lodging

Highlights from The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa

May 5, 2017 by Adrienne Shubin 3 Comments

Recently I had the opportunity to experience the newly renovated guest rooms at The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa, as well as their onsite restaurant, Carneros Bistro, and their luxurious spa. Today, I want to share some highlights from our wonderful stay at this well-known Sonoma hotel.

The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa

The Lodge Sonoma is an elegant and tranquil hotel located several blocks from the Sonoma Plaza, the heart of Sonoma. Walk, rent the hotel’s bicycles, or take their on demand shuttle to the plaza. The Lodge Sonoma is also close to an abundance of wineries, tasting rooms, hiking trails, shopping and much more.

The Lobby

Once we arrived at The Lodge Sonoma, the friendly and helpful staff promptly greeted us. We were given our keys and some information about the property, including where to get our complimentary sangria, served daily to guests. It’s delicious, by the way. Don’t pass it up!

The stunning lobby is modern and inviting. You’ll want to relax by the fireplace, admire the beautiful artwork and design and take it all in! I love the high ceilings and the art hanging above the fireplace.

The Grounds

The grounds at The Lodge Sonoma are filled with flowers, mature trees and grassy lawns. It’s all so well manicured. I love the many rose bushes – all 851 of them! While we were there, the roses were just beginning to blossom. I bet it smells heavenly there at the height of rose season.

While at The Lodge, you feel like you’re in a little village with its meandering paths and two-story buildings dotting the grounds, each with a patio or balcony.

Between the cottage rooms and the main lodge and lobby you will find the Outdoor Resort Pool, which is heated and surrounded by lounge chairs, chic conversation areas and tall heat lamps. Swim and sun by the pool during the day, then enjoy a glass of wine on a comfy couch by an outdoor fireplace or soak in the hot tub.

Our Guest Room

The new renovation revealed a fresh and sophisticated design. A blend of mid-century and Sonoma Valley Wine Country style made for a stylish and elegant guest room.

I love the green lamps on the nightstands with their retro vibe and the color evokes the greenery of the surrounding area in springtime. The furniture is all custom throughout the property, as is the carpet. Wine-inspired art hangs in all guest rooms.

Our room was modern and comfortable. It was easy to see the pieces – from furniture to artwork to the robes hanging in the closet – were thoughtfully chosen for a overall feel of elegance and luxury.

We had a comfortable plush bed, big standing shower, and plenty of space on the marble countertop in the bathroom. Across from the bed, we had a seating area with a loveseat which faced a cozy fireplace and TV. It also had a desk and chair, which was perfect for getting some work done. Doors flanked both sides of the fireplace and led outside to our own patio that had a charming café table.

What a lovely surprise to find a lovely bottle of wine and some tasty nibbles like dried fruit, nuts and chocolate. Such warm hospitality!

Bean & Bottle

Just off the main lobby, Bean & Bottle is the perfect place to get a delicious cup of coffee or an espresso drink and relax. Or perhaps catch up on work – Wi-Fi is free! If an adult beverage is more your speed,enjoy a glass of Sonoma County wine on the patio or in front of their beautiful fireplace. Bean & Bottle also offers a variety of nibbles from cheese plates to homemade potato chips (which are amazing, by the way!).

Carneros Bistro

Located adjacent to The Lodge Sonoma is the award-winning Carneros Bistro. We were treated to a fantastic dinner, with Carneros Bistro’s Chef Andrew Wilson at the helm. Chef Wilson uses ingredients from Wine Country, sourcing the best ranches, dairies and farms to create outstanding, hearty and satisfying dishes with a Wine Country influence.

Carneros Bistro offers farm-to-table cuisine, an extensive wine list with over 400 Sonoma County wines, and outdoor seating, all in an elegant and comfortable environment

To start our meal, we had a refreshing cocktail made with local gin, turmeric and rosemary from their culinary garden. Next, we enjoyed an array of delectable seafood dishes including Oysters on the Half Shell, two ways: raw with a shallot mignonette and barbequed, Ahi Tuna Kinilaw with coconut lime vinaigrette, chile and red onion served with black pepper crackers and Wood Grilled Octopus served with confit potatoes, saffron emulsion, salsa verde and garnished with tiny, colorful edible flowers. Divine!

