Carlsbad’s newest resort, the Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort and Spa, opened its doors with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday. Representatives from the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce were on had for the celebration. According to a news release, the  hotel, directly across from Ponto Beach, “was designed to offer spectacular views of the Pacific, not only from many of its 215 guest rooms but also from its 25,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and wedding space. The resort’s stylish Chandler’s Restaurant & Lounge presents the coastal regional cuisine of acclaimed international chef Pascal Vignau, while the 5,600 square-foot Ocean Crest Spa offers an environmentally-mindful spa experience inspired by the healing powers of the sea.” The hotel is owned by Wave Crest Oceanfront LLC and operated by Wave Crest Hotels and Resorts. It has 200 employees and employed more than 300 people during the 18-month construction. “We are truly thrilled to have opened this beautiful resort, and we are grateful to our team, to our Carlsbad neighbors and to the many guests who have already booked stays, weddings and events with us,” said Bill Canepa, managing partner, Wave Crest Oceanfront LLC and president, Wave Crest Hotels and Resorts. “I can’t think of a more beautiful resort setting in all of San Diego County.” Details of the hotel (from the press release) include:   Rooms and Suites: Modeling the California Craftsman style, Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa features 215 guest rooms including eight suites, many offering panoramic ocean views and all providing travel conveniences including in-room mini-refrigerators, 42-inch flat-panel televisions, complimentary Wi-Fi and complimentary printing. Guest rooms average 415 square-feet in size, with many connecting rooms available. Chandler’s Restaurant & Lounge: Chandler’s brings innovation and style to the local restaurant scene, featuring coastal regional menus inspired by locally-grown fresh products and highlighted by the cuisine of famed chef Pascal Vignau. The heart of the restaurant is a spectacular bar serving signature cocktails, while a private wine room further complements the spacious ocean-view setting. Outdoors, multiple open-air terraces and a fire-pit take added advantage of Chandler’s coastal panoramas and California’s year-round outdoor dining weather. Ocean Crest Spa: The 5,600 square-foot Ocean Crest Spa is inspired by the Pacific Ocean and offers seven treatment rooms, a couple’s room with tub and private outdoor relaxation area, and men’s and women’s relaxation and locker rooms. A full menu of treatments features the usage of pure and organic products, with a focus on those derived largely from coastal California plants and growers. Ocean-View Swimming Pool: The resort’s large saline-treated pool is surrounded by a vibrant coastal desert garden of palms, succulents and grasses, enhanced by a children’s splash pool, outdoor fire pits and expansive ocean views. Fitness Center: A spacious aerobic area, free weights and state-of-the-art cardio equipment with televisions highlight this large and modern fitness-facility-with-a-view. Meeting and Wedding Space: 25,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space is available for meetings, weddings and events, with many venues offering beautiful ocean panoramas. Its website is located at  http://www.hiltoncarlsbadoceanfront.com and its phone number is  760-602-0800. Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa is located at One Ponto Road.