Sonesta Irvine Hotel Debuts New Meeting Concept 

Onsite Review By Barbara Beckley Of Sonesta Irvine Hotel 

Sure. Hotels often claim to be “unique.” But in this case – the ultra-cool Sonesta Irvine really is. Because of its prime location in Southern California’s business-centric Orange County, Sonesta International chose this hotel to debut the brand’s first-of-its kind “Sonesta Work Suite”  as part of the hotel’s $20 million “extreme make-over.”   

“It’s the only one in the world,” General Manager Diane Blake told me, on a recent property tour. “A truly unique gathering space – with everything built-in and included – to facilitate the Millennial and Gen Z work/life balance. Event and meeting planners see it and love it,” she said. “But if they ask, ‘can we reconfigure it?’ We reply, ‘no!’ The Work Suite comes ‘as is.’”  

Break with Meeting Tradition: Sonesta Irvine Hotel 

That’s the beauty of this new space. The Work Suite is a total “break with the tradition of four walls and a ceiling.” Purposefully separated from the hotel’s traditional 7,500 square feet of meeting space on the mezzanine level; the Work Space is located off the lobby on the ground floor. Flooded with natural light through window walls opening onto a private terrace. Built-in tech and tools include dual 85-inch high-res flat screens, cameras and audio, mics, wireless connectivity for live streaming to and from anywhere – heck, you can plug in your phone and give presentations from it – wireless printers, white and magnetic boards, flip charts, even a boardroom table. Also, interactive fun like puzzles, brainteasers, stress relief novelties, and visual enhancements to spark conversation and unconventional thinking. 

The Work Suite is also a break from traditional event negotiating. “Everything is included in one price. Planners don’t need to negotiate add-ons,” explained Jennifer Pak, Sonesta Irvine director of sales and marketing. Work Suite packages include the “Sonesta Essentials Package” for a half-day of usage, and the full-day “Sonesta Superior Package.” Book now and first-time Work Suite users receive 20 per cent off, good through 2023.

Separate Space: Sonesta Irvine Hotel 

And a break from having to adjourn to a separate space for coffee and snacks. The new Work Suite features a dedicated pantry station stocked with gourmet healthy snacks and sweet treats, fresh fruit, beverages, items appealing to tastes from salty to sweet, unusual to classic – and of course coffee, teas, water, milks, and soft drinks. Meal packages range from all-day “Bites & Bevs” to a gourmet “Nine-Course Tasting Menu Dinner” with the hotel’s Executive Chef John Ruiz. 

The novel space is configured into five Collaborative Work Zones: a pre-function Social Zone opening onto the private terrace; a Gen Z-preferred Work Zone, with seating arrangements that foster collaboration and heads-down work; a fourth zone with seating to inspire social connection and brainstorming, and a Recharge Zone, with seating dedicated to enjoying the in-suite food and beverage. At 2,211 square feet, it’s ideal for executive sessions, team-building, think-tanks, and social events of up 54 people seated, 70 theatre-style, and 172 people standing. And board gatherings of up to 15 members. 

No surprise that “new groups are fast becoming repeat groups,” according to Pak. “In January, US Banked booked the Sonesta Irvine for a single training session. Two weeks later they booked again for a three-week series of trainings. The trainer said we were the best hotel he’d experienced.” 

A Chic New Find for Business, Sports & Leisure Travelers 

Newly revamped and renamed following its massive redo, this 339-guestroom/suite property is a pleaser for leisure, sports travelers, and business clients. Stylish, friendly, and best of all – medium priced, as I experienced on a recent overnight. 

It’s luxurious and friendly for leisure guests like me (and families in sports competitions – I saw several kids with tennis rackets in their backpacks and golf clubs). Features amenities specifically designed to make solo guests (again, like me), who are often business and meeting clients, feel at home. All a stone’s throw from John Wayne International Airport, and upscale Fashion Island’s fabulous shopping and dining! 

Indoor/Outdoor Sensibilities

Walking through the towering glass front doors – most of the walls are glass – natural light is everywhere. Creating an indoor-outdoor feel from the sky-high multi-level ceilings, sweeping mezzanine staircase and open-concept Haven Point Provisions & Spirits bar and restaurant. Higher-than-high ceilings and more glass also brightened my check-in experience.   

Then up on the 11^th floor – I opened the door to my corner Executive Studio Suite. Oh! My! Gosh! More like a “Corner Condo floating in the sky,” I’d say. At nearly 500 square feet, floor-to-ceiling wrap-around windows with 280-degree views of seemingly all Orange County, framed the spacious living area, defined by a chic sectional sofa, coffee and end tables, fully stocked coffee/liquor cabinet, credenza workstation; and adjacent oversized bedroom area. I opened every drape immediately. Falling asleep in my king bed to the twinkly lights of OC and distant arriving planes. And awakening to sunrise over the far-off Santa Ana Mountains!        

Going downstairs to meet friends for a drink at the hotel’s airy, natural light-filled Haven Point bar – Wow! “Look at the giant-sized wine pour!” we exclaimed. “Most bars use a 5 oz pour,” Dave McDonald, the Restaurant & Bar Manager, explained. “We give you a 6 oz pour. Closer to what you’d pour at home.” The cocktails are a bit larger, “but that’s a secret,” he said with a smile. Look for a Happy Hour roll-out coming soon. Including an innovative “Late-Night Happy Hour” for guests returning from an evening out.       

“At Home” at Work: Sonesta Irvine Hotel

This is all part of the extraordinary lengths the Sonesta Irvine is taking to make guests feel truly “at home.” “We know that many business guests travel on their own, so we’ve taken that into consideration to make them feel at home,” McDonald said. This includes, as he explained, “spacing the restaurant’s tables and chairs well apart. Adding smaller tables, and more tables for two to better please solo guests; a Communal Table for guests who like to chat; and full-plated meals at the bar,” McDonald continued. Not to forget bar nibbles. My friends and I paired our wine with delicious Sausage & Olive Flatbread. The Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower with Charred Jalapeño Pesto, looked awfully good, too. “Next time,” we agreed.  

Our first taste of the exceptional cuisine by Executive Chef and Beverage Director John Ruiz that is making the hotel’s in-house Haven Point Provisions & Spirits restaurant and bar a must-dine for hotel guests and locals alike. Raised in Hawaii and with classical French training, Chef Ruiz is making magic with a tavern-style menu of original Pacific Rim flavors with a global creative twist. Think “Pan Seared Pacific Sea Bass,” with creamy risotto, market veggies and piquillo pepper emulsion; “Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower,” with charred jalapeno pesto, and “Mt. Fuji Fries,” with Kani Crab Mix, sweet soy glaze, citrus Aoli and Furikake seasoning.

Conclusion

With everything new and redesigned, the Sonesta Irvine is an easy recommendation. From its name – “we shortened the name from ‘Sonesta Irvine – Orange County Airport,’ to simply ‘Sonesta Irvine’ to better reflect our location two miles from the airport,” explained Blake, to the redesigned lobby, interiors, guest rooms/suites, indoor pool, meeting space – first-of-its-kind Sonesta Work Suite – new outdoor fireplace and expanded Zen-appointed fitness center, your clients will thank you for a great stay.