Next we had our main courses. I chose a spring pasta dish that had fresh lobster and pea tortelloni, black trumpet mushrooms and tiny cherry tomatoes. Bill had Pan Roasted Halibut with crab and asparagus risotto. Both dishes were phenomenal!

For dessert – there’s always room for that! – we shared the dessert special which had bourbon caramel and sliced bananas over a delicate and tender cake. It was served with a luscious scoop of salted caramel gelato.

The Spa at Renaissance Sonoma

The next morning, I had a massage scheduled at The Spa at Renaissance Sonoma. Located in the back portion of the property, this spa is everything you would expect in a high-end spa and more.

When I arrived, I was greeted by the warm and welcoming staff, then shown around the facility. Once in the women’s locker room, I changed into a robe and slippers, then headed upstairs to the relaxation room. I sipped on tea in front of the fireplace and listened to the soothing music playing softly in the background.

At 9:00 am sharp, my appointment time, my masseuse Katherine introduced herself and led me to her spa room where I had a blissful 80-minute massage.

It was raining when I first arrived at the spa but by the time my massage concluded, the sun had come out and it was gorgeous outside! I went out to the private spa garden where there are several cabanas, soaking pools and hot tubs and lots of comfy lounge chairs.

I love how green and lush the landscape is at the spa and it’s so serene. I hope to return this summer for a spa day with girlfriends. Locals get a spa discount so I may just have to book that for my 50^th birthday!

The Spa at Renaissance Sonoma also has steam rooms, a boutique, and they offer a variety of services in addition to massages such as facials, waxing, and body scrub and wrap treatments.

This hotel is pet friendly and also has an onsite fitness center. So bring Fido and your running gear and head to The Lodge Sonoma!

To find our more about The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa and book your stay, visit their website or call (707) 935-6600. The Lodge Sonoma is located at 1325 Broadway at Napa and Leveroni Roads in Sonoma.

Disclosure: My stay at The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa was complimentary in exchange for my review. The opinions expressed here are my own, as always.

Fun Things To Do in Healdsburg

May 13, 2016 by Adrienne Shubin 5 Comments

Recently I wrote about the fantastic stay my husband and I had at Grape Leaf Inn in Healdsburg, a stately Queen Anne Victorian bed and breakfast inn.

We were just a short walk away from great shopping, restaurants, bakeries, wine tasting rooms, ice cream shops, art galleries and more.

During our visit, we had a chance to visit a few new-to-us places as well as revisit some of our old favorites.

Here is a round-up of some of the fun things to do in Healdsburg. You can read about even more of my favorite places to visit in Healdsburg in previous posts here and here.

After a tasty, home-cooked breakfast at the inn headed several miles west, out into the scenic Dry Creek Valley. We were scheduled for a private tasting at Pezzi King Estate, one of eight boutique wineries owned by Diane and Ken Wilson of Wilson Artisan Wines, which includes Grape Leaf Inn in their portfolio as well.

Pezzi King Estate is located high in the hills of Dry Creek Valley and is open to guests by appointment only. This breathtakingly gorgeous winery property offers amazing views. It was like looking at a beautiful painting!

We were welcomed by Arden upon our arrival. She invited to sit on the deck by the pool. We would be wine tasting al fresco, overlooking the winery below. It was a lovely cool day with spring showers on and off througout the day. I wore a poncho with white jeans, usually wearing white to wine taste is a no-no in my book but I made an exception this time and was sure to be extra careful with my Zinfandel!

Arden, who educated us about Pezzi King’s handcrafted wines during our tasting experience, gave us a lovely plate of cheese from local cheese purveyor, Cowgirl Creamery, to pair with our tastes.

Next to our luxurious set up was a beautiful pool complete with a tiled wine bottle in the bottom, no less, and a view looking out over the Dry Creek valley.

