Posts Tagged ‘Mini-Moons’

For anyone who has frequented the City by the Bay in the past decade, it’s well known that the streets of San Francisco no longer just run north of Market for the occasional tourist. In fact, SOMA (South of Market) is one of the most bustling and happening neighborhoods in town. Home to exciting new restaurants, shopping area, public space and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), this the place to be and be seen.

It should come as no surprise that many a chic hotel has opened its doors along these formerly industrial avenues. Some are boutique and some quite posh, like the St. Regis San Francisco, a 40-story tower that beautifully blends the modern and metropolitan flavor this section of the city is becoming known for.

Recommended Hotel:  St. Regis San Francisco. The hotel handsomely transformed the historic early 20th Century Williams Building into a skyscraper with contemporary character and sleek sophistication. You could say culture surrounds this hub of hospitality.

Not only does the building host the new Museum of African Diaspora, but phenomenal SFMOMA is only steps away as well. Across the street you’ll find Yerba Buena Gardens, and bustling Market Street is only a short walk north.

If you’re lucky to get a room several stories up, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the bay to one side, or that inevitable fog engulfing the city to the other. Beautifully appointed and wrapped in the comforts you’d expect from a St. Regis property, the spacious rooms aim to please, with a clean cream and white palette and generous square footage.

Check In:  125 3rd Street in San Francisco. 415-284-4000, starwoodhotels.com/stregis

Check Out:  Reméde Spa. Release the tensions of your day or week in the St. Regis signature spa. 9,000-square feet in all, you’ll be surprised as the space the hotel has masterfully designated for this sanctuary. Indulge in the private steam rooms, saunas or whirlpools before your massage or facial then treat yourself to champagne and handmade truffles as you unwind.

Don’t Miss:  Ame. A tough reservation for even locals, the flagship restaurant at the St. Regis is a must for the intrigued epicurean. Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani, the team behind Terre in St. Helene, present seasonal New American cuisine with an emphasis on seafood.

Pair an elegant bottle of wine with offerings like fresh crudo, tartare and carpaccio, or sample some sashimi with a limited-edition sake. No matter the choice, you’ll leave this dining experience completely satisfied.

Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Always a Bridesmaid Columnist, Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of and copyright St. Regis San Francisco.

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It is possible to get tired of too much sunshine. Head north to the moody majesty of redwoods country on the North Coast this summer, where stunning coastline and ancient forests seem a lifetime removed from the hustle and bustle of Sacramento. Eureka’s Old Town is a window to California’s past, where mansions minted by timber barons now house gems like the Carter House Inns—a group of gorgeously-restored, Victorian painted ladies.

Recommended Getaway:  Carter House Inns. B&B meets wine and dine. Luxury lodging at its finest, Carter House Inns unite contemporary good taste with the gracious elegance of a bygone era, achieving a synthesis of styles which is absolutely unique.  Large windows invite glorious streams of sunlight into the mansions, where rich fabrics, original local art and fresh flowers splash vibrant color in every room. There are four Victorian buildings with contemporary style to choose from. If you are looking for a charming hotel experience, this is it.

Check In:  301 L Street in Eureka. 800-404-1390, carterhouse.com

Check Out:  The Spa. What better way to enhance your stay at Carter House Inns than with an indulgent spa treatment in the privacy of your room or suite. A great idea after a day in the redwoods or hiking on the beautiful Redwood Coast beaches, these massage treatments will relax and renew. In-room massage available for $120/hour or add aromatherapy accents, scented candles and essential oils, for an additional $30. A duet massage for two offers a full body massage by candlelight in your room with your mate for $230/hour.

Don’t Miss:  The excellent Restaurant 301 makes good use of the bounty of Humboldt County, and much of the menu is drawn from the inns’ own extensive gardens.

The voluminous Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning wine list is reason enough to linger, but skip over the trophy wines and try some of the zingy, local whites—like Fieldbrook’s excellent sauvignon blanc made from organically grown grapes. It’s clean and green, just like this beautiful part of California.

Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Always a Bridesmaid Columnist, Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Carter House Inns.

