Highlights: Bernardus Lodge

•California Vineyard setting located in temperate Carmel Valley

•The Bernardus Winery and Vineyard are located on the hotel’s estate

•Guest rooms designed to be inviting, intimate, and charming

•California cuisine served at its award-winning Marinus Restaurant

•Heated swimming pool, 24-hour fitness center, and 5,300-square-foot spa available for recreation and relaxation

Amenities: Bernardus Lodge

• 57 rooms, 2 story. Check-in 4 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Two restaurants, bar. Fitness room, spa. Outdoor pool, whirlpool. Tennis. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Bernardus Lodge

Sheltered by towering trees on a glorious Carmel Valley estate, the Bernardus Lodge offers a uniquely charming California experience. Inspired by the vineyard and winery located on the property, the Lodge invites its guests to enjoy an escape, yet it’s conveniently located on the Monterey Peninsula about two hours from San Francisco. Bernardus Lodge gives visitors a taste of the Carmel Valley’s wine country with its stunning vistas of rolling hills, but you don’t have to be a wine lover to appreciate this peaceful and beautiful place.

The California vineyard setting lends itself to romantic weekends or special getaways, though there are plenty of activities, both on and off the property, to please singles or friends traveling together. Bernardus Lodge maintains a gentle pace, but its limited business services and family-friendly amenities makes it less ideal for those types of travelers.

Bernardus Lodge has just 57 rooms, all of which are intimate and charming with a relaxed California style. Little luxuries like feather beds and fireplaces turn each room into a cozy haven. The Lodge offers a wonderful spa with a large variety of pampering and soothing treatments. Other amenities include tennis courts, lawns for bocce and croquet, glorious gardens, and a pool. Dining at Bernardus’ Marinus is on par with some of San Francisco’s top restaurants, and draws gourmands from long distances.

Of course, the guiding influence at Bernardus Lodge is the adjacent Bernardus Winery. The vineyard’s 220 acres produce outstanding Cabernet Sauvignons, Merlots, Cabernet Francs, Petit Verdots, and Sauvignon Blancs. This winery respects the land from which its delicious wines are made, and in honor of the balance between nature and industry, the gently rolling hills are also home to 300 giant oak trees, dispersed among the carefully planted vines. Though Ben Pon, a Dutchman, founded the vineyard in the 1970s, the winery takes just as much inspiration from French winemakers. The highly-respected regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy craft special oak barrels and tanks for Bernardus, resulting in spectacular, traditional wines. The winery offers daily tastings and tours for visitors. Bernardus Winery also has a wine club--members receive new releases and special bottles throughout the year.

The area surrounding the hotel is a gold mine for sightseeing, outdoor activities, and sporting opportunities. From charming Carmel-By-The-Sea to the scenic Seventeen-Mile drive, the Monterey Peninsula abounds with beautiful scenery. Golf is available at a sister Carmel property, the Quail Lodge, and the world-famous Pebble Beach is only a short drive away. Nature lovers will want to go on a whale-watching excursion or head to the Monterey Aquarium, while outdoor enthusiasts may indulge in deep-sea fishing, windsurfing, or horseback riding.

(+) Romantic wine country estate with prime Monterey Peninsula location

Guest Services: Bernardus Lodge

Bernardus Lodge is a luxurious hideaway complete with high-end personal comforts. While the hotel does pride itself on capable and thoughtful service, it encourages guests to enjoy their own space at their own pace.

I was pleased with the reservation process, and the operator’s prompt, knowledgeable service set the tone for an extraordinary visit. Upon arrival, however, I was surprised that my check-in wasn’t as swift as I expected. Another guest arrived at the same time and I needed to wait until he was finished with his property tour before receiving service. But once a staff member turned his attention to me, I felt my questions were answered and my needs were met.

Bernardus Lodge’s restful atmosphere extended to my departure, where there is no official bill paying and checkout process. When you make your reservation, the staff takes down your credit card number and charges everything to your account. You must leave the room prior to your checkout time, and your credit card bill becomes your record of your visit. Some guests might find this practice a welcome change from the usual stop at the front desk, but I felt there was no closure to the stay. At times, I was surprised by the lack of staff/guest interaction, but I never felt ignored and the special touches, such as the large welcome basket with wine and cheese, made my stay a memorable experience.

