The Omni San Diego Hotel

I fell in love with San Diego last August when I visited during BlogHer 2011.  Not only is the waterfront absolutely gorgeous, but the weather is completely perfect.  Since we are about to experience winter weather any day now here, a trip to San Diego sounds perfect right now.  With the “Say No To The Snow” package at the Omni San Diego, you can enjoy some great family amenities and activities starting at just $139 per night!

• Overnight deluxe accommodations for two (plus kids, if applicable)
• Peppermint margaritas for two at the onsite McCormick & Schmick’s restaurant
• A bottle of sunscreen upon check-in
• Complimentary valet parking
• A 10% off Macy’s gift card for last-minute holiday shopping
• Guide to the biggest holiday happenings in San Diego
• Letters to the North Pole – a special note card and pen will be provided to children who wish to send their wish lists to Santa in the designated lobby mailbox.

The package is valid from now through January 5, 2011.

The Omni San Diego is located just steps from PETCO park, the Gaslight Quarter, and the San Diego Convention Center.  The hotel offers high-speed internet access, an outdoor terrace, an outdoor heated pool, and 511 guest rooms.

Omni San Diego Hotel
675 L Street
San Diego, California 92101
Phone: (619) 231-6664

Photo credit: The Omni San Diego Hotel

The View from the Park Hyatt Aviara Lobby

San Diego, CA is one of my favorite places in the world, and I could easily spend weeks there, just enjoying the views, taking in the sights, and relaxing at all of the luxurious, beautiful hotels.  The weather is always perfect – warm, but never too hot or uncomfortable.  It’s very different from my home city of Boston, where I rarely experience perfect weather.

This past week, I had the opportunity to stay two nights at the Park Hyatt Aviara Hotel in Carlsbad, CA (a suburb of San Diego).  This hotel, a former Four Seasons,  is the epitome of luxurious relaxation.

Park Hyatt is Hyatt’s upscale, contemporary brand, and this was the first Park Hyatt on the West Coast.  The feeling of luxurious just surrounds you as soon as you enter the front door.  There is plenty of staff on hand to assist you, and in my experience, there’s rarely a line in the lobby.

Rooms at the Park Hyatt Aviara are spacious and comfortable.  Most rooms have balconies or patios with gorgeous views, and offer such amenities as WiFi, whirlpool tubs, comfy beds, couches, a large desk, and flat-screen televisions.  The hotel also offers two pools (including a relaxation, over-18 pool), a spa, and several shops.

Park Hyatt Aviara Resort
7100 Aviara Resort Drive
Carlsbad, California 92011
760 448 1234

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

Disclosure: My stay was at no cost, and all opinions are my own.

The View from My Room at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina

Earlier this week, after a short trip to the San Diego area, I was ready to head home.  Unfortunately, due to the snow storm on the East Coast, I had my flight to Boston cancelled.  The next option was the red eye – taking off nine hours after my original flight.

With over 7 hours to kill, I was looking for something to do.  I wanted to catch some more of that gorgeous San Diego sun since I was headed into a snow storm.  So, a day stay at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina sounded like the perfect option.

The Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina is located on Harbor Island, right across the street from the airport.  The free shuttle will take you to the hotel where you can head right to the front desk to book your day stay.

With the day stay, you’ll get a room for the afternoon and access to amenities including the three pools, fitness center, and spa.  My room, in the Marina Tower, had this beautiful view.  I left the balcony door open while I worked for a while, then I sat by the pool, snapped some photos, and took a pre red-eye nap.  It was really the perfect way to spend the afternoon!

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
1380 Harbor Island Drive
San Diego, California 92101
(619) 291-2900

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

The Sè San Diego is now officially the Hotel Palomar San Diego, a Kimpton Hotel. The name and brand will hopefully stick after what has been a very rocky start for a very stylish and hip hotel in San Diego near the Gaslamp Quarter.

Hotel Palomar San Diego

The original plan called for a 22-story condo-hotel named The Diegan. This was changed to the Setai San Diego after the developers tied up with the Setai Group.

The Setai name was also dropped after it turned into a legal hot potato, and the hotel ended up as the Sè hotel.

The $150 million Sè San Diego finally opened in late 2008, and the recession promptly forced it into bankruptcy before it could take off properly.

Kimpton purchased it out of bankruptcy for $49 million, and officially gave the hotel its fourth and latest identity as the Hotel Palomar San Diego at a dedication ceremony on Sept 27.

The 5th Avenue hotel has 183 guestrooms, including 17 skyline suites and 20 luxury flats. It has a 19-foot floor-to-ceiling ballroom, a pool deck and infinity pool offering day beds and private cabanas, and more than 20,000 square feet of event space adorned with art created by local artists in San Diego.

Under the Kimpton brand, Hotel Palomar will now offer the chain’s wellness offerings in addition to the existing spa and in-room spa services. There’ll be a daily hosted evening wine hour, and of course – the hotel’s pet friendly policies now include the gold-fish you get to keep in your room under Kimpton’s pet-friend program.

The new 2-story  Saltbox Dining and Drinking restaurant replaces the old Suite and Tender. The restaurant is now an American gastro-lounge, with “social plates” priced under $25 and meant for sharing.

Considering the hotel is still just as good as new, Kimpton hasn’t had to make any other major changes except an increased focus on art, including the giant rendering of the hotel by local artist Grant Pecoff that was unveiled during the dedication ceremony.

All said and done, it’s a sweet deal for new guests under Kimpton, considering that Se started out in 2008 as a luxury resort with rates as high as $500. They’re now offering pretty much the same thing under Hotel Palomar, but with nightly room rates starting at $159.

Hotel Palomar San Diego

Not to mention an artsy location that leads right into the Gaslamp Quarter. Hotel Palomar is also collaborating with several cultural organizations under the “Art in Motion” initiative to offer custom-tailored room packages, including with the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego Youth Symphony and House of Blues.

Photos – Se San Diego

Hotel Palomar San Diego - 1047 5th Avenue San Diego CA 92101; (888) 288-6601

Related posts:
San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Boutique Hotels
Westin Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego Unveils New Renovated Rooms