Hotel Social

Help Toys for Tots & Get Pampered

If you’re looking for a refreshing Spa experience, look no further than the Hilton San Diego Bayfront’s Spa Aquazul. Yesterday I had the pleasure of getting a Travelers Tonic Massage, a customized blend of Swedish, Therapeutic and Deep Tissue techniques which help weary travelers fight fatigue and restore vitality. From the moment you walk into the Spa for a treatment, you feel as if you’ve stepped into a relaxation oasis. Jennifer, Spa Director and Isabelle, Spa Front Desk Coordinator are both friendly and helpful and want you to feel pampered from the very beginning.

Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes early and take advantage of their relaxation room. With fruit flavored water, teas and snacks, you can wind down and get into a peaceful mode even before you go into the massage room. My masseuse, Yelena, was incredible and very accommodating. For my massage, I was able to choose which scented oil I wanted her to use. It was a little hard to pick since they all smelled so good, but I enjoy sweet scents so I chose the sun scent, with Safflower Seed Oil, Vitamin E, Fragrance and Jojoba Oil.

I was instantly transported into bliss on the heated massage table. If you’ve never had a professional massage, you absolutely need to add it to your to do list. If you’ve had a great one, you remember exactly how it feels and maybe you just need to be reminded to take the time to go back. After this one, I instantly remembered my vow to get one at least every few months. Somehow, that never happens with the craziness of life, but I’m re-vowing to take care of myself that way in the New Year.

As the 50 minute treatment came to end, all I wanted was to indulge there for another 50 minutes, but thankfully all my worries from the week had been swept away. Yelena was waiting for me when I came out of the room with fresh water in hand. I was allowed to remain in the Spa until closing, free to enjoy the relaxation room once again. When Isabelle was showing me around before my massage, she mentioned that she liked to sit in the steam grotto after her massages, so I definitely took her advice. This being my first time in a steam room, I was in heat and moisture heaven. It truly was the perfect way to continue my experience, in what felt like a secluded sanctuary.

Right now, Spa Aquazul is helping out Toys for Tots with their 12 Days of Bliss. You don’t want to miss this because all you have to do is bring in a new, unwrapped toy and you get the day’s $50 spa treatment. From massages to facials to body scrubs, there is surely something that will delight your senses and leave you feeling rejuvenated. You can help the kids and treat yourself at the same time this holiday season…doesn’t get much better than that! Just call 619.321.4290 to make your appointment. Click here to see the 12 Days of Bliss Spa Specials. http://bit.ly/12DaysofBlissSpaSpecials

Being right next to the bay, it only seems appropriate that Spa Aquazul emphasizes the healing properties of the sea in all of their spa treatments and products. You can choose from elaborate body treatments include bubbling mud baths, natural seaweed soaks, and a wide range of massage therapies from around the world. Along with well-appointed treatment rooms and poolside massage cabanas, they have a full service nail salon, state-of-the-art health club, steam rooms, locker facilities, plush amenities, and separate men’s and women’s relaxation areas. Whether you’re visiting the Hilton San Diego Bayfront on business or pleasure or you’re a San Diego local, you’re sure to find bliss in the oasis that is Spa Aquazul.

*Hotel Social Insider Tip* Make sure to leave yourself ample time before and after your treatment so you can unwind in the relaxation room and enjoy snacks, fresh fruit infused water and teas. Enjoy it to the fullest!

(Source: facebook.com)

Take a Hike!

For people who like to stay active on vacation, one of the best things about staying at a hotel right on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific in San Diego, is being able to exercise while enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines is located right next to Torrey Pines State Reserve, a perfect hiking spot for avid hikers or families with mature kids.

