The InterContinental San Diego officially opened with help from an aerialist serving champagne, comments from San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Colleen Keating, chief operation officer for IHG, and unparalleled views of San Diego Bay.
On a perfect Southern California afternoon, the InterContinental San Diego ribbon cutting ceremony was held on the grassy area between the property and the city’s Embarcadero. This space was the former site of Lane Field, the baseball stadium of the Pacific League Padres from 1936 through 1957.
After the Mayor of San Diego and Ms. Keating spoke, as well as remarks from Rafael Castellanos, chairman of the Port of San Diego, John C. Portman IV, president of Portman Holdings and Rob Lankford, president, CEO and owner, Lankford & Associates, the grand opening reception took place on the hotel’s Bay View Terrace and in the adjoining Bay View Ballroom.
Entertainment was provided by Hello! Destination Management and included a sand artist creating a replica of the hotel, a living fountain, violinist and the piece de resistance: a sequined-clad champagne aerialist dangling from a trapeze bar.
Tours of the InterContinental San Diego showed off the 35,000 square feet of indoor and 60,000 square feet of outdoor meeting and event space; Vistal, the hotel’s signature restaurant; the 8,500-square-foot fourth floor garden and pool sundeck; a glass-walled suite (there are 400 guest rooms in total) and the 19th rooftop indoor-outdoor space that will soon be home to a cocktail-focused bar and lounge.
The InterContinental San Diego first welcomed guests August 28, 2018. Additional retail will open on the first floor of the property, along with a Starbucks Coffee.
Joining Vistal, food and beverage options will include the first California branch of Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, slated to debut in October, along with the rooftop project that is set to open in early 2019.
Following are some photos from the InterContinental San Diego's big day:
InterContinental San Diego Exterior
InterContinental San Diego Ribbon Cutting
InterContinental San Diego Fountain
InterContinental San Diego Meeting Room
