Mike Harms

Review of BERNARDUS LODGE

Gorgeous and opulent vineyard resort in the heart ...

Gorgeous and opulent vineyard resort in the heart of Carmel Valley. We had an amazing stay for a birthday getaway weekend and wow. Our suite was just stunning, two fireplaces, huge four poster bed, beautifully furnished outdoor patio area with firepit. And the bathroom was a dream with warmed tiles, hand-cut custom soap, and lux to spare. Huge and handsome copper tub and count em, four showers. A wide open dual shower, a rain shower head up on the ceiling 12ft above... and my favorite, the *outdoor* shower in the fully enclosed private outdoor bathroom patio! Gigantic double doors open the bathroom up to this teak-furnished totally-private outdoor space. It was incredible.

The pool was the perfect temp, around 80 or so, and we spent a lot of time there. The restaurant Lucia was top notch for both a fine dinner and breakfasts. Wine choices were of course fantastic and mostly local, including the wines made by Bernardus themselves, from vines right there between the rooms. For us, their various chardonnays stood out and of course the flagship red, Marinus was superb.

If you want a truly deluxe Carmel Valley getaway, you absolutely cannot go wrong with Bernardus Lodge.