Fall into Fall… no need to fly back east. Head to Napa Valley! Less crowds, crisp air, world class restaurants and of course wine. Made in barns, garages, caves and castles. Choose an area – Napa, Oakville, Rutherford, St Helena or Calistoga. Plan on visiting 3-4 wineries a day. Any more & you are over your limit. And speaking of limits, consider www.designateddrivernapa-sonoma.com/ to do the driving for you. A black and white car should not be part of your color scheme!
Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Do you want your hotel hip & modern or do you prefer a quiet and romantic hotel? Sometimes you might want to “marry” the two. You will see an M (married), S (single), or an MS, (married/single) next to each hotel.
Where2Stay – From Bed & Breakfast to five star hotels, the Valley has it covered. Here are a few different choices.
Milliken Creek Inn and Spa– drive slowly or you will miss this hidden romantic retreat. This 12 room B & B located riverside in Napa along the Silverado Trail serves breakfast in bed, offers candlelit turn down service, couples massages & a “magic” hour for complimentary wine & cheese. As the website suggests, they will even provide sensual oils and a feather! What more do you need? (M)
Andaz Napa – recently renovated, this Hyatt brand puts you in the center of Napa’s new restaurant row. Cozy up to the outdoor fire pit for a drink before dinner. (MS)
North Block Hotel – This modern “Restoration Hardware” look fits perfectly into Yountville. Brick outside, supreme comfort inside. Slip into luxurious Italian sheets and a great meal at the new Reddwood restaurant next door. (MS)
Solage Calistoga– nestled in the mountains outside of Calistoga, Solange offers the #1 spa in the Americans and # 10 Spa in the world. Add complimentary bicycles, adult pool & hot tub, the Michelin rated Solbar, an art collection, individual studio rooms… why leave? Oh yes, the wine tasting! (S)
Where2Dine
The Thomas at Fagionie – once a liquor store & bar, AvroKO Hospitality Group (of Saxon & Parole in NY) restored this 5,500 sq.ft. space. Newest hot spot to hit Napa Riverfront offering a bar, 2nd floor dining room & rooftop dining w/ bar & fireplace
What else ? Mediterranean cuisine at Tarla Grill, sushi at Eiko’s, (order the special nitrogen drink made table side), chicken at Bounty Hunter, all American at Cook, and for a local hangout visit Fridas Mexican Grill for potent margaritas!
Where2Wine
An all consuming passion & labor of love drives every winemaker in the Napa Valley. Every winery is special. W2W special favorites: Michael Polenske of Blackbird Vineyards in Napa, Jason Pahlmeyer (& family) in Oakville and Norman Kiken at Reverie in Calistoga.
What2Do – Judds Hill Wine Camp – How about wine camp for adults? Measure, bottle, seal & name your wine. How does “Silver Fox & Barbie Doll” sound? Located in Napa and family owned.
What’s better than a Wine, Women & Shoe event benefiting Family House held at the St Regis? Having the city’s finest serving shoes and purses on a silver platter!
Who said shopping and drinking were not good for your health!
San Francisco – Mention to anyone else that you live in SF and they say how lucky you are! San Francisco– Steep hills (carry your heels, ladies) Haight Ashbury,the 49’s. an eclectic, artistic,technologically advanced city. Add in designer flagship stores -are you in Italy or SF? A friendly, multi-cultural walking town within a city. Why would we live anywhere else? SF already captured our hearts!
Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Do you want your hotel, hip & modern or do you prefer a quiet and romantic hotel? Sometimes you might want to “marry” the two. You will see an M (married), S (single), or an MS, (married/single) next to each hotel.
Where2Stay
Inn at the Presidio – We always wanted to sleep with an officer! Or is it his uniform that attracts us? Book a room at the new Inn at the Presidio, the only SF Hotel to open in 2012. A former military base used to house the bachelor officers. Now a chic 22 room (mostly suite) B & B. Lounge around the fire pit, (s’mores anyone?), sip complimentary wine & cheese, enjoy the privacy of your National Park (M/S)
Intercontinental Mark Hopkins & The Palace Hotel – iconic landmark hotel buildings define SF. The”Mark” opened in 1926. Hop on a cable car & top off your night at Top of the Mark with views that go on forever. If you prefer the financial district, The Palace Hotel may be your cup of tea. Literally, they serve tea under their glass dome in the garden court. Best Sunday Brunch (M/S)
Hotel Drisco – An intimate independently owned hotel in Pacific Heights. Why stay? Luxury bath products by Agraria,free WiFi, chauffeured limousine morning service, a lavish continental breakfast, evening wine reception & lovely rooms. We love it here and want to check in! (MS)
Clift Hotel– Only Phillipe Stark could transform this hotel from Victorian & classic to “A Scene & Be Seen Hotel.” Surreal, dark & hip, have cocktails at the Redwood Room & dine in the Velvet Room. Never know whom you might meet. (S)
Where2Eat ? SF has it all – no passport needed! Do you want French tonight? Visit Chapeau on Clement St. Love Rome? Have a romantic dinner under Chanti bottles at Luisa’s on Union St. Beijing too far? Try R & G Lounge in Chinatown. Confused about what you want? The fusion inspired Butterfly on the Embarcadero might do it. Want to heat up your night? Visit the just opened LoLinda on Mission St. a hip Argentinain Steakhouse.
