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A Night in Napa Most visit Napa to sample the wine.  Don and I visited for one night last winter. I was more excited about the hotel than the wine. Rain! It was dark and rainy, when we arrived last January. The wind was whipping us to pieces as we unloaded. The flags in my photo don't exactly show that... since I took the pics much later.  Don was ready to be done with the car, after hours of driving on winding, wet roads. Location Napa River Inn, had an ideal location. Perfect, unless you want to be in a charming inn, overlooking vineyards. Which I would love, on another day!  But it was a good time of year to stay right in the heart of the old downtown Riverfront District. The property backed right up to the Napa River! Historic Napa Mill I love a hotel building with a good history. Numerous buildings make up Napa River Inn. The oldest (1884) was used by Captain Albert Hatt, who ran a shipping and merchant business.  The photo above shows 2 parts of the historic building, with 3 sets of green doors. I love the old brick! Made from Napa River clay. Hatt Building 1884 The doors on far left, opened to the lobby. The 140-year-old-Hatt Building, once held offices and mercantile retail, that arrived by riverboat. The second floor held a grand rollerskating rink, used for fun and social affairs until 1930.
The doors on far right, opened to a stairway, which led to the upper level of of a structure built in 1886. This building provided more warehouse space for wine and spirits. Today, the upper floor holds some of the hotel's most luxurious rooms, that I can only dream of affording. Sweetie Pies The first floor space of the 1886 section, holds Sweetie Pies Bakery.  We had a wonderful breakfast there in the morning! Later,I learned something eerie about the space being these old doors... Napa Milling Company Behind the Hatt Buildings, we found the "newer" part of the historic complex. In 1912, the Hatt/Mill was sold to Robert Keig, who removed some buildings and added others. The grain silos came a little later.  The Keig Family operated the mill until it closed in 1973. Today there's a beautiful mosaic fountain at the base of one. I have no idea what's inside! Early Check In Dark skies made it seem later than 2:30 pm, when we arrived. We kept fingers crossed that our room might be available early.  The cafe tables looked damp but still inviting. Iron Shutters I peeked into the lobby, through a pretty narrow window.  Those heavy green shutters looked like they were designed for a fortress! Welcome to Napa River Inn Don and I approached the doors and wondered if Kona and Lucky had arrived. We saw the greeting near the tiny dog house and water dispenser.  Before we reached the welcome mat, a very friendly young bellman named Rhett, opened the doors. Lobby Rhett took our bags, while we checked in. I looked around and admired the Victorian decor, with pink settee and chandelier.  I doubt this useful space held fancy things, 140 years ago. Deluxe remodels always make it hard to determine what was original. Maybe those red columns? Warm and Formal I was drawn to the warm fire first, then to the framed photos and articles displayed on the walls.  Besides old photos and prints of Napa and the mill, there were a few memorabilia items on display. Feed Sacs These burlap sacs were used in the 20th century, by Napa Milling Company. They likely held feed for farm animals.  These sacs reminded me of the flour sacs, that my family still owns. Ours came from my great great-grandfather's Meyer Milling Company, in Springfield, Missouri. Family Businesses Captain Hatt (in gold frame) sailed the seas for many years before settling in with his family in Napa.
The photo of my dad's bearded great-grandfather, looks similar to the Captain with his mustache. Both were prosperous men, in the late 1800s. Both had sons involved in the mill business. Albert Hatt Jr. There was also a photo of Albert Hatt, Jr. on display in the lobby. After reading more history, I was sad as I studied his face in my photo. When was the photo was taken? After his mother died in 1906?  He was a widower and father of 5, when he took over the mill for his father. I read that he tried hard to please his father and support his family. Eventually health issues and business troubles became too much. In 1912, he took his own life at the age of 46. Sad Usually my Notable Night write ups are about the fun and funny things I notice or experience.  I'm guessing most guests at Napa River Inn aren't focused on the history of the Hatt building or the sad stories of the Hatt family. I could have left this out. But I only have more appreciation for the preservation of this complex and the stories as well. Historic Building It was pouring (unlike photo) when Rhett gave us umbrellas and rolled our luggage cart to The Plaza building.  I hated knowing we weren't staying in one of the historic buildings. This building is mostly (if not all) new. It was constructed where one of the original warehouses had been. I convinced myself I we were staying "in" an old warehouse, when I spotted old brick in the lower portion.  We had a bonus with our new-ish hotel building. It was located towards the back, near the river... and there was a very delightful octopus resting nearby on the plaza! Cozy Room 223 The elevator and hall felt a little like Holiday Inn Express. But our long and narrow room was a piece of heaven.  Before taxes our room was around $250. That's a cheap as you can get at Napa River Inn. We were happy to afford a stay at all. Rhett Butler Rhett was chatty and gracious as he put our bags on luggage stands and introduced us to our room. I asked about his name and he was indeed named for the character in Gone with the Wind.  Rhett showed us how to work the heat and TV. (not always obvious!) And we chatted more about names. He laughed about how his parents loved names. He had more than 3 and they didn't always fit on forms. And he had a sister who also had a movie character name. Yes... Scarlet. Balcony Rhett was very excited to open our balcony door and show us the courtyard below. The dark rainy day meant we could see the illuminated arches over the walkway, "It's the most photographed scene in Napa." He explained.
Looking left from our metal balcony, I could see 2 silos! A silo view! The shiny green roof belonged to Celadon, one of hotel's restaurants. Rhett described all the dining options, but said Celadon was his favorite. Rhett From Napa Rhett pointed out the Kuerig coffee maker and offered to get ice for our bucket. I commented on the 3 beautiful vineyard photographs. When we found out Rhett was raised in Napa, Don laughed and said, "You probably know a lot more about wine than us."
Rhett smiled and claimed he didn't, but he would before long, since he was turning 21 soon. I'll bet Rhett makes his parents proud. What a nice guy. We saw him about 5 more times that day, when we were wandering about. Luxury On a rainy afternoon I was tempted to fill the tub with some of their lovely bath products. The Chardonnay lotion was heavenly!  I could have curled up in a robe and read a book while the rain poured down on the metal roof. But, we had 2 sturdy hotel umbrellas and I was too excited to wander. River Bend Performance Plaza This soggy view from a window near the elevator, might be a gloomy disappointment to some.  But ignorance is bliss! I've never seen this patio area alive with wine- drinking diners and music and sunshine, so I hardly knew what I was missing. Rainy Walkway It was fun to walk around with a big umbrella and take in the scenery without crowds of tourists.  In this view of the walkway, you can see our balcony on the left. Dinner? Don and I checked out our dinner options while we wandered. Celadon's dining patio was just inside the massive iron doors.
We studied the menu a little further down. "Global comfort food... Local's favorite..." The Fink! Rhett wasn't 21, but he knew about the newly opened cocktail parlor!  He'd heard good things about it, so we gave it a try.
