TAKES ON TRAVEL ~ As a travel writer I stay in a wide range of hotels, motels and B&Bs. Some good, some...not so much. Here are my top picks from around the globe.
The Anderson Inn ~ Morro Bay, California This brand new eight room property places you squarely in the middle of everything right on the Embarcadero. Three rooms directly face the water with fireplaces and deep hot tubs. The other rooms don’t directly face the water but with their side balconies, you’re not missing anything. I stayed in the room overlooking the street and was a voyeur to the happenings in Morro Bay, all very cool as I drank merlot and people watched.
Plus my side balcony had great views of the Rock. There are large showers, large closets very comfy beds, flat screen TVs, wireless and covered parking. This will most likely be the last hotel to be built at the waterfront and the Galley restaurant is attached. It’s hands down one of the two nicest properties in all of Morro Bay. http://www.AndersonInnMorroBay.com 805/772-3434
Meliá Recoletos ~ Valladolid, Spain Should you find yourself travelling to Valladolid, just north of Madrid in Spain to say, oh, check out the wine region of Rueda and their signature white grape, verdejo, you’d do well to stay at Meliá Recoletos. It’s a five minute walk from the train station in this city of 400,000 people, across from a beautiful park which has albino peacocks (my photos turned out blurry!) and within walking distance to dozens of tapas bars, old historic churches and shopping. The interior courtyard rooms are quieter than those facing the street. The rooms are spacious and comfortable even if a little uninteresting. But that’s not the point. Easy access, a large breakfast and dining room on the second floor for us American’s, wireless Internet, and a phone in the bathroom so you can talk while in the shower (yes it can be handy), all for an incredible price, roughly around $125 depending on the Euro. http://www.es.solmelia.com
The Highlawn Inn ~ Berkeley Springs, West Virginia Most B&B’s never celebrate their 25th anniversary, but the wonderful Highlawn Inn has accomplished this feat in 2010. Owner Sandra Kaufman is that rare breed of innkeeper who is gracious, knowledgeable and an excellent cook. There are 12 rooms in four buildings, all classic B&B; tin pressed ceilings, creaky wood floors, intimate fireplaces, large rooms stuffed with antiques, boatloads of charm and the requisite inn cats, in this case Chico, Peach and Squawky. The breakfasts in the 1880s house are perfect.
This is Berkeley Springs, therefore most guests come here for the waters, the natural springs that flow to the surface at a constant 74 degrees. It was George Washington who formed the town originally calling it Bath. Most visitors are here for the spa and as a romantic weekend or a girl’s getaway, and the Highlawn Inn sees many repeat guests, even a few who have been coming since they first opened! http://www.HighlawnInn.com 888/290-4163
The Olallieberry Inn ~ Cambria, California Built in 1873 it's exactly what you expect in an older house; floors creak in certain spots, the rooms are larger and laid out differently than standard accommodations, and with cool period furniture, and the owners call you by name. The wine reception is each evening from 5-6 p.m. and includes lighter foods. In the front hallway sherry in a glass decanter is available when ever you need it.
The property abuts Santa Rosa Creek and during the summer months you can lounge outside and watch it languidly go by. Home made breakfasts are served at 8 a.m. and 9:15 and include olallieberry jam. Occasionally cooking classes are available in their very large kitchen, and you’re close enough that you can walk to shops in Cambria’s East Village. The service is beyond gracious and you’ll feel like you’re the most important person in the world. http://www.Olallieberry.com805/927-3222
Hotel Hof Bechtermunz ~ Eltville, Germany The historic village of Eltville is an ideal place to use as a base from which to explore the German wine Rhine River region. Hotel Hof Bechtermunz, built in 2003, has ten rooms, all with exposed rock walls, hardwood floors, wood beams and modern amenities, but it’s in keeping with the historic feel of the village. A full breakfast is available and the hotel, while secluded on a side street, is close to everything. A short stroll is the St. Peter and Paul Church constructed in 1350. The church offers concerts and various art exhibits and abuts the old city ruins from 1332 whose narrow defensive windows, small enough to just shoot an arrow through, overlook the languid Rhine. There is also a splendid dirt trail for walking and running that hugs the river as you pass by palatial estates. When you return to your room you’ll plop onto your comfortable bed and not want to leave. http://www.Weingut-Koegler.de
Predator Ridge ~ Kelowna, British Columbia No fewer than 30 golf courses are within Kelowna and surrounding areas. One of the best is Predator Ridge. Encompassing 1,200 acres, the 18-hole course is set in the middle of endless rolling hills and open sky. Predator Ridge also offers exceptional accommodations at great prices. The rooms are large, comfortable with spacious balconies and palatial bathrooms. There are the amenities like the 25 meter pool, full service spa, state of the art fitness room and hiking and walking trails.
But Predator Ridge is also a community, with single family homes, natural lakes and a pristine beauty. The views from the forth floor guest housing, overlooking the driving range are spectacular; the soft rolling hills seem to undulate, one after the other for an eternity. And the drive towards Kelowna along Highway 97 is another scenic route passing by additional lakes, and tree covered hills. http://PredatorRidge.com
My new Moon travel book, Santa Barbara & The Central Coast will be in bookstores nationwide in November, 2010. Contact me for special pricing and a signed copy! This will be the definitive travel book covering Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles Morro Bay, Cambria and Ventura, along with the area wineries.
To purchase a signed copy my poetry book, Generous Fiction, and to see my other work please click here: http://www.MichaelCervin.com
The Anderson Inn ~ Morro Bay, California
Plus my side balcony had great views of the Rock. There are large showers, large closets very comfy beds, flat screen TVs, wireless and covered parking. This will most likely be the last hotel to be built at the waterfront and the Galley restaurant is attached. It’s hands down one of the two nicest properties in all of Morro Bay. 
Meliá Recoletos ~ Valladolid, Spain
The Highlawn Inn ~ Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
This is Berkeley Springs, therefore most guests come here for the waters, the natural springs that flow to the surface at a constant 74 degrees. It was George Washington who formed the town originally calling it Bath. Most visitors are here for the spa and as a romantic weekend or a girl’s getaway, and the Highlawn Inn sees many repeat guests, even a few who have been coming since they first opened! 
The Olallieberry Inn ~ Cambria, California
The property abuts Santa Rosa Creek and during the summer months you can lounge outside and watch it languidly go by. Home made breakfasts are served at 8 a.m. and 9:15 and include olallieberry jam. Occasionally cooking classes are available in their very large kitchen, and you’re close enough that you can walk to shops in Cambria’s East Village. The service is beyond gracious and you’ll feel like you’re the most important person in the world. 
Hotel Hof Bechtermunz ~ Eltville, Germany
Predator Ridge ~ Kelowna, British Columbia
But Predator Ridge is also a community, with single family homes, natural lakes and a pristine beauty. The views from the forth floor guest housing, overlooking the driving range are spectacular; the soft rolling hills seem to undulate, one after the other for an eternity. And the drive towards Kelowna along Highway 97 is another scenic route passing by additional lakes, and tree covered hills. 
My new Moon travel book, Santa Barbara & The Central Coast will be in bookstores nationwide in November, 2010. Contact me for special pricing and a signed copy! This will be the definitive travel book covering Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles Morro Bay, Cambria and Ventura, along with the area wineries.
