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FeedLove is in the Air
The modern-day bed and breakfast isn’t just about your morning meal—spa treatments and golf outings round out these romantic getaways
Not all bed and breakfasts are located in a renovated Victorian. Nor are they all in seaside cottages with beds covered in paisley-patterned quilts. And while once part of the bed-and-breakfast lure, today’s innkeepers aren’t necessarily in the service of making scones and scrambled eggs for out-of-towners. Instead, they are the managers of luxury properties redefining the notion of breakfast in bed.
Imagine waking up on the first day of your honeymoon and strolling past bubbling waterways, frescoed walls and replicas of Roman ruins. Or perhaps your morning as husband and wife will begin in a private spa suite, where you’ll soak in a jetted tub and welcome your new life with dual massages. Traditional bed and breakfasts are a thing of the past at destinations such as the Villagio Inn & Spa in Yountville, Napa Valley. Here, champagne breakfast is simply part of a package that also features an in-room cellar stocked with a sommelier’s collection of wines, a made-to-order omelet station available each morning, afternoon dips in a Roman-inspired pool and amenities such as luxury spa treatments, hot-air balloon rides, access to three golf courses and dinner at Bottega, the boldly Italian restaurant by acclaimed-chef-turned-television-celebrity Michael Chiarello.
“Three days or more would be ideal,” says Stephen Andrews, Villagio’s director of sales and marketing. “I would definitely suggest experiencing one of our spa suites, where you can also have our food and beverage department design an in-suite menu with wine pairings. Our guests are lifestyle-conscious, so we’ve been known to design VIP itineraries that include cave tastings, wine picnics and other activities at hard-to-access wineries that our sommelier has relationships with.”
The Villagio and its sister property, Vintage Inn—a series of French country-inspired villas on the north end of the 23-acre estate—are two classic examples of the not-so-classic bed and breakfast. Throughout California, exquisite properties—such as the Viceroy in Santa Monica and Villa Toscana in Paso Robles—offer packages that combine daily breakfast for two with afternoon teas, in-room massages and access to luxury lifestyle amenities. Even on the most romantic of honeymoons, destinations such as these will make you want to get out of bed.
Villa Toscana, Paso Robles
The Tuscan-inspired Villa Toscana is a five-star bed and breakfast nestled in the vineyards of the Martin & Weyrich Winery in Paso Robles. The property features eight suites and two private residences, each named after one of the winery’s award-winning wines, and each with handmade imported Italian tile, fireplaces, sitting rooms and balconies—not to mention expansive vineyard views. Mornings begin with gourmet breakfast and evenings with hors d’oeuvres and wine. Cooking classes and spa treatments round out the experience. 805.238.5600; myvillatoscana.com
Viceroy, Santa Monica
Cosmopolitan in a coastal atmosphere, the Viceroy is a boldly designed luxury hotel with 162 studio-style guestrooms and executive suites. Starting at $695 for the first 
night, the hotel’s “By the Sea” package is an eco-aware approach to luxury, featuring roundtrip transfer from LAX in a Toyota Prius hybrid, two signature in-room Fusion Massages (a blend of Swedish, deep tissue and shiatsu techniques combined with essential-oil aromatherapy), in-room breakfast for two from the Michelin-recommended Whist restaurant and a listing of LA’s farmers’ markets. 310.260.7500; viceroysantamonica.com
Inn on Summer Hill & Spa, Santa Barbara
Offering a country inn atmosphere with the amenities of a boutique hotel, the Inn on Summer Hill is a four-diamond, Craftsman-style property in the charming beachtown of Summerland in Santa Barbara wine country. Every room has ocean views, a patio or balcony and whirlpool tubs. The Inn’s Honeymoon Special starts at $598 and includes two nights in an ocean-view room with balcony, a welcome gift basket, a dozen roses, a bottle of champagne with flutes, a dozen chocolate-covered strawberries and, of course, breakfast in bed. 805.969.9998; innonsummerhill.com
Villagio Inn & Spa, Yountville
Villagio Inn & Spa is a casually elegant resort designed in a style reminiscent of a Tuscan village. Tucked away on a picturesque street in Yountville, in the heart of Napa Valley, the property features 112 guest-rooms and 26 mini-suites, a waterway that wraps around the 23-acre estate, a personal in-room wine collection, a 40-foot outdoor heated pool surrounded by cozy cabañas, tennis courts, bicycle rentals and a 13,000-square-foot luxury spa. What’s more, the Villagio is located within walking distance of award-winning restaurants and tasting rooms. Rates begin at $340 and include a buffet champagne breakfast and afternoon tea. 707.944.8877; villagio.com
Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Carlsbad
Wildlife and wildflowers surround this premier resort, located just 30 minutes north of San Diego on a 200-acre property overlooking the Batiquitos Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean. An extensive spa and Arnold Palmer signature golf course lend to a well-balanced honeymoon. Starting at $430, the bed-and-breakfast package includes Beach Butler service, buffet breakfast for two and access to the spa and fitness center. 760.603.6800; fourseasons.com/aviara
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