Quail Lodge Golf Course offers scenic golf play

Designed by Robert Muir Graves, Quail Lodge & Golf Club is a walk-able par-71 golf course that features 10 lakes, the scenic Carmel River and nearly year-round sunny skies.  The golf course offers challenges to all aspects of the game while not being the most difficult course on the peninsula.  I found the golf course to be in excellent condition; the greens were pristine and rolled true, but not too fast, while the fairways demanded that you work the ball. In some instances, mature and strategically placed trees had me scrambling, resulting in a less than perfect drive.

Bunkers and water at Quail Lodge & Golf Club

The plentiful bunkers had soft quality sand with water coming into play on several holes.  At just over 6,000 yards from the gold tees, (6,400 from the blue) with little

Quail Lodge Golf Course bunkered green

elevation except for the fifth hole, a down hill par three with water along the right side, it is as pretty as any Monterey area golf course.  The Quail Lodge Golf Club is semi private, so early morning tee times are for members, yet it is still easy to obtain a good start time.  The driving range and practice greens at the Golf Club are top notch and there is even a small putting green at the first tee.  It winds through the quiet residential area but the Carmel Valley houses do not come into play.

Walkable golf course

It is a nice course to walk,  with only a small hike on the cart path back to the Quail Lodge Club House from the 18th hole.  At par 71, there are three par threes on the front nine, but the pace of play never slowed. You can expect a four to four and a quarter hour round of play on this golf course.  The par fives are back to back on the back nine and the 18th hole is a surprisingly challenging par four that looks straight forward, yet is the kind of hole you desire to play again.

For those golfers interested in improving their game, Katherine Marren, PGA Professional and Director of Instruction at Quail Lodge Golf Academy, is the go-to gal.

Relax at the Quail Lodge Clubhouse before or after a round of golf

Insider Tip:
Quail Lodge has recently undergone a $28 million renovation. Quail Lodge & Golf Club offers a variety of golf packages, including golf lesson packages and lodging packages.

What are your favorite things to do in Carmel, California?

Keep an eye out for Quail on the Quail Lodge Golf Course

If You Go

Quail Lodge & Golf Club  phone 831-624-2888

8205 Valley Greens Drive

Carmel, California 93923

This review of Quail Lodge Golf Course is a guest post by Cory N. Brown.  Cory was a guest of Quail Lodge & Golf Club. All photos courtesy of Nancy D. Brown

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Quail Lodge & Golf Club review, Carmel, California

It’s hard to believe that 26 years ago, my husband and I danced our first dance as husband and wife at Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel, California.

Like any marriage, we’ve had our ups and downs; our hair has a little more gray in it and our bodies could use a little nip and tuck here and there.  Such was the case with Quail Lodge. Thankfully, this gorgeous property, set among 850 acres in Carmel Valley, has recently undergone a $28 million renovation and been lovingly restored from inside out. I am delighted to report that Quail Lodge is looking better than ever.

Relax by Mallard Lake at Quail Lodge in Carmel, CA

Quail Lodge brings nature indoors

Carmel, California is surrounded in natural beauty. We originally selected Quail Lodge and Golf Club for our wedding reception because of the setting, with its lush fairways and gardens. I love how the designers have brought nature into the hotel rooms, public spaces and outdoor patios. The beautiful stone work at the entrance to the lodge is a departure from the heavy dark wood of Quail Lodge pre-remodel.

Carmel’s Quail Lodge brings nature indoors

ADA-accessible lodge

As guests enter the entirely ADA-accessible resort, you’ll notice the guest service desk is composed of a single piece of teak, as is the bar, located off the lobby at Quail Lodge.

From there, your eyes follow to the outdoor patio area, overlooking Mallard Lake.

A restaurant will soon be added to Quail Lodge and Golf Club, (circle back for details.) Until then, Quail Lodge guests enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast buffet served daily in the lobby from 6:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner is also served daily at Edgar’s in the Clubhouse of Quail Lodge Golf Club. Edgar’s offers casual fireside dining with a backdrop of the golf course and Carmel’s Santa Lucia Mountains.

ADA accessible pool at Quail Lodge, Carmel, CA

Outdoor activities at Quail Lodge

Carmel Valley offers excellent nearby hiking trails and there is a 2 mile walking trail connecting Quail Lodge & Golf Club to the back of Rancho Canada golf course.

Of course, guests may also lounge by the heated pool (complete with wheelchair accessible ramp and ADA lift) but I’d recommend spending some time at nearby Refuge – America’s first co-ed relaxation spa.

There’s also tennis, bocce and Quail Lodge’s championship 18-hole golf course. The lodge also partners with Land Rover for a driving experience. We’ll have to come back for this and to report on the new restaurant!

Quail Lodge offers a Pampered Package that includes two passes to Refuge, (Quail Lodge doesn’t offer a hot tub on property.) Personally, I like the fact that Quail Lodge doesn’t nickel & dime guests with a daily resort fee. Instead, the lodge offers complimentary Wi-Fi, continental cold breakfast and free overnight parking. At around $200 per night, I’d say that Quail Lodge is the best value to be found on the Monterey Peninsula.