It seems kind of silly to drink cocktails in Napa. But we did and we enjoyed out Distinct Cocktails! Angele Restaurant We wandered down near the river earlier and made dinner reservations in this sweet yellow building. The concrete building looked mid-century modern at a glance.
The 1-story building was actually constructed by Captain Hatt in 1893, with an accompanying wharf.
Today, Instead of storing agricultural chemicals, the building stores ingredients for their French menu, until guests order wonderful foods like Mussels and Boeuf Bourguignon! Perfect! Wandering Post Dinner It didn't take long to get used to the idea that we needed coats and umbrellas to wander. The kid in me enjoys an umbrella, so it was fun.
We wandered after dinner and the plaza looked festive with the illuminated octopus. The courtyard walkway was glowing with wet reflections! Last View Before turning in, I had to have one last peek at the lit up courtyard.
The sound of rain lulled us to sleep! Morning There were hints of blue when we woke the next day. We showered and headed to Sweetie Pies.  We used both our 10-dollar vouchers, given to hotel guests. It was cozy and warm and sweet smelling inside the bakery.
I ordered the egg sandwich with fruit. Don loved his huge apple & almond pastry, beneath a photo of Brandi Carlile. Hearts for A Hatt Jr. I guess I'm glad I didn't know about Albert Hatt Jr. that morning, when we had our freshly baked breakfast. It was within this space, that the Captain's son was found after he'd hung himself from a beam.  I guess that's rude of me to even share this in a blog. But when I see these photos drenched in Valentine hearts... I like to think they were for him. Alan Shepp's Mosaic Fountain After breakfast, Don and I explored without umbrellas. The mosaics near the silo, were amazing.
It's hard to see in my photo, but there was water, cascading over the edge of this colorful fountain. It's easier to spot the mosaic river, spilling onto the pavement.  The mosaic scenes of the Napa area, were entertaining! Vineyards and river scenes. A beaver, train and a farmer... Good-bye River Don and I took a stroll down by the river. After a few days of rain the water was high and fast.
We headed back to our Plaza room and packed up. Off by 10:30 The sun was peeking out by the time our car crossed the bridge.  I could look back and see the hotel and silos. As we headed out of town, I grinned to see one more glimpse. The old mill was standing tall, over the nose of a Nappa Valley Wine Train.  It suddenly amused me that we spent the night in Napa, without a spotlight on wine. Sinful! We'll return. What's Notable? I've talked endlessly about the history of the buildings that make up Napa River Inn. I love that. Most guests don't come for that. I will always remember what I learned about the Hatt Family.  I'll always fondly remember our cozy stay, on a rainy January night. For some reason, the umbrellas and wet jackets added a fun sense of adventure. I'm all for exciting mega hotels (think cruise ship or Vegas) where all the shops and restaurants can be reached without stepping outside. But this collection of buildings and walkways felt like a hotel village. I enjoyed our little brick village, by the river!
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Little House on the Coast It was a damp January day, when Don and I pulled up to this ivy-covered house in Mendocino County.  The day looked gloomy, but I couldn't have been more delighted to lay eyes on the curious house that I'd read about! On CA-1 We almost missed the turn, while winding south on the 2-lane highway.  The trees obscured our view of the property, perched high above the coast. I hollered, "Here!!" just in time. Don turned right and we could see the sweet yellow house right away. Dennen's Heritage House This New England style farmhouse was 72 years old, when Lauren (Don) and Hazel Dennen bought the property, in 1949.  Initially they opened it as more of a country inn, with a few guest rooms upstairs. Don worked on the property and Hazel cooked for guests. Eventually it was a sprawling resort on 37-acres. By 1960s The Dennens had lots of room to expand on their property. By 1963, the little resort was described as a quiet country inn. The restaurant was popular enough to be featured in the Ford Treasury Cookbook. This is the illustration that accompanied a recipe for pancakes.  The words below the image mention a history with smugglers! I believe this may have been during prohibition, before the Dennens owned the property. Since 1877 As we moved towards the house, I noticed the reminder above the red door. "Built in 1877 AD" (love the AD)  The carpenter who actually built this farmhouse for the first owner, was John Dennen. J Dennen was Don's grandfather. So there's good reason for the pride behind that date. Hazel's Bell To the left of the door, I noticed a bell, standing on a twisty arrangement of bricks.  Words on the plaque read, "Founder Hazel Dennen rang this bell to signify the start of the dinner hour at 5:00 every day" "Lobby" We stepped inside the yellow house and found the registration desk and some freshly baked cookies.  There were a few chairs and pieces of art. I asked Nancy at the desk, if the fireplace was original. She said that wall of the lobby, was actually an addition. Heritage House is all about additions!  I took a look at some of the framed photos and art, displayed on the mantel. It became clear, the Dennens of my cookbook, no longer have the spotlight. The Dennen family ownership ended in 1998. Alan Alda & Ellen Burstyn It's been 46 years, since these familiar faces filmed scenes on this property. There's still a spotlight on these 2 stars who spent a good deal of time here, filming in 1978.  I remember seeing the movie "Same Time, Next Year" when I was a college student, in '78. Alan and Ellen played characters, who had an affair spanning 25 years. Funny that I don't remember audiences really frowning at the morality of this. Maybe they did?  The movie story begins in 1952, when the characters meet at the cozy resort on the Pacific. After hitting it off, they meet once a year, staying in one of the inn's cottages, overlooking the ocean. The front Dennen's farmhouse is only shown briefly in the movie. An interior restaurant scene, exterior cottage scenes and stunning Pacific views, were all captured at Heritage House. The Sprawling Grounds This watercolor image was also displayed above the mantel.  It gives an idea of how much the Dennen's resort expanded over the years.  Both my photo and the painting, show the sprawling additions on the hill, Numerous cottages overlooking the water are out of view. Behind the House All the yellow structures were gradually added, behind the house.  The same barn that is shown in the cookbook illustration, is the tallest building in this photo. Endless Space The entrance to that collection of additions, (within yellow buildings) was to the left of the reception desk. Don and I explored the curious area... sort of a maze of common areas.  When did the Dennens begin expanding so dramatically? All the windows in the distance made me feel like I was looking towards dressing room mirrors. Infinity mirrors! Skylight My eyes were drawn to the painted dome in the center of the room. New owners (after the Dennens) decided to close up the skylight. The circular dome played tricks on my eyes. It is not tilting or oval shaped, like my photo.  I wanted to see the place filled with guests, in the 1970s maybe. How did this room look on a sunny day? Pacific View Don and I wandered past the couch and piano and looked into a couple dining/sitting areas. So many windows! I tried to imagine the spectacular view at sunset, without clouds.  The wind was howling outside and whistling through some of the windows.  We stepped to a different level and took in another view. There were stools and chessboard tables. Were there games somewhere? I craved a fireplace and a book.  I felt a blast of damp air, when I opened the door to the deck. Again, I tried to imagine it not being January. 5200 Lounge and Restaurant At the end of the maze, we found the lounge and restaurant, named for the inn's address on Hwy 1. I peeked through the glass window, looking into the locked lounge.  I imagined the bar hopping with guests 50+ years ago. I'd read that Don Dennen often tended bar. Sometimes he allowed guests to make their own drinks, when he needed to wait on tables. The Dining Room Nancy left the front desk for a bit and let us go in and have a peek at the closed dining room. It was frustrating being there on a night when it was closed.  But what fun to see the fireplace that's shown in one of the movie scenes.  The fireplace looks a lot larger in the movie pic, but it's the same one. Odd how angles and perspective can change things! Chatting with Nancy Nancy couldn't have been a better host. She was so appreciative of the Heritage House history. Nancy started working at the resort 3 years ago, but her memories go back to her childhood. Her dad worked on landscaping at the resort and she often came along with him to the property.
