LEED Platinum-certified Bardessono Hotel in Yountville, California

No trees were cut down to make this eco-friendly hotel in Napa Valley, California. That’s not to say that Bardessono Hotel, Restaurant and Spa is housed in walls of steel and concrete. Quite the contrary. Salvaged Monterey Cypress has been milled into siding on exterior walls and Walnut trees have been used in the hotel’s flooring. This tree-lined, 62-room property, opened in February 2009, is one of three LEED Platinum-certified hotels in the country. While its design is clean and contemporary, you’ll find Bardessono to be as welcoming to pets, as it is to children.

Bardessono King Spa Suite #309

Bardessono Spa Suites

Centrally-located in the wine country Northern California town of Yountville, Bardessono Hotel is composed of four tree-themed clusters with stone and water displays throughout the five acre property. With solar panels sprinkled on roof tops throughout the hotel and In Fiore bath products  in refillable dispensers, I was reminded how easy it is to be green, while still looking stunningly chic.

My room, #309, a 550-square foot King Spa-suite, was located in the Olive Grove wing and rented for $599 during high season. All suites feature gas fireplaces, 40 inch tv’s, jetted bath tubs, separate showers, two vanities and private balconies or patios.  There are also Steam Spa-suites, all located on the first floor, complete with steam rooms and outdoor showers. The Tufa Suites are 780-square feet, ideal for families. Check the website for package specials.

All suites are designed for in room spa treatments. A spa butler arrives  minutes before the masseuse to set up the hidden massage table, light candles and prep your bath with scented salts if you so desire. I enjoyed the 60 minute Bardessono signature massage, $150, and melted into the spa tub after my treatment.

Drink in the views at Bardessono's pool.

Bardessono water features

In the agriculturally-oriented Napa Valley and California in general, water is key to the areas survival. Bardessono is keenly aware of this precious resource and utilizes low flow toilets and urinals.  The landscape calls for drought tolerant plants throughout the property.

Yet there is plenty of water to be found in the 75-foot rooftop, Olympic size swimming pool. Soak in the hot tub and drink in views of the Stags Leap district and Mayacamas Mountain range.

Dining in Yountville

No doubt guests of Bardessono Hotel have come to the wine country to eat, drink and relax. With as many Michelin starred restaurants in the town as stars in the sky, you’ll need a couple of weeks to eat your way through Yountville. While my husband and I dined at nearby Bistro Jeanty for dinner, we did experience a lovely breakfast at Lucy Restaurant, named after Lucy Bardessono, the matriarch of an Italian family that immigrated to Yountville, California in 1928. With its house-cured ham, fried egg, gruyére cheese and mornay sauce surrounded with mesclun greens (from Lucy’s Garden), the Croque Madame was a hit, as was my husband’s Turkey Omelette.

Olive wheel water element from the Olive Grove wing at Bardessono

Insider tips

Tech geeks will be happy to know that Bardessono does not charge for high speed internet access.  They will also lend guests bicycles, electric and carbon neutral, for exploring the quaint town of Yountville. On my visit Bardessono had partnered with Lexus, giving guests three hours to test drive a Lexus hybrid.  Did I mention that valet parking is included with your stay?

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Bardessono Hotel, Restaurant & Spa  on Twitter  and like them on  Facebook.

Bardessono Hotel (877) 932-5333 or (707) 204-6000

6526 Yount Street

Yountville, CA 94599

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 Bardessono Hotel.

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Premier room #2021 at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

Luxurious Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

The Strip, as it is known in Las Vegas, is not to be confused with Disneyland. Although, in some places gold fairy dust is sprinkled liberally about. Chef Pierre Gagnaire sprinkles magic on his French country dishes at Twist restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas  and the bartender at Mandarin Bar sprinkles Li hing powder, along with a dehydrated pineapple on his signature Ninth Island cocktail. The staff at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas may not sprinkle you with gold dust upon arrival, but they do treat you like royalty from 3 p.m. check in until noon check out.

Mandarin Premier bathroom comes with walk in shower and soaking tub

Premier rooms at Mandarin Oriental

With 392 rooms at this property, there is a room for every budget. The standard rooms at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas are anything but standard. At 500 square feet, the standard rooms are the best value for dollar, being one category below Mandarin Premier rooms.

What I love about the Mandarin Oriental Hotels is that each property is unique. You won’t find a frequent stay program here, but you can beat that each hotel tracks returning guests and rewards them accordingly.The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas does partner with several airlines – ask for details at check-in.

My room, Mandarin premier #2021, rented from $380-410 in April. You’ll need to check the website for the best rates.

Drink in the view at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas while enjoying the Ninth Island cocktail

Drink in the view at Mandarin Bar

The Mandarin Bar, with its floor to ceiling windows, is a great place to watch the high rollers – not in the casinos (thankfully you won’t find one in this hotel) but on the roller coaster next door.  If you are looking for more gold, The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas offers free live jazz on the weekend. Try the Golden Leaf martini with Hendricks Gin, Aperol, muddled mandarin pineapple juice, fresh lime and simple syrup.

