InterContinental San Diego, exterior (sunset) — Photo by ALHI
Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay, lobby — Photo by ALHI

ORLANDO, FL -- Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), which serves the Meetings & Incentive marketplace in North America and Europe with its distinguished portfolio of more than 250 luxury hotels and resorts, recently expanded its worldwide portfolio and West U.S. options with the addition of two hotels in California. ALHI's membership portfolio now includes the AAA Four-Diamond Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay, ALHI's first member hotel in Monterey; and the elegant 400-room InterContinental San Diego, slated to open this fall on the waterfront in downtown San Diego. ALHI Global Luxury Sales now represents the hotels to meeting professionals, association executives, incentive specialists and business executives who are interested in conducting meetings, conventions or programs at any of the member hotels, according to ALHI's Chief Sales Officer Mark Sergot.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of historic Fisherman's Wharf and the Monterey Bay, Portola Hotel & Spa reflects the captivating spirit of a rich, historical setting in the heart of downtown Monterey. Offering 379 nautically-inspired guest rooms and suites, the harborside hotel features over 60,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and nearly 60,000 square feet of outdoor spaceoverlooking scenic Monterey Bay. The newly renovated Monterey Conference Center is adjacent to Portola, making the venue the largest event space of its kind on California's Central Coast. In addition, the hotel features a full-service day spa, plunge pool, 24-hour fitness center, 24-hour business center, and three on-site dining options. The LEED® Certified hotel is walking distance to Monterey's landmarks and attractions, including the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey State Historic Park, and Cannery Row along the Coastal Recreation Trail. Monterey Peninsula also features family-run wineries, craft breweries, shopping, dining, galleries and museums. Sites such as 17-Mile Drive, Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur and Pebble Beach also are nearby. Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) is just 10 minutes away, and the Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) is 75 minutes from the hotel.

Slated to open this fall, InterContinental San Diego is located at one of the most prominent and visible sites in downtown San Diego's waterfront. Situated just steps away from USS Midway, the casually elegant hotel will provide expansive ocean views, 400 guest rooms, 35,000 square feet of sophisticated meeting space and 7,000 square feet of outdoor space. Meeting options will include the 12,000-square-foot Pacific Ballroom and the 4,480-square-foot Bayview Ballroom. The hotel also will offer unequaled panoramic views at the spectacular rooftop bar named The Sky Bar, as well as a restaurant and bar on property. The hotel is just 5 blocks from the renowned Gaslamp Quarter, 6 blocks from San Diego Convention Center and just 2 miles from San Diego International Airport.

"California continues to be a very popular choice for groups of all sizes," said Sergot. "We are very proud to offer these two outstanding new options to address the great demand. Portola Hotel & Spa is located in truly beautiful Monterey, within walking distance of the area's many terrific sites, shops and restaurants. InterContinental San Diego has a prime downtown location and will offer incredible views as well as exceptional meeting space. We are excited to showcase these two superb hotels to planners."

In addition to their membership in ALHI's worldwide portfolio, the hotels also become new options in ALHI's "City Solutions" luxury brand collection.

With these new additions, ALHI's portfolio now features 29 luxury and upper-upscale hotels and resorts in California. Among the many options on the Central or Northern Coast of the Golden State are the acclaimed Pebble Beach Resorts (The Lodge at Pebble Beach, The Inn at Spanish Bay and Casa Palmero Pebble Beach), the 532-room Hotel Nikko San Francisco, InterContinental Mark Hopkins located at the crest of Nob Hill in San Francisco, and the 550-room InterContinental San Francisco, situated adjacent to the Moscone West Convention Center. ALHI options in the San Diego area include lush Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, the celebrated Fairmont Grand Del Mar, the AAA Four-Diamond Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, the 440-room Loews Coronado Bay Resort, the iconic Omni La Costa Resort & Spa and the luxurious Rancho Bernardo Inn.

For more information about ALHI and/or its member hotels and resorts, contact your nearest of the 24 ALHI Global Sales offices in the United States, Canada, London and now Frankfurt, Germany. For specifics, go to alhi.com to identify the nearest "ALHI Team" Global Sales professionals in your area. In the U.K., contact Peter Groom at +44 (0) 207-379-6793 or [email protected], and visit alhi.com . In Germany, Austria or Switzerland, contact Becky Dimant in the Frankfurt area at +49 69 660 56331 or +49 160 442 1091 or [email protected] , and visit alhi.com .

About Associated Luxury Hotels International

Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) serves as a global sales organization (GSO) for its exclusive membership of the world's most distinguished independently operated or owned hotels and resorts, cruise ships and DMCs within the meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) marketplace. With a dedicated GSO team of nearly 80 professionals located among 26 offices across North America and Europe, ALHI delivers personalized service and connectivity to a select membership of over 250 luxury properties worldwide. As an extension of its members, ALHI provides unparalleled solutions for meeting and event professionals by identifying and presenting a variety of options based on desired attributes that will create a successful program. Dedicated to the company vision for over three decades, ALHI strives to be intentionally different by offering an exclusive portfolio that embodies an independent spirit and a commitment to excellence that consistently earns the most notable accolades in the meeting and events industry. For more information, please visit www.alhi.com.

Karen Lamonica
PR Contact
(407) 788-7070, ext. 208
Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)