The new Terranea resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., probably never should have happened. Located on the site of the old Marineland theme-quarium, this is yet another luxury resort launching in one of the most dismal economies that modern California has ever experienced.

There isn’t much that’s hugely special about it – hotel, spa, a lot of overpriced vacation condos that look a lot like other condos in suburbs around Southern California. It’s been done. The oceanfront location is wonderful but the area — the peninsula between whatevs Redondo Beach and LA’s workaday San Pedro district – is a suburban snooze.

The whole schlemiel is being managed by the middle-of-the-road Destination Hotels & Resorts group, an undiscriminating brand that hangs its shingle on everything from an Embassy Suites in Florida to disappointing conference hotels in various suburbs, including Westchester County. Preview rates start at $195 and reservations are being taken from June 12 onward.

Like everyone, Terranea is struggling. So, what does it do? The developers head over to city offices, demanding an $8 million tax rebate, or else – that’s right – they may not be able to open. Of course, this is just one piece of the puzzle; Terranea neads way more than a tax break, and is currently working to secure funding from another troubled entity – Chicago’s on-the-skids Corus Bank.

Not one to miss an opportunity to annoy, Donald Trump, who is developing a golf course in the town, fired off a letter asking for an equivalent tax break. What do you want to bet Rancho Palos Verdes feels pretty stupid right now.