Chef José Andrés to Debut Signature Restaurant, Rockwell Group Designing the Restaurant, Guestrooms, and Amenity Spaces, and Sage Hospitality Group Curating Guest Experiences and Services

 

ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- OCVIBE, the 100-acre mixed-use development surrounding Honda Center, today unveiled the design for SENA, Anaheim's first hotel in Marriott's Autograph Collection portfolio. Expected to open in 2029, the hotel, with interiors designed by Rockwell Group, will introduce a series of best-in-class offerings to Southern California, including a signature restaurant from acclaimed Chef José Andrés and a suite of hospitality and guest service experiences led by Sage Hospitality Group.

SENA is set to serve as the district's first hotel and a new hospitality anchor for Anaheim. The 300-plus-key property is designed by the architecture and landscape architecture teams at WATG (Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo). The hotel will connect visitors and locals to OCVIBE's sports, live entertainment, dining, cultural programming, and public gathering spaces while introducing a destination designed to stand on its own within Southern California.

"Bringing together Marriott's Autograph Collection, Rockwell Group, José Andrés Group, and Sage Hospitality Group gives us the opportunity to create a hotel experience unlike anything else in Orange County," said Dan Young, Executive Director of Development at OCVIBE. "SENA will be both a destination in its own right and a front door to everything OCVIBE is becoming – a place where exceptional design, dining, hospitality, and live experiences come together."

Set to be Anaheim's first Autograph Collection Hotel, SENA will maintain an individual identity rooted in OCVIBE while connecting guests to the global reach and loyalty network of Marriott Bonvoy. Autograph Collection properties are distinguished by their individuality, design and strong sense of place, qualities that will be reflected throughout SENA's architecture, culinary program, and relationship to the surrounding district.

"Guided by an ambitious vision, thoughtful design, and an exceptional team, SENA will be an exciting addition to the Autograph Collection," said Noah Silverman, Global Development Officer, U.S. & Canada, Marriott International. "We're incredibly proud to work alongside OCVIBE and Sage Hospitality Group to bring Anaheim's first Autograph Collection hotel to life and to contribute to the continued evolution of this dynamic destination."

"Having spent much of my career in hospitality, I've seen firsthand the power of a strong brand and memorable guest experience," said Mike Waterman, President & CEO, Visit Anaheim. "SENA brings together world-class hospitality, culinary, and design brands while creating something distinctly Anaheim. It reflects the continued evolution of Anaheim and the caliber of experiences taking shape across our destination." 

Design that shifts from day to night

Rockwell Group is leading SENA's interior architecture, creating a cinematic sequence of spaces shaped by contrast, movement and atmosphere. Balancing light and shadow, polish and texture, the interiors will evolve throughout the day and become more energetic as day turns to night.

At the center of the arrival experience, a circular lobby bar will serve as SENA's social anchor. Framed by views of Honda Center, South Plaza and OCVIBE's most active gathering spaces, the bar will transition from bright and convivial during the day to warm and atmospheric at night, creating a space where guests can meet, connect or take in the surrounding activity.

"We were inspired by Anaheim's history of imagination and innovation, and we designed SENA around that spirit," said David Rockwell, Founder and President, Rockwell Group. "From the warm glow of the arrival to the lobby's changing atmosphere throughout the day, each space is meant to heighten guests' awareness of where they are and create opportunities for people to gather and connect."

A new culinary destination from José Andrés

SENA's culinary program will feature a signature restaurant from Chef José Andrés. Located on the hotel's ground floor, the restaurant will welcome guests, OCVIBE visitors, and Anaheim residents while bringing a distinctive new dining experience to the heart of the district.

"Anaheim, here we come! It is no secret that I love California…filled with amazing people, bountiful ingredients and energy. My team and I are excited to bring a new restaurant into this community that we look forward to being a part of," shared José Andrés.

The restaurant along with an indoor-outdoor lobby bar will overlook OCVIBE's South Plaza and Honda Center, as well as a pool bar with fire features, lush landscaping, cabanas and music-driven programming. Together, the venues will extend SENA's social experience throughout the day and into the evening.

Southern California Inspired Design

SENA's architecture and landscape architecture by WATG are inspired by its setting along the Santa Ana River and Southern California's natural light. The hotel is conceived as a building that changes with the sky, its exterior catching the colors of passing clouds and shifting light throughout the day. The design connects the natural beauty of Orange County with the vibrant energy of OCVIBE. Its terraced podium (base of the building) and luminous façade will create a warm, welcoming counterpoint to Honda Center while giving the hotel a distinct architectural presence within the district.

"OCVIBE is a special development in the heart of Orange County, and we are honored to be among the design partners bringing it to life," said Greg Villegas, Managing Principal, Architecture, WATG. "We bring years of hospitality design experience into every project type we work on, and for SENA, we envisioned a hotel with an identity all its own yet connected to the energy and character of what will be the OCVIBE entertainment district."

Experiences shaped by Sage Hospitality Group

OCVIBE has selected Sage Hospitality Group to operate SENA, building on Sage's expertise in creating exceptional, experience-led hospitality in dynamic sports, entertainment and mixed-use destinations. Sage will oversee hotel operations and service throughout the property, connecting the guestrooms, restaurants and bars, meetings and events, and the broader entertainment and cultural offerings available across OCVIBE.

Sage's experience operating independent, luxury, lifestyle and soft-branded hotels will support SENA's role as both an overnight destination and a year-round gathering place for leisure travelers, business groups, performers, sports fans and residents.

"At Sage, we believe the most memorable hotels are more than a place to stay. They are living, breathing extensions of the communities around them," said Daniel del Olmo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sage Hospitality Group. "SENA is an opportunity to bring that belief to life in a district built around connection, culture and shared experience. We are excited to create a guest experience that is deeply connected to the energy of OCVIBE and distinctly of Anaheim."

A new hospitality anchor for OCVIBE

SENA will open at the center of the OCVIBE district, a privately funded development transforming 100 acres surrounding Honda Center into a walkable, year-round destination. When fully complete, OCVIBE is planned to include 20 acres of parks and public spaces, three miles of connected walking trails and public art, more than 2,000 residences, more than 35 dining experiences, office space and three state-of-the-art entertainment venues.

The district's first phase, which includes a concert hall, market hall, and office, is expected to open in 2027, followed by SENA in 2029. The hotel will give visitors a new way to extend their experience beyond an individual game, concert or dinner while contributing to OCVIBE's emergence as a new center for gathering, dining and entertainment in Orange County.