At Hotel Union Square in the heart of downtown San Francisco, not only will you fall in love with the striking history of the hotel, but you will also fall in love with a unique hotel filled with both genuine and award-winning personality!

Though Yvonne Lembi-Detert, the CEO and President of the Personality Hotels group, designed Hotel Union Square some 30 years ago in 1982, the hotel is actually San Francisco’s first boutique hotel (the pre-war version of the hotel graced San Francisco even before the major earthquake of 1906, with major renovations in 1913 for the 1915 Pan Pacific Exposition). From the original 1915 Egyptian tile mosaic murals in the entryway to the old basement that runs the entire length of the building itself and at one time held one of San Francisco’s largest and famous speakeasy’s (The Golden Bubble, a 10,000 square foot speakeasy that was rumored to hold over 250 people and purportedly included a slide at one of the entrances) back during the Prohibition Era, Hotel Union Square is filled with both urban and traditional ambience, wonder, luxury, and mystery!

The art-deco inspired lobby is home to a wonderful selection of staff and hotel events, such as the evening wine reception with live music and complimentary coffee and hot chocolate in the mornings. Heather Noll, the President and Founder of Chalkboard Communications, and the General Manager of the Hotel Union Square, Domitille Montoro, will go out of their way to ensure that every stay at the hotel is one worthy of countless memories! I even had a glitch with my flight arrival and Heather made sure that everything was arranged and taken care of, ensuring that a stressful stay was NOT one of the things on my list of to-do items! Domitille went out of her way to make sure that everything in my room was to my liking and, as a fun and added feature, was able to also show me the stupendous Dashiell Hammett Suite, where Dashiell stayed with his wife-to-be the night before the wedding and which includes Dashiell’s original writing desk.

In addition to the Dashiell Hammett Suite, Domitille also explained the hotel’s history and a few of the other suites that were available to guests at the hotel, such as the Dugout Suite (for Giants fans), Penthouse and Junior Suites. The hotel also offers a great selection of rooms, such as the Executive King and Queen Rooms, the Deluxe Rooms, which can be queen-sized or double-double sized and include all of the wonderful amenities of the other rooms, such as flat screen T.V.’s and mini fridges, the Sleep & Soak Room (with soaking tub and an oversized rain shower-head) and the No Frills Double Room.

One of the most exciting offers by the art deco-inspired Union Square Hotel, which is actually but one of four exclusive San Francisco-based hotels (there are six altogether) directed by Yvonne, including Hotel Diva, Kensington Park Hotel and the Steinhardt Hotel, is the amount of attention paid to mothers traveling with children in the form of the remarkable and entirely engaging Kids’ Suite, which actually sleeps up to two adults and two children. In other words, this room is the true definition of a suite! In addition to the plethora of puzzles, reading books and activities, toys, and other assorted knickknacks for children, there is also mixed-media collages around the suite of famous kid-friendly landmarks around San Francisco, a computer for kids with history-filled games and a writing desk for kids. 

Additionally, the suite comes with a cherry wood trundle bed, a Nintendo Wii and a host of other delights for children of every age. What’s more, the very same partition which holds all of the reading and activity books also serves as a room divider without having a complete wall or partition blocking children from the view of parents. On the other side of the moveable partition, parents who wish to stay in the same room will find a large king-size bed, T.V. and writing desk at their disposal. To book this suite, be sure to contact the hotel at 800.553.1900.

If mothers or their children happen to tire of indoor activities, San Francisco is the perfect environment for kid-friendly fun. Try a few of these favorites to ensure your child gets the very best of San Francisco:

• The Yerba Buena Gardens – Provides ice skating, bowling, museums, and art (701 Mission Street, between 3^rd & 4^th)
• Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum and Wax Museum – Galleries of the important, rich and famous, as well as a Chamber of Horrors (Jefferson Street, Fisherman’s Wharf)
• Exploratorium – An interactive science museum for kids and adults (Pier 15, Greet St.)
• SF Zoo – Northern California’s largest zoological park, including a Children’s Zoo, carousel and zoo train (Sloat Boulevard near Great Highway)
• Zeum – Hands on art & technology museum for kids and families (Yerba Buena Gardens)

One of the refreshing qualities that places the Personality Hotel group an echelon above all the competition is its constant attention to renewing itself in a city known for being grounded in history. As it turns out, Hotel Union Square, as well as Hotel Diva and Kensington Park Hotel, have just launched a new pampering/travel program geared toward expectant mothers – the first of its kind in San Francisco! The new Pregnant & Pampered SF Getaway package is at its core a celebration of motherhood, growth and renewal, and its strong appeal has attracted many local businesses in the San Francisco area to team up with Personality Hotels in an effort to celebrate this milestone achievement in women’s lives. 

