Looks like I missed the contest, but I want to share my story anyway.

March 31, 2011 will mark 10 years since my husband and I tied the knot at The US Grant Hotel. It was a magical day filled with family and friends. It was filled with abundant joy, but also an overflowing of tears. Just two weeks before our wedding, my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer and ended up dying just two months after our wedding. There were over 300 family and friends at the reception, all of whom were there to wish my husband and me their best, but also many of them were there to say goodbye to my dad. It was at the US Grant Hotel that I danced my first dance with my now husband and also heard my dad give the last toast he was ever to give. It was a beautiful and bittersweet, and probably the most amazing, memorable night of my life. My husband and I will always hold the US Grant near to our hearts. In fact, I am taking him there next weekend, as a surprise, to celebrate his belated 39th birthday. Oddly enough, it's on the same day that my dad would have turned 79.

Dear US Grant Hotel,

I am a friend of Ulysses Grant Dietz, the Grand-Nephew of Fannie and Ulysses S. Grant, Jr. and the Great-Great Grandson of President Ulysses S. Grant, the namesake of your hotel.

According to your website, Great-Aunt Fannie purchased the hotel in 1895, as a gift for her husband, Great-Uncle Ulysses, Jr. The luxury hotel was subsequently renovated and unveiled on October 15, 1910, 100 years ago. The Hotel was dedicated to the memory of Great-Uncle Ulysses, Jr.'s father, President Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States.

 Ulysses Grant Dietz is the Senior Curator, Curator of Decorative Arts for the Newark Museum, which is also celebrating it's Centennial Jubilee. Newark, New Jersey is historically an important jewelry manufacturing center, of the United States.Ulysses Grant Dietz is a renowned Jewelry and Decorative Arts Historian, as well as a Gifted Author and Speaker.

 Bejeweled treasures, on loan, from The Newark Museum are featured throughout the San Diego Natural History Museum exhibition "All That Glitters". Ulysses Grant Dietz has graciously agreed to be our "Celebrity" Museum Curator Docent for our VIP Tour of the collection.

 The tour finale will be a memorable and delicious lunch with Ulysses, as our guest of honor. A few lucky guests, will win an autographed copy of Ulysses Grant Dietz's book, "Dream House:  The White House As an American Home".  I am "Wishing" that we can host our Grand Finale luncheon at your hotel.

 It must be Serendipity, Synchronicity, Divine Providence, Celestial Inspiration, Great-Aunt Fannie and Great-Uncle Ulysses, Jr., and Great-Great Grandfather President Ulysses S. Grant's "Bejeweled Wish" that we host "The All That Glitters" Fashionable Women of Chapman's luncheon, at The US Grant Hotel.

 We look forward to celebrating, with Ulysses Grant Dietz, the heritage and history of the The US Grant Hotel, during its Centennial Jubilee.

Bejeweled Wishes,

Mona Lee Nesseth

I came to San Diego for the Robert Wood Johnson Active Living Research Conference in February. This was a trip paid for by my employers at Healthy and Active Before 5 (http://www.healthyandactivebefore5.org), in Contra Costa. As a recent graduate from college, I felt truly blessed to be able to go on a trip like this on my own. It was also the week of my birthday, so I was happy to take a little work vacation.
This was my first time staying in a luxury hotel and I was really excited! My room was beautiful. I loved the black bathrobe, it felt so chic! The beds were comfortable and I fell asleep an hour after lying down in them each night. And the lighting in the room was cool, especially the energy saving lights in the bathroom: you can specify how much time you need the light (5, 15, 25 or 30) and it just comes off all by itself!
The conference had breakfast, snacks and lunch catered by the hotel. All of it was healthy AND delicious! My favorite was the vegetarian enchiladas made with blue tortillas and stuffed with corn, carrots and cheese (lightly stuffed with cheese- perfect!). I also liked the yogurt, which you can fill with fruit or a nut mix (which had delightful little pieces of chocolate hidden within..thank you!). All the staff were really friendly and efficient, as well. I really appreciated the turn down service at night..especially the little pieces of mint chocolate left on my pillow. I kept a couple of pieces and took them home to my roommate. She is saving them for a special occasion.
However, what I really appreciated most was the evidence of Native Heritage throughout the hotel. There were pieces of Native American Art scattered in the lobby and hallways. All of the artwork was tasteful and beautiful. I was surprised and happy to learn that the hotel is now owned by the Kumeyaay Native American Tribe. My only wish is that you place a little card next to each piece of art which displays who the artist was with contact information..just incase someone wants to buy. Overall, I had a wonderful time in your hotel. I hope to come again for another conference or just by myself when I become rich and famous.
Thank you for allowing me to stay,

Happy Anniversary!

Tonya D. Love

1. Pic of me in the bathroom
2. Pic of my chocolates. :)