Three years after a name change, the Sonesta Irvine has taken the wraps off a $20 million renovation that aims to attract new travelers to the airport-area hotel along Von Karman Avenue.
Public and private spaces got a makeover as part of the renovation, which also added new gathering, meeting and dining options to the property that’s part of the Irvine Concourse campus. The entire first floor has been under construction during the pandemic, with new flooring, furniture and light fixtures upgraded in phases, General Manager Diane Blake told the Business Journal.
Sonesta International Hotels Corp. of Massachusetts took over management of the 27-year-old hotel—formerly the Wyndham Irvine-Orange County Airport—in 2019 after owner Service Properties Trust ended its agreement with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. It’s one of about a dozen Sonesta-branded properties in Orange County.
The 339-room property, about 2 miles from John Wayne Airport, ranks No. 30 on the Business Journal’s list of largest hotels in OC as of June. It includes 22 suites as part of that room count and employs 145 locally.
The makeover project’s general contractor was Maryland-based First Finish LLC while architecture firm Houston Tyner in Torrance led design.
Lobby Dining
Sonesta, which is managed by Newton, Mass.-based RMR Group, took advantage of the pandemic-driven slowdown in business to work on the hotel’s new look, according to Group Sales Manager Gayle Moro; the hotel had last been updated in 2014.
“Sonesta planned to bring the hotel to their brand standards,” Blake said.
New amenities and technology were added throughout the 14-floor hotel, which now counts panoramic views of Orange County.
A new restaurant and bar were included as part of the redesign: Haven Point Provisions & Spirits, located in the lobby.
The previous dining space was replaced by a meeting and conference room.
Haven Point soft opened in July led by Executive Chef John Ruiz and features contemporary Southern California cuisine.
A third-party provider previously oversaw all food and beverage services at the hotel prior to the renovation. Haven Point, room service, and catering are now owned and operated in-house, prompting the hiring of 30 new members to join the staff, including Ruiz and his culinary team.
Suburban Property
Also on the first floor, office space was converted into a fitness center touting high-end equipment from Peloton and Precor.
Floor-to-ceiling windows were installed in several rooms to better introduce lighting and incorporate new outdoor gathering spaces.
Physical changes followed the hotel’s name change to the Sonesta Irvine, which marked the brand’s entry in Orange County.
“We want to be more of a suburban Irvine property,” Blake said. “We’re staying away from the noisy, overcrowded idea with a name that is more fitting.”
Chicago’s The Gettys Group and SANDesign in El Segundo were also involved in the new design.
Sonesta Work Suite
The hotel counts nine gathering spaces totaling over 8,700 square feet for business functions, galas and events.
It debuted a workspace concept following customer demand for flex work options.
Dubbed the “Sonesta Work Suite,” the 2,200-square-foot meeting room was built for business and group travelers.
The suite can seat up to 54 people and is meant to accommodate a variety of meetings by offering a range of workspace options, with self-contained work areas along with conference tables and a private patio area.
Technology plays a large role in the hotel’s new meeting space with updated audio and visual equipment throughout.
Sonesta Work Suite will also come with specific catering options.
The space is a prototype, with Sonesta planning on incorporating the concept at other properties in the portfolio.
“It will be the signature Sonesta meeting room,” Blake said. “It’s already been well received in the business community and among our regular clients.”
