BY MARK MUELLER
NOVEMBER 10, 2025

The Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club has seen a change in ownership, following a deal that values the Dana Point luxury resort at around $500 million, according to industry watcher estimates.

Last month, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, an indigenous tribe located in the San Bernardino region, took over full ownership of the 400-room property—one of the higher-end resorts in Orange County—from Redwood City-based Ohana Real Estate Investors LLC.
Terms of the deal were undisclosed.

San Manuel, whose portfolio includes Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, initially bought a 40% stake in the property from Ohana in 2023. At the time, it was estimated that the resort was valued around $600 million, or roughly $1.5 million a key.

Given slightly lower pricing for high-end, coastal properties of late, the Waldorf Astoria’s valuation is now likely closer to $1.25 million a key, according to Alan Reay, the head of Irvine-based hotel consultancy and brokerage Atlas Hospitality Group.

At that per-room price, San Manuel’s just-completed deal for the remaining 60% in the resort is estimated at around $300 million.

The purchase is believed to be San Manuel’s largest-ever investment in a non-casino property. It is the tribe’s only known investment in Orange County.

Cornerstone Investment

San Manuel said the resort, which includes the Monarch Beach Golf Links, “serves as a cornerstone non-gaming resort within the tribe’s luxury destination portfolio.”

Besides Highland’s Yaamava’, other properties owned by the tribe, previously known as the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, include the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, which it paid a reported $650 million for in 2021.

“This beautiful destination resort is the perfect complement to the tribe’s investment portfolio and fits well with our long-term investment and diversification strategy,” said Lynn Valbuena, chair of the tribe and its investment board.

Hilton will continue to manage operations of Waldorf Astoria, while hospitality and club management firm Troon will continue to oversee operations of the golf course.

Rebrand, Renovations

Ohana paid nearly $500 million for the 175-acre property in 2019. It was the largest-ever hotel sale in Orange County at the time.

Ohana, initially backed by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and now with an investor base that includes university endowments, foundations and family offices, has owned other luxury resorts in OC; it previously owned the Montage Laguna Beach between 2009 and 2015.
Ohana’s 2019 purchase of the 175-acre Waldorf Astoria resort came when it was known as the Monarch Beach Resort. Prior to that, it operated under the St. Regis name.

The property, the county’s 21st largest hotel by room count, was rebranded into OC’s first Waldorf Astoria, Hilton’s luxury flag, in January 2021, amid a major renovation push.

The resort completed a $30 million renovation of its guest rooms’ design and suite sizes in 2022. Starting rates currently run around $750 for a weekday and $920 for a weekend stay.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to the growth and success of this exceptional resort, and equally excited for its next phase of ownership through the leadership of the San Manuel Investment Authority,” Franco Famularo, president and chief investment officer of Ohana, said in a statement.

The Waldorf Astoria has nearly 130,000 square feet of meeting and event space with 24 bookable rooms. Its hotel meeting space is the fourth largest in OC, according to Business Journal data.

Along with the golf course, it has a spa and several high-end restaurants.
Other additions to the Dana Point resort are being considered. Three years ago, the property got conditional approvals for a lazy river, which would be built on the north lawn of the resort. That’s project has yet to move ahead.

Resort Moves

The new ownership of the Waldorf Astoria comes amid a busy period for OC’s luxury resorts.

The Resort at Pelican Hill this month is expected to see the start of an extensive renovation to its pair of golf courses. The upgrades at Pelican Hill Golf Club, overseen by prominent architect Brian Curley, are expected to be one of the first in a series of renovations at the Newport Coast resort, one of its biggest overhauls since its opening in 2008.

Montage Laguna Beach recently unveiled its new flagship restaurant, Studio Mediterranean.
Billionaire Tilman Fertitta bought the 260-room Montage for $650 million in 2022, marking the priciest hotel sale in OC history.