On top of the annual addition of seasonal staff for summertime, Orange County’s largest hotels are reporting a steady stream of business so far in 2025.
This year’s list includes 55 hotels with 200 rooms or more in Orange County. These properties make up 23,653 rooms across the region.
The hotels reported a total headcount of about 14,113 employees as of May, showing a 6.7% increase compared to a year ago.
Notable hotels on the coast such as Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa and The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel said the uptick was due to the hiring of seasonal associates for the summer months, while other properties said hiring rose due to increased local stays.
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort-Convention Center, with 252 rooms, said its 14% increase to 125 employees was to accommodate the recently growing demand. Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa/Newport Beach said it has also experienced additional business at the property and Sheraton Garden Grove-Anaheim South Hotel said that “increased occupancy has been projected.”
Anaheim properties have been prepping for increased visitation due to major developments taking place in the city, from the anticipated attractions of DisneylandForward to the ongoing construction around the Honda Center for OCVibe (see special report stories, pages 1 and 16).
Orange County’s largest hotel, the Hilton Anaheim with 1,574 rooms, is at the tail end of its $200 million sitewide renovation with the final pieces expected to be completed in late August.
Its new restaurant Poppy’s will be led by newly hired Executive Chef Prabeen Prathapan and is slated to open in July. The last part of the renovation is a newly designed pool deck and bar and grill called Saltflower.
While outside travelers have been shortening their stays or delaying plans, “we’ve seen a steady uptick in regional travel and staycations,” General Manager Sergio Bocci said. “Our long-term vision is to be just as much a hub for the local community as we are for out-of-town visitors.”
Montage GM Returns to Orange County
Montage Laguna Beach, No. 46 with 262 rooms, just reopened its oceanfront restaurant on June 26. Now known as Studio Mediterranean, the hotel hired a new team, including front-of-the-house and the kitchen, for the reimagined concept. It has 688 employees as of May, which includes the recently hired seasonal associates.
Montage also welcomed Victorio Gonzalez as the hotel’s new managing director this month.
“I began my Montage journey here over 22 years ago and to now lead Montage International’s flagship resort as managing director is both a full-circle moment and an incredible honor,” Gonzalez said.
He joined the Newport Beach firm back at its start in 2003 and has since worked at properties in Mexico and San Diego. He was most recently the general manager at Montage Big Sky in Montana.
“I’m excited to be back in Orange County and to continue building on the property’s legacy of creating unforgettable memories for visitors and locals alike,” Gonzalez added.
The Viv Hotel, Anaheim, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, ranked No. 32, appointed a new general manager this year.
Maria Evans in April was appointed to the top role at the 326-key property, which has experienced several leadership changes since it rebranded from the Radisson Blue name in 2022.
A New Four Diamond Hotel
The Hyatt Regency Irvine’s $55 million transformation from 2024 earned the 516-room hotel a AAA Four Diamond designation earlier this year.
It is the first time the property, most previously known as Hotel Irvine and owned by the Irvine Company, has earned the recognition.
Area General Manager Sid Ramani said the designation was “a powerful validation” of Hyatt Hotels Corp.’s (NYSE: H) investment.
There are now 19 Four Diamond hotels in Orange County including the Disneyland Hotel, JW Marriott Anaheim Resort and Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa as of 2025.
Research Director Desmond Celo contributed to this report.
