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
After driving on beautiful mountain roads for several hours to Mendocino from Napa, we reached the Sea Rock Inn tired and bedraggled. Alayna at the reception desk and Susie, the owner, were so welcoming and friendly, making recommendations for local eateries and attractions, our hunger and weariness disappeared. The fog (uncharacteristic for April) we found when we arrived, cleared after a short while to reveal a marvelous white water view, more impressive than the photos we had seen before arriving, of the headlands and ocean which were across a narrow road from the Inn.
by Editor | Apr 1, 2005 | California, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, United States
We rushed from a cross country flight that departed before sunrise to arrive in San Francisco, collect our rental car (no small feat at the San Francisco airport) and check-in just before our 12:30 p.m. San Francisco Helicopter Tours van pick up. We were a bit miffed to find all the rushing, concern about find out hotel in time, checking in and missing out on lunch to discover the driver was 20 minutes late. A final pick up in a San Francisco hotel, saw twelve of us headed across the Golden Gate bridge to ritzy Marin County in a nearly full van.
by Editor | Apr 1, 2005 | California, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, United States
: We will remember the Omni San Francisco for its many desirable qualities, especially its friendly, proactive, helpful, enthusiastic service oriented staff. Feeling welcome and knowing there is always someone available to answer questions, lend a hand with restaurant recommendations reservations, directions, and all those little things than can make the difference between an ok stay a truly enjoyable one.
