Desperate for a change of scenery, some fresh air and a view? Try
the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay! Opened in 2001, this hotel is one of the
few new developments on the California coast in a decade.
Situated right on the water, the Hotel and its 36 hole golf course that is
open to the public, runs along 50 miles of beautiful coastline. Don’t let the
forecasts keep you away, unless heavy ground fog is predicted, a cloudy
day at the beach can be just as enjoyable as a sunny one.
Drive south of downtown Half Moon Bay or basically where Highway 92,
the main access from the Bay Area to town, meets Highway 1 on the
coast. If you have the time and inclination, an alternate approach is the
drive up from Santa Cruz – one of isolated, windswept beauty that only
the northern California coast can deliver. Look for the Miramonte Point
Road turn off, one block south of the Fairway Drive signal, as the Hotel
sign is easy to miss.
The entrance to the hotel can be a little off-putting. But don’t let the guard
at the gatehouse or the valet parking stop you. There is also free coastal
access parking on the site, mandated by the coastal commission as a
permission of development. Once inside the hotel lobby, walk straight
back to the lounge and the views. Catch it on a sunny day and you think
you have died and gone to heaven. Leave the “guilts” at home and enjoy.
The Lounge is really the cocktail lounge for drinks and a light meal.
Windows face the ocean, overlooking the outdoor patio area and well-
manicured lawn. The view is about 45o of the Pacific Ocean a hundred
yards away. Pick your table carefully, as the exterior architecture gets in
the way with only small two foot wide window sections with heavy wood
sash and structural verticals in between, blocking some of the view. The
décor is elegant with California casual overtones - light, airy, high ceilings,
white woodwork and bleached wood floors. Other areas, including the
dining room and library areas are the dark wood, low-light, paneled.
Fireplaces are sprinkled around and the background music is usually
classical.
I have never felt unwelcome as I open my computer on a round glass
table. Larger square wood tables are also available. Nor does anyone look
askance when I plug into the utility wall outlets or the one floor outlet. I
spotted other people having business meetings, so doing work in the
lounge is a common occurrence. Big, big minus, no WiFi network
available. However there is a self-service Business Office with two stations
for laptop plug-in Internet access or use of their PC and a printer and
copier, all for a fee.
Not intended as a work place, I feel purchasing food and drink is the price
of admission. Food is hotel prices, but for breakfast you can order toast or
an English muffin for $4. For lunch I had a salmon BLT which came on a
nice sourdough bun with veggie garnishes and a pile of French Fries, more
than I could/should eat, for $18, the mid-range for food. A big plus, my
iced tea was refilled often and without my asking. Snacks in the lounge
came instantly - nice touch of a triple divided silver-plate dish of nuts,
wasabi peas and potato chips. They serve afternoon tea, by appointment.
If I ever decide where I am going ahead of time, I’ll come for it.
Besides the view, the next biggest asset is the superb service in the
lounge. Each time I have been there, the crew was friendly, had a smile,
offered to do more than I asked for, and, a rarity, appeared sincere. I’ve
been there on a Monday morning and a Tuesday afternoon, and there was
no pressure to eat hurriedly or leave. Once, toward the end of the day
when the sun started coming in at eye level, the waiter offered to adjust
the shades. When I asked for the business office at the front desk, the
person didn’t just point to where it was, but actually walked me all the
way. When I gave my credit card for the bill and then went to the
restroom, the server waited until I returned to give it me so that the card
wasn’t sitting out unattended. When I asked if I could leave my computer
up while I took a walk around, the server said no problem and offered to
keep an eye on it. Of course, I always lock it with a cable to something
anyway.
Other pluses – Need a break? Take a stroll along the paved walkway that
runs along the edge of the ocean cliffs. Or go downstairs to their day spa
for a massage or facial; get in a round of golf; catch a nap in the sun and
then stay over night and do it all again.
Bottom line: A great friendly, elegant place to work. Pricey. If you can
afford it, go there often. If not, treat yourself every once in a while.
the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay! Opened in 2001, this hotel is one of the
few new developments on the California coast in a decade.
