Advertisement

Our reader recommendations

Share

Each week in “Readers Recommend,” the Travel section shares tips on hidden gems in the U.S. and abroad. Here is a roundup of some of the lodging recommendations published in the last year. Although the information here was correct when it was published, some details may have changed, especially room rates abroad because of the weakened dollar. Please contact the source to confirm prices and other information.

United States

Arizona

Creekside Inn at Sedona, 99 Copper Cliffs Drive, Sedona 86336; (800) 390-8621 or (928) 282-4992, www.creeksideinn.net. “This secluded getaway, which features B&B; amenities, has reflecting pools, deer, ducks and squirrels. It is on a private road adjacent to good food, two great golf courses and souvenir shops.” Doubles start at $160.

John Helvin

La Mirada

California

Elam Biggs Bed and Breakfast, 220 Colfax Ave., Grass Valley 95945; (530) 477-0906, www.elambiggs.com. “This comfortable B&B; in Grass Valley is an easy stroll to downtown and only a few minutes’ drive to Nevada City. Owner Peter Franchino, a Burbank native, is a talented magician and, if you ask, he’ll perform some sleight-of-hand tricks for you.” Doubles, with bath, from $85 to $120.

Advertisement

Matt Proietti

Lake Arrowhead

Blackberry Inn, P.O. Box 1064, Groveland 95321; (209) 962-4663, www.blackberry-inn.com. “Tastefully decorated bed-and-breakfast near Yosemite has cozy private rooms. Owners have years of experience in the area and helped us make the most of our trip to the Sierra Nevada.” Doubles from $120, depending on season. Breakfast included.

Liz Tenney

Los Angeles

Kern River Inn Bed and Breakfast, P.O. Box 1725, Kernville 93238; (800) 986-4382, www.kernriverinn.com. “This delightful five-bedroom house overlooks the Kern River, just across the road. Each room has a private bath, a TV-VCR and either a whirlpool tub or a working rock fireplace. It’s kid-friendly. There are lots of nearby activities -- whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, fishing, exploring the surrounding town of Kernville or just lazing on the peaceful veranda.” Doubles from $125, with breakfast.

Peter Levitan

Sherman Oaks

Restful Nest B&B;, 4274 Buckeye Creek Road, Mariposa 95338; (800) 664-7127, www.restfulnest.com. “Wonderful B&B; on 10 acres of peaceful countryside, five miles from Mariposa and 40 miles from Yosemite National Park. Four rooms with private bath and shower, and guesthouse with living room with wood-burning stove and bath. Pool and Jacuzzi.” Doubles from $95.

Pat Shragg

Woodland Hills

Casa Tropicana Bed and Breakfast, 610 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente 92672; (800) 492-1245, (949) 492-1234, www.casatropicana.com. “Delightful B&B; in San Clemente overlooks the beach and pier. Our ‘Out of Africa’ room had a fireplace and huge Jacuzzi tub.” Nine rooms, doubles from $195.

Connie and Lynn Hughes

Laguna Beach

Heritage Inn Bed & Breakfast, 978 Olive St., San Luis Obispo 93405; (805) 544-7440, www.heritageinnslo.com. “This bed-and-breakfast welcomed our dog and sent us on our way the next morning with a fine breakfast.” Three rooms with private baths; four with shared baths. Rooms from $85.

Norman Katkov

Los Angeles

Massachusetts

The Ashley Graves House, 121 N. Main St., Sunderland 01375; (413) 665-6656, www.ashleygraveshouse.com. “This 1830 bed-and-breakfast has been lovingly restored and decorated with period antiques. The hosts are wonderful, and the breakfast is delicious.” Double rooms, with bath and breakfast, from $150.

Advertisement

Sally Bryant

Los Angeles

Montana

Shiloh Valley Vacation Rental Homes, P.O. Box 130211, Coram 59913; (406) 387-5635, www.shilohvalleyministry.com. “Beautiful, quiet house is about 10 minutes outside West Glacier National Park in the Shiloh Valley. Sleeps 12, has a kitchen. Two houses are for rent by owner Todd Fox, a local pastor.” Daily rate: $145 for two people; a smaller house rents for $125 for two.

Sue Roth

Irvine

Grand Union Hotel, Grand Union Square, P.O. Box 1119, Fort Benton 59442; (888) 838-1882, www.grandunionhotel.com. “Montana’s oldest operating hotel recently was restored and has 26 elegantly appointed and furnished rooms, all with large baths.” Doubles, with breakfast, from $89.

Kenn Morris

Los Angeles

Blue Sky Cabins, HC50 Box 4483, Red Lodge 59068; (406) 446-0186, www.blueskycabins.com. “Secluded location and spectacular views at these luxury cabins in the middle of the Beartooth and Absaroka mountain ranges. The full kitchen comes stocked with breakfast food.” Cabins from $180.

Shirley Kaub

Thousand Oaks

Washington

Hotel Pension Anna, 926 Commercial St., P.O. Box 127, Leavenworth 98826; (509) 548-6273, www.pensionanna.com. “This delightful inn has 16 tastefully decorated rooms with imported furniture selected during the innkeepers’ visits to Austria and Germany. All rooms are nonsmoking; breakfast is served.” Doubles from $89.