In the past, travel and pregnancy have always focused on couples, often with the advice that mothers-to-be should stay home and refrain from traveling. This entirely new concept put into effect by Yvonne Lembi-Detert actually celebrates the mom-to-be, and ensures that she has everything at her disposal to enjoy a wonderful experience full of luxury and hospitality before childbirth.

The Pregnant & Pampered SF Getaway package starts at $179 a night (excluding taxes as well as based on availability). This price is a mere $49 add-on to regular room rates, and the amenities from the three hotels involved, as well as the local businesses that are involved, are truly outstanding:

• Body pillows that are available to help stay comfortable and well-rested
• Expectant mothers will receive sparkling water upon arrival
• A Massage Therapy Bar that happens to be made from 100 percent organic cocoa 7 Shea butters (from Lush Cosmetics™).
• A voucher for a free Ice Cream Sundae from the world famous Ghirardelli Square Ice Cream Chocolate Shop
• A welcome roll of Tums, in case heartburn happens to strike!
• A forty dollar-off coupon to Spa J’Adore for a facial or prenatal massage
• A copy of “Your Pregnancy Week by Week,” a fascinating and popular book for mothers-to-be
• An actual set of first keys for your soon-to-be bundle of joy! The keys are made by Green Toys™, a local business that makes toys from eco-friendly materials
• A twenty percent of voucher that can be used for a future stay in Hotel Union Square’s Kids’ Suite or the Little Diva Suite at Hotel Diva.

To book a Pregnant & Pampered SF Getaway package from one of the three participating hotels, contact them at:

• Hotel Diva: 440 Geary Blvd., 415.885.0200, www.hoteldiva.com  
• Kensington Park: 450 Post St., 415.788.6400, www.kensingtonparkhotel.com
• Hotel Union Square: 114 Powell St., 415.397.3000, www.hotelunionsquare.com

Alternatively, you can visit http://info.personalityhotels.com/packages or call 800.553.1900 for more information!

The post Hotel Union Square: San Francisco’s First Boutique Hotel at the Heart of it All appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

San Diego, California is no stranger to celebrity. The attractions offered by the city’s collection of eclectic neighborhoods – as well as the comprehensive county of San Diego itself – have beckoned many a tourist over the years. Whether visiting the eateries and going shopping in the Gas Lamp District, learning about San Diego’s history in family-friendly Old Town or perusing the used bookstores and vintage clothing shops in Hillcrest, San Diego has something for every family member and every lifestyle.

But if you are looking for an impressive getaway set apart from the usual madding crowd, stake a claim outside the city center! For a matchless sense of serenity, immerse yourself in the beauty of La Jolla, California by booking your stay with The Lodge at Torrey Pines.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines, which has been consecutively awarded the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award since 2002, as well as being named the “World’s Best Hotel” by Sunset Magazine, is located roughly 15-20 minutes north of San Diego’s city center. The Lodge is also located about 30-40 minutes south of Carlsbad, California (Legoland). This means that families traveling with children can experience the family-friendly attractions of San Diego in either direction while returning from the day’s activities to experience the distinguished luxury that has made The Lodge so renowned.

Situated on the stunning cliffs above the Torrey Pines State Beach, The Lodge at Torrey Pines is truly a Pacific Coast breath of fresh air. Overlooking the 18th hole of the world-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course, the resort offers 170 rooms, including 8 suites, that all harken back to the true beauty and architectural ingenuity of the famed Craftsman-style Era.

This early 1900s style of architectural design is most notably defined by its emphasis on indoor/outdoor living, expansive areas of space and a laudable respect for the natural landscape. And these design aspects are recognizable at once as guests, after being greeted by doormen in kilted Scottish attire, are then greeted inside The Lodge by the impressive post-and-beam construction of open-spaced rooms, where large windows allow light into the public spaces and create a natural integration of the resort’s space with the visible golf course beyond the Torrey Pine trees and well-manicured gardens, with the Pacific Ocean idling beautifully on the horizon.  

