Hotel Wanderlust: Auberge du Soleil

The pool, the cabana and that view are calling my name.  Where do I sign up to stay at Auberge du Soleil?

This boutique property has been around for 27 year, boasts 52 sleeping rooms, a 7,000 square foot spa as well as meeting space.  This is the perfect property for an executive retreat, honeymoon or weekend getaway.   One thing to remember - kiddos under 16 need to stay with a sitter.  This hotel is all about mommy and daddy time.

According to Travel and Leisure, the rooms to book are the standard Maison rooms that have the upper valley view.  They are on the top floor with views of the vistas surrounding the vineyard.

My anniversary is coming up with my mister.  Hmmm. 

All images via Auberge du Soleil

Hotel Wanderlust: Farmhouse Inn

I'm always on the hunt for new hotels, new destinations.  I just made a hotel discovery - love it when that happens.  I was on Mr. and Mrs. Smith site.  Have you heard of them?  They are a luxury boutique booking site.  What's great about this is they use anonymous reviewers that stay at hotels around the world, and you get a true picture of what the hotel or resort is like.

The hotel - Farmhouse Inn - in Forestville, California offers 18 rooms of quaintness and Michelin star dining.  It's just 1 1/2 hours north of San Francisco and surrounded by the cutest wine country towns of Healdsberg and Santa Rosa.  After taking a look at the pictures, this property is definitely on my "must visit" list.

Below is a recent review via Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

As special and character-rich as an aged Sonoma cabernet, Farmhouse Inn is worth a try. The bright barn-inspired rooms – decorated with antiques and salvaged barn treasures – conjure the oaky aromas of California chardonnay. Fancy mixology instead? Play alchemist in your giant Whirlpool tub, which can be customised with salts, soaps, milks and tonics from the lobby’s bath bar. A few even come come from Farmhouse’s own garden, where flowers, vegetables and herbs create a rich bouquet. Chef Steve Litke combs the gardens every night to select the star players on the morrow’s menu, and the spa harvests lavender, grapes and herbs for use in its massages, wraps and facials.

Wine’s best pairing could be a melting square of Valrhona chocolate, wedged inside a melt-it-yourself s’more, available each night by the crackling firepit.  ~Mr. and Mrs. Smith Reviewer

City Crush: West Coast Getaways

I know - I really should have posted this last week since we just had a long weekend.  But these little jewels are perfect for a 2 day getaway too.  You can definitely bring the kiddos to these locales, but after you look at the pictures, you might want to call grandma and grandpa and see if they want the little boops for a visit.

First up is the Saguaro in Scottsdale, AZ.  Located next to Old Town.  As they put it on their website, Old Town is the historic quarter where cowboys meet cutting edge and this hotel definitely packs a punch with cutting edge and it's uber hip modern decòr.  You're gonna want to pop into Distrito, one of the hotels restaurants offering New Mexican Cuisine along with over 100 varieties of tequila and an array of cocktails.  It's not going to take much convincing on anyones part to get me to hang out by the pool or the pink fireplace.

Click to read more ...