Gloria Duncan

Santa Ana

Wyoming

Occidental Hotel, 10 N. Main St., Buffalo 82834; (307) 684-0451, www.occidentalwyoming.com. “Walk back into the history of the Old West at this hotel. Beautifully furnished rooms with period antiques. Solid oak bar in the hotel’s historic saloon.” Doubles from $125 with breakfast.

Russ and Marlene Jones

Huntington Beach

Foreign

Australia

Cotterville Homestay, 204 Williams Road, Toorak, Melbourne, Victoria 3142; 011-61-3-9826-9105, www.cotterville.com. “Admirable B&B; in the city of Melbourne is a small jewel operated with pride and panache. Great choice of breakfasts, plus 5 p.m. happy hour with wine and cheese.” Doubles, with shared bath, from $97.

Advertisement

Robert F. Green

Fallbrook, Calif.

Belgium

Royal Stewart Bed & Breakfast, 25-27 Genthof, Bruges 8000; 011-32-50-33-79-18, www.brugge.be/verblijf/en/stewe.htm. “A multilingual couple who take cleanliness seriously offer three rooms above their antiques store. The B&B; is a 20-minute walk to the train station.” Doubles from $69 with breakfast.

Joy Mosse

Beverly Hills

Canada

Minette Bay Lodge, 284 City Centre, Kitimat, British Columbia V8C 1T6; (250) 632-2907, www.minettebaylodge.com. “This 10-room home is in a pristine setting and surrounded by natural wonders. Rooms are laden with antiques, are meticulously clean and have wonderful views of the bay.” Rates are $160 per person, per day, including room, meals and beverages.

Arthur Strauss

Irvine

Aston House Bed & Breakfast, 205 Quarry Drive, Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K 1J2; (866) 538-1868, www.astonhouse.ca. “This new luxury B&B; has two elegantly decorated bedrooms with fireplaces and a view of beautiful Vesuvius Bay from the bedrooms, balconies, terrace and gazebo.” Doubles from $144, depending on season.

Elliot and Charlene Elgart

Los Angeles

Costa Rica

Hotel Bougainvillea, P.O. Box 69-210, San Jose; (506) 244-1414, www.bougainvillea.co.cr. “This hotel, 15 minutes from San Jose, has big rooms with Costa Rican hardwood furnishings, mountain views from the balconies and 12 acres of extravagant plantings.” Doubles from $77.50.

Donald Weggeman

Los Angeles

England

The Town House, 7 Bennett St., Bath, BA1 2QJ; 011-44-1225-422-505, www.thetownhousebath.co.uk. “This excellent bed-and-breakfast is in a quiet location, has wonderful breakfasts and is beautifully decorated with casual elegance.” Doubles, with breakfast and private bath, from $146.

Susie Hietala

Carson

Woodlands Hotel, New Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria LA23 2EE; 011-44-1-539-443-915, www.woodlands-windermere.co.uk. “This lovely B&B; in the Lake District is within walking distance of Windermere and Bowness. Rooms were comfortable and bright, and the food at night is outstanding. Owners Alan and Sarah Ayres serve the best of local produce, and the fish and meat entrees are excellent. Dinners are far more reasonable than in the local restaurants and the quality far superior.” Doubles, $110.

Advertisement

Siobhan Gogan

Corona del Mar

Stour Lodge, 54 Stour Road, Christchurch BH23 1LW; 011-44-1202-486-902. “Standout hosts, large breakfasts and wet, sloppy kisses from strawberry blonds Abby 1 and Abbie 2 at this B&B; in Christchurch. Kim and Colin Baugh (and dogs) are the friendliest hosts we’ve ever encountered. Nice accommodations within walking distance of the rail depot.” Doubles from $50.

Dorothy A. Smith

San Luis Obispo

Chesterfield Hotel, 35 Charles St., Mayfair, London W1J 5EB; 011-44-20-7491-2622, www.redcarnationhotels.com. “Beautifully decorated hotel is within easy walking distance of Buckingham Palace and is easily accessible to the Tube. Our double room was sizable, clean and very quiet. Friendly staff goes above and beyond. The hotel restaurant serves delicious food.” Doubles from $335 with breakfast.

Dan and Meeling Wagner

Stevenson Ranch

Tustin Holiday Flats, 94 York St., London, W1H 1QX; 011-44-207-724-0224, www.pctustin.com. “Two nice discoveries and both on the same street: My sister was welcomed by Liz and Michael Callis at 22 York Street Bed and Breakfast, www.22yorkstreet.co.uk); my wife and I rented a flat for nine days from Tustin Holiday Flats. The flat had twin beds, kitchen and shower. It was functional and comfortable, private and heated. York Street is handy to the Tube, buses and easy grocery shopping.” One-bedroom apartments from $647 per week.

