X Change 2011: Location, Location, Location

This is going to be a shorter than usual blog – not because we are coming up on Thanksgiving – but because I’ve been on the road this weekend. I’ve been visiting Southern California looking at X Change venues and seen some really lovely properties.

I think everyone enjoyed the resort feel of Monterey, dinner at a venue like the aquarium, and, of course, the feel of being surrounded by the ocean. As special as the Ritz and St. Regis in San Francisco were, the Monterey location was just better.

So I’m looking for a resort type property again – including a possible return to Monterey. Some of the top properties on my list are down in Southern California, however. This weekend I’ve visited Terranea in Palos Verdes (Los Angeles), The Ritz Carlton and the St. Regis in Dana Point, and the Grand Del Mar north of San Diego. Tough work.

I believe all four made the Conde Nast Top 100 Resorts in the United States list and it’s not hard to see why. They are each spectacular properties – and any one of them would make a fine venue. In fact, it’s going to be hard to sort out which one to choose.

Terranea features a relaxed ambience, a new facility, an incredible setting jutting out on very tip of the Palos Verdes Peninsula with water views that provide both sunsets AND sunrises over the ocean. 

The Ritz Carlton at Dana Point is perched over the ocean with trails down to the beach and rooms (including meeting rooms) that open up to the Pacific Ocean. The service is all Ritz Carlton but it’s a sunnier, more relaxed property than you’d expect. This weekend there was a surfing contest on and the hotel was lined with hand-painted surfboards from professional surfers being auctioned off for charity.

Not more than a few stone throws away is the St. Regis. Not quite on the ocean but perched higher on the hill it has all the elegance and sophistication that I loved in the Regis in SF along with gorgeous outdoor venues, the obligatory jaw-dropping pools, and some of the nicest rooms I’ve yet encountered.

As I write this, I’m fresh from an after-dinner swim in the lush family pool of the Grand Del Mar north of San Diego. It’s colder than usual after a big weekend storm and the pools were literally steaming into the night air. No, it’s not on the ocean but the setting is pristine, the rooms lovely and spacious, the service as polished, professional and friendly as any I have yet encountered.

How to choose? I have no idea. So if you are an X Change veteran and have thoughts or preferences on venue, let me know. I am open to persuasion, but I know that no matter where we end up next year we have the opportunity to have another wonderful event.

I’ll return next week with the second part of my post on Paywall analytics. Until then, Happy Thanksgiving!

Comments

[Jacques Warren]

Hi Gary

My! Tough choices! You know Danielle and I felt particularly enamoured with Monterey this year (she's currently reading Cannery Row), and we certainly wouldn't mind returning in 2011. I also have wanted to see Big Sur since my teenage days, but I think there are no resorts to the level you need.

So, from what you wrote today, any one of those places would be just fantastic! Sorry for not being of much help!

[Heather Aeder]

I vote San Diego, but for no other reason than I've never been.

[David McBride]

Really tough life Gary. Even though it is probably too late, here's my take:
Terranea: Looks great, but rather spread-out. Apart from the views, it seems rather removed from the beach/coast.
Ritz Carlton: Love the beach access
St. Regis: I really liked the St. Regis in San Francisco a few years ago and the website makes this property look great, but the location appears to put it at a disadvantage to the Ritz.
Grand Del Mar: Looks very nice and I love San Diego, but this one doesn't quite do it for me based on the location and the photos.
Conclusion: Ritz Carlton at Dana Point
They all look great and I'm sure Xchange 2011 will be amazing.