Back in Business
Yesterday some fellow food writers and I went on a Lunch and Learn tour of the newly renovated Hockley Valley Resort. It felt like blogger/writer-bonding day. Hockley Valley Resort is a year-round destination with skiing and snowboarding (also snowshoeing) in the colder months, golf in the warmer ones, a spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools (outdoor is saltwater), dry sauna, hot tub, squash court and fitness room. A variety of dining options are available. A new organic garden sits on land once occupied by tennis courts.
As I go through over 200 photos and many pages of notes, I’ll refer you to Twitter (click on “more tweets” at the bottom of the Twitter stream to the right) and particularly tweets from Paula (@dragonskichen), Suresh (@spotlightcity), Gail (@edibletoronto), Peter (@Kalofagas), and Shawn (@Shawn_Rusich) and offer this brief overview/review.
President and General Manager John Paul Adamo was a wonderful host along with Tracy Broad, Director of Marketing. Executive Chef Rabii and Chef Daniel do amazing things in their kitchen. I noted attention to detail during our dining experience – e.g. wine in proper glasses, serving and clearing from the correct side – and that they treat guests like family, wanting to feed them and make them feel welcome, providing them with a spectacular experience. It’s all class. The Italian way.
I liked what I heard, tasted and saw the entire time I was there.
The suites are amazing. I want to return to stay in the bi-level suite with the spiral staircase, Jacuzzi at the foot of the bed and golf course & garden view.
Here are some photos from the 204 that I took:
I signed the kitchen wall too. My brain was thinking Italian but the message didn’t make it from brain to hands and I ended up writing a French word. What I want to know is what happens when all the wall space is signed?
Thanks to John Paul, Tracy, the chefs, and Alex and Antonella at Pilot PMR. I don’t usually thank the PR folks but they work hard. In this case Alex drove the group of us to the resort from Toronto, and it didn’t feel (to me) like he was a PR chaperon, but rather a food & travel enthusiast like us. I’ve also had a variety of experience with PR firms/reps and this one is tops.
Hockley Valley Resort. For reservations call 1-866-HOCKLEY (462-5539) or book online. It’s a fantastic getaway for a day, weekend or longer.
More on this with more photos to follow in the upcoming days.
Eat well, be well.
Great post Andrea and I echo much of what you felt about our day at Hockley Valley. The food, service and property itself are all class and I hope to go back up on my own.