Home Based Travel Agent - June 2008 - (Page 41)

ABOVE: The Eden rooftop bar at the Ivy RIGHT: The Jimmy Carter Suite is one of the top accommodations at the Omni Hotel out to the US Grant’s concierge, Mark Peak, at mark.peak@luxurycollection.com. The Ivy (www.ivyhotel.com) is credited with bringing Las Vegas style to downtown San Diego. Envy Nightclub and the Eden rooftop bar (with a pool and cabanas) have become the place to be seen in the city. Amenities at the Ivy include butler service; complimentary Wi-Fi; an MP3 docking station; a 42-inch, highdefinition plasma TV; and a full in-room bar. Rates start at $450 for a Deluxe Room. The Ivy is a family-friendly hotel during the week, but not on the weekends, when it takes on a party hotel ambiance. Rooms have enclosed glass showers that are visible from the bedroom; it’s a sophisticated touch, but not to everyone’s taste. Rooms with the best views face F Street; these are the rooms on each floor usually numbered in the teens. Although the hotel doesn’t have a spa of its own, in-room treatments from nearby spas can be arranged. These are made through the hotel’s concierge staff of four (concierge@ivyhotel.com). Single travelers enjoy sitting counter-style in front of the presentation kitchen in the hotel’s Quarter Kitchen restaurant. A signature menu item is the caviar tacos. The travel agent liaison for the hotel is Mia Williams, director of leisure sales (mia.williams@ivyhotel.com, 619-814-1000). Sports fans and groups flock to the Omni San Diego Hotel (www.omni hotels.com). The hotel is connected via a pedestrian sky bridge to the San Diego Padres ballpark, PETCO Park, and lies directly across the street from the San Diego Convention Center. The Omni’s ultimate rooms are the Tony Gwynn Suite and President Jimmy Carter Suite. These feature a full kitchenette, wet bar, separate dining area, sitting room and private balcony affording sweeping views of the San Diego bay and skyline. The most requested accommodations are the Premium Rooms; these also have views of the bay. The hotel’s spa has one treatment room. Travel agents can book treatments ahead of time by calling Hopper Spas (619-918-0075). McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant (www.mccormickand schmicks.com) is adjacent to the hotel lobby and serves fresh seafood in a casually elegant atmosphere. Direct your questions to Sandy Ruff, executive assistant to the general manager (619-645-6511, sruff@omnihotels.com). Restaurants: This spring, San Diego saw a number of new restaurants opening or reopening. The Hillcrest neighborhood welcomed Dish (www.dishhillcrest.com), which premiered as an adjunct to the neighboring nightclub, Universal. Dish features live music and a lush color scheme of red, orange and gold. The restaurant serves up organically prepared comfort food such as Brandt beef pot roast with green garlic-potato purée and Maderia gravy. A lounge menu will also be available in the restaurant and nightclub. Call 619-544-9704. Jolly Boy Saloon and Restaurant (www.jollyboyrestaurant.com) reopened in Plaza del Pasado inside Old Town State Historic Park after an eight-month renovation. Jolly Boy’s menu features heirloom meats and seafood such as mahi mahi Vera Cruz, Duroc pork roast and bone-in churrasco. The restaurant has 19th-century decor and sailors who greet guests with sea shanties. The adventurous can even try traditional absinthe served in antique fountain glasses. Call 619-297-3100. —MR JUNE 2008 Home-BasedTravelAgent 41 http://www.ivyhotel.com http://www.omnihotels.com http://www.omnihotels.com http://www.dishhillcrest.com http://www.jollyboyrestaurant.com http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com http://www.mccormickandschmicks.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Based Travel Agent - June 2008

Home Based Travel Agent - June 2008 Contents Editor's Note Publisher's Note Your Lifeline Agent Spotlight New Technology Industry News Hot Deals Indentifying Agents Delivering Documents Culinary Vacations Pacific Northwest Cover Story: Cruising Scandinavia Agent Access New Products

Home Based Travel Agent - June 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.