La Valencia invited me to paradise.
The Pink Lady, or La V, as the deliciously pink hotel is affectionately referred to by locals, is a stunning Mediterranean-inspired La Jolla landmark. A place that has personified luxury and old-Hollywood glamour for the past nine decades.
Caroline Kennedy and her daughter stayed at La V just days ago. And if John John’s sister chooses to stay here when she’s in town, well, I want my next main character in a fictional story to stay here too!
I first approached the PR Department about a month ago as research for my next novel. I’ve set all my stories in my hometown and wanted to feature an important scene for novel 3 at the best hotel in San Diego. Pink, charming, and commanding the bluff above the sweeping La Jolla Cove, La Valencia was my only choice.
When they said please join us for an extended visit, I did a little happy dance and called my mom to share the good news. The most charming hotel in San Diego had just welcomed me and a guest for the kind of world-class treatment one hopes for when planning the ultimate romantic getaway. I would bring my guy, Julian, and we would escape our boys for a Valentine’s Day retreat. The very best combination of work and play.
For 3 weeks I counted down the days and envisioned various scenarios of excellence in my mind. It would be EPIC!
And let me tell you, it started off just as awesome as I hoped for.
Julian and I parked his car with valet, checked in, and were escorted to a luxury villa complete with a private balcony, fireplace, living room, sitting room, HUGE bathroom (double sinks, separate marble shower and tub!) and a separate bedroom. I was beyond excited about our spacious bungalow accommodations. With no children claiming starvation or dropping their dirty socks on the floor, the place felt more welcoming than home. Way more welcoming.
Then it got better. Julian sent me off to take a bath and pulled out a secret stash of goodies. Apparently he’d been planning out his own surprise. He bought special tea lights in the shape of peach blossoms (his nickname for me is Blossom.) He’d gone to a flower shop and picked out the freshest roses. He even went online and studied the bedroom layout to plan how he would set it up.
While I bathed and wondered what the heck he was up to, Julian lined the blossom lights around the headboard, floor, and overhead fan, and placed fragrant pink petals in the shape of a heart on the comforter.
Seriously?!! What man does that?! I know I’m supposed to let go of my Prince-Charming-Really-Does-Exist Complex, but….
He blew me away. This was more romantic than even I, with my fairly decent imagination, could have dreamed of. After some alone time and drinks at the La Sala Lobby Lounge overlooking the Pacific at sunset, we made our way to dinner.
Nancy Hirsh, the hotel’s gracious concierge, directed us to one of the best spots to take a picture.
THE MED, is a restaurant reminiscent of a Spanish villa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, only it’s better, because it’s in San Diego, and because Heath was our waiter. He knew about everything on the menu. When he told me that Japanese divers hand catch the perfect scallops for their menu, I was sold. Scallops, fig compote, brussel sprouts, butternut squash puree. Crunchy, salty, sweet, succulent. Absolutely delicious. I’d rate it as one of the top ten meals I’ve ever eaten.
THEN CAME the phone call.
Our babysitter was leaving…immediately. We could either return home, OR, three of our kids and the dog needed to come to Paradise with us. This was not part of the plan. What romance novel includes three teenage-ish boys and a Jack Russell crashing their Valentine’s Getaway?
My plans don’t ever work out as I expect. Ever. But we are adults. And in all honesty, stories are more interesting when they aren’t perfect.
Disappointment led to the quick realization that parenthood has long tentacles. We needed to embrace the crazy. Smile at the beauty in the beast. And so we did.
Fortunately, La V honestly treats their guests like valued friends. A dog? No problem. Just sign this waiver and bring her on over. Does she need a special doggie bowl? An extra 11, 13, and 15-year-old? No problem, your villa is 1200 s.f. with a pull out couch, chaise lounge, comfy cots, and the doors to the masterbedroom close shut.
When the boys walked in and saw the flower petals and lighting along with the chilled bottle of champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries, my oldest declared, “We really shit this one, didn’t we?”
“Yes, son, you kinda did, but this is good too. We’re happy you’re here.”
“No you’re not.”
“Ok, we’re not, but you’re all here now and we are going to enjoy our special family time. Have some strawberries, enjoy the fireplace, free wifi, even the TV. Just don’t touch the Champagne. That’s for Julian. He needs it.”
Julian feeling a bit defeated by the arrival of Darby and the children.
The boys devoured the treats and partied it up until sometime around midnight before they FINALLY passed out.
Julian and I went on a 1 am walk along the ocean. My surfer boy talked to me about how the shape of the reefs determines the shape of the waves. They break where it’s most shallow first. It was beautiful, it was romantic, it was real.
In the morning, we were treated to a delicious breakfast with La Valencia’s managing director, Mark Dibella, an incredibly upbeat, sweet-heart of a guy, who shared some of the hotel’s best-kept stories… like the one about the lovely South-African woman who lived there for thirty years until she passed away at 103-years-old. Flirting, fun, and her loving children kept her young. I’m guessing that living in paradise at La V probably added to her joy factor as well.
Thank you La Valencia for a glorious escape. And for adjusting to our family’s shifting needs.
I can already see the scene for my next novel shaping in my imagination. It’s going to be spectacular!