I showed Nancy the old cookbook and the illustration. She's not old enough to be as amused as me by a quirky 61 year old cookbook. But she was intrigued with the vintage image and recipes. I didn't exactly explain that we actually chose this hotel, because we found it in the cookbook! More Wandering Nancy pointed us toward a couple halls and told us to be sure to check out the displays of art and antiques.  I was lost in the maze of additions. I kind of think the art hall, was within part of the old barn. Could be wrong! The Collections The Dennens were big collectors. Initially they furnished the rooms with antiques they collected.  Don and Hazel passed away in the '80's and their daughter eventually sold in 1998. New owners took over and made high dollar changes, creating a more ritzy resort, with less cozy charm. The Dennen's name was obviously removed and so were the treasures. Luckily some have returned to display cases in recent years. Finding Our Room Our off-season stay didn't offer perfect weather, but we did get an upgraded room.  We took a walkway near Hazel's bell. I chuckled as we passed by this brick walkway that went beneath an addition or two. I don't know why this assemblage of buildings just intrigued me so!  Such a crazy mix of styles and shapes! Some connected and some not. My arrow actually points more to our neighbor's glass door. But it gives an idea of where we were. Room 8 I would have loved a room in the original house. The older the funner, for me!
But when we stepped inside our (maybe 1970's) vintage cottage, I was happy to stay put! Perfect Retreat Our room for $235. was a bargain, even in winter.  Suddenly I didn't care about the gloomy weather. We had a gas fireplace that made the room cozy right away!  And we had glass doors, looking out towards the ocean.  We had a cloud-like king bed, even though we'd booked the cheapest room... with a queen.  And we actually had a phone and TV. The Dennens provided luxurious rooms, but they kept phones and TVs out. A huge number of their guests returned often and liked it that way. "Kitchen" Since we knew the restaurant would be closed, we brought our own food for dinner.  It was nice having the fridge and microwave and Nespresso machine. Also nice to close the cabinet doors and not look at it! Better Than Photo All these photos fail to capture the comfortable, classy feel of our room. The bathroom especially, was much nicer than the photo.  You can't see the generous size, or the impressive rainfall shower. You can't see the skylight, or feel the heated slate floors. See the Sea In this photo, you can see (barely) that we did indeed have an ocean view.  We could have gotten a Premier Ocean View Room for $700. but this was just fine!
Rain was predicted, so I made use of one of the Adirondack chairs, for a little bit. Wandering the Property Don and I were able to get out and wander the grounds before the storms.  There was no swimming pool on the grounds, but there were winding paths along the edge of the cliff... with crashing waves below! Much better! It was January, but we still saw some flowers.
I can only imagine what the grounds look like in the spring and summer. Same Time Next Year Cottage Nancy gave us a map, which helped. We were able to spot the cottage from the movie.  It looked a little different. The wood shingle siding is painted now. No shutters.  There also were no cars parked nearby! So we snooped around a bit.  The cottage is actually divided now. You can rent the "Same Time" room or the "Next Year" room. Both have a nice view. Slideshow On our walk, we discovered a gazebo and a gravestone, with both Dennen's names. "May the sea be your shelter" Nancy told us later that it was only a memorial. I believe their ashes were scattered in the Pacific. Settling In We returned to our room before the rains began.  Don made drinks and we watched the skies until it was too dark. We ate some amazing and sloppy sandwiches and chili, from a cute shop in Ft. Bragg.
Then I put on a plush robe and popped open my dessert! An ice cold bottle of Saranac 1888 Shirley Temple Pop! Well it wasn't so tasty. But it was fun and I didn't spill on my robe! Rain and Rain The rains howled all night. The sound was extra dramatic on the bathroom skylight. The sweet hum of the ceiling fan helped me sleep well.  I couldn't sleep past 6. It was so cozy with the rain, I made Nespresso and curled up on one of those white marshmallow chairs! Breakfast Buffet At 8, we took umbrellas and wandered up to the yellow house for complimentary breakfast. I took the old cookbook, in case anyone cared.  No other guests joined us for breakfast. Only a handful of the nearly 50 rooms/cottages had guests. They must have been sleeping in. Heritage House Hotcakes! As soon as we arrived, Louis appeared from the kitchen and greeted. As if awaiting our arrival, the heated dishes filled with eggs, potatoes and yes... pancakes!
We shared the book with Louis and later met the chef and gave him big compliments. I didn't complain that our hotcakes were not served with sour cream! That's an odd addition in the recipe! What a treat to have a delicious, freshly cooked breakfast, while watching rain gush through dozens of windows!
After finishing my coffee, I asked Nancy back in the lobby, if she'd slept at the desk! She laughed and promised no. Then she warned us about the weather. "When the rain and wind hits like this, I expect to hear a lot of sirens on the highway." We thanked her and adjusted our route before heading off! What's Notable? We stayed at a resort that began 75 years ago, with a cute house and hospitable hosts. Even though other owners have changed the look and vibe over the years, the Dennen family would probably like to know, I still felt the cozy charm. The family did own it for almost 50 of those years, after all!  The original house and its gorgeous setting, gave me the nostalgic country inn feel, that I wanted. The luxurious modern room offered even more comfort than expected. The kind staff, from Nancy to the maintenance guy, (who cut that big limb!) to the folks at breakfast, all made us feel incredibly welcome.
