The Crowne Plaza Hotel Is Perfect For Business or Pleasure

The anticipation grew as the Pilot announced we were preparing to land at the John Wayne Orange County Airport in Irvine, California. It was a sunny Sunday morning, and it had been almost five years since we lasted visited California. After renting our car from Thrifty Car Rentals, we headed toward the Crowne Plaza Hotel, located just a few blocks from the Airport.

We could have taken the hotel's shuttle that offers pick up and drop off service, but we preferred to tour the town since we have never visited Irvine on our past trips. The Crowne Plaza Hotel was easy to find; just turn right on Main St and then it's just a few blocks away at 17941 Von Karman. The location of the Crowne Plaza Hotel is ideal because it is close to everything we wanted to see. Just around the corner are major highways, and it is just a short drive to Newport Beach and Laguna Beach nearby.

Professional Staff and Service You Can Count On

Thanks to our courteous and professional host, Gabby, and her fellow staff members we had no problem finding our way around. Since we arrived early a room was not available yet, which was okay because we were ready for lunch. We gave Gabby our number and headed out on the town. Within minutes of leaving Gabby called to say our room would be ready when we returned. It was nice to have someone take the time to keep us informed.

After a long day visiting local sites like Pretend City and shopping at the Irvine Spectrum Center we were ready to relax. We enjoyed hanging around by the pool for a few hours, and tested out the equipment in the well-equipped fitness center, which has personal TVs on each machine so you can keep track of the news or weather.

The room was very spacious and comfortable. There are data port available at the desk so we could hook into our laptop, and there is voicemail so we would not miss any messages while we were out. If we needed print out a presentation or additional services, the business center was available 24-hour a day, and there wireless high-speed Internet access in lobby so we could stay connected to the office. In the evening we decided to order take out and just put our feet up. With the Crowne Plaza Sleep Advantage® Program you enjoy Quiet Zones, which is great. And, the special Sleep Amenities like Lavender spray for your pillow made us feel right at home since we use lavender at night on a regular basis.

For travelers and locals alike, the festivities will be a glimpse of days gone by with many modern twist like the “Food and Wine on Pine” event. This event combines the best of upscale art and culinary sensations which showcase fresh, local and seasonal Florida foods, and includes a beer garden, a juried art show featuring completed works, as well as works in progress.

When it came time for breakfast we enjoyed the Breakfast Buffet, which had a great selection of fresh produce as well as common breakfast selections. There is also a Chef on hand to cook a omelet if you prefer. The waitress and waiters were always there to refill our coffee before we asked. There was also a Lounge, and a nice gift shop on site so you can purchase any necessities needed during your trip.

Close To Attractions and Commerce

With the Crowne Plaza Hotel being located near the Orange County Airport, and the highway is just up the road it does offer a ideal location for business function. Not only do they have shuttle service to the Airport, they also offer service to area businesses. Among those businesses nearby are Allergan, Canon, Deloitte & Touche, Broadcom and UC Irvine. We were impressed by the extensive event space and the availability of the Crowne Meetings Director, who can help you plan your event to meet your companies personal needs.

When not working there are plenty of attractions to enjoy nearby that include Disneyland and California Adventures. For those who want to shop there is The District, Fashion Island, and the Irvine Spectrum Center, which has beautiful European architecture. Nearby is also the Performing Arts Center and South Coast Repertory Center, and plenty of outdoor recreation to enjoy. So whether you are traveling for business or pleasure the Crowne Plaza Hotel offers everything you need!