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Pulling into Carmel-by-the-Sea is a feast for the senses: the woodsy smell of cypress trees mingles with the salty, fog-laden marine air; enchanting storybook cottages abound at every block; and the chatter of accents from around the globe fills your ears. Only 3.5 hours from Sacramento, yet Carmel feels oceans away.

Recommended Resort:  The Bavarian-inspired and incredibly charming Hofsas House. For 60 years, the Theis family has been serving up superlative hospitality and providing “leisure with dignity” to guests at the 38-room property. From check-in to checkout, the staff, which still includes members of the original Theis clan, does a fabulous job of making each guest feel uniquely special.

While the service and rich history of Hofsas House stand alone as reasons to stay, the property is equally as alluring. Personal touches in the distinctively decorated, airy rooms – Dutch doors, fireplaces, kitchenettes, quality linens and comfy mattresses – as well as on the grounds – a heated pool, dry saunas, sun decks, and a complimentary continental breakfast featuring pastries from a local bakery – make Hofsas House feel like home away from home.

The hotel accommodates more than just couples, kids and large groups, too: four-legged friends are warmly welcomed (for a small fee). Now that’s something to bark about!

Check In:  San Carlos Street between Third and Fourth Avenues in Carmel, CA. 831-624-2745, hofsashouse.com.

Check Out:  Put on your walking shoes and head three blocks into town for a leisurely stroll through art galleries, boutiques or down to the Fido-friendly (and leash-free!) Carmel Beach.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, get your grub on at Mundaka (mundakacarmel.com) named for the seaside city on the Bay of Biscay in Spain. Chef Brandon Miller dishes up delicioso Spanish- and Basque-style tapas while mixologists create crafty cocktails that will knock your socks off.

Floor to ceiling, the décor is made of sustainable/reclaimed materials, and the food from sustainable ingredients; it’s cutting edge cuisine on all accounts. Whet your palate with the Coca (Catalan flatbread, spring lamb, ricotta, mint, asparagus, organic egg) or Datiles (bacon-wrapped dates, goat cheese, almond) and wash it all down with their refrescante White Sangria. Later in the evening (and after a few more glasses of sangria) the eclectic eatery turns into one of Carmel’s only dance parties. Salud!

Don’t Miss:  The Monterey Bay Aquarium (montereybayaquarium.org). Contrary to popular belief, this touristy hot spot is fun for more than just the little ones – something about watching colorful marine life and psychedelic jellyfish in a dark-lit room is rather romantic.

Plus, observing the jaw-dropping exhibit: “Open Sea,” where schools of bluefin tuna and hammerhead sharks zoom past, is a perfect excuse to dive into your partner’s arms.

After your fill of fish, stop in Pacific Grove for dinner at the family-owned Fandango (fandangorestaurant.com). Just like the dance, the restaurant is lively and full of passion.

For 25 years, restaurateur’s Pierre and Marietta Bain have been dishing out award-winning Mediterranean and European-inspired cuisine – hearty pastas, succulent steaks and seafood, along with global favorites like paella and couscous Algerois – guaranteed to melt your taste buds with merriment.

If the entrée offerings, unparalleled service and intimate ambiance aren’t enough to have you calling for an encore, then surely the extensive wine list or Grand Marnier Soufflé will.

Blog post by Real Weddings Magazine’s Managing Editor, Megan Wiskus.

Photos courtesy of Hofsas House, Mundaka, The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fandango Restaurant and Megan Wiskus.

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Color isn’t just a statement at the new Saguaro in Palm Springs…it’s all encompassing. A rainbow in the dry desert, this unique boutique hotel opened earlier this year just in time for Coachella and all the wonderful spring happenings in this southern California hot spot. Now’s your turn to see what all of the buzz is about and experience this eye-catching compound for yourself.

Recommended Resort:  The Saguaro. The last decade has been good to the Palm Springs area. A flux of new festivals, a revitalized modernism scene, upgrades on the main drag and plenty of new flashy hotels have made this classic destination a must-do for the weekend traveler.

The Saguaro is the new kid on the block…attracting a hip, young crowd with a spectrum of colors and a thriving pool scene. If subtlety is your preferred ambience, then look elsewhere. But if you’re game for an explosion of bold hues and an equally electric scene, you’ll get a kick out of Saguaro.