I hope we can return for a stay when the gardens are in full bloom! We'll need to save up for summer rates, though! Historic Tallman Hotel From 1895 I love old hotels! I've probably stayed at 20 or even 30, that were built before 1900.  Out of all the nineteenth century hotels Don and I have enjoyed, I think the Tallman Hotel may be the most beautifully renovated. One Night in Upper Lake Last January, we drove 2 hours from Sacramento, to reach this western style hotel. I was pleased to see it looked as lovely as I'd remembered.  We discovered this charming boutique hotel, during a road trip in July 2021. Upper Lake in July 2021 2+ years ago, Don was driving in Northern California and I was searching on my phone for a lunch spot. Suddenly I was intrigued to learn about a little town, that had once been a popular stage stop in the 1880s. We took a detour to Upper Lake.  It was July 2021. The trees were green and skies were blue, but pandemic worries were still in the air. We stopped for lunch at the Tallman Hotel's restaurant and were greeted by friendly mask-wearing staff. We fell in love with the place over lunch and vowed to return. Back Again in 2024 When we returned for an overnight at Tallman, the trees were bare, but the skies were blue again!  The line up of red, blue and white was even prettier than I recalled. The historic red livery barn, the Blue Wing Saloon and the white hotel! Rescued Hotel We found easy parking in front, right beside the boardwalk. (Gotta love small town parking!) The 2-story structure looked so inviting with wrap-around porch below and veranda above!  Lucky for all of us, Bernie and Lynne Butcher rescued this place in 2003. It had been vacant for 40 years. Along with a team of creative folk, the Butchers spent a few years gutting, designing, rebuilding, and constructing additional buildings. They reopened the luxurious hotel in 2006. Comfy Waiting We arrived early, before our room was ready.  No problem, there were comfy wicker chairs overlooking the garden courtyard. Courtyard My porch chair had a nice view of the courtyard and the Blue Wing Saloon, where we enjoyed lunch in 2021.  The yellow chairs were empty and the shades were down to keep the heated porch warm.  It had a very different look in the summer of 2021, with green trees shading the tables. The Tallman Family As we relaxed, I looked up some history about the family behind the historic hotel. Rufus and Mary Ellen Tallman opened the original hotel in 1874.  The Tallman's had over a dozen kids, within 3 decades. Poor Mama, pregnant with her 13th at age 47, in 1893! The New Hotel In 1895 the popular hotel and livery stable burnt to the ground. The kids were already used to pitching in with hotel chores. I'm sure they (including the 2 year old) were put to the test, when a new hotel was built. This time, Rufus constructed a smaller but sturdier hotel, using durable redwood.  This is how it looked in later years, after Rufus and Mary Ellen passed away. Their daughter Winnie (on right in family photo) took over ownership. Winnie and her husband (Hank Riffe) changed the name to Riffe's Hotel. I'm not sure I approve... Winnie's Hotel? In 2024, there were no Model Ts in front of the hotel and no horses in front of the saloon. But much looked as it did during the first decades of the 20th century, when Winnie did most of the cleaning and cooking for all the guests.  Hank spent most of his time running a nearby pool hall. Poor Winnie never had children of her own to help out. I think we should call it Winnie's Hotel! In We Go By 3:00, we'd been on the porch a while. I'd happily soaked up some good info, along with sunshine.  We headed for the second red door, that opened to the hotel office. Kiersten (I believe) got us checked in.
Assistant Manager, Jeremy gave us a little hotel history, when he heard us commenting about the old safe. Corn and Birds Don did most of the talking, while my eyes got busy, taking in my surroundings! I was sort of in love with the corncob lamp. Who else could decorate with a corncob and make it classy? I wondered. The only corncob decor I've ever seen, was in Missouri Ozark gift shops!
Bird prints are always classy. But even without the birds, the arrangement of frames (with earth-colored mats) created its own art, on numerous walls. The Old Rooms The staircase led to the hotel's Veranda Rooms. When I originally called to book, I learned the hotel had 17 rooms, but only 4 were in the original building. The upstairs Veranda Rooms were all booked,  We weren't able to stay in the old building where the Tallman's once greeted guests, but we had a Garden Room waiting! And we were welcome to enjoy the hotel's peaceful parlor. Sophisticated! There a formal feel to the parlor, but not at all stuffy. It felt sophisticated, yet welcoming, with lovely fabrics and antiques... and a French wood bead chandelier!  The meticulous blend of soft earthy tones felt calm and comfy. I'm sure today's interior looks nothing like it did in 1900, but the tall windows and woodwork and even the palm in the corner, fit the turn of the century style. Dining Room We peeked in the dining room, where we would have breakfast the next morning. I pictured the Tallman daughters serving guests.  Black wicker chairs and soft woven table cloths, surrounded by sepia colored, hand-painted walls! You have to love the swirling "umbrella lantern" fixture above!  Don and I had to do a little posing! We put ourselves in the mirror frame above the mantel... covered in treasures... with a sweet marsh bird watching from the wall! Garden Rooms Our room was not in the old hotel, but no worries! We were in one of the 8 garden rooms.  We walked past the yellow chairs towards the yellow buildings. Pool & Ice To the left of the yellow buildings, we found the pool, which was closed for the season. If we'd come as guests 120 years earlier, there would have been no pool. But, we could have enjoyed "taking the healing waters" at the nearby hot springs.
Just past the pool, we found the ice machine, tastefully tucked away behind a tidy wooden door. A century ago, the iceman would have provided! Room 5 Our room was in one of the 4 Lower Garden rooms, at the opposite end from the pool. The pretty yellow buildings were added during the big renovation.  Our little porch overlooked the Blue Wing Saloon and its seasonal container gardens. We could see the metal roof of the old red barn. Old Look, New Feel We knew the quaint buildings were new, but each had the charm of a vintage cottage.
Once we opened the door, we found ourselves in an entryway with pale yellow bead-board walls. There was a handy closet and a just-in-case-umbrella. Nice touch! Cottage Charm It felt like we'd suddenly stepped into an old Victorian cottage, without dust or musty smells. No cobwebs or splinters or faded fabrics. Just charm!  The colors were soothing. Yellow woodwork and beams. Custom made acorn-stamped wallpaper. Pretty fabrics with soft checks and florals.  An armoire held a smallish TV, along with coffee mugs and wine glasses.  I was glad for the comfy sitting area. Yay for not giving us low, itchy-velvet, Victorian chairs. Lamps I always appreciate decent lighting. We had lots of windows and quite a few pretty lamps.
We didn't have a corncob lamp, but the hand painted floor lamp was very impressive. When I switched on the bulb, the birds and designs glowed, on the black shade! Bathroom Light More pretty lamps illuminated the bathroom. This bathroom was worthy of a spotlight, with all the top notch surfaces! The spacious marble vanity, shined. The slick subway tile was glossy-clean!  The soft shower curtain and geometric floor tiles didn't shine, but I loved the look! Peering Through the Door! The bathroom's French doors were pretty, but the sheer curtains allowed light to shine through. That's something I don't love with bathroom designs. Don't turn on the light if I'm sleeping!
