The Pacific Bay Club Hotel is Born

 

Nestled on a serene stretch of the Pacific coastline, the Pacific Bay Club Hotel opened its doors in the summer of 1962. Designed as a luxurious escape for the elite, the resort quickly earned its reputation as the “Crown Jewel of the Coast.”

 

The Pacific Bay Club Hotel was built as a direct competitor to the famed St. Tropaz Hotel, which had dominated the luxury hospitality scene along the West Coast since the 1950s. Determined to create something even more extravagant, Gideon Lancaster, an enigmatic real estate magnate and visionary, poured his fortune into the project. Lancaster spared no expense, recruiting the era’s most celebrated architects and designers to bring his dream of unparalleled coastal elegance to life.

 

With its sleek art deco architecture, expansive grounds, and exclusive villas perched on seaside cliffs, the Pacific Bay Club Hotel was designed to outshine the St. Tropaz in every way. Its grand opening was attended by Hollywood’s brightest stars, solidifying its place as the new hotspot for the rich and famous.

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The Scandalous Tragedy of 1966

 

The hotel's glamorous reputation took a dark and fateful turn in 1966 with the mysterious deaths of Hollywood starlet Vivian LaRue and her husband, avant-garde film director Julian Hayes.

 

The couple, known for their fiery yet passionate relationship, had traveled to the Pacific Bay Club to celebrate their second wedding anniversary. Vivian, adored for her roles in romantic dramas and musicals, was at the peak of her stardom. Julian, infamous for his brooding genius and mercurial temper, was riding the wave of critical acclaim for his latest film.

 

On the night of August 15, 1966, the couple dined in the hotel's private ballroom. Guests later recalled hearing raised voices from the direction of the couple’s villa, perched dramatically above the cliffs. By morning, the two were found lifeless on the rocky shoreline below.

 

The official investigation ruled their deaths a tragic accident—a misstep along the slippery edge of the cliff—but rumors of foul play quickly took hold. Some whispered that an argument had turned violent. Others speculated that Julian, plagued by personal and professional demons, had orchestrated a murder-suicide. Even more chilling were the conspiracy theories that hinted at Hollywood power players seeking to silence Vivian, who was rumored to be writing an explosive memoir exposing the industry’s darkest secrets.

 

The Mystery Deepens: The Fire of 1978

 

The villa where Vivian and Julian had stayed—dubbed “LaRue House” by locals—was sealed off after their deaths, becoming a source of eerie fascination. Guests and staff reported strange phenomena around the villa: ghostly laughter, flickering lights, and the faint scent of jasmine, Vivian’s signature perfume.

 

For years, LaRue House stood as a haunting reminder of the tragedy, drawing paranormal investigators and curious tourists. But in 1978, the villa was destroyed in a mysterious fire. The blaze broke out in the dead of night and engulfed the structure within hours. Despite a thorough investigation, the cause of the fire was never determined.

 

Gideon Lancaster, shaken by the event and the hotel's growing reputation for tragedy, made the decision to leave the site untouched. To this day, the charred remains have been cleared, but nothing has been built on the plot, now called "The Silent Bluff," an empty expanse of wildflowers and silence overlooking the cliffs.

 

Frederick’s Transformation and the Modern Era In 1985

 

Following Gideon Lancaster’s passing, ownership of the Pacific Bay Club Hotel was transferred to his grandson, Frederick Lancaster. Frederick inherited the hotel during a turbulent time, as its reputation as a glamorous haven had dimmed under the weight of its dark history and aging facilities.

 

Determined to honor his grandfather’s legacy while bringing the Pacific Bay Club Hotel into a new era, Frederick embarked on a multimillion-dollar remodel of the property, blending its iconic mid-century design with contemporary luxury.

 

Rebranding the hotel the Pacific Bay Club Resort and Spa, Frederick’s renovations included a complete overhaul of the resort’s facade, incorporating sleek glass and steel accents to give the building a more modern, timeless appeal. He also added a new annex, featuring state-of-the-art guest suites, a world-class spa, and an expansive pool with ocean views. These upgrades brought the resort firmly into the 21st century while respecting its storied past.

 

Another of Frederick’s ambitious projects was reshaping the coastline itself. Over the decades, storm surges and coastal erosion had caused significant structural issues, as the original shoreline crept dangerously close to the resort’s foundations. To protect the property, Frederick commissioned engineers to build up a sandbank along the beachside of the hotel, pushing the coastline further out. This not only safeguarded the resort from future storms but also created a picturesque new stretch of beach that quickly became one of its defining features.

 

The Haunting Legacy

 

Despite its modern transformation, the Pacific Bay Club Resort and Spa remains deeply tied to its past. Guests still report unexplained phenomena near the Silent Bluff and throughout the resort: whispers on the wind, the sound of footsteps echoing in empty hallways, and fleeting glimpses of a woman in a flowing gown near the cliffs.

 

Today, the Pacific Bay Club markets itself as a destination where “the stars still shine,” a nod to its golden age and the haunting mystery that continues to captivate visitors. Under Frederick Lancaster’s leadership, the resort has not only reclaimed its place as a premier luxury destination but has embraced its history as an integral part of its allure. With its breathtaking views, opulent amenities, and enduring air of intrigue, the Pacific Bay Club stands as a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the enduring charm of a place where the past lingers as vividly as the ocean breeze.