Quail Lodge Garden Suite hotel review

Quail Lodge garden suites & villas

Our room, #153, a King Garden Suite with a small attached patio rented for $195. on this Saturday night.

The spacious suite featured hardwood floors, earth tone decor, high ceilings, a huge bathroom with separate shower and bath tub, gas fireplace and large flat screen tv. There was also a soft bed that converts into a bed, but we didn’t bring the kids on this trip!

There are 14  suites, with six villas opening in June, 2013, to make a total of 91 guest rooms at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California.

Quail Lodge features an 18-hole golf course in Carmel, CA

Insider tip:

Quail Lodge & Golf Club is pet-friendly. There is a one-time fee of $35 to bring your dog along to Quail Lodge. For an additional $15 your pet will receive a nightly amenity of bed and dog bowl. Should we call this place a bed and breakfast for dogs?

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Quail Lodge  on Twitter.

If You Go:

Quail Lodge and Golf Club (831) 624-2888

8205 Valley Green Drive

Carmel, California 93923

Article written by and photos courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California. I was a guest of Quail Lodge and Golf Club.

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Tamarind shrimp from Citron at The Viceroy, Palm Springs

When I learned that I would be invited to preview some menu items for Palm Springs Restaurant Week  (May 31 – June 16, 2013) my mouth started watering like Pavlov’s dog experiment, only no one had to ring the bell for me to salivate! You see, I remembered my last visit to Palm Spring, California in the fall.  This was my first time to visit this desert community and I didn’t really know what to expect.  There are so many things to see and do in Palm Springs, California and the restaurant scene is really heating up (pun intended.)

Value dining in Palm Springs

Now in its sixth year, Palm Springs Desert Resorts Restaurant Week is a chance for locals and visitors alike to sample signature dishes, meet restaurant owners and chefs, visit Palm Springs attractions and save money. How’s that for value dining? And the savings aren’t limited to Palm Springs; over 100 restaurants, hotels and attractions from the entire Coachella Valley participate in Restaurant Week. During this 10 day time frame, foodies and frugal travelers visit their favorite restaurants, hotels or spas.

Stay at the Viceroy Hotel and take a dip in the pool

Palm Springs Restaurant Week

Special prix fixe dinner menus are offered over the 10 days. All of the restaurants offer three-course dinners, offering several choices for each course. FYI, the $26 or $38 per person restaurant menu does not include  beverages, tax or gratuity.

Eat, see, stay in Palm Springs

If you like dining deals and hotel package offers, Restaurant Week offers value. During my Palm Springs visit, I stayed at The Saguaro. Condé Nast Traveler recently named The Saguaro one of the best new hotels of 2013. For my next trip, I’d stay at the Viceroy Hotel. In addition to California creations from Citron restaurant, this place has multiple swimming pools and looks like a private estate.

Soft shell crab BLT from Jakes

One of my favorite restaurants was Tinto,  inside The Saguaro. Iron Chef Jose Garces offers up pintxos like the ones I discovered during my travels in northwestern Spain. We also traveled to Austria via Johannes Restaurant in Palm Springs and made it to Norma’s at The Park Palm Springs for decadent desserts.

Head out on the Palm Springs highway

Day two found us at King’s Highway at ACE Hotel for breakfast before a morning Red Jeep Tour to Indian Canyons with Desert Adventures. This tour was a Palm Springs highlight for me because our naturalist guide, Morgan Levine, brought Andreas Canyon to life with stories of the Aqua Caliente Cahuilla Indians. After our jeep tour we dined Al Fresco at Jakes. I ordered the soft shell crab BLT, but the show stopper at Jakes was the dessert – a chocolate peanut butter cupcake. Jakes has not one, but three pastry chefs. Dine here simply for the desserts!

Workshop Kitchen + Bar arrives on the Palm Springs restaurant scene

Cooking and cocktails in Palm Springs

My last day in Palm Springs included a cooking class with Chef Andrew Copley of Copley’s on Palm Canyon and small plates at Workshop Kitchen + Bar, Palm Springs latest newcomer to the restaurant scene.

Don’t miss the bar scene in Palm Springs. It seems that every restaurant we visited, from Citron to Melvyn’s, featured their own signature cocktail. With mint juleps to Au Pear cocktails, sangria, Pomegranate Martini’s at Copley’s and Mel-tini’s on the bar menu, I tried them all. Fabulous – but don’t forget a designated driver!

Have an Au Pear martini at Johannes in Palm Springs

Palm Springs spa time

Last, but not least, what’s a visit to Palm Springs without a spa treatment? My time was too short at Riviera Spa Terre at the Riviera Palm Springs, but that just gives me another excuse for a return trip to Palm Springs. Won’t you join me?

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Palm Springs Restaurant Week and Palm Spring  on Twitter.

If You Go:

Palm Springs Restaurant Week

I was a guest of Palm Springs Visitors Bureau and Palm Springs Restaurant Week.

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