All this light should have put our bats to sleep, but their eerie eyes stared at us from the framed print, over the toilet! (Honestly, I loved this creepy, yet whimsical piece of art!) And the French door windows didn't really bother me. I pretty much loved everything about our room! Japanese Ofuro Soaking Tub Lower Garden Rooms come with a back patio AND a custom made teak hot tub. These are drained and cleaned for each guest, which is wonderful... except that it takes 2 hours to heat up.  I knew it wouldn't be hot yet, since our room had just been cleaned. But I pulled back the tub's little "blanket" just to check. Yikes! It was freezing! Cheers to the Tallman Fam! It was a little frustrating having to wait on the tub. We had dinner reservations at 6:30 and we only had one night at the hotel. It was hard to believe the cold tub would ever be warm enough.  But we were excited to relax in our cozy chairs and make a toast to the Tallman Family. Where are they? With 13 kids, there must be some Tallman relatives around somewhere! Dinner at the Saloon We left our room at 6:30 for our 6:30 reservations at Blue Wing Saloon. It was of course dark then, but this daytime photo shows the beautifully reconstructed saloon entrance, from the street.  The original saloon is no longer here, but the Butchers recreated a bold blue version, during the 2003 restoration. Interior This is how the saloon looked in 2021. Without a crowd, you can see the beautiful black walnut bar.  You can also see the staff in masks. It was so nice to be back 2.5 years later, without masks! Monday Blues Night at Blue Wing Don and I were glad to have reservations, since the saloon gets busy on Monday Blues Night. There appeared to be more locals than travelers, enjoying the music. We recognized (from internet photos) the man in the sweater, clapping behind Don. Tallman's owner, Bernie Butcher.
Don and I had the perfect table, not far from the band. The performance was scheduled from 6-8, so we got busy ordering. Soup and salad for me! A seafood special for Don. Music and food and good people watching! Greg Rahn and Band Numerous performers play at Blue Wing, Thursday through Monday. It seemed to be a hopping place on Monday evening, with people mostly our age. I'm guessing most folks appreciated (like we did) the early bird timing on this! They also seemed to be appreciating the band, led by keyboard player Greg Rahn. He and the other skilled musicians had a fun energy and a good rapport, with the crowd gathered near the bar.  Blues Night wasn't all blues. We heard everything from Scott Joplin, to 1970s rock. I was totally entertained by the music, but also by a number of women dancing in a small space near the bar. I was a little envious. They were so comfortable, happily jiving to the tunes. Dancing With Locals Before long I got up the nerve to go over and chat with the fun dancin' gals. Very quickly, Debbie (the most enthused of the bunch) had me dancing along! Then Greg left his bench and joined us with his portable keyboard. What a hoot!  Debbie failed to get Don on the checkered dance floor, but he was happily amused. Don laughed and shook his head, when Debbie pantomimed with an imaginary fishing rod and tried to reel him in. It was after 8, when the band played their last song. Greg gave a shout out to thank the Dancers! Debbie gave me a hug good-bye and Don thanked the band with compliments and a generous tip. What a perfectly enjoyable evening! Brrrr! We made our 30 second walk back to our room. I kept fingers crossed that the Ofuro Tub would be hot.  You can tell by my expression that it was not hot. I'm also exaggerating a bit. It was warm, but not warm enough to sit and soak when the air temps were in the 30s. 6:30 AM The next morning, it was still dark when I stepped out on the patio to test the tub! What fun to pull the cover back and feel the steamy warmth rise! I attempted to get myself into the 3-ft deep tub, gracefully. However, I forgot the wooden box was nearly a foot deeper than the deck. I made a splashing entrance and tried to muffle my laughter.  I didn't use the nearby hinoki stool in the tub. Instead I leaned back in the 98 degree water and rested my head against the box. I grinned to myself in the dark, because I knew I looked like I was laying in a coffin. But I was amazed at how magical it felt. I wasn't floating or sinking. I was submerged just enough. Even my head outside of the water felt weightless, resting on the wood.  So, I finally got to enjoy the tub, while a rooster crowed nearby and a dog barked once. The sky lightened and I could see pink and blue behind the tree branches. Lovely! Main Street in the Morning After a shower, I headed off for a quick walk through town. The slideshow below, shows a few of the highlights. Upper Lake is small, with fewer than 1,000 residents. So, there's not tons to see. But I was delighted to have a peek at the quiet town, nice and early. Coffee Before Breakfast We had breakfast waiting for us in the hotel dining room...  ... but I had to have coffee on the porch. If there's a porch, I must use it. Dining Room at 8 We entered the sun-filled dining room, and took a table next to the fireplace. I was able to spend more time admiring the handmade tiles. Golden brown seaweed images!
My chair gave me a good view of this bird and frog. All the softly painted wall designs, were inspired by the nearby marsh wildlife. French Buffet Before we checked out the beautifully displayed breakfast options, we greeted the only other breakfast guests. Greg and his fellow musicians were enjoying breakfast, after spending a night in the hotel. Couldn't have been a friendlier bunch!
We filled our plates. Eggs, croissants, house-made granola, yogurt and toppings, breads, fruit and scones... fresh brewed coffee!
It all tasted better, on our brown country dishes, surrounded by marsh birds and cattails, wispy trees and dragonflies! A good way to start the morning! What's Notable? We didn't sleep in a 129-year-old hotel, but we stayed in a charming, recently constructed building, with porch and patio and incredible soaking tub. We were graciously compensated for our heating glitch issues, by the way!
What I'll remember first about this hotel stay, is how the old and new blended so beautifully. It's hard to tell from my 2 photos, which building is original. Next I'll remember how the entire property felt welcoming and comfortable and classy. The staff (hotel and saloon) couldn't have been more gracious. The size of this little oasis was just perfect.
Rarely do Don and I return to hotels, since we're always wanting to explore new places. But already, we have reservations for a Tallman Hotel visit in the summer. That says it all! Hidden Oasis in Palm Springs Villa Royale is one of many small, retro hotels, nestled in the heart of South Palm Springs... hidden behind hedges... in quiet neighborhoods.  Don and I spent one night, last January. We didn't just stumble across the place while traveling. And we didn't discover it on the internet. It was a postcard, that inspired our stay. This Lured Us This is the postcard that arrived in our mailbox, in April 2023. Our son and daughter-in-law sent it. They know how much we love a vintage motel!  They raved about their stay and shared photos, with colorful bougainvilleas and luxurious patios. Their images definitely looked more boutique hotel, than motel! Greetings From Liz It took us less than a year, to work a Palm Springs visit into a road trip! We arrived on a gorgeous sunny day in January.  We turned down South Indian Trail and parked along the hotel's decorated wall. Liz Taylor gazed off thoughtfully as we passed. Entrance We stepped through the open doors, into a courtyard with a bubbling fountain.  Two formal lions greeted.  A carved bench invited us to sit a spell.  No thanks! We headed for the office. Lovely Lobby The cozy lobby felt welcoming. There were doors open at both ends, allowing the spring-like air to flow through.  There were wood ceiling beams above and brick floors beneath...  ...and colorful walls, furniture and art, in between!
