Have
you heard about the
Catamaran
Resort birds? The splendid
resort hotel is perched on Mission Bay,
just across the street from Mission
Beach, the Pacific Ocean-facing beach
with the Crystal Pier next to Belmont
Park. Well, the birds came as a complete
surprise to me. I like the Catamaran
Resort when I arrived. It had a look and
feel of an era in which large artificial
waterfalls were built to give that
tropical island look and appeal. As you
speak to concierge or check in at the
lobby counter, the waterfall's gushing,
splashing noise resounds in the
background of your conversations. But
let's get to the point. This story is
for the birds.
One night I checked into the hotel,
wandering among the lit tiki torches on
a pathway to my hotel room, where I
slept like a baby in peaceful, quiet
surroundings. My beachfront suite was
delightful. You could hear a pin drop,
in fact. But stepping out in the
morning, I was awakened to a colorful
display of feathered creatures who
squawked and tweeted in playful
exuberance. I asked the beach boy (he
had blonde, straight hair and wore a
striped shirt and white pants like the
Beach Boys were known for) what was
going on. He said that the birds lived
in the suite next door to mine. He was
their friend and caregiver assigned to
take care of these honored guests' every
need. Wow!
For us human creatures, Catamaran offers
free boat rides on a sternwheeler that
cavorts Mission Bay at night. This party
boat has a cocktail bar and often live
bands. Across the street from the hotel
is the beach and Pacific Ocean,
restaurants and shops. Jogging paths,
sandy beaches, rental kayaks on property
and so many amenities that you'll think
you're in paradise are what you will
discover at
Catamaran Resort & Spa. Get busy
packing. It's a complete vacation, if
just for one night. Sorry...you probably
can't afford to stay permanently at a
hotel that's for the birds!
