Lodging

The Hilton is perched on a hill over Wine Country

Several weekends ago, my husband and I enjoyed a weekend away in wine country. We brought along our wine-loving pooch and checked into the Sonoma Wine Country Hilton.  I could spend almost every weekend in wine country. Not just because I am a wine swigging aficionado, but also because there are so many different kinds of experiences to be had.  You can laze away a peaceful weekend under the redwoods in the Russian River Valley, drive the scenic winding roads and visit the laid back shops around Healdsburg or dine on gourmet fare and taste at power house wineries in Sonoma and Napa.

The Sonoma Wine Country Hilton is in Santa Rosa and delivers yet another varied wine country experience. It is well-placed for being able to access much of the area, in the heart of Sonoma County but just a short drive to both Russian River and nearby Napa Valley. The actual town of Santa Rosa is a bit less atmospheric than some of its smaller charming neighbors. But, they are only a short distance away. The hotel itself is conveniently close to 101 but tucked back behind a hill and set upon 13 acres of manicured grounds.
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New 5-diamond Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas

Each year when AAA releases its list of 5-diamond hotels in North America, it’s a big deal. This is, in most respects, the most coveted designation out there, equivalent to a restaurant getting the maximum number of Michelin stars. The requirements are strict and there’s little margin for error in amenities or staffing, so this is an elite club that stays quite small. As new hotels are added, others drop off: just because a hotel was awarded 5 diamonds last year doesn’t mean it will earn it again the next.

Five hotels from the U.S. dropped off the list this year, including two in Houston alone: the St. Regis and the Four Seasons—the latter after being 5-diamond for 14 years straight. Two dropped off because of renovations and could return later.

Sixteen new properties were added to the list this year. Three new beach resorts in Mexico made the cut, as well as some notable new hotels and major reopenings after extensive renovations. Las Vegas led the pack with the new Encore, the new Palazzo, and the Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas. Two New York hotels made the list after a revamp:  The Plaza Hotel and the now Taj-owned Pierre graduated to the top tier. Santa Fe’s Encantado was the first ever entrant from New Mexico.

California has the most 5-diamond hotels overall, with 20 of the 116 being in that state.

To see the full list, visit the AAA newsroom.

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Willows, California Travel Lodge

“Willows is our place to stop for donuts or we’ll have breakfast at Denny’s, “notes my teenage son. This is the place where my husband and son stay for cheap, budget, no-frills lodging on their way to a weekend of hunting. 

It’s not upscale and it’s not fancy, but at $60 for two queen beds, the Travel Lodge in Willows, California fits the bill.

If you want something a little more new and upscale, consider the Holiday Inn Express in Willows.

My husband and son got a late start on their travels and arrived at the Travel Lodge around midnight. My son remembers that check in was a slow, painful process. Perhaps it was painful because he was tired. His recollection of check in was that it took a very long time.

When I asked about the room, the quality of the beds and the cleanliness of the bathroom, he said that he was so tired, that any mattress would have felt good. He said the bathroom was clean, but dated. So there you have it. A night at the Willow’s Travel Lodge at $60 per night, plus tax.

Photo courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

Travel Lodge (503) 934-4603

249 North Humboldt Ave. Willows, CA 95988

As with most tourist attractions, there are plenty of hotels around the Legoland theme park in San Diego, California. But until now, there hasn’t been an actual hotel at the popular attraction.

Las Vegas' Excalibur Hotel at Legoland

That will all change as Legoland says they are planning on building a Lego-themed resort.

The local Carlsbad City Council gave the approval for the proposed 254-room hotel to be built right next to the park at its October 27 meeting.  According to Legoland, the hotel will reflect the different aspects of the park, and of course, heavily feature Legos in the decor.

Basic rooms will feature bedding, carpets and wallpaper with instructions on how to make different Lego creations. Premium rooms at the hotel will borrow from different popular areas of the park. For instance, there will be a pirate-themed room that continues the fun of the Pirate Shores area of the park.

The hotel itself will reportedly have a serpentine shape around the pool, with a colorful exterior reflective of the way Legos come in many colors. Legoland says their hotel will very much appeal to families with younger children.

There is no time frame attached to the completion of the hotel, yet, but most likely it will be two to three years before the hotel is built, given the current economy.

This sounds like a fun hotel. It’d really be cool if they actually built some of the furniture out of Legos. After all, if a Barbie suite in Vegas can have plastic furniture, why not a Legoland hotel?

What do you think? Would you stay at a Lego-themed hotel?

[Photo courtesy of Legoland]

The Evergreen Lodge's winter wonderland.

If you’re tired of the same old holiday celebrations, Yosemite National Park’s Evergreen Lodge has a way for you to add a fun, new tradition while getting a winter view of one of the first wilderness parks in the United States.

The Evergreen’s winter packages during Christmas and New Year’s weeks include those favorite traditions from the season, like cookie decorating, champagne toasts and holiday feasts. For those looking to add something new, they also include snowshoe walks, s’mores and flamingo decorating.