Guest rooms at The Lodge range in size from 520 square feet to more than 1,500 square feet and mirror the rest of the resort with impeccable Craftsman-style design. Whether you book a stay in one of the regal suites, most of which overlook the 18th green of the Torrey Pines Golf Course, or have reserved one of the Palisade, Reserve or Signature rooms, all of the guest rooms include custom-styled furnishings comprised of fine wood, elegant fabrics and luxurious leather. In addition to the pure comfort of cotton linens and quilted duvets, the granite and marble décor of the bathrooms enhance the overall sensation of exclusive comfort. The meticulous amount of care shown in each and every detail of the rooms and suites at The Lodge is a daily testament to the resort staff’s tireless dedication.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines also features the in-room amenities and necessities that both business and leisure travelers have come to expect, including complimentary high-speed wireless internet access, data hookups, spacious working areas, Bose stereo systems, mini bars, safes, and 24 hour room service.  

The resort offers various golf packages so that guests can be certain that, when booking one of The Lodge’s stately rooms, your tee time(s) will also be reserved in advance. That’s right: by simply choosing one of the select packages, guests can play on the same course that hosts the Farmers Invitational PGA Tour event, and that hosted the US Open in 2008. Guests can also receive personalized service from the resort’s Golf Services Department, and the golf packages can also be combined with spa treatments as well! 

At this award-winning resort, each discerning guest is immersed in a genuine refinement of the senses: the sights of the Pacific Ocean from immaculately appointed rooms and beautiful, spacious terraces that afford resort guests views of the pristine golf course, pool area and croquet lawn; the tastes and smells – the culinary craftsmanship – from the resort’s signature restaurants, including The Grill at The Lodge and the award-winning A.R. Valentien.

The early-birds rise for the 7am complimentary coffee in the A.R. Valentien Lounge, while those more inclined to enjoy the Egyptian cotton linens for a few more hours can simply head over to The Grill at The Lodge for a casual dining experience. The Grill is open for breakfast from 6am-11am daily. Try to sit outside on the patio which faces the Torrey Pines Golf Course clubhouse and enjoy a warm pot of coffee near the practice putting greens. The steel-cut oats with dried berries and brown sugar with a fresh fruit platter are deliciously healthy. Or you can try the Egg Bread French Toast (a house specialty), or even a more traditional breakfast of Eggs Benedict or Huevos Rancheros all while watching the golf course buzz with morning activity.

For a sensational dining experience, be sure to book a reservation at The Lodge’s top-rated signature restaurant, A.R. Valentien. The timbered room of the restaurant overlooks the 18th hole of the Torrey Pines Golf Course and offers outside seating with heat lamps as well. The elegant décor of the restaurant includes original artwork by A.R. Valentien himself, the namesake California artist who worked in the 1900s with watercolors, oils and ceramics. 

If dining at the restaurant for lunch, see if you can try the Roasted Swordfish and Cracked Coriander with wilted Malabar spinach, shaved onions, preserved lemon and yogurt with raw tomato mustard oil sauce; and for dinner, try the Liberty Duck Breast and Confit Leg with frisee, arugula, roasted grapes, pickled red onions, shaved radish, toasted hazelnuts, and sherry honey vinaigrette. These opulent dishes, also paired with the perfect glass or bottle of wine, will delight your palette and senses with remarkably crafted works of edible art!

Another of the prestigious services provided by the resort is the exclusive Spa at Torrey Pines, which offers unique spa treatments that pay homage to the coastal environment and the timeless integration of land, sea and air. 

The spa focuses on treatments utilizing marine and botanical based products to reflect the spa’s coastal locale and its location near the cherished Torrey Pines State Reserve. Everything from nail and skin care to massages, exfoliations, water therapies, masks, and wraps are offered. For reservations, please call 858.453.4420.

With such award-winning attention to detail, it is easy to see how The Lodge at Torrey Pines continues to amass industry accolades and genuine praise from its guests. For a West Coast experience like none other, be sure to book a stay at The Lodge at Torrey Pines!

The post The Matchless Serenity of The Lodge at Torrey Pines appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

By Lincoln McElwee

Enough with the ties already! This father’s day, give dad a gift he’ll remember for a lifetime. Wine him and dine him in a truly unique way with a trip out to Northern California wine country for a bit of wildlife, wine tasting and hot air ballooning!