In a nod to the many Pacific Islanders who visit Las Vegas, the bartender created the Ninth Island cocktail. You can create this signature cocktail by watching the YouTube video above.

Chef Pierre Gagnaire discusses his cooking style at Twist restaurant in Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

Twist with Chef Pierre Gagnaire

If you love French cuisine, make reservations at Chef Pierre Gagnaire’s Twist restaurant. I was there during the debut of the spring menu and soaked up the earthy, rich flavors of fresh morels, baby artichokes and onions, as well as tender Oregon asparagus, along with a roasted saddle of Colorado lamb, flavored with rosemary, thyme, bay leaf and lemon paste.  I know I mention this in many of my restaurant reviews, but do save room for dessert – you are sure to discover more gold.

Water works at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

What’s a trip to the desert of Las Vegas without a dip in the pool? The plastic wading pool of yesteryear with a rubber ducky floating aimlessly area no match for the pool and cabanas at the Mandarin Oriental. Create your own desert oasis by customizing a cabana with 42″ tv, PS3 games to keep the kids – and the kids at heart – happy. Throw in a stocked mini-bar, plush bathrobes and you’ve got yourself a poolside party.

To keep the water works going, I booked a Mandarin Oriental Essence Massage (60 minutes for $200 on weekends, $180 mid-week) followed by a dip in the Vitality Pool and a rinse in the Experiential Rain Shower. Only in Vegas will you experience a blast or arctic mist or the warmth of the tropical rain forest without having to show a passport. If you like heat, hop in the steam room and Laconium. Some like it hot!

Create a poolside paradise with a cabana rental at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas

Insider Tip: Sometimes  Las Vegas resort fees  are not revealed up front. The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas Golden Access Pass of $24 per day is actually not a bad deal. The pass includes: unlimited wired and wireless inroom internet access; local and toll free calls; access to fitness classes including yoga*, pilates and kinesis wall training; access to the fitness center and locker room, coffee and tea from the espresso bar, daily newspaper upon request, printing of boarding pass and overnight shoe shine service.

I was not happy to learn that guests had to call housekeeping to request that the sheets and towels not be changed on a daily basis. Coming from California, I naively assumed that Las Vegas was water conscious, as well. While the hotel is LEED certified, and is “eco-friendly” in many ways, it turns out that high rollers want their sheets refreshed every day. What a shame.

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas on Twitter.

What are your favorite things to do in Las Vegas, Nevada? *I enjoyed my yoga class – a great way to start the morning before a pool or spa day.

Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas (702) 590-8888

3752 Las Vegas Boulevard, South

Las Vegas, NV 89109

Article written by  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California. Photos courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas. I was a guest of Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas.

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Las Vegas Hotels

Hotel Les Mars European-style hotel in Healdsburg, California wine country

Looking for romance in California wine country?  Hotel Les Mars was opened in 2005 by the Mars Family. Europeans will feel right at home at Hotel Les Mars. From the 16^th century Flemish tapestry hanging in the lobby, to the one-of-a-kind 18th and 19th century antiques decorating the hotel, the Relais & Chateaux 16 room property whispers understated elegance.

Hotel Les Mars king room features 20 foot high, beamed ceilings, with 18th & 19th century antiques

Mansion king #304, rented for $700 on this March afternoon. ( Check the website for the best rates, as pricing varies with seasons.) All rooms include Bvlgari soaps, Voss bottled water imported from Norway, and a charming two piece box of Le Belge Chocolates, handcrafted in neighboring Napa Valley, left on the bed in the evening.

For my money, I recommend the Estate King room, it offers the 20 foot beamed ceilings and Bainultra Hydrotherapy tub that is so high-tech it actually air dries itself after draining, but is slightly smaller than the Mansion king, thus offering a lower price tag.

Hotel Les Mars Continental Breakfast

Breakfast in bed at Hotel Les Mars

Included in my stay was a French continental breakfast of coffee or tea, juice, granola, yogurt, fresh fruit and pastries from the local French bakery, served in room. In the evening, between six and seven, several local wines were paired with artisan cheeses and served in the library. There was also a pool on property and exercise room for working off the fabulous dining options that abound, steps from Hotel Les Mars.

Wine is a predominant attraction in Sonoma County and Healdsburg is no exception – with more than 20 tasting rooms offered in town. For the wine connoisseur, Hotel Les Mars has a special relationship with Chalk Hill Estate, allowing for exclusive benefits for hotel guests. Check the website for package deals for the Art Lover, Classic Car Buff, Equestrian, or Wine Connoisseur.

Hotel Les Mars

Insider Tip:

There is no private off-street parking for Hotel Les Mars guests. Take advantage of the valet service. Afterall, there is a daily $25 service charge for concierge, bell man and valet services, so take advantage of these offerings.

Social Media

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Hotel Les Mars  on Twitter @HotelLesMars and like them on  Facebook.

Greetings from Hotel Les Mars - wish you were here

If You Go:

Hotel Les Mars (707) 433-4211

27 North Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Article written by, YouTube video and photos courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California. I was a guest of Hotel Les Mars.

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