Travelers who have praised that superb little...

Travelers who have praised that superb little San Francisco hotel, Petite Auberge, will be pleased to learn that the owners have opened a new European-style hotel at Carmel, the Cobblestone Inn. Fireplaces in each room, fresh fruit, flowers. Complimentary tea, sherry, wine, hors d’oeuvres, a morning newspaper. Guests who leave their shoes and golf clubs outside the door will find them polished when they awaken. The management also packs picnic lunches. For reservations write to the Cobblestone Inn, P.O. Box 3185, Carmel 93921, or telephone (408) 625-5222. Rates: $65 and up.

For readers who have requested additional information on the Cobblestone’s sister hotel (Petite Auberge, 863 Bush St., San Francisco 94108) here are the statistics: This is a French-style country inn, only 2 1/2 blocks off Union Square. And it’s a gem. Radiates Old World goodliness. Twenty-six rooms with brass fixtures, burnished wood. Petite Auberge has been a smash hit since opening its doors in April, 1983. Free shoeshines, free books, sherry, a splendid breakfast. Rates $85 and up. For reservations telephone (415) 928-6000.

Monterey

A new hotel is doing business on Cannery Row in Monterey. Forty-two rooms (three with saunas), wood-burning fireplaces, feather beds, down comforters. Each afternoon at 4 o’clock guests are served tea, sherry, desserts, and there’s free valet parking . It’s called the Spindrift Inn. On the waterfront. Expensive. Rates: $129/$189 a night.

Other news: A couple of huge new hotels are scheduled to open on The Row. Three-hundred-room behemoths. Imagine. Insensitive developers with their avarice never seem satisfied until they spoil the lovely places. And probably they’ll not give up until the charm of Cannery Row is just a memory.

Better news: Good comments about a restaurant with unusual warmth called Fresh Cream, 100 Pacific St., Heritage Harbor, Monterey. For reservations telephone (408) 375-9798.

Student Tour

Youth isn’t really wasted on the young. Not according to Jacques Pauwels who teaches languages at a prep school in Claremont. With an associate, Mrs. Clara Ivey-Soto, Pauwels will lead a group of students on a tour this summer to Spain, Morocco and France. A mixture of French/Spanish lessons with sightseeing. Classes will be held at Cannes on the French Riviera with excursions along the coast between St. Tropez and Nice and beyond to Monaco and San Remo, Italy. Earlier the group will visit Madrid, Seville, Cordoba, Granada and other Spanish destinations. After this they’ll do Paris and environs. Dates are June 23-July 28. For details write to Pauwels at the Webb School of California, 1175 W. Baseline Road, Claremont 91711, or telephone (714) 626-3587 (days) and (714) 626-0219 (nights).

Castle Life in Germany

Germany’s Mad King Ludwig had a fetish for the good life. Today’s travelers can follow in his footsteps. Accommodations provided in castles, mansions, historic inns throughout Germany. Some surrounded by moats, others featuring their own hunting lodges. To get a fix on the locations, drop a post card to Hans Baumann at the German National Tourist Office, 444 S. Flower St., Suite 2230, Los Angeles 90071, or telephone (213-688-7332. Ask for a copy of the 1985 “Gast im Schloss Directory” (translated: “Guest in a Castle”). A choice of more than 50 historic properties. Something to crow to the neighbors about when you return home: “Hey, I lived it up in a castle in Germany!”

Britain on the Cheap

Pat Hellenberg belongs to an association of B&Bs; in Britain called Guestaccom. More than 200 members. Average room costs about $13 per night, including breakfast, taxes, service. Hellenberg calls her converted farmhouse The Barn Owls (London Road, Colwaltham, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1LR, England). “We offer personal service, a warm welcome,” says Hellenberg. Other members of Guestaccom welcome visitors throughout England, Scotland, Wales. Seaside cottages, farmhouses, country homes. A guide listing all 200-plus members is available. Send $1 or four international reply coupons (available at your post office) to Guestaccom, 190 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, England BN3 2DJ.

