CORONADO ISLAND, CALIFORNIA - As I gazed at the scene from my balcony at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort, I thought "this is the type of setting in which you'd see Cary Grant or maybe even Sean Connery as James Bond" sipping cocktails while gazing out at the gorgeous view and pondering over what he should do about his predicament with Grace Kelly or Ursula Andress or some other such glamorous star.

I'm not Grace or Ursula and I didn't have Cary or Sean sharing my room. Still I couldn't help but pinch myself to make sure it really was me in this incredible bayside setting. My immediate vision enveloped dark blue water, cut by the paths of several boats, their sails gently ruffling in the breeze and clanging on the masts. Seagulls noisily flapped through a sunny robin's egg blue sky, dotted with fluffy clouds. A closer inspection in the other direction revealed the crisp white Mediterranean style building of the hotel surrounded by lush floral and herbal gardens.

Loews Coronado Resort embodies the mythical "California Good Life" better than any location I can think of. It's a first class luxury resort on a private 15 acre peninsula of Southern California's gorgeous Coronado Island (San Diego area). Whether your room faces bay side or pool side, truly spectacular, romantic, picture postcard views abound at Loews. All rooms at the resort have their own private balcony, making it tempting to just sit in your room all day and stare at the legenadary view. But do try to pry yourself away, for Loews has much more to offer.

Lots of Activities

Tennis buffs will find five bayside tennis courts. You can smash balls around the court while still enjoying that fabulous view. Or you can rent bicycles, roller blades, wave runners, sail and paddle boats, and get an even closer look. The hotel also has a private pedestrian underpass to access Silver Strand State Beach where you can overdose on the view by gazing at the waves crashing on the warm white sand.

By this point, you might choose to actually get away from the vista a bit and work out in the full service fitness center, which features state of the art exercise equipment, fitness classes and men's and women's saunas and steamrooms. Or you might want to take a dip one of the series of three outdoor swimming pools or whirlpools. But watch out, you might catch a glimpse of that view again. Should you get hungry or thirsty throughout the day, the hotel is home to a variety of casual eateries. They even have a wonderful take out deli that also serves wonderful gourmet coffees.

Romantic Nights, Gondola Cruises

While days at the resort are casual and breezy, the nights are meant for romance. You can stop by Cays Lounge of the Azzura Point Bar for cocktails, once again, accompanied by that incredible view, but starlit this time.

For those really looking for new heights on the romance scale, don't miss out on the gondola cruises that leave each evening, right from Loews' dock. Operator Doug Bothwell built his gondolas following plans from an actual Venetian builder. Each boat can carry up to six people - this is a great experience even if you have no intention of getting romantic. A gondolier, garbed in the traditional striped shirt and ribboned hat will gently guide your craft through the canals of Coronado, past the breathtaking site of what is arguably some of the most expensive real estate in the world!

But all kidding aside, the gondola cruise is truly a wonderful, relaxing and unique way to spend an evening. Soft Italian music floats on the breeze as you sip champagne and nibble on antipasto while nestled under cozy blankets.

Fabulous Dining

Dinner at the resort's award winning Azzura Point is a must after your gondola cruise. The newly remodeled restaurant is one of the finest places to dine in San Diego County. Surrounded by that unbelievable view, Azzura Point is an elegant space with a Mediterranean/African feel to its decor. The resort has a huge herb garden that merits a stroll through, or a complete guided tour if you're into cooking or gardening. You can taste its influenece in all of the hotel's restaurants.

So the hour is late, dinner is over. You saunter back to your room and think about flipping on the television or drawing yourself a bath, but you don't want to do it just yet. You find yourself compelled to have a seat on the balcony and take another long look at that view.

P.S. I forgot to tell you, if you've brought along your sailboat, you can sail right into Loews 80-slip private marina.

More About Loews

Loews Coronado Resort is located at 4000 Coronado Bay Rd Coronado 92118. Telephone 619- 424-4000.

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