Greer's OC

The Hotel Hanford in Costa Mesa has debuted 79 newly designed, sleek and sophisticated guestrooms with handmade furnishings, flat screen televisions and free wireless internet service.  The independent, boutique-style hotel even has Starbucks coffee available for delivery right to every guest’s door. Hanford Hotels, a Newport Beach-based hotel owner and operator, has been converting the former Holiday Inn Costa Mesa since December 2009.  The hotel has remained opened since the renovation began and plans for the final debut will be announced at the end of the summer.

Minutes away from John Wayne Airport and shopping and dining at South Coast Plaza, Hotel Hanford also offers Smooch the Pooch packages that include dog walking, pet beds, gourmet menus, bottled water and many more treats. After enjoying an afternoon nap on a memory foam pillow and a relaxing shower under a rainwater shower head, guests can also visit the recently opened Savoy Restaurant and Lounge.  Offering new interpretations of European and Oriental cuisine, the restaurant will soon feature a private wine salon and tasting room.

The Hotel Hanford is located at 3131 Bristol Street in Costa Mesa next to South Coast Plaza. 714.557.3000.

Seeing Red!

Each month, it’s a special night of stargazing, astronomy, demonstrations and presentations by Jet Propulsion Lab scientists at different OC Parks. And the second in the free summer series “Mars and Stars” debuts Friday at 7 p.m. at Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea. On display is the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which arrived in orbit around Mars in 2006.

A JPL scientist will also showcase images from the NASA Landers and Rovers on the planet’s surface and a scale model of the orbiter will be displayed. Carbon Canyon Regional Park is located at 4442 Carbon Canyon Road in Brea. RSVP at 714.973.3160.