AVILA LA FONDA HOTEL WINTER NEWSLETTER
Dear Friends,
When we originally designed the La Fonda Hotel, we realized that with just 28 rooms, we had to offer our guests an “extraordinary” experience in order to be successful. Our small lot didn’t allow the swimming pools and restaurants that larger resorts could provide; we had to design the hotel from the guest’s perspective. We had to rethink how hotels did things, it couldn’t be one great thing, it had to be a hundred little things done magnificently.
With that in mind we made a list of everything, every amenity that the Four Seasons™ Hotel chain offers (we believe them to be among the best hotels in the world) we then asked the question: "HOW CAN WE DO THIS BETTER"? Not one thing, but a hundred things better. Every hotel has a tub, we put in a two person Jacuzzi™ tub-Every hotel has clock radio so we put both an iHome© and a custom Bose Wave Music System©-Every hotel has a shower; ours has 3-6 shower heads-Every hotel has a standard 4 cup coffee maker; we opted to provide a 12 cup Cuisinart® coffee maker that grinds our fresh Intelligentsia coffee beans. This attention to detail is why our guests often comment that this is the “Avila La Fonda Hotel difference”Recently we celebrated our 5th Anniversary by revisiting everything we do.
How can we do what we do better? We came up with sixteen new services and upgrades, here’s the list:
- Our Complimentary Wine Reception – Big changes in presentation, more local wines, a wider selection of hors devours which are now different every day and hosted by a manager who will be available to pour wine and help with dinner suggestions. Stella Garcia, our long time manager, is now responsible for the seeing to every aspect of the Wine Reception. Our housekeeping staff prepares a special “Agua Fresca” (fruit infused water) every afternoon for your enjoyment while listening to classical Spanish music.
- The Hospitality Suite – We are evolving this area into an all day culinary experience. (See chocolate chip croissants below) We really wanted this area of the hotel to become our guests ‘second place’ when you need, or want to get out of your room. Much like an airline VIP room where you can simply relax and enjoy yourself. You will begin to notice more new amenities in the next few months, such as the addition of a late night dessert bar, and an afternoon salsa bar!
- Chocolate Croissants –We still do not offer breakfast, but we recently found an incredible Italian baker for Joe Momma’s Coffee Bar and decided to bake his famous chocolate chip croissants every morning to offer to our guests here at the La Fonda. This is not breakfast, its indulgence! Joe Momma’s Coffee bakes six other croissant varieties every morning. The idea is that our guests will be awakened every morning to the wonderful smell of fresh chocolate chip croissants being baked
- Farewell Gift – We heard about a Greek hotel that gave each guest a little gift to say good bye. We thought it was a charming touch and something that no hotel in the States offers. We thought it would be nice to make it a standard La Fonda amenity.
- The Pantry – Our pantry is still one of our guest’s favorite things about the La Fonda. The idea has always been that guests should have a whole closet full of yummy treats and have them offered at cost (Technically it’s less because we don’t add tax) So why not more? We now offer items you may have forgotten at home… such as lint brush’s, static guard, combs, and hairspray. Just like the full size candy bar you can purchase for $.25 or Coke© for $.35 – it’s all at cost!
- Coffee – Since we first opened we have always offered typical ‘restaurant grade coffee’ in the Hospitality Suite, and Starbucks© Coffee Beans in the rooms which was great, but we found Intelligentsia Coffee to be one of the top three roasts in America. We now serve Intelligentsia Coffee at both Joe Mommas Coffee Bar as well as here at the La Fonda – In room and in our Hospitality Suite. Several guests have already walked down to Joe Mommas to buy a pound to take home with them. No to mention Intelligentsia Coffee is offered in Direct Trade, is Organic, and more sustainable for the world.
- Turndown/ Second Maid Service – Somehow our turndown service had evolved into your typical hotel turn down service. We are happy to report that we are back to our original intent, which was to offer a complimentary second maid service. We now load your ice bucket with fresh ice to save you a trip down the hall. We have selected our friendliest maid staff for this important assignment!
- Lather Amenities – Guest bath amenities started as an option if you happened to forget your own shampoo or soap. Unless they wowed our guests they fell into the same category as most hotels. We wanted to offer something that someone would use at home. By accident we discovered Lather, an environmentally oriented company here in California. The line is amazing! All the packaging is biodegradable. Larger sizes are available for purchases at our local Nekkidd Day Spa.
- Welcome Basket – The giant basket of complimentary treats is still naughty and full of sweets, but you’re on vacation. We added some healthier selections such as trail mix, granola bars, fruit snacks and we now offer a little rubber ducky as another small memento of your stay
- Towels – When we first opened the hotel we used top of the line Martex towels. Somewhere down the line we started ordering a different towel brand with the same weight and size but even the new just didn’t feel or look the same. So we switched back to our top of the line Martex towels and our guests are raving about the towels again! Yay!
- Staffing – We added two new managers, Morgan and Matt in order to provide more manager’s to help host our wine receptions, and to help us in offering exceptional 24 hour service. The extra persons were an expensive decision as we already were overstaffed for a typical 28 room hotel. However, we feel that our staff is our single best attribute.
- New Linens – We just purchased 540 thread-count sheets for the entire hotel. We have always offered 400 thread-count sheets but these just felt so much better.
- New Beds – Even though the hotel is just five years old, we feel that there are some rooms that are guest and staff favorites that usually get rented every night. We purchased Serta® Presidential Mattresses© … the best beds that Serta® offers!
- Birthday and Anniversary Packages – It seems our guests visit La Fonda more and more to celebrate special occasions like wedding anniversaries, or birthday celebration’s. We now offer special packages just for these special occasions.
- Couples weekends – Each quarter we will begin hosting a special “couples only” weekend. In December we will be hosting a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony; if you have been here for Christmas in the past you know just how important this holiday is to the La Fonda Staff and Management and we plan to put every effort into making this year’s ceremony one to remember.
- New Logo Items – Wine glasses, Straight Down© apparel such as sweaters, jackets, bathrobes, and chocolate truffles. To take a little memento from your stay at La Fonda home with you. If we have forgotten something please do not hesitate to recommend any new service or amenity you think might enhance your stay with us! We are completely revamping our website and great directness to make them more informative. We are adding one day excursions/locals only attractions. Did you know San Luis Obispo has a Bubble Gum Alley? Have you done the See Canyon scenic drive? Have you strolled down the Arroyo Grande Old Town swing bridge? Visited small artists towns like Harmony or Old Edna….we do!Enjoy your stay. If you see a Santa Claus/ Jerry Garcia look alike say Hi, it’s probably me. I’d love to say hello to you!Sincerely,Michael KiddCo-Owner
Avila La Fonda Hotel 101 San Miguel Street Avila Beach , CA , 93424 Phone: (805) 595.1700 Fax: (805) 627.1862