Situated right on the water, the Hotel and its 36 hole golf course that is
open to the public, runs along 50 miles of beautiful coastline. Don’t let the
forecasts keep you away, unless heavy ground fog is predicted, a cloudy
day at the beach can be just as enjoyable as a sunny one.
Drive south of downtown Half Moon Bay or basically where Highway 92,
the main access from the Bay Area to town, meets Highway 1 on the
coast. If you have the time and inclination, an alternate approach is the
drive up from Santa Cruz – one of isolated, windswept beauty that only
the northern California coast can deliver. Look for the Miramonte Point
Road turn off, one block south of the Fairway Drive signal, as the Hotel
sign is easy to miss.
The entrance to the hotel can be a little off-putting. But don’t let the guard
at the gatehouse or the valet parking stop you. There is also free coastal
access parking on the site, mandated by the coastal commission as a
permission of development. Once inside the hotel lobby, walk straight
back to the lounge and the views. Catch it on a sunny day and you think
you have died and gone to heaven. Leave the “guilts” at home and enjoy.
The Lounge is really the cocktail lounge for drinks and a light meal.
Windows face the ocean, overlooking the outdoor patio area and well-
manicured lawn. The view is about 45o of the Pacific Ocean a hundred
yards away. Pick your table carefully, as the exterior architecture gets in
the way with only small two foot wide window sections with heavy wood
sash and structural verticals in between, blocking some of the view. The
décor is elegant with California casual overtones - light, airy, high ceilings,
white woodwork and bleached wood floors. Other areas, including the
dining room and library areas are the dark wood, low-light, paneled.
Fireplaces are sprinkled around and the background music is usually
classical.
I have never felt unwelcome as I open my computer on a round glass
table. Larger square wood tables are also available. Nor does anyone look
askance when I plug into the utility wall outlets or the one floor outlet. I
spotted other people having business meetings, so doing work in the
lounge is a common occurrence. Big, big minus, no WiFi network
available. However there is a self-service Business Office with two stations
for laptop plug-in Internet access or use of their PC and a printer and
copier, all for a fee.
Not intended as a work place, I feel purchasing food and drink is the price
of admission. Food is hotel prices, but for breakfast you can order toast or
an English muffin for $4. For lunch I had a salmon BLT which came on a
nice sourdough bun with veggie garnishes and a pile of French Fries, more
than I could/should eat, for $18, the mid-range for food. A big plus, my
iced tea was refilled often and without my asking. Snacks in the lounge
came instantly - nice touch of a triple divided silver-plate dish of nuts,
wasabi peas and potato chips. They serve afternoon tea, by appointment.
If I ever decide where I am going ahead of time, I’ll come for it.
Besides the view, the next biggest asset is the superb service in the
lounge. Each time I have been there, the crew was friendly, had a smile,
offered to do more than I asked for, and, a rarity, appeared sincere. I’ve
been there on a Monday morning and a Tuesday afternoon, and there was
no pressure to eat hurriedly or leave. Once, toward the end of the day
when the sun started coming in at eye level, the waiter offered to adjust
the shades. When I asked for the business office at the front desk, the
person didn’t just point to where it was, but actually walked me all the
way. When I gave my credit card for the bill and then went to the
restroom, the server waited until I returned to give it me so that the card
wasn’t sitting out unattended. When I asked if I could leave my computer
up while I took a walk around, the server said no problem and offered to
keep an eye on it. Of course, I always lock it with a cable to something
anyway.
Other pluses – Need a break? Take a stroll along the paved walkway that
runs along the edge of the ocean cliffs. Or go downstairs to their day spa
for a massage or facial; get in a round of golf; catch a nap in the sun and
then stay over night and do it all again.
Bottom line: A great friendly, elegant place to work. Pricey. If you can
afford it, go there often. If not, treat yourself every once in a while.
| Copyright © 2005-2009 Catherine Adams Lee Consulting. All rights reserved. Trademarks. |
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