A Black Friday Sale Travel Deal!

A travel deal so good is just a click away! Travel to OC and stay at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa hotel offering incredible low rates!!! For one day only, receive 50% off our Best Available Rates through May 31, 2010! Book your reservation this Friday, November 27 starting 6 am PST until midnight. Use the online promo code FRIDAY or call 1800-HILTONS and mention the code FRIDAY to receive 50% off!

(restrictions and blackout dates may apply)

http://www.costamesa.hilton.com/

Meeting Planning Tips

Here a few tips for choosing a successful meeting venue while receiving the "best deal":

• When searching for a property and working with a salesperson, ask if there are any special promotions or discounts running. Many times, especially now, hotels are offering crazy deals and great value-adds.


• When you become a fan of their facebook fan page or follow the hotel on twitter, you will often get insider information and stay updated on special promotions.


• Check the online reviews for the hotel and schedule a site visit with the hotel salesperson. This is a free service and many times, you will meet the key hotel personnel.


• If your dates are flexible, ask for value dates or hot dates. The hotel is willing to negotiate a little more on these needy periods.


• Know the type of hotel you are working with, whether it is a resort - leisure type which will be more expensive on weekend travel vs. a corporate - business type which will be more expensive on the weekdays.


• If you need a block of rooms, always check the best available rate or "going rate" for the dates requested.


• Use the meeting planner tools. Many hotels offer free online tools such as a personalized group webpage that enables your attendees to book their rooms directly from the link.


• If you have multiple events throughout the year, Hilton provides a free service to bid each event out to multiple Hilton brand properties. Ask your sales manager for details.


• Ask for Hilton Meeting Planner Points, this is considered a value-add, but many hotels are willing to negotiate it into the agreement.
• Many hotels have the ability to modify their banquet menus. It is always best to present your meal budget ahead of time so the sales person can create a customized menu for your event.
  
• You will receive more incentives if you book a multi year or multi event agreement with the hotel. Ask your sales manager for details.

Why Our International Airline Crew Shops in the OC!

With so many unique shopping options in the OC, even some that are within walking distance to the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa, it is no wonder that we have some of the finest shopping experiences accross America. From prestigious South Coast Plaza to newer spots like the District at Tustin Legacy, there is something for everyone! In fact, part of negotiations with our international airline crew that stays with us each night (yes, international, which means they shuttle in from LAX to stay in the OC!) included daily transportation to the District at Tustin Legacy. The reason? One word: "Costco". This international crew is crazy for Costco. Most will bring empty suitcases just fill up on goods from Costco to bring back home. In addition to Costco, they also enjoy other Orange County shopping centers as mentioned below:

South Coast Plaza and South Coast Plaza Village is Orange County’s most luxurious and notable shopping experience offering an unparalleled collection of over 280 boutiques and anchor stores, many exclusive to California, attracting visitors from around the world. South Coast Plaza prevails as one of the nation’s most luxurious shopping destinations for fashion, home furnishings, spa services, dining, and more.
3333 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA‎ - (714) 435-4024‎
located .3 miles

Metro Pointe features anchor tenants including Best Buy, Nordstrom Rack, and Barnes & Noble, with specialty retailers such as DSW Shoes, The Container Store, David's Bridal and Old Navy. The center includes the Edwards Metro Pointe 12 Movie Theater and dining options such as Karl Strauss Brewery & Restaurant, Boudin Bakery, Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries, Cosi, Finbars Italian Kitchen and Arriba Baja Grill. On weekend evenings, Metro Pointe provides live music entertainment.
949 S Coast Dr, Costa Mesa, CA‎ - (714) 481-5009
located less than 2 miles

The LAB and The CAMP, across the street from each other on South Bristol in Costa Mesa, invite you to experience the newly titled “SoBeCa District”. The SoBeCa District is the only progressive, lifestyle-culture, specialty retail shopping destination of its kind in Orange County reaching out to the community and surrounding neighborhood bringing together subcultures with common shared interests in fashion, arts and the outdoors.
The CAMP offers an innovative shopping community catering to outdoor and action sport enthusiasts through authentic retailers. Also enjoy a variety of culinary delights at Native Foods vegan restaurant, Village Bakery and the center's newest restaurant, Old Vine Cafe. Get certified in a dive pool, buy authentic mountaineering gear, enjoy a cup of coffee with an organic treat, and stroll thru the Co-Op art gallery, all within an ecologically conscious environment. 714.444.4CMP
The LAB, OC’s renowned urban youth “anti-mall”, is a unique retail complex catering to the lifestyle demands of the trend-setting shopper. Urban Outfitters anchors an eclectic array of unique and one of kind shops. Music, art shows and special events keep customers entertained in a relaxed indoor-outdoor environment. Dining spans health fare at Gypsy Den Café to Cuban cuisine at Habana to Zipangu, the late night sushi lounge. 2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA‎ - (714) 966-6660‎
located less than one mile

The District at Tustin Legacy is a one million square-foot lifestyle center boasting your favorite retailers such as: Whole Foods Market, Costco, and Target. The District also has many specialty retail shops and dining options that can be found here.
2437 Park Ave, Tustin, CA‎ - ‎714.259.0290.
located 6 miles

Irvine Spectrum features more than 130 retail stores, restaurants and entertainment venues come together at one of Orange County’s most energized retail experiences.
111 Fortune Dr, Irvine, CA‎ - (949) 727-7039‎
located 9 miles


Fashion Island located in the heart of Newport Beach, Fashion Island is Southern California's coastal luxury shopping experience, with storefronts and sidewalk cafes that open onto bougainvillea-lined paseos and outdoor courtyards filled with sparkling fountains. With panoramic ocean views and towering palm trees, Fashion Island has nearly 200 specialty shops, prestigious department stores, more than 30 restaurants, movie theaters and signature events throughout the year. Featuring Orange County's only Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's Home Store and Dean & DeLuca.
401 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA‎ - (949) 721-2000‎
located 6 miles

You couldn’t describe Huntington Beach as “Surf City USA®” without an abundance of California surf shops and beachside boutiques on Main Street. T-shirts, flip flops, surfboards, wetsuits and upscale California-style apparel — Main Street Huntington Beach has it all.
Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
located 10 miles