The photographic art was impressive. Don't forget to put on the glove, before you flip through the gigantic book of photographs! Pleasant Staff I half expected a snooty staff. After all, we were at an Adults Only Resort in Southern California! But we were checked in by a cheery young woman who offered us welcome drinks.  We decided against tequila shots and both chose a glass of Cava. Spanish sparkling wine, seemed to fit the hotel's Spanish Revival Style. We left the lobby's cozy fireplace and headed out with drinks. 70 degrees in January! Villa Royale, Since 1947 We exited the lobby office, to this dreamy area. I spotted the pool we'd seen in the postcard. Sadly, there's no longer a diving board. I was unable to recreate the glam diving board pose!  It was fun to imagine this small hotel when it first welcomed guests. VR opened during a period of development in the Palm Springs area, following WWII. California Ranch Style Structures Evelyn Pell built this little retreat, back when there were mostly larger guest ranches in the area. Supposedly the name "Villa Royale" was chosen to match the first letters of Ms. Pell's kids. Valorie & Richard.  We passed the homey looking units with porches, overlooking the pool. We headed towards the second courtyard area. The Second Courtyard The pathway took us to a courtyard, surrounded by more guest rooms, looking out towards a fountain. There was a generous collection of Electra Bikes, which guests could use for free.  This section of Villa Royale, was originally a separate motel, built in 1950. (Indian Trail Villa.. I believe). Villa Royale incorporated the motel, in 1986. JFK and Others We noticed quite a few celebrity faces looking out from the walls, as we wandered the grounds. Numerous artists have contributed incredible works of art to the Villa. Many feature some well-known faces, from the '50s and '60s.  I'm sure JFK wasn't one of the famous folks who stayed at VR, during the mid-century years. But other Hollywood celebs often visited Villa Royale and nearby lodges. 2-Hour Rule We found Audrey Hepburn in one of the lounge areas. (or at least her image) There's no record of her being a guest here, but Mickey Rooney stayed frequently. I know. Not quite as impressive.  Villa Royale's location lured many celebs, back in the day. Hollywood directors, screenwriters and actors, enjoyed getaways to Palm Springs, because of the studios' strict 2-Hour Rule. Screen stars who were under contract with film studios, were required to stay within a 2-hour range of Hollywood. The Third Courtyard After walking past the bikes and fountain, Don and I stepped into the coziest of all the VR courtyards. My opinion!  In the late '50s, this cluster of units belonged to a separate motel. So the Villa Royale Resort is actually made up of a few unique vintage lodges. The "Capri Rooms" surrounding this small pool, seemed the most private. They also were the cheapest!  This was the pool view from our room. Cheers to Capri Room! We were not dressed for the pool when we reached our room, but we wanted to sit with our Cava, before grabbing our bags.
There are 38 rooms/suites at Villa Royale. Ours was not the grandest, but I loved our location at the end of a u-shaped arrangement of units. We lounged a bit before heading in. Room 39 We couldn't have been more pleased. We'd expected a hip, but tiny room, with a queen bed. The website recommended Capri Rooms, for single travelers or guests staying a short while. That description sounded like a warning! No worries for us. We just wanted a room under $200.  But the room felt very comfortable! We had a king, not a queen! Were we upgraded? The mattress, linens and pillows were absolutely heavenly, Art Some of the more luxurious rooms had large pieces of art, featuring the faces of celebrities, like Clark Gable and David Niven.  No stars in our room, but we had a curious, black & white geometric image on one wall. Above our bed was an image of a graceful, floating-figure. Cocktail Parlor I was impressed with the classy cabinet, filled with interesting liquor and snack selections.  We didn't make use of the honor bar, but we enjoyed cups of Nespresso and we used the cut glassware, later. Actually it was plastic! Great for the pool deck! Small But Open Our corner room allowed us to enjoy a nice flow of fresh air. The raised ceiling with white painted beams, made the room feel much larger.  For a while the open doors offered up some lovely jazz music, from speakers near the pool. We had another music option, with the "Toshiba Bluetooth Box", on the table. It looked like a radio we might have seen in our room, if we'd visited 70 years earlier!  Once again, being the last room was a bonus! It gave us a little private area just outside the double doors. Bathroom The small bathroom was a reminder of our hotel's mid-century roots.  But the sleek geometric tile, plush towels and Lather bath products, felt fresh and updated. The robes (not pictured) were fabulous! The fabric with a fun black & white design, was comfy and light! How I hate feeling weighted down by 30 pounds of terrycloth. Exploring Before Dinner After checking out the room, there wasn't much time before our dinner reservations.  I dashed off to explore! Here and There There were cozy cabanas, near the main pool.  Lots of skinny palms, towering above the tile roofs.  And views of the San Jacinto Mountains! Staying Warm The temps were cooling, but there were cozy nooks with fireplaces and heaters!  I recognized the framed image above the table! The postcard again!  There were other warm and decorated places to sit.  I found a flickering fire pit, surrounded by a desert garden. The mountain view was pretty... but no place to sit and enjoy it. Rooftop I was excited to find a metal staircase next to the lobby building.
Directly above, was a rooftop lounge with seating that allowed guests to relax with a mountain view.  Or, a view of the main pool, umbrellas and red tile! Full Moon After dinner the pool scene was more dramatic!  I wish my camera had captured this better. The round moon, looks like a triangle! Quiet on the Pool Deck This little circular sitting area was my favorite spot. It was occupied when we first arrived.  Before long all the umbrellas were down and the chairs were empty.  I was curious about the pathway, heading back behind the chairs. Del Rey Restaurant I did some snooping and found the entrance to the restaurant. The patio was being prepped for the evening's monthly paella feast!
The colorful tablecloths and hanging flags were festive. The gigantic paella pan was empty, but not for long. Further Back I wandered further back and found more lush landscape.  A sign said "Hummingbird Garden". I followed the winding path that led to a patio with a Jacuzzi.
