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Casa Munras Celebrates 200 Years of Hospitality nd Monterey Custom
Friday, October 18, 2024
Casa Munras Backyard Resort & Spa not too long ago marked a exceptional milestone, celebrating 200 years of hospitality on Saturday, September 21, 2024. The occasion drew over 250 company, together with locals, guests, and dignitaries, as they got here collectively to honor the wealthy heritage of Casa Munras, a cornerstone of Monterey’s vibrant historical past. The event was crammed with energetic leisure, from classical Spanish guitar and bolero music to charming flamenco performances. Culinary demonstrations and a various unfold of scrumptious meals and drinks added to the celebratory ambiance, all expertly crafted by the crew at Estéban Restaurant.
Casa Munras Backyard Resort & Spa holds a particular place in Monterey’s previous, tracing its origins again to 1824 when Don Estéban Munras, a Spanish diplomat, artist, and businessman, constructed his grand hacienda-style adobe. His legacy of heat and hospitality set the muse for what would change into certainly one of Monterey’s most iconic locations. Through the years, Casa Munras has continued to welcome vacationers and locals alike, sustaining its position as a gathering spot whereas evolving to fulfill the wants of the occasions.
In 1941, the property transitioned into the fingers of P.J. Dougherty, Monterey’s former mayor and postmaster basic, following the sale by Maria Antonia Subject, the final of the Munras household. Dougherty remodeled the historic home and its environment into the Casa Munras Backyard Resort, ushering in a brand new period for the property. His son, Jack, took over after his passing in 1948, additional increasing the lodge with cottages, outlets, and a captivating candlelit lounge. By 1953, Casa Munras had grown to incorporate extra visitor rooms, a sunlit pool space, and services for conferences and occasions, cementing its fame as a premier hospitality vacation spot.
A brand new chapter started in 2012 when Cannery Row Firm acquired the property. Beneath the administration of Inns of Monterey, the lodge underwent vital renovations, ultimately rising because the Casa Munras Backyard Resort & Spa, a contemporary sanctuary rooted in historical past. At present, it stands as Monterey’s largest contiguous parcel of land, preserving the spirit of its storied previous.
The Two hundredth-anniversary celebration embraced the lodge’s wealthy cultural legacy. Visitors have been welcomed with dwell music from famend guitarist Richard DeVinck, whereas the Bolero Brothers crammed the air with vibrant tunes on the outside patio. A historic show on the lodge foyer provided glimpses into Casa Munras’ fascinating previous. Meals distributors showcased an array of delights, from oysters to Spanish-inspired hors d’oeuvres, accompanied by tastings of Bernardus wines, Maker’s Mark bourbon, and Fever Tree Gray Whale gin cocktails. A show-stopping spotlight was the preparation of an unlimited four-foot paella, a culinary masterpiece by Estéban’s gifted chef.
The night was additional elevated by a passionate flamenco efficiency by Jessica Lucido of Azahar Flamenco, whose mesmerizing dance captivated the gang. Tim McGregor, Vice President and Normal Supervisor of Inns of Monterey, together with Ted Balestreri, proprietor of Cannery Row Firm and Inns of Monterey, addressed the viewers with heartfelt speeches. They mirrored on Casa Munras’ unimaginable journey, praising its enduring presence in Monterey. The celebration culminated in a grand second when Mr. Balestreri offered a surprising birthday cake, main the gang in a jubilant rendition of “Happy Birthday” as candles have been blown out, bringing the historic occasion to a pleasant shut.
This celebration not solely honored the wealthy previous of Casa Munras Backyard Resort & Spa but additionally reaffirmed its place in Monterey’s future, the place the custom of hospitality continues to thrive.
