Santa Cruz is eagerly awaiting the transformation of its beachfront landscape with the grand opening of La Bahia Hotel & Spa set for September 1, 2025. Located at 215 Beach Street, this long‑anticipated project embraces both the historic charm of its 1926 origins and the modern allure of luxury hospitality. Reservations for stays beginning in early September are now live.
Kim Mutz: The New Force Behind Wellness
Just in time for the hotel’s debut, Kim Mutz has been named Director of Spa & Wellness, charged with crafting and elevating the spa experience to stand alongside La Bahia’s high‑end offerings. Her appointment is pivotal for the resort’s spa launch, ensuring guests have access to truly world‑class services.
With over 15 years of leadership in luxury hotel spas and an additional 10 years of hands-on expertise as a massage therapist, Mutz brings a rich blend of operational acumen and therapeutic finesse. Her past roles include Spa Director at Four Seasons Denver—where she drove a 12% revenue increase—as well as senior spa positions at Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa, W Hotel Austin, and Sonnehalp Hotel in Vail.
A Spa Crafted for Healing and Inspiration
The spa at La Bahia is envisioned as a sanctuary—one that fuses sleek modernity with the site’s vintage Mediterranean sensibilities. Guests can expect:
- Eight treatment rooms (evenly split between indoor and outdoor settings)
- A sauna overlooking the stunning expanse of Monterey Bay
- Two steam rooms
- A breathtaking rooftop Zen deck designed for panoramic ocean views and serene moments.
This wellness experience is more than décor—it’s a curated journey intertwined with the coastal ambiance, local marine sanctuary influences, and spa innovations rooted in calm and authenticity.
An Iconic Rebirth of Santa Cruz History
La Bahia is not just any hotel—it’s a restoration of a local legacy. Originally built in 1926 as apartments associated with Casa del Rey, the building’s signature bell tower and romantic architectural details have been lovingly preserved. Now reborn as an oceanfront haven with 155 rooms (including 16 suites), it harmonizes heritage aesthetics and contemporary luxury.
Every element—from Juliet balconies to sun‑warmed tiles and ornate grillwork—evokes the seaside charm that established the building’s original allure. Guests arrive to a warm blend of global artifacts, Spanish‑Mediterranean design, and sweeping Pacific panoramas.
Dining & Gathering by the Sea
La Bahia offers far more than serenity—it’s a culinary destination. Four unique dining venues include:
- High Tide: A Pacific‑Rim inspired signature restaurant
- Low Tide Bar & Grill: Casual fare with craft cocktails and live music
- Pearl: A sophisticated, London‑inspired champagne bar
- Plunge: A playful, poolside urban oasis for light bites and refreshments.
Set to become a hub for everything from romantic dinners to seaside soirées, La Bahia also includes over 13,000 square feet of event venues—from the 4,000‑sq‑ft Bahia Ballroom to the 5,200‑sq‑ft Seaside Roof Deck with forest and ocean views—for weddings, corporate functions, and celebrations with panoramic backdrops.
Santa Cruz’s Luxe Revival
As La Bahia opens its doors, Santa Cruz welcomes a new flagship of luxury—one that spans wellness, gastronomy, architecture, and coastal charm. Under the leadership of Kim Mutz, the spa promises to elevate relaxation into an art form, weaving rejuvenation into every guest’s journey. With history, hospitality, and the horizon converging, La Bahia Hotel & Spa is poised to redefine seaside indulgence in California’s coastal crown.
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