Stone Brewing is working on a plan to bring its own themed hotel to Escondido. No, you haven’t accidentally stumbled upon a news clip from 2011, when San Diego County’s largest brewing company originally unveiled its intentions to construct a hotel across the street from its Escondido brewery. This is an update on what many believed was a dead project. I’d say “most people”, but during my time working at Stone—which included monitoring social-media—we were regularly asked when the hotel was going to open. This, despite the fact there were no visible signs of construction, and in fact, no construction to speak of save for an intersection leading to a driveway (named “Lupulin Lane”) outfitted to look like beer being poured from a tap when viewed on GoogleEarth (seriously, check it out).
What I was able to ascertain from those constant inquiries was that there was a significant amount of interest and that this was a “worthy” project. Stone ownership agreed with said worthiness, but with so many construction projects going on (breweries in Richmond, Virginia and Berlin, Germany plus a brewpub in Point Loma’s Liberty Station development as well as company stores, bars and other eateries throughout Southern California) they lacked sufficient funds to pursue what would be a rather gargantuan undertaking and one, it must be added, that would do little to grow its beer business and nothing to increase beer-production.
Not a lot has changed over the past half-decade. Stone still doesn’t possess the capital necessary to pursue its hotel project. But before those eager for a beer-equipped, ecologically sound, gargoyle-ensconced lodging experience jump off a 1,000-barrel fermenter into a river of expired Enjoy By IPA, there’s good news. Stone recently entered into a licensing agreement with Untitled Hospitality to get Stone Hotel built and open by early 2018. Stone ownership recognized years ago that, in addition to the expense, it would be difficult to get a hotel constructed and operational without the experience and knowhow of hospitality professionals. It took years to find the right corporation to work with, but now Untitled is set to get to work building a hotel that it will both own and operate.
Stone co-founders Greg Koch and Steve Wagner are trusting Untitled to bring their vision to life. Much of that has to do with outfitting the eventual $26 million, 100,000-square-foot building in an aesthetic that is true to Stone’s image and brand of architecture. That’s no small feat, but helping with this will be award-winning interior designer Paul Basile of San Diego’s BASILE Studio. And the build-out of Stone Hotel will be done in partnership with McMillin LLC. Together, the team will erect a lodging venue consisting of 99 “oversized” guest rooms (six of which will be suites), an 8,000-square-foot ballroom, a 10,000-square-foot rooftop garden, bar-style lobby, fitness center, walking trails and nearly an acre of additional outdoor event-space.
On the suds side, guests will receive complimentary beer when they check-in. Additionally, archived, rare, cask and specialty beers will regularly be tapped at a trio of service areas throughout the property. And though the method of delivery has not been disclosed of yet, a press-release states that beer will be “available upon a moment’s notice”. A night’s stay will also entitle guests to priority-seating and “a unique culinary experience” at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Escondido. Stone Hotel will be located at 1990 Citracado Parkway, directly across from Stone’s Packaging Hall and cattycorner to Stone’s Escondido brewery and restaurant.