(+) Staff provides low-key, capable service with a special touch
(-) Some guests may prefer more interaction with staff

Guest Rooms: Bernardus Lodge

Bernardus Lodge offers just 57 rooms in nine adobe-style buildings, resulting in an intimate atmosphere at the hotel. Relaxed, understated luxury is the design mantra at this charming getaway, where the guest rooms offer king-size feather beds with Italian linens and goose-down comforters, fireplaces crafted from Carmel Valley limestone, vaulted ceilings, antique armoires, and abundant fresh flowers. The rooms open out to spacious balconies or patios, and feature unforgettable mountain or garden views.

My guest room was quite large, housing a sitting area with a desk and a dining area that could easily seat two. Striped and floral fabrics and oak furnishings create a French country-meets-California-countryside look. The bathroom was especially luxurious, with a spacious shower and separate tub that can easily hold two people.

(+) Guest rooms decorated with laid-back, charming elegance

Facilities & Activities: Bernardus Lodge

Bernardus Lodge is ideal for resting and lounging, but there are plenty of activities to enjoy. Croquet and bocce are enjoyed on the perfectly manicured lawns. Tennis courts, hiking and jogging paths, a heated swimming pool, and a 24-hour fitness center are available for athletic-minded guests, while the spa is a perfect destination for those who want to be pampered. The spa is on the smaller side, but is packed with amenities, including seven treatment rooms, an open-air “warming pool,” and a meditation garden with bubbling fountains. Treatments range from facials and massages to body therapies, and, in keeping with the romantic spirit at this hideaway, the spa also offers a series of couples treatments for those guests who want to unwind together. The Vineyard Romance package reflects its distinctive surroundings; couples enjoy a harvest crush exfoliation, an outdoor lavender grape seed bath, and a wonderfully relaxing warm grape seed oil massage.

Though Bernardus Lodge does not have a golf course, guests can play the Robert Muir Graves-designed course at Quail Lodge, the hotel’s sister property in Carmel. This 6,500-yard, par 71 course is a stunning mountainside course complete with ten lakes and luscious green fairways curving along the Carmel River. In addition, as most golf-lovers already know, the legendary Pebble Beach golf resort is also located on the Monterey Peninsula.

Outside the walls of this lovely wine country estate, the Monterey Peninsula teems with a variety of activities. You can sit back and enjoy the view along the craggy coastline, or you can choose to literally get your feet wet with some of the area’s plentiful sporting activities, such as windsurfing or fishing. Bernardus Winery may be just a few steps away, but the region is home to many other vineyards, and wine tastings and tours are a wonderful way to while away an afternoon.

(+) Hotel’s fitness center and spa, as well as nearby golfing and nature activities, make this a haven for fun and relaxation

Dining & Lounge: Bernardus Lodge

While visiting Bernardus Lodge, I discovered delicious food in two distinct settings--The Marinus Restaurant and Wickets.

Wickets serves meals all day, offering bistro-style dining in a casual setting, with your choice of indoor or outdoor patio seating next to a large stone-face fireplace. I found the service slightly hands-off during breakfast, but it didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the well-prepared meal.

The jewel in the crown of Bernardus Lodge is its award-winning Marinus Restaurant. Guests sit at traditionally dressed tables while a 12-foot European fireplace with a raised hearth provides a cozy setting. The chef creates California-natural cuisine with local organic, seasonal produce, regional seafood, and artisan farm meats that lure discerning palates from San Francisco and all over the region. The chef also has his own 2-acre organic garden that he harvests for recipes. The Lodge also invites visitors to participate in its culinary events, including an annual truffle dinner, wine dinners, and many presentations and classes highlighting different types of food and wine.

The Bernardus Lodge’s cellar holds 1,400 different bottles of wine, which is quite a collection. No visit to the Lodge is complete without a tasting at the winery. There’s a $5 charge for the regular tasting, while the reserve pours are offered at a higher price ($10).

(+) High quality food in two casual yet sophisticated settings
(-) Breakfast service wasn’t as polished or hands-on as other meals

Business Services: Bernardus Lodge

Bernardus Lodge is not often chosen as a destination for business travelers due to its focus on relaxation. The guest rooms, however, feature Internet access, cable television, and dual-line telephones with voice mail.

The hotel features 4,000 square feet of function space that’s ideal for hosting corporate conferences and retreats.

(+) In-room business amenities available for guests who need to work while traveling
(-) Hotel location is not well-suited for the business traveler, but perfectly suitable for corporate retreats or incentive travel.