Four years have passed since our last Vegas venture so I’m excited to “sniff” some new eats, “snore like a wildebeest” at a new hotel and be entertained at a new Cirque du Soleil show.
“Rest & Relaxation”
Omni Hotel (A: 675 L. Street, San Diego, CA 92101. P: 619-231-6664. W: omnihotels.com) is a modern hotel in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. I had a nice workout in the sizable fitness center until about a dozen thirteen to sixteen year-olds entered and then it became – “spaz babies gone wild”. Uncoordinated running on treadmills with flip flops, running barefoot on treadmills, yelling, draining the cooler of the free spa water with fresh chunks of pineapple…the list goes on. Such is life in this VERY touristy town.
Reservations are not available here and the sun is hot as we wait outside the front door of Mama D’s. Even the “Baby Chipmunk” (my bro’s daughter) has had her fill of it after a few minutes. However, the restaurant is kind enough to provide tasty lemonade, “spa” cucumber ice water, bread and meatball appetizers while you wait.
Straight out of the gate the parking situation is a dis-ASS-ter. There are a bunch of parking lots near the water with many empty spaces but each lot is marked “VIP Parking” or “Special Pass Required” and they’re blockaded off with “staff pros” standing guard. None of the staff pros are directing cars where to park so cars are flipping illegal u-turns like “nobody’s business” (present company included).
