From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Forget waiting for the government’s bailout package to appear, Mendocino, California’s MacCallum House Inn is the place to turn for financial relief.  From October 30 until February 1, 2009, guests of the MacCallum House will receive 50 percent off their reservations for a two night minimum stay. If that’s not enough to get you heading to the Mendocino coast, the MacCallum House will have a bottle of local wine waiting for you in the room.  All good deals must come to a close.  The MacCallum House bailout will expire on November 7, 2008 and reservations must be made online.

Horseback Riding in Mendocino County

I visited the MacCallum house in August for a little me time.  Both of my children were at camp and my husband couldn’t get away from work.  I was giddy with anticipation for this trip.  Upon my arrival I noticed several women dressed in riding boots and pants.  My curiosity got the best of me, and I asked the ladies if they had been horseback riding earlier.  Turns out, the MacCallum House offers a riding package with Ricochet Ridge Ranch, two miles north of Fort Bragg.  The quality of the horses and the scenery are both outstanding.

Lodging Options

Gwen MacCallum Room 1

The Gwen MacCallum room was located on the second floor of the Main House. Considered to be one of the most romantic rooms in the house, the solid mahogany queen sleigh bed with its down comforter suited me perfectly.  What captured my eye when I entered the room was the claw foot bathtub.  Imagine a bubble bath with no interruptions?  Pure heaven.

In addition to six rooms in the main house and seven cottages on the property, there are six rooms in the adjacent Barn.  All but the rooms in the main house are pet friendly. 

Food, glorious, food

That evening I dined at the MacCallum House Restaurant.  I was seated to the right of the fireplace and enjoyed a lovely Comanche Creek Heirloom tomato “BLT” salad with house made mozzarella, applewood smoked bacon, butter lettuce, Stella Cadente olive oil and balsamic drizzled over herbed croutons.  Next up, pan roasted halibut in a tomato beuree blanc sauce with roasted fingerling potatoes and a broccoli puree.  I finished the meal with a raspberry mascarpone cheesecake souffle with a mini pot of chocolate sauce served on the side. Don’t forget, breakfast is included with your stay.  Weight Watchers, here I come.

Room rates: $175-$425

Reservations  (800) 609-0492

Inn at Occidental

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

When I arrived on a misty February Monday, I was surprised to see adults and school children sitting on the curb in the village of Occidental.  Cyclists in bright logo gear began to trickle in.  I checked into the Inn at Occidental and asked owner Jerry Wolsborn what the fuss was about.  Turns out the 2008 Amgen Tour of California was about to wiz by.  While the exact route has yet to be posted on the Amgen website, I do know that Santa Rosa will be a staging area for Lance Armstrong and his fellow cycling team in February of 2009.

Located off the Bohemian Highway, the Inn at Occidental doesn’t have cell phone towers. In fact, the only thing towering overhead are redwood trees. “Having lived in Marin for 10 years, I’d never been to Armstong,” said Wolsborn.  The 805 acre State Reserve is “under utilized,”added Wolsborn.  From horseback riding, to wine tasting or relaxing at the nearby Oasis Day Spa, the Inn is an ideal launch pad for a wide array of activities.

Osmosis Meditation Garden

Ten minutes away, in the blink-and-you’ll miss-it town of Freestone, I was treated to an Osmosis Cedar Enzyme Bath and a 75 minute Swedish Esalen massage.  Before my treatments I was invited to stroll the Japanese meditation garden and sip herbal tea in the sitting room over looking the bonsai garden.  I have to say, this was one of the best massages of my life, and I’ve had my share of massages.

Another high point of Freestone is Wild Flour Bread Bakery.  Be warned, the organic bakery is only open four days a week, Friday through Monday, including holiday weekends, except Christmas day.  The scones are delicious.

Sonoma Lodge Room

Before you arrive, you’ll want to check out the rooms on-line.  Each room or suite, offers a distinct personality.  All rooms feature overstuffed down beds and fireplaces and include hors d’oeuvres in the evening and a Sonoma Harvest Breakfast in the Wine Cellar dining room. 

 Room prices range from $259 for traditional rooms, to $359 for suites with hot tubs, to $679 for the two bedroom Sonoma Vacation Cottage.  Check on-line for Internet and Mid-Week specials.  The Inn at Occidental is a member of Unique Inns.

Thanks to Iris and Ron Kovarsky for this photo of the Inn.  Osmosis and Sonoma Lodge photo by Nancy D. Brown

Winchester Inn

From Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

From one family to another, an Oregon tradition began in the 1980′s for Laura and Ernie Winslow. The Lafayette, California couple discovered the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Ashland’s Winchester Country Inn. 

“Ernie and I like the tradition of going back to a certain place,” reflects Laura Winslow.  They also enjoy the Winchester’s convenient location to downtown and the many theaters.

The Winslows have been returning to the Inn since 1980 and now travel with their grandchildren to Ashland.  “We’ve enjoyed the relationship with the Gibb family,” Laura Winslow notes.

The former schoolteacher met innkeepers Laurie and Michael Gibb when their children were small.  “I think we’ve stayed in every room,” Laura says.  “Our favorite rooms are the Garden Room and the Courtyard Suite.  The Gibbs provide us such wonderful service.”

“We’ve been privileged to have some of the same guests for 25 years,” reflects Laura Gibb.  “We came to Ashland at a particular time when we were the eight B&B and now there are over 80.”

I was fortunate to have stayed at the Winchester Inn for a night on May 16, 2008.  I stayed in the Courtyard Suite, and like the Winslow family, I was welcomed into the Gibb family home.  While the Gibb’s don’t actually live on property, they are very visible at the Inn.  Michael Gibb greeted me at check-in, son Drew offered some menu selections at the evening dinner and Laura stopped by at breakfast to touch base with me and graciously chatted with other guests in the morning.

General Manager Drew Gibb seems well suited to take over the Inn when his parents decide to taper off their innkeeper duties.  He recommended the wild salmon with blueberry corn salsa for a dinner selection.  The fish dish, prepared by Chef Shane Hardin, was bursting with flavor.

“We are absolutely thrilled with what he does.  Fun, non-traditional, haute cuisine.  We want to offer something that is fine dining, but won’t break the bank,” adds Drew.

If you are still undecided about your holiday plans and are looking for a unique experience, consider the Winchester Inn’s Dickens Feast, December 17-19, 2008.  The Winchester offers a three-hour, six course dinner based on an old English feast.  Singers dressed in period costume entertain, as well as a visit from jolly ol’ Saint Nick.

Rates: From $185-$280 with special packages available

For more information: (800) 972-4991