, sea-inspired palette, this grand ballroom sets the stage for unforgettable galas, weddings, corporate functions, and coastal celebrations.
The ballroom can be divided into Bahia I and Bahia II for more intimate gatherings, while the Bahia Pre-Function Area (1,300 sq ft) provides a stylish space for cocktail hours, check-ins, or networking breaks.
Adjacent to the ballroom, Cowell’s Cove offers 1,100 square feet of flexible space — ideal for executive meetings, small receptions, or romantic micro-weddings with an ocean-view vibe. For added versatility, the Capitola Room (1,480 sq ft) brings nautical charm and can be split into two equal halves, perfect for workshops, breakout sessions, or side-by-side functions.
| Meeting Room | Square Feet | Theater | Glass Room | Conference | U-Shape | Reception | Banquet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahia Ballroom | 4,000 | 400 | 167 | 96 | 110 | 400 | 330 |
| Bahia I | 2,500 | 270 | 100 | 60 | 72 | 250 | 200 |
| Bahia II | 1,500 | 180 | 60 | 50 | 36 | 150 | 125 |
| Bahia Pre-Function | 1,300 | — | |||||
| Cowell’s Cove | 1,100 | — | 100 | — | |||
| Capitola | 1,480 | 180 | 60 | 50 | 36 | 150 | 125 |
| Capitola I | 740 | 80 | 31 | 18 | 20 | 74 | 60 |
| Capitola II | 740 | 80 | 31 | 18 | 20 | 74 | 60 |
| Capitola Pre-Function | 640 | — | |||||
Outdoor Venues
La Bahia also features a collection of outdoor venues — including garden courtyards, ocean-view terraces, and beachside patios — that are perfect for sunset ceremonies, welcome receptions, and al fresco dinners.
Signature Events at La Bahia Hotel & Spa
With its upscale amenities, stunning coastal location, and expert event planning services, La Bahia Hotel & Spa is equipped to host a wide range of events, such as:
- Weddings: From beachfront vows to grand ballroom receptions, La Bahia provides a romantic setting for destination weddings of all sizes.
- Corporate Conferences: Host multi-day business conferences with full AV support, breakout rooms, and luxury accommodations for attendees.
- Executive Retreats: Take advantage of the serene coastal backdrop for focused leadership gatherings and strategic planning sessions.
- Social Galas & Fundraisers: The Bahia Ballroom sets the stage for black-tie dinners, community fundraisers, and seasonal celebrations.
- Wellness & Lifestyle Events: With access to the spa and beachside yoga spaces, wellness retreats are both scenic and restorative.
- Holiday Parties & Milestone Celebrations: Celebrate life’s biggest moments with custom catering, event décor, and on-site support.
- Hybrid & Tech-Enabled Events: Host livestreamed panels, workshops, and global virtual conferences with cutting-edge tech infrastructure.
The La Bahia events team offers full-service planning — including vendor coordination, catering, design, and day-of logistics — making every event seamless and memorable.
Technology & Business Event Capabilities
As Santa Cruz’s premier upscale venue for business and convention travelers, La Bahia Hotel & Spa is fully equipped with the latest audiovisual and hybrid meeting technologies. Most corporate planners need the following equipment, La Bahia has not yet released their availability online.
- High-definition projectors and large-format LED screens
- Professional-grade sound systems with wireless microphones
- Dedicated A/V support staff and event coordinators
- High-speed WiFi and secure business networking
- Live-streaming and hybrid event setup capabilities (see below for a list of our services)
Revitalizing the Santa Cruz Economy
The opening of La Bahia is poised to have a substantial positive impact on the Santa Cruz economy and hospitality sector. The addition of a modern, full-service luxury resort in the Boardwalk-Wharf district will:
- Attract year-round tourism and business travel, reducing seasonal economic fluctuations
- Provide overflow business to older hotels and motels in the area
- Increase patronage at nearby restaurants, cafés, and retail outlets
- Create jobs across hospitality, culinary, spa, and events sectors
- Inspire reinvestment and renovations in nearby legacy properties
A Grand Opening Awaits
Scheduled to open in Late-Summer 2025, La Bahia Hotel & Spa promises to deliver more than just luxury — it will offer a fully immersive experience that honors the past while building the future of Santa Cruz hospitality. From breathtaking event venues to rejuvenating spa treatments inspired by the historic saltwater bathhouses, guests will find themselves embraced by elegance, history, and the beauty of the California coast.
For venue inquiries, group reservations, or event bookings, visit labahiahotel.com/weddings-events.