Where2Cocktail – Tipsy Pig Happy Hour from 4-7- Oct 11- portion of proceeds will benefit Family House
Wear2Shop – Saks 5th Avenue In-Store Shopping Event: October 13th-14th
Prep for Wine Women and Shoes (Wednesday, November 14) by shopping first at Saks 5th Avenue on October 13th and 14th. Mention Family House & 10% of your sales proceeds go directly to supporting our families. Wine Women & Shoes, Wednesday, November 14, 2012, 6 PM at the St. Regis Hotel.
Where2Go – Weekend of Oct 5th, 6 & 7th Choose between the America’s Cup, SF Open Studios, the free Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park, Fleet Week, Blue Angels & on Sunday the Castro Street Fair, North Beach Heritage Fair, Giants playoff and the 49er Game! This IS why we love SF!
Beware of the women in black… Taking charge at Lolinda!
Travel Tip : If restaurants are booked (they usually are) ask if there is a communal table! Beat the system while making new friends!
Just when you think you knew it all…the new hotel, THE new hot restaurant, where2buy that outfit that will make your friends drip with envy, something new opens. Nothing wrong with your favories, but always good to stay in the loop. Lets take a peep…
Does being married or single influence Where2Stay? Do you want your hotel, hip & modern or do you prefer a quiet and romantic hotel? Sometimes you might want to “marry” the two. You will see an M (married), S (single), or an MS, (married/single) next to each hotel.
Where2Stay – New York City
NoMad Hotel – newly restored Beau Arts Building perfectly near Chelsea, Gramercy Park & the Meat Packing district. Designed by French designer Jacques Garcia, rooms have leather headboards, king size beds, walk in showers & standing claw foot tubs. Don’t forget the bubbles! (MS)
Setai Fifth Ave – named one of 10 sexiest & romantic hotels by Gayot Guide, think seduction, plush and pampered. Where else can you get Duxiana beds & personal assistant for all your needs? Throw in phenomenal bathrooms, take the phone off the hook & you better not use the free WiFi they offer (M)
Wythe Hotel – Brooklyn waterfront. An old factory turned into a “room with a view hotel” with industrial detailing & brick walls. Book the Manhattan king room w/ floor 2 ceiling windows. How fun to look at NY from the other side. (S)
Where2Eat – Restaurants in hotels are cool again. If lucky enough to be staying at the NoMad head downstairs where it will be hard to choose among their dining rooms- the library, glass enclosed atrium, the parlor or rooftop dining. At the Setai dine at famed chef Michael White’s Al Fiori. Dine at Reynards in the Wythe, pretend you live in cool Brooklyn.And know that “what happens in Brooklyn stays in Brooklyn”. The newest happening is in the Bowery- Saxon & Parole, named after two race horses. Fab decor. And what is NY w/out “Carnegie”!
Where2Cocktail- Apotheke Cocktail Bar – On Doyers Street in Chinatown. Line up at their 30 ft bar of Carrera marble & let the mixolgist in white lab coats create cocktails using herbs from their rooftop garden. If you close your else you can almost see the opium den that used to be there.
What2Do – Whitney Museum- View japanese artist Yayoi Kusama thru Sept 30. See what red dots and Louis Vuitton have in common.
Where2Shop Take a bus, pack a sandwich (you won’t have time to eat) and head to Woodbury Common. Shop major designers at discount prices! Jimmy Choo, Dolce, Prada, Etro & just added – the first Tom Ford & Reed Karakoff outlet in the US! In NYC visit the Michael Kors 6,600 sq ft empire on Mad & 61st, shoe maven Charlotte Olympia on Mad 65th or head downtown to 807 Washington St for Nicholas Kirkwood’s new store. For value head to Dalaga where most items are under $150.00. Named “Best Dresses” by NY magazine!
The Wear Girls Take Manhattan!