The New Willows Hotel and Spa at Viejas!

Have you been to Viejas Casino and Resort lately?  This place has expanded in major ways and they're not done yet! I've always enjoyed the gaming, the buffet and the shopping across the street and when they added a hotel years ago, I thought Viejas was on it's way to becoming a premier casino in San Diego.  Viejas recently opened an ADULTS only tower, complete with it's own pool, fitness area and spa, making it a total vacation destination!

I was offered a complimentary two-night stay at the original hotel and asked what the difference was in booking the new hotel.  I was told it was about a $100 a night more because the new hotel is comprised of all-suite rooms! I think the check-in gal noticed it was my birthday coming up so she said, "Let me see what I can do."  She ended up assigning me a suite and gave me this card! Woo hoo!

Wow, thanks Viejas! I am certainly not a high level player's card member.  I'll get a mere $5 in free play or the occasional free room offer, so I was elated with a complimentary two night stay in a suite! Yes, I'll take it! 

Willows Hotel and Spa is located at the opposite end of the resort from the original hotel with it's own lobby, valet, etc...but either hotel counters can check you in.  Also, both valet areas can get your car when you're ready to leave as well!

The design team has done an absolutely amazing job.  Look at the check in counter and lounge area!  

PC: Willow's Hotel and Spa website. 

PC: Willow Hotel and Spa website.

As an added security measure, the elevator will only engage if you tap your key card to the assigned floor.  As we stepped out of the elevator and entered the suite, look at what we saw!

Gorgeous hallway!

Living room area

Complimentary Keurig drinks and tea!

Beverages nice and cold in the mini-fridge, also free! I drank a mini-diet coke already, lol!

Master bedroom!

It's all in the details-built-in reading light on both sides of the bed!

No clutter side table, flush outlet strip ready for charging your devices!

On to the bathroom!

Forgot something? They got your basic needs covered!

First time for me to see a hair straightener!

Forget the rest of the suite, I'll be hanging out in this awesome shower!

The one thing that really blew my mind was this! Simply amazing!

Guests can also enjoy the outdoors at the pool!

PC: Willows Hotel and Spa website-Adults only pool!

Pool view from our balcony. 

I was totally impressed with the Willows Hotel and Spa! Thank you Viejas for the awesome stay! You are definitely on the top of my San Diego casino resort list!

Cheers!

Aloha from Duke's La Jolla!

ALOHA Duke's La Jolla! It's been a few years since they opened and we finally got around to trying this place out!  The restaurant is tastefully modern with wood, surfer decor!  It was interesting reading about the former Olympian turned Sheriff for the city and county of Honolulu, Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, on the wall pictures hung around the restauarant.

We valet'd because parking is always challenging in La Jolla, well worth the $11 because you're steps away from the front door! I would valet again in a heartbeat so you can get into this beautiful restaurant as fast as you can! That or rideshare! Lunch time on a weekday was very busy, make reservations! We waited 20-30 minutes. The menu is not large, I was a little worried if I would like the food.  In any case, the location is really what drew us in, to dine alfresco, enjoy the fresh air and soothing ocean scene.  Take a look at this view!

PC: Duke's La Jolla

I could have sat here sipping on some mocktails all day!  We order our lunch and it turned out the food was a major plus! Seasoned well, very tasty, they took a plate lunch to the next level. My hubby like the crisp, moist fish and the fries were awesome too!

Ribs and Chicken skewer were yummy, but the slaw with bits of mac nuts in it was the show stealer!

The plate was lined with a copy of a Honolulu local paper! Nice touch!

Since it was my husband's birthday our server gave us a dessert to share. This doesn't show how tall this ice cream cake was, at least six inches high! 

Huge complimentary hula pie for birthdays, heeeyyyy!    

Overall, we were impressed with our visit to Duke's.  It was casual, but the food was not! Take your visitors here to have a SoCal experience with tropical island flair. We might just join you, hahaha! There is also music on the weekends in the upstairs lounge in the evening which also serves the full menu.  Have you been there?  How was your experience? Please leave a comment below.