Visit San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — The Catamaran Hotel, Resort and Spa in San Diego is the place to be on Mission Bay.  If you want to relax and just watch the sailboats cruise by after a nice full body massage, that is totally understandable.  However, if you were into kayaking, boat cruises, sailing, surfing, water skiing, biking, skating, kayaking and free diving, you would want to be at the Catamaran Hotel as well.

Beach cabanas lined up on a beach resort property

The Catamaran awakens the senses, relaxes the body and soothes the soul. You can explore the hidden gardens with over 1,000 types of eclectic plants and flowers, exotic birds, 100 varieties of palm trees, and 30 types of hibiscus. Be sure to surround yourself with the striking sunsets, the splendor of secluded sandy beaches, and the sights and sounds of nature all in one place.

This historic property and its surrounding area was originally the summer estate of the Scripps family which they called Braemar. Mrs. Scripps, matriarch of the family, envisioned a simple yet elegant home, a place where the family could enjoy wonderful ocean breezes and comfortable starry nights. The family eventually abandoned their summer estate in late 1955, and it was sold. In 1958, Mr. William D. Evans acquired the property and began construction of what would become the Catamaran Resort Hotel. Initially the resort was a modest 82-room Inn. The pier has not changed much since the property was first purchased. The original décor was modeled off of a Spanish motif. However, the Spanish décor did not create the ambient feeling the Evans hoped to effect. He wanted the buildings to act as a frame around a picturesque landscape. After much deliberation, it was decided that the main constant motif of the ever-changing inn would be drawn from tropical themes and influences.

When looking at the main buildings, you will notice that the architecture is heavy on the bottom and light on the top. This is typical of colonial Hawaiian architecture. All of the window frames and doors you see in the hotel are carved out of Mahogany that was cut 25 years ago in Honduras. Expert craftsmen were hired to design and build the exotic waterfall and pond in the lobby. The waterfall itself is comprised of several distinct six-foot by eight-foot tall segments. The tile in the lobby is made up of handcrafted Cantera stone imported from deep in the heart of Mexico.

Throughout the decades, the Evans family has gone to great lengths to import traditional Pacific Island art. All of the ethnic art including spears, personal jewelry, hand-woven rugs, and warrior shields are from New Guinea and were made prior to World War II. As you face the front desk, look above and you will see a very large Tapa cloth made of Mulberry bark. It is from the New Hebrides Islands located off the coast of New Guinea. When this piece was commissioned, it was the largest one done since 1920 and took many different island families over a year to make. The wood that makes up the front desk is called Black Koa wood, which is native to the Tahitian Islands. The totem poles throughout the property were handcrafted in Bali specifically for the Catamaran. As you approach the stairs on the way to the Atoll restaurant, look to your left and you will see large carving encased in glass that looks like a stool. This piece of art is known as the “speaking stool,” the second largest known in existence. It was found by Michael Rockefeller in a headhunter village in 1961.

The Catamaran’s 313 rooms and suites are spacious and tastefully appointed with their own balcony or patio. Mission Bay, the world’s largest aquatic park, is at your doorstep and the enticing waves of the Pacific Ocean are just 100 yards away. Enjoy marvelous views of the California coastline or stunning city skyline from every part of the beach resort. In San Diego, activities and local attractions are never far away. Visit the world famous San Diego Zoo, historic Old Town, and SeaWorld. Whether staying at the Catamaran Resort for pleasure or business, you’ll experience San Diego, one of Southern California’s most exciting cities, in all its fascinating and colorful detail.   (For more information, please visit www.catamaranresort.com)

 

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