San Diego’s Rancho Bernardo Inn Asks If You Want to Splurge or Purge?
Posted August 21, 2009 , add a commentThe Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego is really taking hotel promotions to the extreme with two packages that ask if you want to splurge or purge.
Typical Rancho Bernardo Inn Guest Room
The first package is the Survivor Package that asks how much you are willing to sacrifice to get a low rate.
The resort starts out with the base rate of $219 per night for deluxe accommodations and breakfast for two. Then as it takes away amenities, it lowers the price.
Here’s the discount chart:
• $199 without breakfast
• $179 without honor bar
• $159 without A/C or heat
• $139 without pillows
• $109 without sheets
• $89 without lights
• $59 without linens
• $39 without toiletries
• $19 without bed
That’s right if you are willing to go without everything in your room but basically plumbing, four walls and floorspace, you can stay at this luxe hotel for only $19 a night. Think of it as camping indoors.
This package is available from August 17 through September 17, 2009.
On the other end of the spectrum is the Spoil Me Package, where everything from golf to spa treatments to food is included in the price of $289 per person, per night rate (based on double occupancy).
So basically for $578 a night you get all of this:
• Luxurious guestroom with wine amenity on arrival
• Dinner in El Bizcocho
• a Signature Spa Treatment
• Unlimited championship golf
• All dining in Veranda
• Coffee and snacks at Caf? Granada
• 2 tickets to a San Diego attraction
• Honor bar drinks and snacks
• All resort fees and parking
This package is available from now until September 13, 2009.
Talk about extremes, right? Either package can be booked via phone at 877-517-9340 or at the Rancho Bernardo Inn website. The award-winning resort is located on a golf course in north San Diego, about 30 minutes from the airport.
Which package would you choose? The one that favors price over comfort or the one where everything is included and then some?
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Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort & Spa
17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive
San Diego, CA 92128
877-517-9340
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[Photo courtesy of Rancho Bernardo Inn]
Chicken Ranch Beach, Tomales Bay, West Marin, California
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About as big as the waves get. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkup/2377927760/
Just the name is easy. Chicken Ranch Beach, a small nugget of child-friendly beach located on Tomales Bay. Although finding it is not so: there is no sign. The entrance is covered by brush. Just look for the cars, though, parked along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard just past the town of Inverness. This is where the going gets easy when the easy get going.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artolog/69539770/
The beach at Chicken Ranch is a mix of sand and ground up shells, mostly oyster shells. I recommend wearing some sort of waterproof shoe if you want to go in the water as there are areas with sharper shells. (I tell my daughter that the oyster shells are the fingernails of mermaids. She believes me, and I sort of believe myself.) The water here is warmer than anywhere else in the West Marin, shallow, calm. There are usually throngs of kids and adults swimming here. Chicken Ranch Beach is also a popular spot to put in kayaks, canoes and other small water crafts.
Be forewarned, however, although Chicken Ranch Beach is easy on the eyes, easy to get to, easy for dog-owners, easy to stay with little to no wind and warm water, there are not a lot of amenities here. One porta-potty stands in the sun for those brave souls who really have to go; fires are not permitted and no camping.
50 Foot Happy Talk Sailboat, Sail Away Charters, Lummi Island, WA
Posted , add a commentPosted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip
Happy Talk 50 foot Sailboat
It was a gorgeous day when I walked from the village of Fairhaven and got in the car to motor over to Squalicum Harbor via downtown Bellingham, Washington. I was joining a handful of travel writers aboard the 50-foot Happy Talk yacht for an afternoon sail to Inati Bay and Lummi Island.
It was a gorgeous day, except for the fact that there was no wind to fill the sails on the boat. No matter, Captain Charlie DeWeese of Sail Away Charters kicked in the motor and we were off on a calm, sunny day to ply the waters of Whatcom county and the San Juan Islands.
The all mahogany wood Kettenberg Sailboat has a spacious 50′ floor plan and can sleep eight, but I’d recommend no more than six, with Captain Charlie counting as seven. There are two bathrooms (heads) on board and large picture windows in the main salon to let in sunshine even on chilly days. I spent my time on deck watching the world pass by. A lone seal poked his head out of the water to check us out.
Culinary Delights Await
Captain Charlie’s Crab Salad
While we didn’t spot any Orca whales on this trip, I’m told there are at least three year round pods taking up residence in the waters. Captain Charlie made our journey well worthwhile with his crab salad that he had prepared for our luncheon, along with sea salt rosemary rolls and fresh fruit tarts from Bellingham’s La Vie En Rose Bakery.
