Luxury corporate retreats are back. According to a recent article in Forbes, corporate groups are venturing once again to five-star resorts, idyllic spas, and destination cities now that the economy is recovering. Even one-day escapes are being favored by small organizations as a feasible and affordable means to reignite a team or discuss the next quarter's goals.
Being in San Diego makes a day trip for a flock of employees remarkably easy, as the city has a handful of luxury hotels and spas sprinkled along the glistening coastline. I decided to take my corporate team, comprised of all women, to the Hotel del Coronado's noted spa. Here are a few reasons to select the Spa at the Del for your next team outing.
Groups coming to the Spa at the Del are handled by Spa Director Corey Menotti, a generous host with the utmost attention to detail. For our group, I requested a poolside luncheon followed by day access to the spa for our group of seven. The lunch within the private pool area, shrouded from the bustle of the hotel's summer flurry of guests and tourists, was perfect for our two-hour leisurely lunch. Healthy and hearty salads, grilled fish tacos, and veggie stuffed sandwiches were shared by all of us as helpful staff monitored our pitchers of ice tea and shade from the high noon sun.
Back in the spa, our lovely attendant offered us complimentary sangria and unfurled umbrellas for our outdoor lounging. One of my favorite aspects of the Spa at the Del is its pristine location that overlooks a manicured lawn, swaying palm trees and a horizon of deep blue ocean beneath the clear California sky. My team spent a few hours basking in the afternoon sunlight by the vanishing edge pool. Since I booked five treatments for the group, my service was complimentary and also included a Champagne Toast and 20 percent discount on all of the booked spa services. This package, called the Celebration Package, is also a favorite among bridal parties.
The summer is always the Hotel Del's busiest season, more so this summer because of the property's 125th anniversary. The ‘Some Like It Hot’ salon package, inspired by Marilyn Monroe's filming of the 1959 classic comedy at the hotel, includes a shampoo and styling, make-up application, signature manicure and pedicure and a glass of Champagne. The ‘Revival 1888’ (at the special price of $188), is an advanced 80-minute facial using natural ocean extracts. My favorite offer however, occurring every Thursday, is the Spa Soiree. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. spa guests enjoy entertainment that includes live mermaids, flocks of bobbing rubber duckies and live jazz trios while browsing spa and salon vendors.
Not only was a spa day heralded as "the best retreat ever," but it was also productive and centered all of us around the organization's goals for the remainder of the year.
