Murrieta Hot Springs Resort

Project Strategy

Circa 1902: The Murrieta Hot Springs Resort: The revitalization of a cultural icon!

Since the early days of the Temecula Rancho, the Murrieta Hot Springs have been known for their healing and invigorating properties.

Challenge: Restore the Fritz Guenther world class resort that had gone through campus reinventions: spa, communal living facility, a Bible college and now to return the 46-acre resort with timeless Spanish architecture to its former glory.

The vision for this project was to update several buildings while also respecting the pre-existing architecture, design and elegance of the resort. The newly renovated areas include standard and deluxe guestrooms, the bathhouse, spa and pool deck, combined with the main building where the restaurant and check-in areas are situated.

This project called for the expertise of Universal Metro and general contractor Swinerton Builders, who worked with Walter R. Allen, Architect & Associates in preparation of this project. In its plans for the new Murrieta Hot Springs Resort, Omgivning Design Architects envisioned a destination for wellness, a respite where guests could unplug and recharge, and a resort environment setting the stage for a transformational experience. As its foundational design concept, the team adopted the theme of “California Nostalgic” — honoring the historic and rough-hewn spirit of the Southern California ranch or hacienda — coupled with calm, natural, and eclectic elements that typify today’s coastal California experience. The early phase of the job detailed the expectations of the owner, highlighting the need for material that fits the design and practicality of the original plans. To satisfy the scope of work, Universal Metro partnered with Starnet Vendors Daltile, Ardex and Mapei who could meet the demand and work with the scheduling needs of the team.

To bring the owner's vision to life, we worked with the existing color palette of the resort and followed the pattern of warm-toned tile and neutral walls seen in the interior and exterior. In the Main building reception, cafe and guestrooms, Daltile's Quarry Textures ceramic tile was installed in the color Diablo Red, pairing perfectly with the Mediterranean-influenced terracotta roofs and stucco walls. The bath house featured Daltile's Keystones tile in the color Brownberry with a matte finish, flattering the Marazzi off-white glossy tile in the walls.

The Red List Free Keraflex Plus by Mapei was chosen for its strong bonding capacity and nonsag, nonslum formula, providing a seamless installation ensuring a ten-year warranty. To combat potential water damage to the Keystones tiles in the bath house, Mapei's Mapelastic Waterstop was incorporated to protect against in-plane floor cracks from transmitting. Additionally, Ardex Feather Finish was used to prepare the surface of the interior guestrooms where the larger ceramic tile would be used for its exceptional bond strength.

The Murrieta Hot Springs Resort is a state-of-the-art spa destination for California natives and international tourists. From day passes to weekend stays, the guests undergo an unparalleled journey of restorative tranquility. While it was an arduous project considering its magnitude, it was an honor to complete the installation of this $4.2 million project.