This month's Enroute magazine celebrates San Diego, California (
http://enroute.aircanada.com/en/issues/view/sun-and-games), in particular the many attractions of interest to the young - or the young of heart: Legoland, the famous San Diego Zoo, and the new Childrens Museum, just to name a few. It also mentions the venerable Hotel Del Coronado - which reminded me of my own visit to the "Del" just last year.
From the Archives (April 16, 2009):
HILTON SAN DIEGO BAYFRONT
This was our host hotel for ConferenceDirect's Annual Partner meeting – a brand new property (opened within the last year) towering 30-stories over the adjacent San Diego Convention Centre and San Diego Bay. The waterfront location is celebrated throughout the property with touches of blue in the décor, and the meeting space is organized on levels called “Indigo”, “Sapphire”. “Aqua”, and “Cobalt”. Guestrooms enjoy either bay or city views, Hilton’s Serenity Collection beds and linens, plasma televisions with HDTV, both wired and wireless internet service, and large work desk with ergonomic chair. Women travellers will appreciate the spacious vanity in the bathrooms with proper lighting. The gym is smallish, but the bayside boardwalk directly outside the hotel makes for an excellent walking or jogging path, and San Diego’s famed “idyllic climate” means that outdoor exercise is nearly almost an option.
FOUR SEASONS RESORT AVIARA
Located near Carlsbad, about a half hour up the coast from San Diego, this oasis of luxury overlooks 200 rolling acres – much of it a wetlands sanctuary for native birds and flowering plants – and the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. As a sanctuary for two-legged creatures it offers a disproportionately generous amount of eclectic function space, an Arnold Palmer golf course, choice of swimming pools (one “Quiet” and one for families), tennis courts, fitness facilities, and a sublime spa. Guestrooms all have private balconies or ground-floor terraces, again taking advantage of the Southern California climate. All the Four Seasons markers are in evidence, along with the promise of exceptional service.
HOTEL DEL CORONADO
Located across San Diego Bay in the seaside city of Coronado, the “Del”, was built in 1888 and is designated a National Historic Landmark. Its prestigious guestlist reads like a “Who’s Who” of politicians, diplomats, and visiting Royalty (was it here that Edward VIII met Coronado divorcee Wallis Simpson?). It was famously one of the locations used in the film “Some Like it Hot” with Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon and continues to welcome such high-profile celebrities as Brad Pitt and Madonna. A walk through the resort’s public areas brought us to the jaw-dropping Crown Room, whose Crown-shaped chandeliers (I discovered later) were designed by Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum.
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P.S. At last week's IncentiveWorks I dropped by the San Diego booth and congratulated the Convention and Visitors Bureau representative for once again garnering ConferenceDirect's "CVB of the Year" award. They do an outstanding job partnering with us and ensuring our clients get the support they need to bring successful meetings to that beautiful city. Let me know if you need any information on the destination and/or its many hotel options.
Julie
Julie Epplett, CMP
Global Account Manager
ConferenceDirect®
I arrived at Hotel Diva without an appointment, explaining that I was interested in seeing the hotel because I write a blog of the same name, and that I occasionally have need for room blocks at hotels during city-wides head-quartered at the Moscone Convention Center. Graciously welcomed, I was shown the meeting space, a couple of guestrooms, and one of the artist-designed lounges available as common areas for hotel guests to – well – lounge in.