There were so many beautiful things to see on the property including these flowers that had just been doused by a short spring shower.

As an amateur photographer, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to use my new camera in between taking sips of world class Zinfandel!

This special tasting was a lovely start to day. It even rained a bit while we were there. I am a pluviophile who has been living in a drought for the last four years, so the rain only added to the experience for me!

As I mentioned, tastings at Pezzi King Estate are by appointment only. But there is a Pezzi King tasting room in Healdsburg that you can visit without an appointment. Visit the Pezzi King website for more information.

After our tasting, we returned to downtown Healdsburg and met up with Bill’s brother, Rob, and his wife, Debbie. It was Rob’s birthday so we met up to celebrate with the two of them at one of Rob’s favorite places, Bear Republic Brewing Company.

You’ve got to have cake to properly celebrate a birthday, right? It just so happened than one of the best bakeries in Sonoma County is in Healdsburg, just across from the plaza. After burgers and beer, we stopped by Moustache Baked Goods to have a look. Okay, more than just a look!

Moustache Baked Goods offers a mouthwatering assortment of sweet treats. We picked out a decadent chocolate cupcake with sea salt on top and a lemon cupcake with honey and lavender. We shared the two between the four of us. So delicious and moist! Just the right amount of sugary goodness to satisfy all of our sweet teeth!

And what goes better with cupcakes than fresh hot coffee? Moustache Baked Goods has you covered on the caffeine as well as the sugar front!

Later, Bill and I said goodbye to Rob and Debbie and returned to our charming and luxurious room at Grape Leaf Inn. Soon we’d be walking back to the central Healdsburg area to – what else? – eat and drink again!!

Last year, Bill and I visited Café Lucia, also located near the plaza in Healdsburg. It was an unforgettable culinary adventure and the first time both of us experienced Portuguese food and wine.

We decided to pay them another visit during our most recent getaway to Healdsburg as I had had heard great things about their Happy Hour. We were not disappointed! We enjoyed a dozen oysters on the half shell (a buck each!), chilled beet soup and their lovely Raza, a Portuguese white wine with a bit of effervescence.

If you find yourself in Sonoma Valley, be sure to visit Café Lucia’s sister restaurants, the well-known and long-standing La Salette and their brand new restaurant, Tasca Tasca, both located in the charming town of Sonoma.

I heard a lot of good things about Chalkboard in Healdsburg and was excited to give this popular restaurant a try for dinner. Nikki, the Bar Manager at Grape Leaf Inn, raved about it and told us the Cocoa Trifoglio pasta with duck confit was a must-have. Intrigued, I ordered it along with incredibly fresh crudo of the day (wish I could remember what kind of fish it was!). Bill ordered the tasty sliders. We shared all of it but I ate most of the pasta. That sweet-savory flavor palate is irresistible to me! I love the idea of sharing interesting – and delicious dishes – and will definitely return to Chalkboard again and again.

One of my favorite spots in Healdsburg offers visitors healthy, relaxing, tasty and unique experiences. The Taste of Tea, which I visited and wrote about last year, has something for everyone.

My friend, Hannah Gart, suggested we visit The Taste of Tea together to create a micro-doc (short films for the Internet), that she has with her boyfriend and business partner, Edward Seeton, a producer, videographer and director.

This dynamic couple created Healdsburg Social, which Hannah and Ed have appropriately described as ““the Social News source where visual story tellers are capturing everything Healdsburg.”

Before we began our day of filming, Hannah and I had to look stylish, of course! So we picked out a few things to wear in the video at Gathered Healdsburg, a women’s clothing and accessory boutique, a short walk from The Taste of Tea. It has boho vibe carrying tunics, long cardigans, peasant blouses, sun dresses, lots of stylish jewelry and handbags, hats and more. It’s a great place to shop for gifts too….and the prices are right!

I chose a beautiful statement necklace and a light gray fringed cardigan. And Hannah wore a tunic with long necklaces and a floppy hat.

