This year Apple out did them selves. Our SPG Holiday Party was at the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay. I actually almost missed the signup deadline since it was fairly early in November, but luckily we got our names on the list and booked ourselves a room at the hotel for the night as well.
It turned out to be a fairly decadent weekend. We were coming off of a week of vacation in San Diego for Thanksgiving, and that Friday we were delivered some Dungeness crab from our fish share. We ate up Friday evening and then Saturday we spent the morning relaxing at a coffee shop before checkin. Checkin time was at 4pm and we arrived promptly at 4 in order to take full advantage of our stay at the hotel. Everyone else who was staying had the same plan and there was a bit of a wait in order to get into the valet area but we survived and got our room at the nicest hotel either of us had ever stayed at.
When we walked into the room Megan jumped about a foot and a half off of the ground upon seeing the bathtub. We had a ocean view, expresso machine, fancy music and a huge bed. And the hotel common areas and grounds were incredible. We immediately went out on a run, per our half marathon training schedule and got to enjoy an awesome sunset over the Pacific before returning to the room to get ready.
Megan had discovered a service called Rent the Runway which she had spent hours (or maybe days) browsing for the perfect dress for the evening and it turned out to be time well spent. She looked great in her dress and had a good time getting ready before in the fancy bathroom.
Like last years party everyone showed up basically at the 7pm start time and being residents we got a head start on most for the dinner buffet and ballroom seating. Who ever organized the party did a great job as the food was delicious and the ambiance was great.
After eating we spent most of the remainder of the evening wandering in and out and around the hotel, eating from the many dessert stands and taking full advantage of the open bars. By the end of the night Megan was roasting marshmallows on propane fueled patio heaters and stealing mascaraed masks off of the table center pieces. We ended the evening outside where the hotel had a large decorated Christmas tree and numerous big fire pits surrounded with chairs.
Sunday morning came and although we didn’t feel great we got up early to enjoy the hotel some more prior to leaving. We ate a big breakfast at the hotel restaurant and then went for a walk down to the beach. Overall we were both feeling really excited and grateful that we had the opportunity to go to such an extravagant party. It will take a special event to top this one. Thanks Apple.