New York Guide

New York has published its 1985 “I Love New York City Travel Guide.” Thirty-six pages. Pinpoints dozens of motels/hotels (all prices), museums, restaurants (covering all five boroughs). Other sections devoted to shopping, spectator sports, nightclubs, Broadway shows. There’s also a handy map of mid-town Manhattan. For a free copy write to New York, Box 992, Latham, N.Y. 12110.

Bike Tours/Europe

Here’s a chance to go biking, “Paris to Pompeii.” Tours are offered by McBride’s Earth Venture. The “Paris to Pompeii” ride takes bikers through Dijon, Lyon, the Rhone River Valley, along the Mediterranean between Marseille and St. Tropez. In Italy they follow the Arno River. Thirty to 60 miles per day. Other trips through the French countryside south of Paris and along the French Riviera, etc. Details from Bill McBride, 6608 St. James Drive, Indianapolis, Ind. 46217, or telephone (317) 783-9449.

Reader Recommendations

New Zealand--Wayne and Marilyn Wilson, Sacramento: “In Auckland we had the pleasure of spending two nights at the Ascot Parnell guest house, 36 St. Stephens Ave., Parnell, Auckland 1, New Zealand. Telephone 399-012. This is a new bed-and-breakfast establishment owned by Heidi and Alfred Hassencamp. A charming, converted 80-year-old residence. Rates: $24 single, $34 double (New Zealand) with breakfast.”

Jamaica--Debra Dresbach, West Hollywood: “Best guest house in Jamaica is Lot 3 in Tichville ($7 per night). On a bluff overlooking Errol Flynn’s favorite spot. Absolutely heavenly paradise. Telephone 993-3531.”

Austria--Gerald G. Wells, Banning: “The delightful Hotel Gablerbrau, Linzer Gasse 9, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. In the medieval section. Within walking distance of concert halls, etc. Double room with breakfast, $35. This same hotel has been used by the University of Redlands Salzburg Summer Festival Tour for the last 10 years.”

Austria--Grace R. Spencer, Fullerton: “The Clima Hotel, Zeughaus Gasse 7, A-6021 Innsbruck, Austria. Rooms, $24 per night including rolls and coffee each morning. A warm, cozy, friendly hotel. Staff is very attentive and kind. Within the hotel is a darling French restaurant called Belle Epoque. Serves the best food in town.”

Hawaii--Ann G. Steward, Lakewood: “A charming bed and breakfast in Hawaii, $30 a night twin, $25 single. Owner/hostess is Mary S. Frederick, 75-5807 Lewa Place, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740. It’s approximately nine miles north of Kailua-Kona.”

Britain--Dick M. Blue, Camarillo: “A lot of traveling folks are missing one of the greatest attractions in Britain: If your carrier flies into Gatwick, pick up your luggage and take the train to Victoria Station, 30 minutes away. A great place to start a tour of London.”

Ireland--Beverlee Nelson, North Hollywood: “A fabulous old home converted to a bed and breakfast, the Cloneen House, Innis Road, Limerick, Ireland. Beautiful rose gardens. Within walking distance of Limerick City, $9 per night, including breakfast.”

England--Lindsay Wood, Rolling Hills Estates: Spent several days at The Havercrofts, 85 Sharps Lane, Ruislip, Middlesex, England. On the north fringe of London. Just 20 minutes from Heathrow Airport. A beautiful 150-year-old house. Modern plumbing, a half-acre garden. Bed and breakfast $11.30 single, $20.50 double. Optional evening meal, $6. I intended to stay just the first night but stayed for a complete week.”

Seattle, Wash.--M.S. Pistey, Los Angeles: “A lovely B&B; five minutes north of downtown Seattle, $30/$50: Chelsea Station, 4915 Linden Ave., North Seattle, Wash. 98103.”

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