It is no
wonder that Forbes.com puts Paradise Point among the
top family destinations in the U.S.
Make your way through the overgrown thickets of bird
of paradise plants, banana trees, jungle ferns and
brilliant bougainvillea overhangs and you will find
an 18-hole putting course, five pools - including
a tropical lagoon and beach pool, an 88-step story
observation tower that looks like it could have been
part of the set of Swiss Family Robinson or Around
the World in 80 Days, two restaurants and a SpaTerre
spa and fitness area.
All the cottages face something - whether a lotus
covered pond, a lush jungle clearing or the sandy
beach that fronts sleepy Mission Bay.
(The bay was actually a 4,600-acre aquatic park once
upon a time, commissioned in 1902 by the city that
took another 56 years to actually create.) The resultant
30 miles of shoreline proffers a relaxing beach-like
experience in some spots, boating and fishing in others
(although the cleanliness of this body of water is
questionable.) And for an added bonus, guests enjoy
unobstructed views of SeaWorld's nightly show of fireworks.
Leave the kids behind and you'll want to make some
fireworks of your own as the sky outside your cottage
lights up like a Technicolor dream.
When Skirball built the property in 1962 he immediately
saw the Fantasy Island possibilities and even added
to the fun with real sets from real movies (check
out the porpoise fountain from the 1920s version of
Cleopatra, which Skirball produced, and the odd Aztec
facades to be seen above the doorways of several cottages,
which hail from a lesser-known film of the era). Lagoons,
waterfalls, shaded coves and rustic footpaths were
the order of the day and Hollywood loved it. Think
Paul Newman, Robert Wagner, Michael McDonald and Rosanne
Arnold.
Today's celeb-studded clientele also have the opportunity
to enjoy SpaTerre. An 80-minute hot stone treatment
under the strong healing hands of Eric Edwards can
cure nearly any ill, at least for a good hour. The
spa opens up to the lagoon pool, the resort's centerpiece
with a beach, waterfalls, Jacuzzi, poolside dining
and more lush landscaping. And if you do manage to
leave your suite for long enough to partake of the
spa's sensual offerings, try to also schedule in time
for golf, tennis or an afternoon bike ride.
Although rates can be as low as $129 per night, Paradise
Resort averages around $219 per night ($229-$329 during
the summer vacation months) with value packages available,
such as the Bungalow & Breakfast package that
adds a $36 credit per night for breakfast in bed.
Also the SeaWorld Splash package adds daily the breakfast
credit plus two adult tickets to SeaWorld with a two-night
minimum stay.
Your bed-away-from-home awaits: 800.344.2626 or visit
www.paradisepoint.com.
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