Hannah and I had so much fun while we “worked”, eating wonderful Japanese sweets….

sipping hot green tea and chilled Mar-TEA-nis…

and sharing a big bowl of ramen! We also enjoyed a green tea spa treatment in their Relaxation Lounge. The staff at The Taste of Tea is incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and interesting! They love to talk about tea so bring your appetite and your tea questions to this wonderful Healdsburg pick.

You can watch this fun, educational and entertaining video below. And be sure to subscribe to Healdsburg Social’s YouTube channel. Hannah and Ed are adding new videos regularly!

Have you visited Healdsburg?

If so, what are your favorite things to do there?

Make it a rich day!

XO,

Adrienne

Disclosure: Our stay at Grape Leaf Inn and our tasting at Pezzi King Estate were both complimentary. All opinions are my own, as always.

Brewery Gulch Inn in Mendocino

April 17, 2015 by Adrienne Shubin 8 Comments

Welcome to Rich Life Travel Friday!

This time I am taking you to Mendocino on the Northern California coast.

The first getaway my husband and I took when we were dating was to Mendocino back in 1999. Although I’d been living in Northern California for almost 15 years at that time, I had yet to explore that part of the California coast.

It was an unforgettable trip. We relaxed, we hiked, we ate lots of great food and we got off the grid. Back then cell phone connection in the area was nil, so it really was a “get away” in the truest sense.

Although cell service is mostly available these days in Mendocino, that doesn’t change the fact that this quaint village’s vibe is relaxed and peaceful. Charming, historic buildings line the streets of Mendocino and house shops selling unique crafts, jewelry, clothing, and art. And there are lots of lovely places to get a bite to eat, a cup a coffee or glass of local wine.

The coast in Mendocino is quite dramatic and wild. Rocks jut out from steep cliffs in some places along the coast, while other inlets are often calm, making them ideal for recreational activities like kayaking and diving. I love observing the variety of wildlife in the Mendocino area, including whales that can often be seen certain times of the year.

Our latest getaway to Mendocino was prompted by a desire to experience first-hand the famed Brewery Gulch Inn, about a mile south of town.

After a leisurely drive from Sonoma Valley – a three-hour drive if you stop at wineries and apple farms along the way as we did – we turned off Highway 1 at the water tower and continued up the lengthy driveway to the inn.

From the driveway below, you can see Brewery Gulch Inn among the tall trees.

Little did I know at the time, but the room at the top on the right, with both windows open, would be our home for the night.

The exterior of Brewery Gulch Inn from the entrance is stately, yet seems to meld with its natural surroundings making this Craftsman-style property, with a large porte cochere and pitched roof, welcoming and impressive.

brewery-gulch-night — Photo credit: Brewery Gulch Inn

We registered at the front desk with a friendly and helpful staff member who gave us the layout of the property and showed us to our room. We stayed upstairs in Smuggler’s Cove, which is also the name of the section of Pacific Coast that our room overlooked.

We had a lovely, bubbly surprise waiting for us: local sparkling wine on ice! It was time to pop a cork and celebrate arriving at this serene and welcoming inn.

Beautifully embroidered linens, perfectly fluffy pillows, soft sheets and leather club chairs were just a few of our room’s luxuries. We also enjoyed high-end bath products, plush robes and we were given a box of locally-made caramels!

The view from our room was spectacular, even on a foggy day.

Don’t you love it when hotel’s windows actually open? It’s so refreshing!

We knew the gas fireplace and warm blanket would make our room’s ambiance even cozier.

But first we wanted to explore the property.

Through the French doors in the downstairs Great Room guests will find a spacious deck. Couches and chairs await visitors and provide a place to read, take in the view or chat, as we did with fellow guests before dinner later that day.

I love the color choices used throughout the Brewery Gulch Inn; all colors found in nature.

And out into nature we went. This is the vast lawn near the entrance to the inn. Brewery Gulch Inn sits on three-acres of land.

Springtime in Mendocino means colorful flowers and greenery. I know I included this iris photo in my Yellow for Spring post, but I thought it was so beautiful, it was worth another look.

