Carmel Valley Bliss: Bernardus Lodge & Spa

Lucia edifice terrace astatine Bernardus Lodge & Spa

Mention of Carmel apt brings to caput the storybook cottages and sandy beaches of “Carmel-by-the-Sea.” But there’s different Carmel that deserves adjacent billing. It’s the mentation that is warmed by a prima that often evades its coastal cousin. It’s the Carmel that features hiking and biking trails, title play courses, moving ranches, a 4,000-acre determination park, and award-winning Bernardus Lodge & Spa, the region’s astir gracious hospitality option.

Bernardus Lodge & Spa entry

Bernardus Lodge & Spa lobby

Located successful the bosom of inland Carmel Valley and surrounded by the spectacular Santa Lucia Mountains, Bernardus is a lavender and grape vine-studded haven. The Forbes Travel Guide twelve-star constitution features everything 1 mightiness necessitate for a luxuriant and relaxing getaway: a sumptuous spa, a fittingness room, an expansive 10,000 sq. ft bocce lawn, heated excavation and 2 blistery tubs, destination restaurant, verdant gardens successful which to stroll, and fire-warmed nooks successful which to nestle. Even aft respective stays implicit the years, I proceed to find thing caller each visit, similar the cozy, tree-hanging hammock tucked wrong a shaded corner, oregon the charming children’s plot wherever wee guests person sown varied rootlike seeds.

Bernardus Lodge & Spa suite terrace

More than 20 Central Coast wineries and vino tasting rooms are a hop and a skip away. Garland Ranch Regional Park, a favored hiking spot for each levels, is straight adjacent. And Refuge, a two-acre h2o parkland of thalassotherapy pools is conscionable down the road. Yet erstwhile connected the Bernardus property, guests find small crushed to task forth. A lukewarm greeting begins astatine check-in with an connection of a solid of Provencal-made Bernardus Rosé, and continues with gratis in-room snacks and beverages and turn-down chocolates—simple yet generous gestures that genuinely marque a welcoming difference.

Bernardus’ 73 ample rooms and suites are luxuriously equipped to delight adjacent the astir pampered traveler. Scattered passim the spot and overlooking either the main pool, the cardinal bocce and croquet lawn, oregon the roseate and chef’s gardens, each is the epitome of ranch location chic featuring refined décor, comfy furnishings, and heated bath floors—a highly underestimated indulgence. The resort’s villas are the prime for those seeking a small much surviving space. Plus, they supply speedy entree to the adults-only infinity whirlpool and occurrence pit with upland and vineyard views. At 1050 and 2100 quadrate feet, these deluxe quarters diagnostic vaulted ceilings, French doors, ample maestro baths with free-standing hammered copper soaking tubs, al fresco showers, treble sided fireplaces, and afloat furnished backstage patios with occurrence pits. 

Bernardus Lodge & Spa impermanent room

Bernardus Lodge & Spa villa bathroom

On-site Lucia restaurant unsocial is worthy a visit. Its all-season, al fresco eating terrace is an enchanting spot successful which to dine, arsenic is the chandeliered main eating room. Long nether the purview of founding cook Cal Stamenov, Lucia enters a caller epoch with Executive Chef Christian Ojeda, formerly of Montage Deer Valley Resort. Ojeda’s benignant is progressive, with a caller instrumentality connected classics which helium infuses with local, seasonal influences. Many of his ingredients, specified arsenic Meyer lemons and caller herbs, travel straight from the restaurant’s two-acre integrated garden and immoderate dishes diagnostic chromatic gathered from the property’s apiary programme that features Italian chromatic bees. And with a 15,000 vessel vino cellar and a garden-to-glass trade cocktail program, guests are definite to find the cleanable aperitif and vino pairing.

Lucia edifice terrace and eating room

For further pampering, don’t miss The Spa astatine Bernardus, offering an in-depth, individualized attack to wellness. Indulgent treatments are infused with botanical ingredients, galore culled from the section vineyards and on-site gardens. Before oregon aft your treatment, bask the spa’s backstage warming pool, oregon propulsion up a chaise adjacent the larger excavation that overlooks the bocce courts and outdoor terrace. And don’t miss the spa boutique’s large assortment of covering and gifts, peculiarly the enactment of eye-catching women’s swimsuits, made expressly for the resort. 

The Spa astatine Bernardus warming pool

Finally, 1 of Bernardus’ astir charming features is its staff. It’s nary concealed that the hospitality manufacture has suffered a spot successful caller years; staffing has been an contented worldwide. But Bernardus has been palmy successful maintaining its longtime team. Many employees person been with the edifice 20, 15, and 10 years, creating a household similar ambiance wherever each impermanent is made to consciousness invited and appreciated.

Bernardus Lodge & Spa celebrates 25 years successful 2024! Look for a assortment of upcoming festive nutrient and beverage programs that volition people the expansive occasion. 

Photos courtesy of Bernardus Lodge & Spa