San Vicente Resort’s First Annual Open House
The San Vicente Resort rolled out the welcome mat for nearly 100 community members and curious visitors during the Open House event on Wednesday, June 18, from 4 to 7 pm. Guests were invited to take their passport and explore the recently updated guest rooms, experience Happy Hour and many amenities including golf, catering, recreation, equestrian, and more.
San Vicente Resort hosted an Open House last week to showcase its fully renovated rooms and hospitality suite. Guests enjoyed a happy hour, free samples, and special bounce-back offers, including coupons for the lodge, restaurants, snack bar, and ImagiCamp for kids, and more. There were also espresso martinis and a delicious banana foster dessert tasting for guests to enjoy while viewing the hospitality suite.
Guests were encouraged to explore, experience, and enjoy the event via a passport, which required them to visit ten stops throughout the tour and fill their passports with stickers from each location. Guests turned in their filled passports to be entered into a drawing for a stay, golf, dinner, and a gift basket valued at $500.
Five of the 28 renovated rooms were open for the tour: the wheelchair-accessible ADA Room, the Queen Room, the King Room, and the hospitality suite, which featured an adjoining King Room. The ADA room featured a fold-down bench in the shower, wider entrances for wheelchair access, and is on the parking lot level for easy access. All rooms featured new televisions, sheets, chairs, desks, a storage bench, and artwork to add a pop of color.
Lodge Manager Mary Ellen Stevens, who led the event, envisioned uniform, contemporary rooms that feel lighter and more open, and now, guests can enjoy beautiful, welcoming spaces that reflect that vision. The Member-Guest Services Team was on hand to answer questions and guide visitors through the room tours, and they truly enjoyed the positive reviews about the renovations. In response to feedback from guests who often confuse the lodge with nearby condominiums, Front Desk Supervisor Susanne Hopkins clarified that the new lodge rooms are remodeled hotel rooms, not condos.
“A picture is worth a thousand words,” says General Manager Carl Weise. He was in the hospitality suite, greeting visitors as they rediscovered the lodge and all that the community had to offer. He was excited for guests to see all the amenities and encouraged them to invite visiting friends and family to stay in the upgraded rooms. He added that he wants to show the homeowners how the association has invested in providing them and their guests with beautifully upgraded accommodations.
Head Golf Professional Matt Brumbaugh was on-site, providing information about Twilight Golf, Ladies Golf, Lessons, and Junior Golf. He said that Twilight Golf is great for families and friends, offering a non-traditional golf experience. He added that kids can join in at any time for Junior Golf, and it’s a lot of fun.
Catering Manager Joyce Whelehon greeted guests in the banquet room, which was specially set up with tables for a party and a wedding, and featured a background slideshow showcasing the resort’s amenities and catered event experiences. She shared that she has hosted a wide range of events in the space, including school functions, church gatherings, weddings, and memorials. “It’s a great wedding destination,” she said, “because once you get out of your car, you don’t have to leave.” She added that each wedding and banquet is fully personalized to suit the host’s vision.
The Food and Beverage Front of House Manager, Colleen Doulgeropoulis, led the Happy Hour experience in the Par Lounge.
Recreation Manager Amy Holsapple-Lueck was at the open house with colorful candy and kids' toys to remind visitors that, even if you aren’t part of the association, you can still enroll your kids in their summer camp. Families participating in the Wednesday night Junior Golf program enjoyed talking with her. She hopes to welcome new families to their camps and always promotes the recreation programs.
Equestrian Manager and Director of Operations Lisa Everett was at a booth in front of the lodge, informing people about the Snack Bar and Equestrian amenities SDCEA has to offer and distributing flyers and trail guides.
Almost 100 people attended the open house. There was an array of balloons created by Raylene Swanson from Ray’s Balloon Creation. The balloons were placed throughout the Open House touring areas and featured guest rooms to provide guests with direction on the tour. They added color and creativity to the open house, masterfully designed to showcase the event.
The event offered a behind-the-scenes, manager-led glimpse into the San Vicente Resort experience—including golf, staycations, weddings, and dining—highlighting the many reasons to Stay and Play and giving locals a chance to rediscover one of the community’s most valuable assets. With the addition of SDCEA’s Recreation and Equestrian facilities, there truly is something for everyone.
Room photos by Shelly Mullin.
