We stayed right before the high-season rates hit so I thought it was a reasonable value. It is very nice, very plush, very responsive and effusive service. I would stay there again at the rate we paid. Everything is well maintained. Breakfast was included and not to be missed. One odd thing is that kids are not allowed but there were kids playing in the pool at 9p PDT at night. Kind of weird.
Hotels.com
Hotels.com
Hotels.com
I received a gift certificate from work (another hotel) with a dinner for 2 and an overnight stay.
We arrived and they couldn't find the reservation. No problem, they quickly upgraded us to a Junior Suite (Room 5). The Front Desk staff were the best!
They have complimentary port just off the lobby, which is a nice touch. We were shown around the property with times services were offered and amenities.
The room was fantastic with a fireplace, jacuzzi tub, tile shower, separate bedroom and adjoining private patio.
Dinner was very good and the Executive Chef was very friendly as were all the wait staff.
Breakfast was either Continental or served. The breakfast served was one item but with the offering of the "buffet" it was more than enough! Breakfast was from 6:30 AM to 10 AM.
The bed was VERY comfortable and we didn't hear any traffic noise. The Villa/Tuscan look was very homey and laid back.
No TV or coffee maker in the room but that wasn't the reason we went there. It was actually very refreshing. I don't mind walking for my coffee!
All said, a wonderful experience! A little pricey (not for us being it was free) but that is the nature of the area. The staff is what really made our stay memorable!
I just love this place - can't quite put my finger on it, as when I do look objectively, there are issues. Sure, it is close to the road, but you never notice. Some of the rooms are a little "antique-y," not totally my style, but whatever (the larger suites are very nice). You feel like you are in an old-world villa. The "free" breakfast is a nice touch (although at the rates you pay, you can hardly call it free), but this last time we visited, we were a little disappointed (and one morning the sauteed spinach tasted like someone had thrown a cup of salt into it by accident), but again, you're in wine country so who cares? I also love the little wine bar, we always order some wine and cheese and the atmosphere in there is just magic. If there were one quibble, being major foodies, I'd say that the food is not quite up to par (there are much better places out there), but it will satisfy those who are less picky.
Since this property was recently voted by readers of Conde Nast Traveler as best resort on the U.S. mainland, expectations were very high. This is a nice property but by no means, should it be the best resort on the U.S. mainland. Come on now! Who stuffed the ballot box this year? Been to a number of 4-5 star properties in North America and Kenwood should not be #1 on U.S. mainland or in California for that matter.
Pluses: small, beautiful property with Tuscan villa feel. Nice, large rooms...again with Tuscan decor and nice bath amenities. Friendly, albeit not 5-star professional, staff. Very romantic jacuzzi settings. Good value for the money.
Minuses: signs of wear on exterior of property that have not been repaired. Complimentary breakfast so-so with too casual a wait staff and silverware, dining ware. Stir sticks offered for coffee, instead of spoons. No mini-bar/snack center or safe in room. Staff unprofessionally dressed. No bell captain/staff in sight.
It's like a European escape without all the hassles of a European escape! Amazingly beautiful and serene and absolutely impecable service. The dinner on Saturday night was one of the best meals we've ever had...the dining room is only for hotel guest so it's relaxed...like your personal chef and server. The meal wasn't cheap, but you're on vacation. The only downsides of the hotel are its proximity to the road and that it's not walkable to anything. I hadn't realized it was about 8 miles to town. But those were minor negatives to an overall A++ experience.
I took my husband (I can say that now) for the spa treatments. We did not stay at the hotel. As everyone notes, the grounds are wonderful. For a Friday afternoon, we literally were the only two people there, although the spa concierge said the place and the spa were booked for Friday-Sunday. After an enjoyable lounging in the sauna and jacuzzi, we each had the massage and men's facial. The deep tissue massage was nice, although I will have to say that it was not a 'relaxing' experience. Lots of elbow digging into the muscles as opposed to deep tissue management. We are both regular massage patrons, so I know a good treatment when I experience one. The masage therapist said she was a 13 year veteran. I think she needs to go back to school for some refresher courses. The facial was basically annoying. Again, instead of a relaxing experience, the esthetician was a bit rough on the exfoliation, and there was so much distracting clanging of equipment, and she even decided to 'wash the tin dishes' in the sink which was right behind my head. How annoying can that be? I get the feeling that she does not work on many men. The extractions she did were actually painful, and there is a particular way of working with a man's facial skin due to the facial hair.
For the amount of money that was spent on this day (over $600 for two), I would rather go to the extremely experienced therapists at Osmosis. I chose Kenwood this time because of the location to where we stayed in Kenwood. Next time I will make the drive to Osmosis.