Put on your tennis shoes at our hotel and hit the pavement to your left, because a 15-minute walk or a 7-minute jog takes you directly to the reserve. Once you start the hike, you’ll soon see the most refreshing, beautiful views on the way down the cliffs. You may catch a glimpse of planes cruising along the coastline, or a paraglider or hang glider sailing through the sky from the nearby Torrey Pines Gliderport. (Hint: for all you adventure seekers, this is another exciting thing to do while on vacation here! http://www.sandiegofreeflight.com/)

Back to the hike: The trail leads you directly down to the beach where you can walk along the shore, when the tide is out. If you go early in the morning, be on the lookout for dolphins playing in the waves. Then you can continue down the beach to the right and up into the state/beach parking lot. Now comes the tough part! A huge hill takes you back up and around to the place you started, making a full loop. It’s a paved road, so watch out for a few cars, but the paving makes it easier to climb. It will definitely feel like you got in a great work out by the end of the hike, but with the incredible views, it’s more of a pleasure than a chore. There are many different paths to take, and you can actually go back up the cliffs the way you came down, but my current path of choice is the full loop. Leave yourself an entire morning or afternoon when hiking in this area, because you could spend hours there!

I forget how much I love this hike until I’m back there doing it. I highly recommend it for vacationers and San Diego locals alike. If you’re not comfortable with the area and would like some assistance on your hike, Torrey Pines State Reserve offers guided tours on the weekends year round and our Recreation & Golf Coordinator at Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines offers the tours during the summer. Our concierge is always happy to answer any questions you may have. For current updates and conditions at the Torrey Pines State Reserve, visit http://www.torreypine.org/

Happy Hiking!

(Source: facebook.com)

iPad to order wine? Yes please!

What would you think if you sat down to a lovely restaurant dinner and the server presented you with an iPad as your wine list? Impressive, right? Well, I was very impressed when I ate at Vela in the Hilton San Diego Bayfront last weekend and our server, Rick, presented us with an iPad to assist us with ordering wine. Now, I don’t own an iPad personally, so I’ll admit, I was a tad unsure of how this thing would work. I’m also not a wine connoisseur by any means, but I know what I like, so it was very cool to be able to plug in Riesling and see what comes up. They have an “Available By The Glass” button which was perfect to use for selecting. I had a glass of Hans Lang ‘Sabrina’ 2008 Riesling and my date had our server’s favorite, Altivo ‘Reserva’ 2006 Malbec. It’s all still in the beginning stages, but they’ll be adding chef’s suggestions and wine/food pairings to enhance the experience. The Vela Tasting Board with artisanal cheeses, fresh honey comb, olives and cured meats paired perfectly with our wine.

As a nicely added touch, they have a knowledgeable wine sommelier, Megan Yelenosky, who comes around during dinner hours to give you individual attention if you have more questions that the iPad or your server can’t answer, although Rick has been working there for years and was very knowledgeable. Megan gives complimentary tastings every Saturday and soon will be offering even more classes for those interested in California wines and wine/food pairing. It was hard to give up the iPad after we had chosen our first glass of wine since it was so interesting to use, but you have to remember that at this time, they only have a limited supply and other diners will be eyeing your iPad waiting for the chance to experience this futuristic way of ordering wine. Don’t worry, if you feel like remaining old school and using your good old fashioned paper wine list, they still have those available as well.

Is this whole iPad thing necessary? Of course not. But it’s extremely unique and fun and just another thing Vela is doing to stay a step ahead of the competition. Hilton San Diego Bayfront is one of the first hotels in San Diego currently offering this “extra touch,” but you better believe the rest of the competition will follow closely, as they always do. I would have told my friends about this restaurant and recommended it just because of this and the location on the bay, but I’ll go a step further and say that Vela’s food is delicious. Being a vegetarian, my choices were limited, so I asked Rick if they had other options. He talked with the Chef who prepared one of the best meals I’ve had to date, a colorful tower of roasted veggies with cous cous covered in tomato sauce. You can dine inside or on the sunset patio right next to the bay. You just can’t beat a table by the water at sunset! Magical.

One last thing to top off the night was the dessert. We ordered the chocolate lovers only plate, which I have to sadly say, is no longer on their new dessert menu. I love that they constantly change things up for the season and they introduced a new dessert menu a few days after we were there. Great thing is they now have a Blackberry Crème Brulee which they actually torch at your table! (during dinner hours only.) You better believe I’ll be back to try that before it disappears.

