Posts Tagged ‘Mini-Moon’

We love Napa…even in the chilly winter months. Spark some romance cuddled in a comfy robe with a nice glass of red wine overlooking the Napa River. A great place to get started is the River Terrace Inn, located in the heart of downtown Napa.

Recommended Resort:  River Terrace Inn. This tranquil retreat nestled along the River Trail and the Oxbow Park Preserve of the Napa Valley Wine Country is walking distance from downtown Napa’s charming wine tasting salons, restaurants, art galleries, nightlife and attractions such as Oxbow Public Market, Napa Valley Opera House and Napa Valley Wine Train.

Featuring a pristine riverfront setting, the River Terrace Inn is a refreshing blend of upscale elegance and cool California charm. Stretch out in their 106 luxurious guestrooms and suites where warm wood tones are accented by rich, vibrantly colored fabrics and rugs.

Check In:  1600 Soscol Avenue in Napa. 866-NAPA-FUN riverterraceinn.com

Check Out:  Restaurant Cuvée. Located in the center of downtown Napa adjacent to River Terrace Inn, this fun eatery offers a low country feel and living room ambiance complemented by distinctive cuisine with a high country flavor and polished edge.

Cuvée’s community-focused menu is solely dictated by regional availability and ripeness, producing rich comfort food flavors reengineered to a level of “high cuisine.” While offering an extensive local wine list, the bar also features a robust beer list focused on Northern California micro brews as well as fresh garden-inspired drinks.

Chef Mackey’s enhancements to Cuvée include an on-site garden to harvest organic herbs and vegetables for farm-to-table ingredients as well as new weekly themed guest receptions such as “Cupcake Happy Hour” on Tasting Tuesday and “Bubbles and Buckets” on Fried-day.

Don’t Miss:  Napa Valley Wine Country Honeymoon Package. Experience two nights of romantic bliss in a River Front Deluxe Jacuzzi Room with a private balcony overlooking the Napa River.

A lovely bouquet of roses, box of chocolates and chilled champagne await you upon arrival. Enjoy an intimate dinner at one of Napa’s most popular restaurants. Awaken to breakfast in bed or on your private balcony before enjoying an exclusive private wine tasting tour of three boutique wineries in a chauffeured limousine.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Contributor Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of River Terrace Inn.

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I’m falling in love with Palm Springs. So much so I may even buy a second home there someday. Can I put that on my wedding registry? Hmmm.

Until then, one of my favorite places to stay is the Movie Colony Hotel. In the heart of downtown, this small, but nicely appointed boutique is a hop, skip and a jump from all the Palm Springs action, from the trendy design districts on the north end of Palm Canyon Drive, to the shops and commercial area due south.

Recommended Resort:  Movie Colony Hotel. Appropriately named for the neighborhood where it resides, this posh strip of Palm Springs once welcomed many of Hollywood’s glitterati, at the Colony Palms next door to the Riviera just down the street. The building was one of architect Albert Fray’s first projects, originally conceived as apartments, hosting the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Jim Morrison.

In the recent decade, the structure was restored to its original glory and reopened as a boutique hotel, offering 17 themed rooms for guests. All feature king sized beds and free wireless Internet, and some have the added bonus of a patio or terrace area. Happy hour is a happy time at the hotel, where the staff serves wine and snacks for guests before they head out to dinner or wherever their desert evening takes them.

Check In:  Movie Colony Hotel. 726 N. Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. 888-953-5700, moviecolonyhotel.com.

Check Out:  The pool area. With such and intimate assortment of rooms, you can count on a low occupancy at the hotel. This means more room for you and your loved one to mingle. I suggested grabbing a cocktail and lounging by the pool or taking a dip in the heated Jacuzzi on a chilly winter night. The starry skies make each moment magical.

Don’t Miss:  The Neighborhood. The design district just across the way on Palm Canyon Drive offers a mix of vintage finds, contemporary furniture and great restaurants. One of my favorites is Trio, a bustling bistro of great food and excellent service. For brunch, you can’t beat Cheeky’s. I recently enjoyed delicious waffle with sea salted butter accompanied by a flight of bacon…yep, a flight of bacon. Come hungry, leave happy.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Movie Colony Hotel.

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If the Sonoran Desert of Arizona wasn’t already breathtaking, a grand resort makes the area even more tempting. The Phoenician sits on 250 acres in the shadows of the Camelback Mountains. An oasis unlike any other in the region, you get the luxurious accommodations and amenities of the five-star resort, 10 unique restaurants, a 27-hole championship golf course and a world-class spa in one impressive package.

Recommended Resort:  The Phoenician. With its grand scale and abundant amenities, it’s difficult to imagine this resort as “boutique,” but that’s exactly the experience you get. Accommodations vary from spacious guest rooms and glorious suites, to lakefront Casitas and exclusive Canyon Suites. The latter are a boutique experience of their very own, with 60 elegant suites in a private oasis outside the main property. Other highlights around the property include the spa facility, the enchanting cactus garden and the $25 million in artwork scattered around for view.

Check In:  6000 East Camelback Road in Scottsdale. 800-888-8234, thephoenician.com

Check Out:  Afternoon Tea. The hotel lobby hosts this English tradition, voted “the best,” byseveral local publications. The classy occasion includes a full tea, with finger sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream and preserves, pastries and a selection of fine blends. Classical music provides a charming backdrop for a relaxing afternoon break. Make reservations!

