The Fashionable Frequent Flyers

One thing I hear often as a New Yorker is the local’s ambition to visit the greatest restaurants around the city! If you live in New York or have ever visited New York, you know that it would take a lifetime to do that because the quality of food in New York is impeccable and there are so many good restaurants.  In a similar vein, I’m on a personal mission to visit the world’s most luxurious hotels.  Earlier this year, on one of my trips in pursuit of this goal, I came across this wonderful romantic hidden gem in California called “Bernardus Lodge.”  I had never heard of this hotel until early 2024, and after staying there, I’ve made it my mission to make sure that EVERYONE hears about this hotel.

Bernardus lodge is located in Carmel Valley, California, which, for those of you who don’t know, is fairly close to Monterey. It’s a beautiful and mountainous region in California, with some spectacular scenery all around.  The seclusion the property offers is bolstered by its picturesque and gorgeous landscape around.  But that’s not all, the architecture is top notch and the décor around the property is impeccable.  I’m a big fan of vibrant colors, and the hotel leans into a colorful design scheme to perfection.  The location choice for Bernadus is further enhanced by the fact that Carmel Valley is a wine-rich region and there are some incredible wineries all around.  Again, prior to my trip, I didn’t even know that Carmel Valley was a wine destination (and I’d wager that many don’t know that).  Everything about this location oozes “Hidden Gem.”

Location is not the only spectacular thing about this property.  The amenities and offerings are fantastic.  First, I’d be remiss if I don’t give Bernadus a shoutout for its beautiful botanical garden, which is one of the most sought after wedding locations in spring and in the fall.  While we visited when the flowers were not yet in bloom, it was clear then just how spectacular the location would be when the flowers are in full bloom.  There are other wonderful highlights to the property.  There is a great lawn in the center of the property that offers croquet, mini-golf, and other lawn games. On a sunny day, it offers adults and children alike an awesome space to unwind and have fun. There’s a wonderful spa on the property, which is stunning, and offers world class service.  The pool in the spa area is also incredibly beautiful and very peaceful.  In addition to that pool, there are two other pools, one of which is a secluded infinity pool.  Check it out here!  We spent a lot of time there; it was giving romance and we ate it up!  The suites are beautifully designed and very spacious, and the common areas of the property are impeccable.  The food was top notch.  The private dining rooms, especially the ones in the cellar and the chef’s table in the kitchen, are such unique offerings. A little birdie told us that many a celebrity has had dinner in the kitchen at this property.  I literally could go on and on and on! At this point, you just have to visit for yourself.  Here’s a video recap of our stay to put the final touches on persuading you to visit.

One final note for people who love to capture memories through video or photograph – because of the unique design of the property, the outstanding décor, and beautiful location, you will literally have an endless supply of options for great content.  We took so many wonderful photos and we get to enjoy those memories for the rest of our lives. (And now y’all get to enjoy some of these with us.)

This hotel gets a 4.5/5 stars.  Highly highly recommend a visit!!