*Hotel Social Insider Tip* When I was young, I thought you couldn’t step foot in a hotel unless you were a guest staying at least one night. Also at that time, why would anyone ever want to eat in a hotel restaurant? Well, times have changed and hotels are raising the bar in their restaurants and actually welcome people who aren’t staying the night. So if you’re wondering if you can walk into our hotels for dinner or simply stop into the lounge for a drink at the bar, the answer is a giant YES! While you’re there, join the Vela Society to become a Vela Insider for exclusive deals, tips and special wine party invites.

*Enter Hilton San Diego Bayfront’s current Facebook contest for your chance to win a free night stay during ArtWalk by the Bay on 9/10/11.*

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(Source: facebook.com)

You Deserve A Cookie

This is my first attempt at blogging with the intent being to share fun experiences from my personal point of view, highlighting the three hotels I work for (yes 3!) and life in beautiful San Diego, CA. Last month, during the same time as the craziness that is Comic Con, I also got to experience something very unique and heart-warming and I felt compelled to share.

The DoubleTree by Hilton team has been traveling across country doing a “first time ever” Social Experiment, handing out free cookies to anyone they come in contact with. They’re celebrating the 25^th anniversary of those famous little cookies by taking them on the road. The whole idea behind it is to take “The Cookie” out of our hotels and onto the street to touch as many people as possible. To meet their Facebook and Twitter fans in real life to say thanks and hopefully gain some new ones along the way (which they have by the way, in the tens of thousands!) The Cookie symbolizes warmth and hospitality, the feeling that you’re home the minute they hand you one at check in. It shows that the little things really do matter and that’s the feeling we want to give our guests.

The CAREavan has already been to 46 cities and their two ½ month tour concludes in Seattle, WA in just 2 days. I had the chance to participate in this awesome event when they recently arrived in San Diego. The truck was posted up right outside Horton Plaza Downtown and volunteers from several of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotels in San Diego were walking around handing out cookies. The response from the public was incredible and people’s reactions were pretty funny. They were surprised and happy to get a free cookie and were quick to want to be in our photos and video, but they were also very curious as to why we were performing this unique gesture. Everyone accepted the cookies openly, except for maybe one or two women who said they were watching their weight and they just couldn’t! Several skateboarders skated by and stopped to talk and take photos with us. One man even came back to the truck after a while asking if he could have two more cookies for his daughters, who were jealous he didn’t bring them any the first time. I personally can’t imagine traveling across country in that truck and felt such admiration for the group of people that were willing to do this. Inside on the wall of the truck, they kept a hand written tally of how many cookies they’ve handed out in each city, with San Diego coming in with the most at 10,600!

Here’s what our very own Thomas Wingham, DoubleTree by Hilton Director of Global Brand Public Relations, had to say about the tour when they visited San Diego: “I’ve followed the DoubleTree by Hilton Cookie CAREavan tour through all 50 cities and 15,000 miles across the country and personally participated in many of our great cookie celebrations along the way. I think one of the most powerful things about the tour itself is that we’ve gone out to some great public places and spaces across America and created a new community of fans and followers for our brand by sharing simple smiles and a sweet surprise with the DoubleTree by Hilton cookies — in exactly the same way we do in our hotels each and every day. Watching the smiles personally come to life on people’s faces from Washington to Chicago, Key West to Los Angeles and Portland to Dallas, has been amazing in every city we’ve visited. Most importantly, we’ve learned it’s not just about the social media engagement of the Cookie CAREavan Tour that has made it successful, but also the pride and personal engagement by our hotel team members who have volunteered their time to create this rewarding experience with everyday people and deserving charities across the country. We will have shared more than 250,000 sweet surprises and smiles by the time our tour is successfully completed in Seattle on August 3.”

Since I manage the Social Media for DoubleTree by Hilton San Diego Mission Valley and was so impressed with this venture, we decided to honor their CAREavan by giving away a 2 Night Stay at our newly renovated hotel to one of our Facebook fans. We’ll be announcing the winner tomorrow!

*Hotel Social Insider Tip* Anytime you’re staying at one of our DoubleTree by Hilton hotels, you can always come back to the front desk and ask for another cookie. : )

(Source: facebook.com)