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Mom Squad Ventures To Fancy Downtown Hotels
10-4 Mom Squad Visits Westgate Hotel, W San Diego
10-4 San Diego had hundreds of women sign up and join the Mom Squad, and four lucky women were choosen to be the first on-air Mom Squad panel.They'll get to try out everything from restaurants to family activities and tell 10-4 San Diego what it's like.Thursday, the Mom Squad ventured downtown to show San Diegans why those beautiful hotels aren't just for tourists.
The first stop was the Westgate Hotel.The Mom Squad arrived to sample afternoon tea in the grand lobby."The surroundings were very pretty, and it really reminded me actually of Versailles in France. It was a very beautiful environment, very elegant, very European," said Mom Squad member G.G. Benitez.The moms were seated under baccarat crystal chandeliers and serenaded by a harpist."Yes, they treated us like royalty. It was great," said Mom Squad member Valerie Zakar."I loved it. With raising three boys and me still being a tomboy at heart, I'm not used to all the elegant kind of things," said Mom Squad member Diana Sullivan.Guests can sip traditional teas or more exotic offerings such as cranberry hibiscus or plum tree oolong.Food courses range from savory tea sandwiches to sweet petit fours."I wanted to take scones home, but then I would not be losing my baby weight ever. It was so delicious," said Benitez."That was really remarkable. That was so interesting, and I would really advise moms to take a break in the afternoon and go there because it was so wonderful," said Mom Squad member Maryann Olmsted.After tea, the Mom Squad got a peek at how the truly privileged live at the Westgate Hotel by touring the presidential suite, which is 1,800 square feet."So, this suite has two bedrooms. The Reagans and the Bushes have lived with us in the past," said chief concierge Shraddha Carlin."It was stunning -- so perfect and clean. I really liked that. I was glad I was able to see it," said Benitez.From traditional to trendsetting, the Mom Squad headed over to W San Diego for some evening festivities."This is like party central. (It's) a lot of fun," said Zakar.The moms went to see W San Diego's largest guest suite."It was designed to feel like an urban oasis," said marketing manager Leah Corradino."It really deserves a wow. It was a really homey atmosphere and somewhere could have fun hanging out," said Olmsted.The suite runs about $3,000 a night."It was just so fun. I wish we could come and stay and hang out for a few days. It was amazing," said Benitez.The last stop of the night was W San Diego's rooftop bar called Beach."I've never been to a bar scene like that with the open roof," said Zakar."It's fun. It's totally so San Diego. I like it. I just kept thinking, 'Oh, my friends would have so much fun here,'" said Sullivan."It's definitely a place that if you live in San Diego and you can come down here, you should at least come check it out for yourself. (It's) just a cool place," said Benitez.These exclusive suites may be out of many people's price range, but afternoon tea at the Westgate Hotel is under $30, and guests can soak up the scene at W San Diego's Beach for the price of a drink or an appetizer.