Every corner of the property seemed peaceful and calm. I knew it was a Thursday in January, but I didn't expect an "Adults Only" resort to be so zen! Perfect! Almost 5! It was nearly 5:00 by the time I headed back to our little oasis.  You can see Don sitting out near our room. We had it to ourselves.  45 minutes later, the lighting and colors changed. The palms were just silhouettes.  We had just enough time for a Margarita, before dinner. "Noche De Paella" It was dark by the time we headed to the Del Rey's, Night of Paella celebration.  The patio was filled with guests, drinking champagne and nibbling hors d'oeuvres. Guess we didn't get the memo! Evidently there were a lot of locals and regular guests, who knew to arrive early for pre-dinner mingling. Welcoming Speech Before being seated, we were given a welcoming talk. By some snappy dressers, I might add.  This was Del Rey's 10th Paella Night. Our host laughed about some of their past issues. The very first paella night, involved a stolen paella pan problem. Another time, the paella pan caught on fire. Seating Soon guests were guided to their assigned seats. Don and I followed our hostess past the cozy patio tables, lit by Moroccan light fixtures... and heaters.  We headed in the side door and followed the young woman into the dimly lit restaurant. Quite a swanky bar, with wood ceiling and retro, buttoned-bucket stools!  Suddenly we were seated at a romantic table for 2, just steps from the bar. We had a nice view of the fireplace... a safe distance from the golden lion peering down from the wall.
The colorful tigers looked less friendly, in the Gucci tiger leaf print wallpaper, behind Don.  Our spot really was perfect. Don could watch the busy bartenders. I could keep an eye out another door, where the paella was being prepared for serving. The fire glowed nearby and the classy art, (on the tan velvet wall) totally delighted me. 5 Courses While we waited for the first course to begin, we nibbled on a bowl of crunchy corn-nuts. Then a miniature cutting board arrived, with 2 lucious dates! (with queso, bacon and almonds!)  Next, an amazing salad with pears, pecans, apples and blue cheese. Then chicken empanadas! At the end we barely had room for churros and chocolate sauce! Paella de Mariscos! For our main course, we were invited outside to have our plates filled with Chef Alex Lopez's, Paella de Mariscos!  I wish I'd seen the whole dish, before any was served! Our colorful plates displayed the food well!  Saffron Stock, Chorizo, Shrimp,Mussels, Clams, Snap Peas, Haricot Verts! Night at the Villa I was glad to have a shawl as we wandered the grounds after dinner. The air was chilly by 9.  We passed the main pool and then arrived at ours.  All was quiet, on a full moon night! Morning Don and I had a long drive on Friday, so we were up before 7.  The sun was warming the San Jacinto Mountains. Umbrellas were up! We hated to leave. We got the car packed up and headed for the breakfast buffet, that opened at 8.  I spotted more open umbrellas inviting us! How could we leave without one jump in the pool? Inviting Set Up We arrived with plans to grab coffee and food, to take in the car.  The little set-up was so classy, there were no easy to-go options! China and cloth napkins! How do we do this? Luckily I had some baggies.  Don made a bagel sandwich with salmon and cream cheese. I grabbed skewers with sausage and cheese.  It wasn't easy turning down the Mimosa Cart! We were able to get some coffee to-go in paper cups! We waved good-bye to Liz Taylor as we drove off! What's Notable? We have to thank Scott and Chali for inspiring our stay, with a postcard! It was even better than we hoped for. We got to thank them in person when we arrived in Sacramento after a day's drive!  I loved our perfect little Room 39! It brought back memories of mid-century motels I recall from childhood days, in Florida. There was a nostalgic feel to the simple pools, surrounded by lounge chairs and palms. I will never forget the snazzy feel of the interior spaces and the artsy-glam, open-air sitting areas! The staff (as well the few guests we greeted) seemed relaxed and welcoming. I hope it's always like this, because Don and I both agree we want to return.
Reminder to Self: Next time stay more than one night. Make sure to pack a flowered swim cap! Unexpected Notable Night Santa Nella was not really a destination, just a convenient location towards the end of our October road trip. I didn't attempt to find an unusual or blog worthy hotel.
Mostly we needed a reasonably priced hotel, in that area. But when I spotted Mission de Oro's tower on Expedia, I booked. It turned out to be quite notable. Old Mission? The hotel clearly was NOT one of California's 21 historic missions. It was built in the 1970's. But it was what I had hoped for. The rate was under $200. and it was conveniently located right beside I-5! And the mission-theme was curious.  It was the oddest thing to see, as we approached. A sprawling 2-story motel-type structure, with a 9-story Spanish-style bell tower. It was surrounded by open land with sheep... palms and California foothills and a few billboards. Jesus and Mission Tesoro I read up, as we drove 6 hours from Oceanside to Santa Nella. I "entertained" Don by reading aloud, from the hotel's website. There was LOTS to read about the mission-style inn and its creator, Jesus Monroy. The hotel opened as Mission Tesoro, in 1974, after years of meticulous planning.   These images are from the 42-page, original marketing brochure. All pages are shared on the website and I may be the only guest who has ever looked at every one of them. But I was pretty darn intrigued about Jesus and his dream to create a replica of the mission and plaza, in his father's hometown of Tepoztlan, Mexico Our Arrival It was around 4, when we spotted the "Oasis for Travelers" that Jesus had been so proud of. We exited the interstate and easily found ourselves heading down a wide drive, towards the tower.  It all felt a bit odd with so much "unfinished land" surrounding. It felt like it was 1974 and the hotel complex wasn't quite completed. Big Plans The image below shows the plans for Mission Tesoro, with expanded highways. My idea of an oasis is a place far from noisy roads, but interstate access was a big plus, back then. Jesus had big plans for extending that interstate and creating a new "Kings Highway", stretching from Alaska to Argentina.  Jesus admired the historic California Missions and wanted to build 27 new missions! They would be 400 miles apart and each would be designed to "sustain and refresh the traveler." Grand Approach I had no idea what to expect. There was no big line up of cars when we arrived. But it looked like the entrance had space for that.  We drove under the "carport" and stepped through a garden area to reach the office. Lobby The 2-story lobby looked like it had been recently refreshed with new paint and furniture.  We stepped down into the lobby and were immediately greeted by friendly staff.  I studied the painted tiles on the wall. I recognized Mission de Oro (or Tesoro as it had once been named) But were those the historic missions, or the hotels that Mr. Monroy had dreamed of adding? Coffee and Gifts After checking in, I peeked at a couple rooms on the lobby level. One comfy room had some displayed paintings and sculptures. We helped ourself to some coffee and hoped to come back and browse through some books, later.  Another room had a very nice little shop, with some tasteful gifts. What I did not find on the property was... Miniature Drug Store, Beauty Salon, Candle Shop, Smoke Shop, Doll House, Leather Specialties, Bank, Liquor Store, Cheese House, Bait and Tackle Shop, Radio Station... and many other things, that were listed on the proposed plan, that I'd seen on the website. Upstairs I took a quick peek to see what was on that second level, where the chandeliers were hanging.