City- or mountain-view guestrooms offer at least 275 square feet of living space and include sitting areas, work stations, hand-crafted, imported Mexican furniture, as well as luxury bath products and linens. The brilliant, desert-inspired color scheme is shared by your indoor and outdoor space and adds to your experience. Feel free to request a color depending on your mood!

Check In:  1800 East Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. 760-323-1711, jdvhotels.com/hotels/riverside/saguaro_palmsprings

Check Out:  The Saguaro Spa. Replenishment and the use of certified organic botanicals form the wellspring of this hotel spa’s philosophy. Offerings include hydrating facials from ilike and a signature line of desert inspired products for massages and body treatments. From Limeade hydration to our Date Shake detox, experience a range of services that will be sure to rejuvenate.

Don’t Miss:  El Jefe. Connected to the property, El Jefe is a cool celebration of the culture and cuisine of Mexico City, with a menu focused on the cuisine of what is known by locals as the “Distrito Federal.” With a premium tequila bar and lounge seating, the eatery is a muted backdrop for Chef Garces’ modern Mexican small plates. Here the colors don’t stimulate your eyes, they set off fireworks on your tastebuds. Enjoy!

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Contributor Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of The Saguaro Palm Springs.

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

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Napa is equally enchanting in early spring as it is in the prime of autumn’s harvest. Instead of ripened grape vines in glorious shades of red, flame and golden yellow, the trees blossom with delicate pink and white buds, back dropped by lush hills at their greenest. One of the loveliest places to witness this season of renewal is Meadowood. This private enclave with an esteemed reputation for service, scenery and serenity proves that Napa is more than just wine… it’s a feast for all the senses.

Recommended Resort:  Meadowood Napa Valley. Located just off the wine trail at downtown St. Helena, Meadowood enjoys a tucked away seclusion in the hills. After entering a private gate, guests are whisked away to a cozy lobby where hot cider and cookies await at your check in.

Thanks to golf carts, it’s easy to get around the expansive property, and the staff is happy to oblige with a lift. Accommodations are scattered around the resort, each private suits with their own entrance and patio. A warm fireplace made for a welcome entrance to the charming room. Bathrooms are spacious with a deep tub, his and her sinks and plenty of Molton Brown amenities.

The spa and two large pools are located at the entrance of the resort. Comfortable and accessible, the spa makes for a wonderful morning escape. Bring a little Napa to your treatment with a Harvest Seed Harvest Wrap, a mix of vitamin rich grape seeds, a Cabernet Passion Fruit scrub and a hydrating mud masque. Delightful, refreshing and reinvigorating.

Spring also brings in a momentous occasion for the resort other than the blossoms and green. The celebrated Restaurant will reopen its doors on March 22 after a renovation. A dining experience by Chef Christopher Kostow that is not to be missed.

Check In:  900 Meadowood Lane in St. Helena. 800-458-8080, meadowood.com

Check Out:  Croquet. Yes, you heard it…croquet! The resort is famous for it, making it one of the few in the US with a tournament lawn. Don’t know how to play? Not to worry. Resident Croquet Pro, Mike McDonnell, will show you the ropes. He inherited the role from his father who once taught Hollywood’s elite at their former home in Los Angeles. Now Mike has the pleasure of sharing his father’s legacy and his passion with guests of Meadowood. The game is fairly simple to learn and is all about strategy. Just be sure to wear your croquet white and grab a cool glass of wine to enjoy between each hit.

Don’t Miss:  Romance at Meadowood. The resort’s natural setting and inherent intimacy makes it the perfect place to rekindle your love. In addition to romantic dining and wonderful wines, Meadowood offers special perks to couples like fresh flowers and chocolate dipped strawberries on a silver platter. A bubble bath with votive candles will await your arrival home with a little advance planning, or create a special itinerary for your loved one via a scripted note packed in a perfectly wrapped box. Want to slip a ring in that box too? Meadowood’s planning pros will schedule anything from an intimate wedding to a renewal of vows tailored to your needs. We say, “I do.”

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Contributor Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Meadowood Napa Valley.

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

Subscribe to the Real Weddings Magazine Blog!