As one of your first stops should be in the city of Napa, be sure to visit the Andretti Winery, co-founded by none other than the greatest race car driver of all time, Mario Andretti! The winery is actually styled as an Italian village, similar to where Mario Andretti himself grew up as a child, and complete with a stone-tiled piazza, stunning fountain and handsome cypress trees. Inside the winery, visitors can taste world class Italian wines while perusing memorabilia from Mario Andretti’s legendary racing career! http://andrettiwinery.com/ 

If dad wants to feel like he’s truly on top of the world for his special day, one way to make it so is by booking a hot air balloon ride. This way, dad can fly over Napa Valley at dawn and, as the tours generally last for an hour, be grounded in time for a field-side champagne breakfast. Though there are several companies in the valley, one of the oldest is Napa Valley Balloons, with its rates per person starting at around $240. As summer is a busy time in Napa Valley, it is recommended that reservations be made several weeks in advance: www.napavalleyballoons.com 

Cycling and wine can go hand-in-hand with bike rentals and tours from Napa Valley Bike Tours. A full-day bike rental starts at $30, while guided tours, which include a picnic lunch and pick-up and delivery of purchased wines, start at around $115: www.napavalleybiketours.com

Along the St. Helena Highway in Rutherford, you’ll find Long Meadow Ranch. Two of the wonderful details about this ranch, which is also a working winery, are the tours and picnics. On Saturday mornings at 10:30AM, the ranch offers an estate tour in a vintage Swiss Army Pinzgauer. The tour also includes an olive oil and wine tasting for $35. For a real treat, treat dad to one of the ranch’s private estate picnics, which can consist of either a guided hike or a back-roads jeep tour. The picnic comes with a lunch of grass-feed beef, ranch-raised produce, and of course Long Meadow Ranch wines ($150): www.longmeadowranch.com 

If you are fortunate enough to plan a visit up to Spring Mountain, one of Napa Valley’s 11 sub-appellations, there is one winery in particular that will have dad’s name written all over it! Charbay Winery and Distillery, another appointment-only winery, has a reputation of being one of the finest producers of boutique spirits in the country. One father’s day gift that any dad who enjoys whiskey will surely enjoy is the distillery’s limited released whiskey, which costs $325, and is a cult favorite! The distillery’s vodka has even been ranked as the best in the world for several years running by Spirit Journal. Charbay Winery also has the highest tasting room in the county, at 2,300 feet above sea level. There is also a midweek al fresco port and cigar pairing, which is sure to raise dad’s spirits: www.charbay.com 

To cater to fathers that are avid golfers, or even recreational fans of the sport, there are a number of golf courses in Napa Valley to enjoy a round of golf. There are the Eagle Vines and Chardonnay Golf Clubs in American Canyon, the Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, the Vintner’s Golf Club and Lakeside Grill in Yountville, and the Mount St. Helena Golf Course in St. Helena, to name just a few. Packaging prices vary, so the best bet would be to plan dad’s golfing around the city you plan to spend the most time in, then phone ahead or contact your hotel’s concierge for details.

There is also the wholly unique experience of the Safari West Wildlife Preserve and African Tent Camp in Santa Rosa, CA. Safari West is a functioning African safari in the very heart of wine country! Guests can book day tours or even choose to spend the night camping in the preserve. Also, Safari West is currently promoting their Father’s Day on the Serengeti. The promotion is for an unforgettable sight-seeing tour through the wildlife preserve to see cheetah, lemurs, rhinos, giraffes, and much more. Lunch is included in the cost of the tour, which is $70 for adults. You can also choose a morning or afternoon package. The BBQ lunch – Father’s Day Beer Brunch – can also be ordered separately. To book dad’s adventure, call: 1-800-616-2695.

Lastly, for an eclectic dinner, take dad to the Bounty Hunter Wine Bar and Smokin BBQ in Napa. The ambience of the place alone is worth the trip. The bar rail is an 1887 railroad track from Sheffield, England, and the ceiling is actually hand-stamped Mexican tin. An old riding saddle also works as a barstool at the end of one of the tables. The premium meats are cooked out back on the Southern Pride Smoker, and include beer-can chicken and Kobe beef burgers. On weekends, such as this Father’s Day, BBQ is served until midnight: www.bountyhunterwine.com

The post Wine Tasting, Cheetahs and Jeep Tours – Oh, My! appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.