On the north side of the inn, you will find walking trails. We spotted this sign and decided to check out the trails.

After weaving through a series of paths, we ended up near the water tower. We saw birds and a deer or two and then we saw the biggest wild turkey we had ever laid eyes on! It was almost as big as an ostrich, only without the very long legs. Wildlife must eat well around Mendocino!

After our outdoor explorations came to an end, we returned to the inn’s Great Room. Bill, my husband, was absolutely fascinated by the giant steel and glass-faced wood-burning fireplace. And I was taken with the inn’s artwork and Craftsman-style furniture.

I also loved the two-story skylight that brought just the right amount of illumination to the large yet cozy area. See the beams near the fireplace? We learned that most of Brewery Gulch Inn was built from salvaged first growth virgin redwood timber found buried in silt in the river nearby. Mendocino was a big lumber supplier in the mid-1800s. The logs used to build the inn had washed away during a flood and weren’t recovered for over a century. They refer to the wood as “guiltless” virgin redwood. So interesting!

Like most people, when I travel I like to have coffee and tea at the ready. Brewery Gulch Inn has a great spread available to guests around the clock. If there isn’t freshly brewed coffee made, you can make your own by the cup. And they have lots of great quality teas available, along with baked goods, in the morning and afternoon.

Wine hour is in the late afternoon and is followed by what they call a “light” dinner buffet which is complimentary for guests. But there was nothing light about it, in my opinion! We had a full meal and were very satisfied with our dinner of roasted lamb, fingerling potatoes, and greens. Plus we had some lovely regional wine and beer. It was so nice to not have to drive anywhere for dinner.

When we first arrived at the inn, I immediately noticed this giant Scrabble gameboard. I am a HUGE Scrabble fan and rarely go a day without playing at least one game on my phone. It’s my little stress reliever.

My husband, on the other hand, does not care one iota for Scrabble. But he’s a nice guy and indulged me for one game. Just wait until I order one of these for the house. He will be thrilled!

After Scrabble, we returned to our room and fell asleep in our wonderfully comfortable bed in our so-quiet-you-can-hear-a-pin-drop room.

The next morning, after a great night’s sleep, we went downstairs to the Great Room for fresh coffee, bringing our mugs back to our room. We enjoyed the view in between sips, then got ready for breakfast.

Brewery Gulch Inn offers a made-to-order breakfast with several delectable choices. I picked this interesting dish of arugula, bacon, avocado dressed with an herb sauce over bread with country potatoes and fruit. It was so tasty and filling!

Before we checked out of Brewery Gulch Inn, I had get one of their coffee mugs to bring home with me, available for sale in their little gift shop.

I use it all the time for my morning coffee and think of my relaxing and peaceful stay at Brewery Gulch Inn each time I take a sip.

I wholeheartedly recommend Brewery Gulch Inn in Mendocino, especially if you’re looking for a place to get away from it all with your favorite person. It’s so peaceful and surrounded by such natural beauty, you can’t help but unwind and decompress.

Rates range from $275 – 445 per night during their low season (December – April) and $325 – $495 during high season (May – November). Contact Brewery Gulch Inn website for more information and to find out about their special offers.

Stay tuned for my second post about our Mendocino getaway in the next Rich Life Travel Friday!

Have you visited Mendocino?

Make it a rich day!

XO,

Adrienne

Disclosure: Brewery Gulch Inn hosted our stay, but all opinions expressed here are, as always, my own.

10 Romantic Things To Do In Wine Country

February 6, 2015 by Adrienne Shubin 15 Comments

It’s Rich Life Travel Friday!

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, romance is in the air! I thought now would be a good time to share my and my husband’s favorite things to do in Wine Country when we’re looking for a little romance.

As a side note, Bill and I never celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th anymore. Who wants to brave all the crowds and pay the inflated prices? We celebrate our Valentine’s Day early, then enjoy a quiet romantic dinner at home on the 14th.

