The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Western Art & Architecture, April/May 2014

The superlative Lodge at Torrey Pines is on a bluff looking toward the Pacific Ocean and adjacent to the 2,000-acre Torrey Pines State Reserve and the Torrey Pines Golf Course. The 6.5-acre resort embodies the spirit of the Greene brothers whose California Craftsman architectural style was inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement of the latter 19th and early 20th centuries.The AAA Five Diamond property, between La Jolla and Del Mar, also celebrates the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868–1928), the Scottish architect and Art Nouveau artist. And, its rooms and suites have furnishings in the style of Gustav Stickley (1858–1942) and wallpapers recalling the work of William Morris (1834-1896).

View the whole story
(529.2 KB PDF document opens in new tab)

Red Rock Bliss

Arizona Foothills, February 2014

L’Auberge de Sedona celebrates its 32nd anniversary this year beneath the world famous red rocks and amidst Sedona’s much-discussed spiritual, or energy, vortexes. The 11-acre resort on Oak Creek Canyon recently added Vista Cottages, 100 feet or so above the creek floor and the central campus. These offer guests stunning views of landmarks such as Thumb Butte & The Bench, Camel Head and everyone’s favorite, Snoopy Rock, featuring Charles Schultz’ supine canine, legs up and Woodstock propped playfully on his chin. A heated salt-water pool maintained at 84 degrees and adjacent spa have also been added. The 5,000 square-foot Spa at L’Auberge has been redesigned, and the resort’s superb Executive Chef Rochelle Daniel bases her seasonally changing meals on as many locally grown ingredients as she can find. Check it out here, and check in.

View the whole story
(716.6 KB PDF document opens in new tab)

Guardians of the Gate

Arizona Foothills, Fall 2013

Next visit to San Francisco, consider The Inn at the Presidio or Cavallo Point. Each is a former Army fort that protected, respectively, the San Francisco and Marin County sides of the Golden Gate, now the site of the great bridge. Formerly Pershing Hall, opened in 1903, the Inn at the Presidio debuted in April 2012. Magnificently renovated, the Classic Revival-style Inn includes 22 rooms and the recently renovated Greek Revival Funston House, a historic four-bedroom home dating from 1889. Opened in summer 2008, Cavallo Point Lodge is the former Fort Baker, built between 1901 and 1915. Today, its 68 historic rooms and suites, once officers’ quarters, have been beautifully restored, and 74 contemporary accommodations, on the hillside above the parade grounds, offer spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

View the whole story
(773 KB PDF document opens in new tab)

Sip the Pacific Northwest

McCormick Ranch Lifestyle, Summer 2013

Just short of an hour’s drive southwest of Portland, Ore., is the distinguished Willamette Valley, where 300-plus wineries are producing, in particular, outstanding Pinot Noirs. The luxurious Allison Inn and Spa in historic Newberg has provided the area with the its first full-service luxury hotel, and, nearby, you can enjoy excellent restaurants, shops, golf and the Hoover-Minthorn museum, celebrating the life of President Herbert Hoover, who lived in the house when he was a young man. Throughout the Willamette Valley are farmers markets, rolling-countryside backroads and endearing small towns. Children will especially enjoy the activities at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, home of Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose, in wonderful McMinnville, about 40 minutes from Newberg.

View the whole story
(462.1 KB PDF document opens in new tab)

Call of the Vines

Arizona Foothills, June 2013

Just less than an hour’s drive southwest of Portland in historic Newberg, the 85-room/suite Allison Inn is the elegant gateway to Oregon’s distinguished Willamette Valley, known worldwide for its sustainable agriculture, family-owned vineyards and innovative winemakers, such as Sokol Blosser, developing, in particular, world-class Pinot Noirs. On 35 hillside acres of a sustainably master-planned 450, the four-level boutique hotel includes a vanishing-edge swimming pool with floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening to the south gardens; 100-seat locavore restaurant, JORY, whose name recalls the glacial soil that helps make the area conducive to Pinot Noir and the region’s excellent fruits and nuts; and The Allison Spa, whose nearly 15,000 square feet offers 12 treatment rooms including a private suite. Dream deep, drink deep.

View the whole story
(904.2 KB PDF document opens in new tab)