by Editor | Apr 1, 2005 | California, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, United States
We prized Villa Montagna’s expansive views over moon valley, Sonoma, the Bay area and the nearby vineyards. We found it an ideal getaway home, especially during warm weather months, for a family. Though the guest bedrooms were modest in size, the property’s abundant and inviting social space provided plenty of areas for family members and friends to spend time together indoors and outdoors. Our cooking enthusiast appreciated the large open sunlit kitchen with professional Viking and Kitchen Aid appliances.
by Editor | Apr 1, 2005 | California, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, United States
What a view! Blessed with fabulous weather, we were curious of what awaited us behind the discrete Inn façade when we arrived at the narrow Inn entrance. Once inside, we marveled upon discovering the magnificent view from our penthouse suite. The Inn’s promotional materials said, “There are hundreds of hotels around San Francisco bay, but only one on it…” It delivered on its subtle promise of a waterside location and surpassed it with attractive accommodations, capable staff and more. From our suite’s desk, living area and porch we had an unobstructed marvelous view of San Francisco and part of Sausalito. If a picture is worth a thousand words, we had many thousands of words of a picture perfect view.
by Editor | Apr 1, 2005 | California, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, United States
We arrived at Navio, named for the Portuguese ships that first sailed to Half Moon Bay in the 1800s, ready for a hearty meal. After a day of traveling and nothing to eat since breakfast we sacrificed a late lunch for a 45-minute massage at the Ritz spa. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcome and anticipated a pleasant dinner. We spent a delightful evening sampling the chef’s specialties, well paired by Michael, a perceptive and patient wine steward, at this beautiful restaurant by the sea. We relaxed watching an artistic sunset from our window facing table which had a memorable view of the hotel ’s golf course and Pacific Ocean .
by Editor | Apr 1, 2005 | California, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, United States
This lovely bed & breakfast in a renovated historic home near downtown Napa offered many of the advantages of a B & B home and those of a larger property with luxury amenities. We enjoyed activity filled days, gourmet bites, early morning pampering (massage and in-room breakfast), excellent recommendations and assistance with sightseeing opportunities and fine dining. We were fortunate to find marvelous sunny and cool weather during our spring stay. At that time, the temperature at 1801 was comfortable without air conditioning and required mild heat (we only turned the fire place on briefly) in the evenings.
by Editor | Apr 1, 2005 | California, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, United States
Billed as “the nation’s longest running musical revue,” Beach Blanket Babylon®, an irreverent musical centered on Snow White looking for her prince (around the world) spoof, was the perfect entertainment for our jetlagged souls. All day travel and a three-hour time disconnect made us tired and sluggish; the Beach Blanket Babylon performance jazzed us up. We walked out smiling and ready for the scrumptious dinner we had planned.
by Editor | Jan 1, 2005 | California, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, United States
What a marvelous way to discover San Francisco ! Our GPS (global positioning system) guided talking GoCar tour in the two passenger yellow “car,” lasted about two hours. Following its prompts we traveled through San Francisco’s greater and lesser known sites in a fun, stimulating and independent way. After a brief familiarization, explanation and experimentation phase that lasted a few minutes, we donned our helmets and were on our way. We stopped at landmarks like the famous Fisherman’s Wharf and viewing spots for picturesque sightings and memorable photo opportunities at our own pace.