Don’t Miss:  Il Terrazzo. Causal, but elegant, the resort’s signature eatery offers the best in Italian and American cuisine. Handcrafted breads and pasta are made everyday for guest’s pleasure and paired perfectly with a large selection of fine wines. Cap off your weekend at their Sunday Brunch, featuring a three-course menu or American breakfast buffet and the music of trumpeter Jesse McGuire. Enjoy everything from espresso to bellinis, inside the dining room or al fresco on their scenic patio.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of The Phoenician.

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 The City of West Hollywood, a chic and vibrant enclave nestled below the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, has long been home to many stylish hotels. On the pulsing Sunset Strip, there’s Ian Schrager’s Mondrian, the hip Standard Hotel, the iconic Chateau Marmont, and the pleasant, tucked away Sunset Marquis.

In recent years, it’s been tougher to find nice accommodations south of the Strip. Until now. The Chamberlain West Hollywood recently made its introduction to the area as a fashionable boutique hotel for visitors who like the hustle and bustle of the town, but don’t necessarily want that scene transitioning into their hotel room. Located in a quiet neighborhood south of Sunset but close to all the shops and restaurants on Santa Monica Blvd. and La Cienega, the Chamberlain lets you enjoy playtime and peace and quiet in one handsome package.

Recommended Hotel: The Chamberlain West Hollywood. I used to visit this property in its previous incarnation: a drab, somewhat indistinguishable sleep hotel when my friend rented rooms for the annual Halloween Carnival on Santa Monica Boulevard. Now the Chamberlain, out went the beige walls and run-of-the-mill amenities and furnishings, and in came the modern design elements, a bistro and glamorous pool scene. It’s what you’d expect in a new, LA boutique hotel: intimacy, presence and a point-of view. The palate of blues, greens and classic black and white mixed with the popular Hollywood Regency style of late, create the perfect chemistry for it’s starry location and youthful crowd. The king suite we stayed in was spacious, with a large living area, two TVs, a balcony and sleek bathroom. There’s also a bistro downstairs, with a flowing bar and tasty offerings for brunch, cocktail hour or even room service.

Check In:1000 Westmount Drive in West Hollywood. 800-201-9652, chamberlainwesthollywood.com.

Check Out:The pool. This is “where it’s at” in Los Angeles. Where the water’s warm, the sun is shining, the drinks are poured regularly, and the people are tan and gorgeous. Perched high on top of the hotel, this sunbathing scene not only offers great view of the hills, but plenty to look at from your cabana as the young and beautiful mingle over mojitos and Hollywood shop top.

Don’t Miss:The West Hollywood scene. One of the best things about the Chamberlain outside the accommodations is the proximity to local happenings in town. A quick walk north and you’re in the heart of the Sunset Strip and all the club and bars that made it famous. If you’re looking for something a little more tame, head south to Santa Monica Boulevard for a little shopping or quick bite at one of the many businesses lining this jumping thoroughfare. And if you’re up for a 15-minute walk, all the great eateries of Restaurant Row on La Cienega. Some favorites include Comme Ça on Melrose, The Spanish Kitchen, STK, Nobu and brand new Fig & Olive.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Chamberlain West Hollywood.

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Celebrating 40 years in 40 days, Peppermill Resort Spa & Casino toasts four decades of Reno hospitality now through early June. Would you believe that Peppermill started as a modest coffee shop all those years ago and has since emerged as the largest, privately-owned gaming company in Nevada? During that time the Reno casino and hotel underwent no less than nine renovations, the most dramatic being the $400 million Tuscan-themed expansion. Come see for yourself and enjoy all the wild adventures waiting just across the state border.

Recommended Resort:Peppermill Resort Spa & Casino. This shimmering staple on the Virginia Street certainly doesn’t shy away from a larger than life reputation. Since the recent expansion, the property now features a 17-story hotel tower, spa and salon, three new restaurants, pool, garden and nightclub. Accommodations alone include 1,630 rooms with 785 suites. Our favorites lie in the Tuscany Tower, a collection of nicely appointed rooms with views of the Sierra Nevada and inspired by the rolling hills of the Italian countryside.

Check In:  2707 South Virginia Street in Reno, Neveda. 866-821-9996, peppermillrendo.com.

Check Out:  The fine dining. Peppermill boast 10 dining options in for guests, but three standout for the whole restaurant experience. Chi mixes traditional and modern Asian cuisine for delicious results. Master chef Benny Tsang serves up everything from noodle dishes to Peking duck, and fresh offerings from the seafood water tank. If steak is what you crave, then head to Bimini Steakhouse and savor the celebrated menu, excellent views and impressive 1000+ wine list. Finally, dine under an enchanted skydome surrounded by statues, columns and water features at Romanza, where exceptional Italian cuisine is served amidst elegance.

Don’t Miss:  Spa Toscana. Immerse yourself in an experience inspired by the baths of Ancient Rome. Mixing an old world aesthetic with modern health and wellness technique, the spa is a feast for all senses. Set in a sprawling three-story, 33,000 square foot space, the Mediterranean style escape features mosaic floors, fountains and a variety of lounges, pool and treatment rooms. Customize you day with services like the Wine Down, a full-body massage using warm grape seed oil, and the Fontana di Gioventu (Fountain of Youth), and invigorating facial using micro- current technology to instantly tone skin for a younger and healthy glow.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Peppermill Resort Spa & Casino. 

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

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