This is a week when some unique beauty of the season, family times and helping hands join together at the Second Annual SOS Adopt a Family Festival of Trees at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa on Bristol Street. This actually marks the 38th year that the Adopt a Family fundraiser has been held, but only the second year with a parade of gorgeously decorated trees for the public to enjoy that are then auctioned off for the fundraiser.
Beautiful holiday trees decorated by a team of generous designers and dedicated volunteers will be displayed in the lobby of the Hilton Costa Mesa Hotel through Nov. 29. The trees will be sold during a silent auction at the two-day Family Open House, Nov. 27 and 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., which also will feature free events and entertainment for the whole family.
The Hilton promises a spectacular holiday buffet, a perfect complement to the holiday spirit, at the Family Gala on Nov. 29, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $75 per adult and $25 for each child. During the gala, dear old Saint Nick will make an appearance to the delight of the younger guests and the silent auction winners will be revealed.
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Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa wine bar: hotel is spending $8 million to beef up amenities |
For the past 37 years, SOS Adopt a Family donors provide gifts and holiday meals to approximately 1,200 struggling local families.
To continue in the holiday spirit, the North Pole will make an appearance at the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center Dec. 17 to 20 as donors drop off a bounty of food and beautifully decorated gifts for our deserving families.
The family evenings are so special, but I hope you will also plan to have a superb meal and attend the auction on the final evening when the trees will have been moved from the lobby of the hotel into the ballroom and the spirit of the season is tremendously palpable.
For further information or to buy tickets, contact Kathleen Bruski at (949) 515-5400, ext. 34 or www.shareourselves.org.
Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa: 3050 South Bristol St. (near Costa Mesa’s world-class theater district and South Coast Plaza), phone (714) 540-7000.
Hilton Renovation
In a bit more news that pertains to the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa, even though the hotel underwent a massive and very impressive renovation in the past few years, now $8 million more is being spent during the next 15 months to add yet more food and entertainment options for guests.
A new exterior paint scheme and lush new landscaping are already in place and I love the London style cabs parked at the entrance, courtesy of Her Majesty’s Ride, a new service now headquartered in the hotel that transports passengers to and from destinations around OC. This service has been available only for a few weeks and it’s tremendously popular.
Inside the hotel, guests will soon have the opportunity to enjoy a favorite coffee libation in a 1,700-square-foot full-service Starbucks, which will have a large outdoor patio and separate entrance convenient for those staying in the hotel and for local businesses and residents.
Wine enthusiasts will be able to taste many new vintages in an interactive wine bar situated in the lobby,part of a glamorous redo of the current cocktail lounge, which I already find so comfortable, so this will be another welcome addition. Health-conscious guests will soon be able to exercise in a revamped workout room featuring Precor fitness equipment and other modern amenities.
The hotel’s exclusive executive level will feature upgraded rooms with 42-inch plasma TVs on granite-topped cabinets and will offer guests access to a completely renovated concierge-staffed lounge, plus a convenient computer and printer workstation. The hotel’s main business center on the lobby level will also undergo renovations, and wireless Internet now is offered throughout the property. The pool and spa area will also benefit from upgrades, while the hotel’s public areas will get new carpets, wall coverings and lighting.
I know that the general manager of this property, Shaun Robinson, is a very serious guy about customer satisfaction. He says he’s on a quest with these renovations to deliver superb services that will exceed customer expectations and make them want to forge a close lodging relationship with the hotel.
I can’t help but mention that the restaurant in this hotel, Bristol Palms, is one of OC’s fine restaurants. It has a prominent space within the hotel (set amid towering palm trees in a naturally lit seven-story atrium) but, as in many cases with hotel restaurants, a lot of the general public doesn’t realize what wonderful food is available here.
I’ve used Bristol Palms for lots of business and personal meals because the menu is chock full of interesting food that’s artfully presented. And the surroundings of the restaurant are also quite pleasing. You really should make yourself a note to have a meal, especially dinner, at Bristol Palms.