It wasn’t easy to narrow the list down to 10, there are so many opportunities to create romance wherever you are in Wine Country (see this post and this post for romantic getaway ideas), but we did and we made sure to throw in some low-cost suggestions for a little “Romance on a budget.”

Here is our list of 10 Romantic Things to do in Wine Country:

1) Last year, we celebrated Valentine’s Day in late January by staying two miles from our home at Kenwood Inn and Spa. With off-season prices and low occupancy, we felt as though we were in our own little romantic, Tuscan-style oasis.

2) Just a short distance from the Sonoma Plaza is a charming winery set on an expanse of meadows and hilly, woodsy hiking trails. Bartholomew Park offers great wines, a quaint tasting room, friendly staff, loads of fascinating history and, if you’re up for it, a gorgeous three-mile hike. Bill and I always make sure our hike ends up at the tasting room where we can grab cheeses, salami, some crackers and a bottle of wine, of course, and enjoy a casual picnic. Read more about our hiking adventure at Bartholomew Park here.

3) Few things are more romantic than watching the sun set over the ocean with the one you love. Bill and I like to have a dinner at River’s End in Jenner, making sure to ask for a window table and time our reservation so that we are sure to see the sun set. Or we will simply pull over on Highway 1 and watch from the car while holding hands.

4) Clanking glasses of bubbly with your main squeeze is just plain romantic…and fun! Sip and enjoy a variety of high-quality sparkling wines in a breathtaking setting, modeled after a centuries-old French chateau. Domaine Carneros never disappoints in the romance department! Read more about our past visits to Domaine Carneros here and here.

5) The Sonoma Plaza is quaint, charming and chock-full of romantic, fun and tasty things to do. Pretend you’re with your lover in Paris by enjoying a glass of Bordeaux or a delicious lunch on the outdoor patio at the European-inspired, Centre du Vin at Ledson Hotel.

6) For a low fee, you can spend the day soaking up vitamin D and taking the waters in your choice of three pools at Calistoga Spa Hot Springs. Bill and I brought in our own picnic and enjoyed trying out all the pools for a few hours last summer. You can visit for the day or stay a night or two at their attached hotel.

7) Try something new with your sweetheart and visit Round Pond Estate in Napa Valley for their Olive Oil Tasting Experience. Take a guided tour through a lovely olive tree grove, taste fine olive oils and enjoy a healthy and delicious lunch. Afterward, visit their stunning tasting room across the street and relax on their very stylish patio while sipping some of Napa Valley’s finest wines.

8) Bill and I are fortunate enough to live just a stone’s throw from a gorgeous winery with lovely grounds, a very friendly staff and fantastic wines. Landmark Vineyards is my very favorite place to have a Wine Country picnic. It’s the ideal setting to spend a romantic afternoon. During warm weather months on the weekends, Landmark offers musical entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides through the vineyards and a Bocce court. Best of all, you can bring your well-behaved dog!

9) I wish there was a way I could go on OpenTable and reserve these red Adirondack chairs at Farmstead in Napa Valley. It’s our favorite place to plant ourselves for an hour and just sit and unwind. Bill and I love to get a latte, beer or glass of Long Meadow Ranch Sauvignon Blanc and watch the world go by (then go inside for a table and order the mac and cheese).

10) After living within a few miles of Quarryhill Botanical Garden for the last 15 years, I finally took the time to visit last year. Boy, had I been missing out! It is lush and green and full of flowers and birds and bees. It’s also quiet and most of the time when we visit, we are the only people there. It’s perfect for a hike with your honey. Bill and I like to sit by the big pond and listen to the chorus of frogs and the trickle of waterfalls.

If you celebrate Valentine’s Day, what’s your favorite thing to do with your sweetheart?

Go for a hike? Have a picnic? Stay at a luxury hotel? Go out for a nice dinner?

Make it a rich (and romantic) day!

XO,

Adrienne

lodging

The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa

The Lobby

The Grounds

Our Guest Room

Bean & Bottle

Carneros Bistro

The Spa at Renaissance Sonoma

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