Bernardus Lodge’s Luxe Quotient is Further Elevated with its Sumptuous New Suites and Villas
Nov 10, 2016 03:37PM ● By Fran Miller
The Bernardus Lodge Lobby
BY FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER
As if Carmel Valley’s Bernardus Lodge & Spa was not already posh enough, the recent addition of 14 sumptuous suites and villas sends the resort’s luxe quotient soaring. If you haven’t been to the Forbes Four Star property lately, or have never been at all, now is the time to check out Carmel’s gold standard resort – set on 28 lavender and vineyard-filled Carmel Valley acres with spectacular views of the Santa Lucia mountains. You’ll not find any place quite as chic and effortlessly elegant within the mere two-hour drive from the East Bay. Here’s what to expect at Bernardus Lodge:
Accommodations: The new suites and villas push the room tally to 73, and are the choice for those who like a little living space – plus, they have quick access to the new adults-only infinity Jacuzzi and fire pit with mountain and vineyard views. At 1050 and 2100 square feet, these ranch-chic quarters feature vaulted ceilings, French doors, beautifully designed master baths with free-standing hammered copper soaking tubs, al fresco showers, radiant heat floors, double sided fireplaces, and fully furnished private patios with fire pits. Take note of the many dramatic chandeliers and lighting fixtures – works of art each. Villas additionally feature two bedrooms, and walnut dining tables that seat 12. San Francisco Bay Area-based AXIS Architecture and Arcsine, Inc. gets credit for the plush interior design - soothing buttery cognac leather upholstery, rustic European oak floors, cerused ebony furniture, and soft honed limestone fireplaces. Wallflowers none are Bernardus’ other rooms – large by industry standards and luxuriously equipped to please even the most exacting traveler.
Lucia: Chef Cal Stamenov has helmed Bernardus’ on-site restaurant Lucia for the past 17 years; he personally oversaw the 90-seat restaurant’s recent renovation, ensuring artisanal integrity focused on the authentic relationship between food and terroir. Rich white Italian leather pairs with rustic elements such as the focal point stone fireplace. The effect is relaxed sophistication, for which the menu choices are reflected. There is something for everyone, as well as a place for everyone – from the 10-seat private wine cellar, to the exclusive four-seat Chef’s Table where appreciative guests (including many A-listers) show their Chef Cal love with black sharpied, hand-written messages, to the 12-seat Magnum Room. Make a reservation now to enjoy Chef Cal’s new ‘Mentor’s Menu,’ his local spin on classics inspired by those from whom he learned: Jean Louis Palladin, Michel Richard, and Alain Ducasse. Culling from the Lodge's two-acre organic garden and a private two-acre cornucopia of fruit trees, heirloom vegetables, honey-filled bee boxes and cache of heritage breed chickens, Stamenov's seasonal spotlight menu shouldn’t be missed.
The Spa: The Spa at Bernardus Lodge offers an in-depth, individualized approach that addresses individual lifestyles and stresses. Luxurious treatments are infused with botanical ingredients, many culled from the local vineyards and on-site gardens. Try one of their signature services: Tuning Fork Ritual - sound waves created by OM tuning forks travel the meridian channels and acupressure points to dissolve disharmony and tension. Island Lomi - A lomi lomi inspired massage restoring a sense of harmony and balance to mind, body and spirit. Japanese Balancing Massage – incorporates a mix of shiatsu inspired techniques to open energy pathways with a kinmoxei wild lime silk oil to energize, warm and restore the body’s balance. Sticks and Stones Massage – combines smooth Birch wood sticks and warm basalt stones in flowing massage movements to induce relaxation and tension release. Before or after your treatment, enjoy the spa’s private warming pool, or pull up a chaise near the larger pool that overlooks the bocce courts and outdoor terrace.
New Butler Services: Go all out and hire your own personal butler to draw your bath, prepare a perfectly nuanced yoga session, or lead your family in a game of Bocce. Your butler can even arrange the perfect movie night. New services include: Bubble Time: Whether set in the new Villas’ deluxe handcrafted copper tub for two or the luxury guestroom soaking tubs surrounded by heated marble floors, fresh lavender and garden roses, this en-suite service entails an aromatic display of rose petals leading to the bath, and set of Eminence & Zents spa products. Shaken Please: Surrounded by guest verandas, multiple fire features and alfresco dining, the expansive 10,000 sq. foot bocce lawn sets the stage for an ideal pre-dinner bout. The new Bocce Butler is a nod to the legacy of one of the oldest games in history with a definitive Bernardus spin. Guests can enjoy white glove service in the form of shaken or stirred martinis served courtside along with cheese and charcuterie and private game lane. Pirates & Popcorn: Let your Movie Butler plan a family film with plush robes, a flickering fireplace, and selection of Blu-ray classics. Guests can choose from a selection of Lucia Restaurant artisan pizzas, buttered popcorn, desserts, and beverages served with all the panache of a fine dining experience while lounging en-suite. Vinyasa with a View: Yoga enthusiasts can master their tree pose using the peaks of the Santa Lucia Mountains as their drishti with the counter calm of Bernardus' new Yoga Butler. From an early morning vinyasa to a mid-afternoon meditation, your butler will provide the perfect yoga set-up anywhere on the resort property, complete with mat and blocks.
Bernardus Lodge and Spa: 415 West Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley, CA
Ph: (831) 658-3400