Two- and three-night Christmas week packages (Dec. 16 to 27) start from $340 per couple or $495 per family (two adults and one or two children, ages 2 to 12) per night. Packages include cabin accommodations, daily breakfast, trail lunches, evening campfires, a hayride, gift baskets, holiday kids’ crafts and a three-course Christmas feast.

Packages during New Year’s week (Dec. 29 to Jan. 3) are also available for two and three nights; per night rates begin at $340 per couple or $480 per family. Included are accommodations, breakfast, New Year’s Eve dinner and party, champagne brunch on New Year’s Day and a gift basket.

The lodge’s 22-acre property is dotted with 90 cabins that are comfortably heated and furnished, and feature spacious decks. Festive music (holiday or otherwise) is provided to all cabins on SIRIUS satellite radio.

If you can’t tear yourself away from the large family gatherings this holiday season, or if you prefer to do your celebrating earlier, the Evergreen is offering a special of 25 percent off its weekly rates. The discount is available Sun. through Thurs., Nov. 3 through Dec. 17–excluding Nov. 25 and 26.

Evergreen Lodge 209-379-2606

33160 Evergreen Rd. Groveland, CA 95321

Photo courtesy of Evergreen Lodge

More Yosemite-related posts:

Caving in Yosemite

Family Fun at Bass Lake, California

The folks at Joie de Vivre are a pretty blissed out crew.

Founder Chip Conley has been spreading his positive message around California since 1987, and has accrued nearly 40 boutique hotels, more than 20 restaurants, and four spas in the state during that time.

And now, Joie de Vivre, (French for “joy of living,” btw),  is spreading the bliss by giving  guests an opportunity to turn a two-night stay in to a three-day getaway at one of Joie de Vivre’s hotel properties.

When you book three nights at joieoflife.com from now through May 31, 2010, you get a freebie on JdV.

The campaign encourages visitors to, “explore living joyfully, happily, and exuberantly,” and the web portal at joieoflife.com is worth a look. This  integrated social media platform features blogs, twitteresque posts, information about contests and prizes, and allows visitors  to sing up to be informed of last minute deals through twitter.

Achieve a state of bliss at a JdV spa.

And, if you’re less cynical than myself, there’s a link to create and send positive and inspirational messages like, “You Rock,” “I Heart You,” and “You Made My Day” to all of your friends and significant others.

On the site, you’ll find:

• Third Night Free Offer — use the code “JOIE” and reserve by May 31, 2010 for stays November 1 through June 15 (based on availability)
• Jump for Joie Photo Contest — Enter the first of three contests by 10 a.m. PST on November 19 to win prizes that include free stays.
• Create Joie — Find out how to sign up to recieve last-minute hotel, restaurant, and spa specials through December, 2009 with JdV’s Mobile Mondays, Twitter Tuesdays, and Facebook Fridays. This section also features the blog, YouTube videos, Twitter tweets, and Facebook postings.

Photo courtesy of Joie de Vivre.

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Best Western Treehouse Motor Inn

The Best Western Treehouse Motor Inn has made a friend for life in my husband. Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, he’s now lived more years in California, yet you can’t take the Oregonian out of a Oregon boy. In fact, my Oregonian husband appears to be grooming our son to be a future Oregonian. The father and son team have bonded over golfing and watching the University of Oregon fighting Ducks play football.

At least three times a year my husband and son head to Eugene, Oregon for some boy time. The Best Western Treehouse Motor Inn appears to be the half way mark for the drive to Eugene or Sunriver Resort outside of Bend, Oregon.

Family-friendly, Pet-friendly

Our family has stayed at the Treehouse Motor Inn on numerous occasions with and without our dog*. The Inn has an indoor pool, is close to golf and offers stunning views of Mt. Shasta. The property is also budget-friendly. As a parent of two teenagers, I appreciate their child policy; children 17 and under stay free with one paying adult.

Best Western Treehouse Guest Room

The Best Western Treehouse has free wireless and wired Internet access throughout the 98 room, smoke-free motel. In the morning, a full hot breakfast buffet is complimentary.

*TIP: The Best Western Treehouse Motor Inn is pet friendly. There is a $15 per pet fee, per night.

TIP: There are two rooms for the physically challenged on this property.

Photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

Best Western Treehouse Motor Inn 1 (530) 926-3101 or 1 (800) 780-7234

111 Morgan Way, Mount Shasta, CA 96067-2557

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Claremont Resort and Spa, Nancy D. Brown

The Claremont Resort and Spa was the place my grandparents liked to go for fancy occasions. Does a 30 year high school reunion count as a fancy occasion?

The last time I visited the Claremont, it was in need of an update. Like a plastic surgeon speaking to an interior designer, “we tell our clients they will have a refreshed look; more timeless with less wrinkles.” 

