This one will have to be a 3-part series because it was a phenomenal trip and I just can’t cover it all in one post. Lesson number one I didn’t like getting up at 430 am to get to the airport on time I did however like the quiet on the plane so maybe that is the way to go. Lesson number two, check a bag next time I’ll get back to that later, and lesson number three TSA sucks donkey dicks, it’s just a fact. I followed all guidelines posted on the website and still had to stand there and throw out over 200 dollars worth of cosmetics and skincare. I give you the one-finger salute with bouquets of them to follow. That set aside I was nervous, excited, and willing to set my feelings aside as I waited for my layover.

Guess I should probably tell you where I went lol. I was invited by a dear friend to join her at the Historical Romance Retreat in San Diego, California. She was an attending author and her plus-one had some scheduling issues and couldn’t make it and I was all too glad to go.

I’ve never been to California before, the weather was beautiful very palmy. We couldn’t get on the same flight so I arrived an hour before Monica. Almost had a heart attack when she texted to say TSA was unsure if they were letting her into the states or sending her back home to Canada. That’s a whole other store but for about 30 minutes it was dicey I had no idea what I’d do in San Diego when the hotel and tickets were all in her name. So, lesson number four, have your name added to things in the event your buddy gets carted back and your alone. She arrived and we went in search of a taxi when a delightful old man suggested the bus, when in Rome I guess so we hopped on the bus and he let us know where our stop was conveniently across the street from our hotel and much cheaper than a taxi.

The retreat was being held at The Westgate Hotel in Downtown San Diego and let me tell you it was like stepping back in time. I felt underdressed and in the wrong era. It was stunning. The lobby had beautiful chandeliers, several royal blue velvet sofas, and chairs trimmed in gold.

I probably looked like a nob standing there gawking, I just couldn’t form words. I may have gone overkill with the photos and I do believe I got a video as well. The Art on the walls and the staircase, the staircase could have its own post lol. Straight out of a fairy tale, it made you want to glide down it while your prince was waiting at the bottom looking at you with bated breath. Now if it was me, for example, my entrance would be something gossiped about for weeks after as I would’ve probably tripped on my gown and landed on my ass with a whoosh and curse words not suitable for ladies but I digress.

Stunning, right?

Our room was beautiful with hand-crafted European furniture carried throughout, we had a nice view and I can admit to staying up as we watched workers at a building across the street and made up stuff they were doing or working on. The pool area was on the roof of the third floor and was perfect to soak in after a long day of walking. They had afternoon tea in the lobby with a harp beautifully played along with it. The lounge was great for after-event cocktails and happy hour. I still can’t figure out why happy is limited to an hour but whatever. The food was okay, but I do feel they needed a more extensive menu. My only other criticism would be they need more people working at night in the lounge. I waited for an hour to get food and a drink only to make it to the bar and be told they were no longer serving food. After I had sat at a table for 30 minutes with the menu in my hand waiting. k

View of the pool from our roomBeautiful art in the lobbyMore ArtView from our roomThe managers table in the lobby

I could do a whole gallery of just pictures I took from this hotel, but I want to get to the actual reason I was there, lol. So, my formal review of the hotel.

5* aesthetic, ambiance, and elegance 3* food and bar service simply for the reasons I listed above. 5* room, cleanliness All in all, I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone traveling to San Diego.

That’s it for this post. Next week’s Trippin Tuesday will be all about HRR, its events, parties,swag,classes, and all the deets I can guarantee would make you want to attend.

Till then,

Love, the adventuring Magnolia xx