Paradise Point

If you want to be in the center of action during your next San Diego beach vacation, check out Paradise Point San Diego, a resort and spa located just minutes from all of the city's major attractions.

Paradise Point Resort is a private 44-acre island hideaway, complete with its own mile of sandy beach, gorgeous tropical gardens and the world-class Paradise Point Resort spa, Spa Terre.

Located 15 minutes from San Diego Airport in Mission Bay, Paradise Point hotel is a sprawling haven of beach bungalows and garden suites recently renovated in a South Pacific design motif.

The new design, which debuts February 2010, includes a $20 million renovations of the 462 bungalows and guest rooms.

You'll feel like you've arrived on Fantasy Island as you explore the lush trails, lagoons and bridges that lead to your room at Paradise Point Resort & Spa. Each suite is spacious, clean and comfortable with lovely views of the gardens, lagoons or bay.

The rooms, inspired by the islands, are airy yet warm, with soothing tones of turquoise, coral, gold and celery. The exotic style is accented with leopard-patterned rugs, furniture made from teak and mahogany, and hand-made Batik-style throws from Java.

San Diego's sunsets are amazing, and I can't think of a better place to enjoy them than with a Mai Tai at the Paradise Point restaurant Barefoot Bar & Grill. Overlooking the ocean and colorful docked sailboats, with flickering tiki torches at night, this fun outdoor restaurant serves up a menu including Los Cabos Fish Tacos, Angus Beef Sliders and Ancho Spiced Quesadillas. It's open for breakfast (7-11), lunch and dinner (11 a.m. to 10 p.m.). Call 858-581-5960 for reservations.

Baleen San Diego, Paradise Point resort's signature restaurant, specializes in small plates and seafood with a romantic, dimly lit ambiance overlooking the bay. Take your choice of wood-roasted specialties like Diver Scallops, Northern Halibut or Certified Angus Beef Rib Eye, or dive into a delightful California-style Cioppino made with a red pepper and harissa broth. For dessert, try the Drunken Monkey, made with a combination of brioche bread pudding, caramelized bananas and hard sauce. Mmmm. Baleen restaurant is open from 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays. Reservations are recommended through (858) 490-6363.

If the night's still young, head back to your bungalow and enjoy a bonfire on the beach. Just don't forget the marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers! Marshmallows and skewers are available at the resort's gift shop.

IF YOU GO

Paradise Point Hotel and Spa is located at 1404 Vacation Road, San Diego, CA 92109; 858-274-4630; www.paradisepoint.com

Photos: Courtesy of Paradise Point San Diego

Have you been to the Paradise Point San Diego hotel? Share your Paradise Point reviews below!