From the looks of some of my high school classmates, it appears that both the Claremont and some fellow students have benefited from a face-lift. I, on the other hand, still have the same hair style from the 1980’s.

 Enough about me, the Claremont Resort and Spa is the Grand Dame of Berkeley. Perched like a queen in the East Bay foothills, the Claremont has “good bones” and a fabulous location looking out to the San Francisco Bay.

Claremont Spa Elite Rm. #800

One of my girlfriends found her room, #121, a Classic King that goes for $189, listed on Expedia for $159. That rate was cheaper than the price our high school scored for a block of rooms, thus proving that shopping around on-line is the best way to find the lowest rate. My other girlfriend stayed in room # 800, a Spa Elite Room on the spa floor. Her room rented for $210, had two beds, a window (that opened) overlooking the pool and was larger than the Classic King room.

The Spa Elite Room is 15 years old and has a jetted tub in the large bathroom. Remember, this hotel has been around since 1915, so not all of the rooms are large.

The Claremont is so hip that they have their own blog and are on Facebook and Twitter. Like the high school class reunion, it’s good to check in every so often.

All photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

Claremont Resort & Spa  1 (510) 843-3000

41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley, CA 94705

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Milliken Creek Inn & Spa Ode to Chocolate

My ears, or should I say, my taste buds perked up when I heard that Milliken Creek Inn and Spa was offering an “Ode to Chocolate” Package. This luxury boutique Inn, located on the southern part of Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail, oozes romance and privacy. On my particular visit, it also oozed chocolate; milk, dark, white and even a massage with chocolate oil.

Milliken Magic Hour

The 12 room Milliken Creek Inn and Spa has teamed up with local chocolatiers and wine makers to offer guests the finest in chocolate and wine pairing. They even offer a “Milliken Magic Hour” from 6-7 p.m. where a local winemaker comes to chat with guests and pour his or her featured wine, along with cheese, crackers and fruit. On my visit, a stormy wet day in October, Peju was the featured wine.

Ode to Chocolate Package

The “Ode to Chocolate” package is available starting at $720 for a two night stay and includes one 90 minute chocolate massage, the magic hour, several boxes of chocolate and breakfast for two.  

Milliken Creek Inn, Nancy D. Brown

As a guest of Milliken Creek Inn and Spa, I stayed in room #7, a luxury room that over looks Milliken Creek. The rooms are broken down into three price categories; Milliken, deluxe and luxury. The deluxe and luxury rooms guarantee river views and are a bit larger than the standard room. The luxury rooms also feature ultra spa tubs.

Customer Satisfaction

The hotel is keen on customer satisfaction, from the offer of a Milliken umbrella to ward off the torrential down pour to a concierge service to make dinner or wine tasting reservations. I appreciated that the property was set up for wireless internet access throughout, while honeymooners will like the robes provided in room for lounging by the fireplace or on the balcony.

Milliken Creek Inn & Spa

Chocolates include:

Peju Province Winery

Swanson Vineyards

Woodhouse Chocolates

Photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

Milliken Creek Inn and Spa 888 622-5775

1815 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

San Francisco Marriott Marquis

If you need an economic model of suppy and demand, look to the cost of a hotel room. When I walked into San Francisco’s Marriott Marquis on a recent Sunday afternoon, the jukebox was hopping. Locals call it the jukebox due to the unusual shape of the building. Located next to San Francisco’s convention center, just south of Market Street, the Marriott Marquis had a full house this afternoon, thanks to an international pharmaceutical convention taking place across the street.

Supply and Demand

If I’d wanted a room for tonight, a deluxe king would set me back $369. If I’d wait until closer to the holiday season, think Christmas shopping in Union Square, I might be able to snag the same room for $129. It’s all about supply and demand. Of course, savvy travelers know to check the Marriott’s website for the best on-line rates.

Built in 1989, the 1,500 room Marriott is the third hotel in the Marriott chain to earn the Marquis title, behind New York and Atlanta. When I asked the staff what it meant to carry the “Marquis” designation, no one knew how to respond to my question.  Perhaps I should ask Bill Marriott on his Marriott on the Move blog.

Marriott King Room

The 39-story, four star hotel offers the signature “Heavenly Bed” and is located in downtown San Francisco next to the Moscone Center. The property is steps from Yerba Buena Gardens and several blocks from Union Square, home to up-scale shopping heaven. The hotel appeals to business travelers, couples looking for a romantic escape or girl-friend getaways.

On site parking is a hefty $55.86 daily and only valet parking is available. I’d park across the street at the Fifth and Mission garage if it was my dime. The smoke-free Marriott Marquis is wired for WiFi and charges $12.95 daily for high speed internet and local and long distance calls within the country.

Marriott Marquis photo courtesy of Marriott Hotels. Photo of Deluxe King Room by Nancy D. Brown.

San Francisco Marriott Marquis (415) 896-1600

55 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA 94013-3199