Love is in the air
… and in the view, the creature comforts, the staff and the food
when couples go to get away from it all.
What better place to reignite romance than in the intimate
setting of a bed and breakfast, where personal touches permeate the
scene?
Love is in the air … and in the view, the creature comforts, the staff and the food when couples go to get away from it all.
What better place to reignite romance than in the intimate setting of a bed and breakfast, where personal touches permeate the scene?
At the Post House Inn in Big Sur, guests can savor strawberries and champagne in the whirlpool for two while watching the sun sink slowly into the sea.
The Old Thyme Inn in Half Moon Bay offers guests the amenities of large hotels – data ports, telephones, cable and TV/VCR combos – along with exquisite décor.
In Gilroy, the 1890 Chesbro House offers lodgers unparalleled customer service with just two guest rooms available for reservations.
Even if a long vacation is out of reach, the work world can melt away in your own backyard, with a variety of B&Bs to surprise and delight your loved one for a weekend retreat. That, and a trip to one of these romantic nooks will definitely count as the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.
Here are a few choices you might want to consider:
1890 Chesbro House
Gilroy
$125 to $135 per night
(408) 842-3750
www.ChesbroHouse.com
This charming painted lady, built by former Gilroy Mayor Heverland Rogers Chesbro in 1890, is an all-redwood original, from its colorful exterior to the intricate ceiling medallions that decorate the interior. A home to four generations of Chesbros, the home was opened to the public by Chesbro descendant Elizabeth Barratt and her husband Dick in 1998. Customers may choose from the airy Victorian room, resplendent in floral patterns, or rekindle romance in the Bordello room, which is awash in shades of red and black.
Old Thyme Inn
Half Moon Bay
$129 to $159 per night
(800) 720-4277
www.OldThymeInn.com
Soft, airy colors and garden themes dominate the boutique property Rick and Kathy Ellis have named the Old Thyme Inn. Shades of light lavender, pale yellow and minty green fill rooms with names taken directly from the back yard herb garden: lavender, chamomile, oregano, rosemary, mint and thyme. Well-prepared for busy couples, the couple have also installed unusual amenities for a bed and breakfast, like data ports, cable, TV/VCR combos and private bathrooms in every room. The 1898 Princess Anne Victorian is also filled each morning with the smells of the Inn’s full breakfast for guests.
The Inn San Francisco
San Francisco
$105 to $295 per night
(800) 359-0913
www.InnSF.com
This 1872 Victorian Mansion is everything old San Francisco seemed to be – tall, majestic and opulent. The property is filled with plush carpets, gilt antiques and tiny reminders of years gone by. The home’s two parlors are grand and perfect for curling up with a book on a rainy afternoon, while the English gardens and rooftop sun deck beckon couples on warmer days. Several rooms have spa tubs, but for those who do not, a secluded Jacuzzi can be found in the back yard. The hotel offers a wide variety of room options, from small rooms with washstands and shared shower facilities to a garden cottage that sleeps up to six.
Post Ranch Inn
Big Sur
$495 to $2,000 per night
(831) 667-2200
www.PostRanchInn.com
The majestically post-modern Post Ranch Inn clings to the cliffs of Big Sur just off Highway 1, indulging guests with dramatic views of mountains and ocean while they luxuriate in rooms that are nearly as organic as the surrounding forest. Blue denim comforters mimic the azure seas and slate tubs incorporate the full range of color in the nearby forest. The inn is a retreat-oriented hotel for adults, with acres of private trails, group and individual yoga classes, massage therapists and a variety of other healing staff on call. For those on spiritual quests, there is even a shaman available.
Monte Verde Inn
Carmel-By-The-Sea
$155 to $285 per night
(831) 624-6046
www.MonteVerdeInn.com
Built as an inn in 1900, this charming spot is situated just down the street from a variety of shops and three blocks from beaches. The current owners have served guests here for more than three decades, so they’re experts in customer service, finding guests dinner reservations and tee times at posh local venues. The Inn offers private bathrooms in all of their guest rooms and is decorated with casual and contemporary country themes.