There was a couch or two for lounging, but mostly the area appeared to be set up as a gallery. The spotlighted art seemed to be all painted landscapes. View From Above The windows from the second floor gallery, looked out to the property.  The glass showed an etched image of the bell tower. The tower is definitely what caught my eye when I initially searched the internet for a hotel. I saw that image everywhere! View from Veranda I stepped out onto the veranda to get a better look. The U-shaped property surrounded the garden/courtyard area.  In this photo, our room is on the second level at the far end on the right. Up or Down? We don't usually make big demands about rooms. "Give us the best of the cheapest." But I knew I didn't want to face the interstate. We paid more for a courtyard room.  The lower level courtyard rooms had easy access to the garden area. Their sitting areas looked kind of nice. Upstairs But we like being up, where no feet walk above. We headed up an exterior elevator and headed down an interior hall to find our second floor room.
The carpet had grapes and our door sign had the bell tower. I was starting to see we had a mission theme plus a wine theme, going on. Mission King Balcony Room It was worth it to pay a bit more for a balcony facing the courtyard. The room was spacious and clean.  The mission style furniture was a nice attempt to embrace the hotel's original theme. The mattress, pillows and bed linens were extra comfy.
I spotted the tower image repeatedly... on pillows and even on the water bottle. But we did get charged for that water. Nice Bath We'd stayed at some very small historic hotels in the week before. It was a treat to suddenly have a 1970's "historic hotel" with a larger bathroom!
The tile work was nice and there were lots of nice touches, like good lighting, a basket with pool towels. nice bath products, a night light, spacious shower! Balcony Our balcony was large and private. Yes, we could hear the interstate and spot a couple billboards, but my photo doesn't tell you that.  We had drinks and kept wondering where all the people were, on a Friday evening. Fountains and Towers After sitting a spell, we put our drinks in plastic cups and took off to enjoy the quiet property. The fountains were pretty. Everything seemed maintained well.
We were able to could get up close to enjoy the fountains. I wondered about the distant bell tower and wished I could climb up. I don't think it was open to visitors. I read that there are 53 bells inside, but they don't ring. I swear I heard some ringing though. More Property Pics I was impressed as we walked the peaceful property. Evidently the hotel has undergone a huge renovation in recent years. (click pics to enlarge) I don't know when Jesus sold or gave up his dream, but this property didn't exactly look like an oasis, 8 years ago. That was when Chris Rufer (owner of Morning Star Corp. as in tomatoes...) bought the hotel. There was no green grass then. Just dirt. Dining The hotel was gutted, wing by wing and the hotel's restaurant, The Kitchen opened in 2017. We could have dined inside or outside, by the koi pond.  I happened to walk up right after the koi had been fed!  I had a good time watching the fish surface for nibbling.  I liked this big guy with his golden scales! The Kitchen and Mission Lounge Entrances to the hotel's restaurant and lounge were hidden behind arches and trellises.  At check in, we were given drink vouchers for the Mission Lounge. Sports Bar/Gallery The lounge was a curious mix of sports bar and art gallery.  Sometimes you can meet interesting travelers at the bar. But it was far too nice to sit inside chatting with other people who had stopped in with their vouchers. We got our drinks, tipped well and took a quick look around. TVs and Art There were about 10 glowing TVs in the lounge, plus a pool table and shuffle board.
There were also some very comfy chairs for lounging and lots of framed art pieces. I'm guessing this was Chris Rufer's style, not Jesus Monroy. Statues We moved back outside to enjoy the evening and some of the statues in the garden. That was a very odd little carved piece with little children carrying grapes. Hmm?
There were separate busts in honor of President Eisenhower and President Kennedy. Ike was honored for launching the interstate system. Kennedy got a spotlight for starting up the nearby San Luis Reservoir, in "62. "The Pieta of Tesoro" The most curious of all was this replica of Michelanelgo's Pieta, in an exterior walkway!
I've cringed in the past, when I've spotted copies of The David or other masterpieces, in various places. But this copy was quite a surprise. It was made by an Italian artist in 1868. I'll have to admit this marble replica had me pondering for so many reasons... How many decent replicas of this piece are there? Wikipedia says about 75, in numerous countries. Wandering... and Sitting a Spell After viewing some sculptures and koi fish and fountains, we wandered back to the pool. It was such a lovely evening and just a handful of families were enjoying the nice space.
The sun got lower and we wandered more. I wondered about the old wooden benches we found here and there. They seemed older than the 1970's. I could picture them in a mission chapel.
I posed with a fountain. Because why not?  I stepped back and just enjoyed the drama of this scene, with fountain and glowing bell tower. How could we be so lucky to have this peaceful getaway to ourselves? More Arches We wandered towards the front of the hotel. I looked through the arch and wondered why there was no band playing in there. I think they often have music on the weekend,
We headed through the garden, towards the lobby. There was another arch, this one was part of fountain. Don pretended to get a drink. Games We played corn hole briefly. I'm sure that wasn't around when Jesus opened in the '70's.
Maybe the giant chess board was around back then? Probably not. Pizza with a View Eventually Don and I ended up ordering pizza from The Kitchen. They were kind enough to call our room phone when it was ready. They gave us plates and silverware to take to our room.  We enjoyed our pizza on the balcony, wondering about this unusual hotel, sort of in the middle of nowhere. I wonder how many years it was in disrepair, before the Morning Star Guy (Chris) decided to rescue. I'm glad he did. Morning On Saturday morning things were starting to get busy. I wandered over by the tower and watched some birds flying in and out of the windows. I saw a yoga class getting ready to begin, in the gazebo. Chairs were being lined up on the grass for a wedding.
I could see from the sign welcoming dog guests. It looked like 6 dogs would be arriving soon. Wine Musuem Don and I were invited to use our room key to access the Wine Museum before our departure. That was just one more fun perk of our curious stay.
I guess I sort of forgot about the connection with missionaries and wine! They were the first to bring grapevines and wine to California. What's Notable? Mission de Oro was a pleasant surprise! If we'd come 40 years ago, we might have been impressed. If we'd visited 10 years ago, we might have cringed to see a rambling motel with a movie set tower. But we found a nicely refurbished hotel with very pleasant staff.  I loved our balcony, even if we could spot some billboards. I loved all the discoveries, from the Pieta replica, to the hungry koi in the pond. Our room was spacious and comfy and the pizza was delicious. It's clear they are continuing to improve the property. I wouldn't mind staying again!
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Ninety Notable
Nights My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to start documenting some of the memorable overnights I've had in some very odd and curious motels and hotels. Like the adventures in my Dining Blog, I have learned to enjoy the surprises that happen when you step out of the comfort zone, far away from the well-known chains. I began with a few entries recalling my very first home away from home memories from my youth. Then, I started sharing about some of the quirky and unforgettable motels, hotels and inns that my husband and I have discovered in recent years. The best part about this challenge was making some lists with Don and getting on the road in search of new overnight adventures. I gave myself a 2-year goal to write up 90 stories and the goal was met. Now we just keep on adding! Archives
July 2024
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