The company is able to create custom cruise itineraries for each unique charter, be it a writer’s or artist retreat, culinary cruise, or a family vacation sailing the San Juan Islands. I can’t wait to take my family on the Happy Talk yacht for my next visit to Washington state; what a trip!
Sail Away Charters 1 (360) 305-0835
2576 Island View Lane, Lummi Island, WA 98262
La Jolla Cove, San Diego, California
Posted August 7, 2009 , add a commentWho needs Australia, (Hawaii, Belize, Mexico, fill in the blank beautiful beach) when you can have the relative ease of La Jolla Cove? Sandwiched between striking sandstone cliffs, this small cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California.
View from above. http://www.flickr.com/photos/87938933@N00/3542444107/
And it’s no wonder really. La Jolla Cove is stunning: bright blue water set against white cliffs, palm trees, scuba divers (water visibility is known to exceed 30 feet!), swimmers, sunbathers. Pelicans fly overhead while Harbor Seals smile contentedly, fat spotted bellies spread flat against hot sand.
After the fog burns off. http://www.flickr.com/photos/chizhang/3595775317/
It’s the scenery for which postcards are made, engagement photos, Enya songs. On the cliffs overhead ground squirrels fairly scamper about brazenly, much to the amusement of tourists who feed them bits of Starbucks petite vanilla scones.
Nom nom nom. http://www.flickr.com/photos/55963607@N00/468027979/
The official address for La Jolla Cove is 1100 Coast Boulevard, but you can also find it by looking beneath Scripps Park. The cove is within walking distance to the downtown hamlet of La Jolla, a coastal community chock full of swank restaurants, bars, tony stucco houses and seaside shops.
Due to the popularity of La Jolla Cove, lifeguards are stationed year-round. “Swimming devices” (surfboards, boogie boards, even inflatable mattresses) are not permitted at the cove, and this rule is carefully enforced by the lifeguards, specifically the part defined as the Ecological Reserve. There is no disabled access at La Jolla Cove because of the steep incline down to the beach. Additionally, there are no parking lots, and street parking (metered during the week) fills up quickly on summer weekends. It’s best to come early, park downtown in one of the paid lots, or stroll down to the beach from the palm-lined streets above.
Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers by Chicago River and Michigan Avenue
Posted , add a commentPosted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip
Chicago River View from Sheraton Hotel photo by Nancy D. Brown
Conveniently located off the #3 bus stop line, I arrived early at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. I was one of 1,500 women (and a handful of men) to attend BlogHer, a blogging conference held in July of 2009 at the Sheraton Hotel. If I was a single guy, this would certainly be the place to hang around the lobby for the weekend. But I was not single and I was ready to check in, as I was speaking on the travel panel at the conference.
While my room wasn’t ready (it was 8 a.m. and check in was at 3 p.m.) The front desk staff offered to check my bag and call my cell phone when the room was available. I got a voice message at noon saying that my room was ready. Nice customer service!
My room, #1711, was a standard king with the signature “Sweet Sleeper” bed. The room typically rents for $179 with high speed internet access tacking on an additional $12.95 fee. For cheap skates like me, guests can visit the Link Cafe downstairs for free access to internet and printers.
Sheraton Standard King Room #1711
I was staying at the hotel for three nights and appreciated its convenient location to Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, often referred to as the “Magnificent Mile.” The weather was positively gorgeous and reminded me why I love this lively city with its Millennium Park and stunning architectural wonders. However, being a California girl, I don’t think I could stand the cold winters.
Lost Luggage Tips
I’m going to slip in a plug for my post on “Lost Luggage Tips” on my What a Trip website. Unfortunately, my bag didn’t arrive on my non-stop United Airlines flight from San Francisco. I was reunited with it after a couple of days. Check out the video I made asking fellow travel writers for their Lost Luggage Tips.
Nearby Dining Recommendations
I discovered three great restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. For tapas and sangria, check out Emilio’s at 215 E. Ohio Street. If you’re in the mood for Cajun food, give Heaven on Seven a try, at 600 North Michigan Avenue. My personal favorite, Chicago deep dish pizza at Pizzeria Due.
Photos by Nancy D. Brown
Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers 1 (800) 233-4100
301 East North Water Street, Chicago, IL 60611
