insideKENT Magazine Issue 82 - January 2019 | Page 102

TRAVEL
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ CONT.
Catamaran Resort
Hotel and Spa
Our first stop was the stunning Catamaran Resort
Hotel and Spa on the shores of Mission Bay. The
Polynesian-themed resort is the epitome of exotic
San Diego, with towering palm trees, tiki torches
and indoor waterfalls heralding your arrival to
this family-friendly resort that is perfectly located
to take in the Pacific beaches across the street, the
curiosity vibe of old town and the delights of
downtown as well as the host of attractions which
are on the doorstep.
Our family suite – overlooking the bay backdrop
of windsurfers and palm trees – gifted us two
interconnected rooms with ample room for our
family (balcony and all!), and welcomed us with
a hamper of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies
and milk for our small adventurers.
Outside, you’ll find tropical gardens with chattering
exotic birds, large koi ponds, a spa with a hot tub
overlooking the bay, a boardwalk that’s perfect
for Segway or cycling, loungers on the beach, and
a great family pool, as well as their signature
restaurant: Oceana Coastal Kitchen – a high-end
contemporary dining room, complete a stunning
floor-to-ceiling jellyfish aquarium, that seamlessly
leads to the outdoor dining space with tables on
the terrace surrounded by palms overlooking the
bay beyond – the most beautiful setting for our
first Californian dining experience.
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Driven by executive chef Steven Riemer’s playful
take on classic dishes, the menu offers modern
Californian cuisine including a cold bar with sushi,
small bites and mains featuring the freshest seafood
from the coast of Baja and the Pacific. We
recommend the Nigiri featuring delicate rice balls
topped with yellowtail, shrimp, divine ahi tuna
and salmon. Our smaller diners plumped for the
house-ground California beef burger and french
fries, the finger-size tempura fish sticks and the
little seashell pasta with rich tomato sauce and
parmesan which we finished off with the waitress-
recommended warm skillet brownie and cream.
Waking bright and early, in a way that only those
with toddlers and/or jetlag can appreciate, meant
that we bagged the best sunrise table for breakfast,
made our way through freshly baked waffles,
pancakes, crispy bacon and eggs and could get
out and about early to experience as much as we
could from the plethora of family-friendly activities
on offer in San Diego. And so summed up our
eat, sightsee, eat, sleep, eat (there is a lot to eat!)
repeat stay, before we bid a fond farewell to the
Catamaran to head north, up the coast past La
Jolla, to the home of its sister hotel on the edge of
the Torrey Pines Reserve.