ALONG COMES MARY

I love any chance to get away to San Diego. I’ve been fortunate to stay at a variety of hotels in the area over the years. My latest stay may just have been the most unique of them all. And certainly took the term “getaway” to a new level. For my birthday weekend, we stayed at the gorgeous Paradise Point Resort. It boasts 44 acres, five pools, the luscious Tidal Restaurant, and endless activity options. Paradise Point has over 450 rooms ranging from guest rooms to suites, and private bungalows.

We were hosted in a private bayside bungalow. Many of San Diego’s top attractions are just a few miles away yet it felt like we were a million miles from the city. We arrived after a great time at LEGOLAND. Mabel was exhausted after a day of play and Mike and I were anxious to chillax for a bit. Upon entering the resort, we knew we’d come to the right place.

Arriving to the Paradise Point Resort

The lobby has fun, throwback tiki vibes. The staff was immediately at my service to assist me. Julie at the front desk got us checked in promptly. As soon as she heard Mabel was in tow, she offered me a cute trick-or-treat bag and duck food. Given how ample the resort is, her directions were excellent and we had no trouble finding our bungalow.

Paradise Point is broken up into “villages” to easily locate the rooms. Ours was in the Jasmine Village. After parking in our designated spot, we were in a bit of awe as we realized our “digs” for the night were literally in front of Mission Bay. We basically had private access to the beach. It reminded us of our honeymoon in Maui (but much closer to home).

Our Bayside Bungalow

Our bungalow was ample with over 600 square feet. It had a living room, dining nook, kitchenette, bedroom with a King-size bed, large bathroom, and shower. It’s perfect for a family or small group (maximum occupancy is four). Bonus: they’re also dog-friendly.

The kitchenette is ideal since we had leftovers and some packed food. There was a small fridge, microwave, and Keurig maker. They didn’t provide any plates or utensils which was surprising. I had brought instant oatmeal for a quick breakfast and was able to use the provided coffee cups for a “grab and go” morning. Since I’m a mother, it wasn’t a surprise that I found spoons in my purse to use.

Endless Activities Await

Given how quiet the beach is, it was inviting to savor our time on the sand. We enjoyed walking along the stretch of the ocean before making our way to check out the rest of the resort. As I mentioned, ducks love to call Paradise Point home. We all got a kick out of feeding them and even spotted some herons and pelicans. The funniest part was the seagulls. They’re so desperate to get in on the action that they swim along with the ducks in the lagoons. Acting as if they are just like them. The ducks are very friendly and will eat their food right out of your hand.

Throughout the grounds are many activities to enjoy. On the back of the map given at check-in is a fun scavenger hunt complete with a prize once concluded. There’s a nine-hole putting golf course, four tennis courts, a spa, a basketball court, bike and surrey cycle rentals, arts and crafts for the kids, and even movie nights on the water. As we enjoyed our scrumptious dinner at Tidal (a full report to come), Coco, one of Mabel’s favorite Pixar movies, played adjacent to the restaurant.

Pool Time

With five pools at the resort, of course, we made time there. We were closest to the Meadow Pool. I was eager to relax in the jacuzzi but, alas, it was out of service. We decided to stay anyway and thoroughly enjoyed taking a heated dip. It was only three feet deep so great for kiddos like Mabel. There are plenty of towels at each pool and you can also order food delivery.

Since we wanted to savor our time, I was so pleased that an extended check-out was not a problem. Although we had a great time swimming, it ended up in a bit of frustration upon returning to pack up. The key card still checked us out at the initial time of 11 AM. Thus, we had no way to enter our bungalow. Even better? We had left our phones inside. With the front desk quite far from Jasmine Village, we were extremely grateful our neighbors allowed us to use their phone. Unfortunately, no one picked up at the front desk after two attempted calls.

Mike was able to ask a housekeeper for assistance. They sent security who opened the door for us. We at last were able to return inside. It sounds like this is the “norm” when given a late check-out so just something to be aware of during a stay.

Book Your Stay

Paradise Point blends such a unique mix to suit any traveler’s needs. We loved getting away with Mabel and felt she had her first real “island getaway.” It’s very family-friendly. It was even better that we were just a few hours by car from home. I could see staying here with Mike for a couple’s weekend, or even taking a trip solo to rejuvenate and write. The idea of writing and then stepping out the door onto the sand with a glass of wine or cup of tea is pretty hard to resist.

What will your getaway to Paradise Point Resort look like? Learn more and book a stay HERE.