Prevue July/August 2013 - (Page 69)

Left: W San Diego’s rooftop Right, from top: The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, Sheraton San Diego Hotel, The U.S. Grant egg yolk was unfamiliar and pleasantly delicious. Book the 10-seat private dining room to participate in the Supper Club experience. It’s a 3, 4 or 5-course wine tasting dinner followed by dancing in the adjoining lounge. The Grant Grill hosts groups up to 140 for private functions. After dinner, Davis tells us there’s a time capsule hidden in a suitcase beneath the main stairwell in the lobby. “Little pieces of the hotel’s history are still popping up; they somehow keep falling into my lap,” says Davis. Speaking about the time capsule suitcase, he says, ”We added an iPad that last time it was opened.” Total meeting space is 33,000 sf, including 22 breakouts. THE WESTIN SAN DIEGO GASLAMP QUARTER Last year, The Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter completed a $25 million renovation, adding floor-to-ceiling enhancements throughout the entire 450-room property. A major add-on was the chic Pinzimini lobby lounge, catering to groups on a more social scale. Pinzimini is natural meeting place for groups to catch a bite between sessions or mingle afterwards over cocktails at the translucent green glass bar. The San Diego location is the first to include the fashionable lobby space, combining clean elements of nature with energizing textures, natural woods and stone. “We’re really trying to focus on social interaction here,” says Keri Robinson, GM. “It’s such an important aspect to meetings. We also try to keep Westin’s trademark wellness experience that parallels with the vibe in San Diego.” This vibe extends to The Haven, the new earthy checkin kiosk experience. The vertical garden scene is designed to balance the energy in the room, creating a calm and soothing welcome experience. And Westin’s signature white tea scent has been complemented with spa-like musical tones. The recent renovation enhanced the 35,000 sf of meeting space, including the 5,900-sf San Diego Ballroom and adjoining outdoor Garden Terrace. Later this year Westin will add The Tangent, a new quickstop workspace concept. The offering will roll out in more than 40 hotels worldwide, adding a personalized workspace for mobile travelers. The barstool meeting space will be open to the community and available to rent by the hour. “This will be a place where ideas meet,” says Robinson. “It’s going to be an accessible place to plug-in and go.” W SAN DIEGO The 258-room W San Diego completed a $5 million renovation in June last year, capturing the sensual and sophisticated features of the California Coast. The new design titled “Wild Coast” by Ted Jacobs, vp of design, is described as a San Diego fireside party. The look spreads to the newly renovated Living Room lobby bar, where pod chairs and semi-private couches were added. The space is draped in driftwood prevueonline.net | 69 68-70_StarwoodSD.indd 69 7/3/13 9:04 AM http://www.prevueonline.net

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue July/August 2013

Planner's Pick: New Zealand
Fresh Meets: Autograph Collection
Bureau Buzz: Monterey County
Good Business: South Africa
sea Shores: Small Ship cruising
The Local Kitchen
Special Section: Caribbean
Dominican Republic
On Location: Hilton/LXR, Puerto Rico
On Location: The Broadmoor
The South, Florida & Las Vegas
Singapore
On Location: Starwood Resorts, San Diego
On Location: Travaasa Austin
On Location: Moon Palace Cancun
On Location: IRF Cancun
Check Out: Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana

Prevue July/August 2013