Arthur and Margie Jones

Valencia

The Old Rectory, Cricket Malherbie, Ilminster, Somerset TA 19 OPW; 011-44-1460-54364, www.malherbie.co.uk. “Bed-and-breakfast is in a lovely, peaceful location. A beautiful old English country house has been converted to an intimate five-bedroom, antique-filled hotel. Close to Bath, Glastonbury, Exeter and Stonehenge.” Doubles, $156.

Penelope Burley

Camarillo

Saracen’s Head, Wolterton, Norfolk NR11 7LX; 011-44-1263-768909, www.saracenshead-norfolk.co.uk. “Cozy, comfortable setting with rich, warm colors, roaring fires and views of either gardens or countryside. Mornings start with a cooked British breakfast. Location is convenient for touring Norwich, the North Norfolk Coast and several well-known estates and gardens.” Doubles, $102.

Joanna Hale-Hinton

Vero Beach, Fla.

France

Best Western Le Moulin de Ducey Hotel, 1 Grande Rue, Ducey 50220; 011-33-2-33-60-25-25, www.bestwestern.fr. “This is a fine hotel in a historic, picturesque setting. Breakfast is included, and the dining area, with picture windows, has a view of two ancient stone bridges, a large millpond and a dam that creates a waterfall. It is convenient to Le Mont-St.-Michel, about 20 minutes away.” Doubles from $100.

Advertisement

Bill Webster

Bakersfield

Germany

Pension Moselblick, 6 Lindenstrasse, 54472 Brauneberg, Germany; 011-49-6534-8687. “This pension, with large rooms and private baths, is centrally located on the Mosel River, making it an ideal location for day trips. It is comfortable, offers nice German-style breakfasts and has its own winery. Tastings can be arranged. A good hotel restaurant is within a block.” Rates start at $86 double occupancy, including breakfast.

Dick Kraft

Whittier

Hotel Privat Dresden, 22 Forststrasse, Dresden 01099, 011-49-3-51-81-17-70. “We recently spent a couple of nights at this hotel. We recommend it highly for its immaculate, smoke-free premises as well as its location in a quiet, leafy neighborhood. It has buffet breakfasts and offers a very good restaurant and wine cellar.” Doubles from about $100 in high season.

Sherrill Pinney

Claremont

Ireland

Causeway Hotel, 40 Causeway Road, Bushmills, County Antrim, BT 57 8SU; 011-353-028-2073-1210, www.giants-causeway-hotel.com. “Great views from the rooms of this hotel on Giants Causeway property in Northern Ireland. Big rooms, great dinners and friendly service.” Doubles from $65, including breakfast.

Grace E. Murphy

Palos Verdes Estates

Byrnes Mal Dua House, Clifden, Connemara, County Galway; (866) 891-9420, www.maldua.com. “This luxury guesthouse in Connemara is a great base for exploring all of Galway, Connemara and Mayo counties. The rooms are lovely, the hosts gracious. They have won numerous awards for their accommodations, hospitality and food.” Double rooms with breakfast from $98, depending on season.

John Fisher and

Susan McShirley Fisher

Pacific Palisades

Kilronan House, 70 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2; 011-353-1475-5266, fax 011-353-1478-2841, www.dublinn.com. “This outstanding B&B; in Dublin is near St. Stephen’s Green. Old Irish elegance and hospitality at its best. Wonderful breakfast. Delightful host, Terry Masterson, runs the guesthouse.” Doubles from $124.

Grace Murphy

Palos Verdes Estates

Italy

Il Colletto Bed and Breakfast, 31 Via del Colletto Zacconi, Camaiore (LU) 55041; 011-39-335-365-654, www.ilcolletto.com. “Elegant, beautiful and reasonable B&B; is run by the family of noted Italian actor Ermete Zacconi, who built the villa at the start of the 20th century. Breakfast on the terrace was delicious and the scenery lovely. Close to Porto Venere, the gateway to Cinque Terre.” Doubles, with bath and breakfast, from $123.

Advertisement

James Honigman

Los Angeles

Hotel Bramante, 24 Vicolo delle Palline, Rome 00193; 011-39-06-68-79-881, www.romeby.com/bramante. “Our recent Roman holiday was made special by our delightful stay at this beautiful hotel near the Passetto, the passageway that connects Castel Sant’Angelo to the Vatican. Rooms were recently restored and include modern conveniences. The proprietors were able to secure passes to the special sights in Rome.” Doubles, with breakfast, from $205.

Robert Morgan

Los Osos, Calif.

Antico Palazzo, 1 Viale Siemens 28838 Stresa; 011-39-0323-93-24-69, www.anticopalazzo.com. “Fantastic inn in the Lake District is a splendid 19th century villa filled with antiques and surrounded by beautiful gardens. The owners are sweet.” Six rooms; doubles from $222.

Beatrice Dutordoir

San Fernando

Mexico

Antigua Posada, 69 Galeana, Col. Centro, C.P. 62000, Cuernavaca; 011- 52-777-310-21-79, www.tourbymexico.com. (Click on “Facilities Map,” then on “Morelos.”) “Great small hotel in the charming city of Cuernavaca. The hotel has 10 rooms, large gardens, private terraces and a swimming pool.” Doubles $62 a night, including breakfast.

Ewa Witt

Culver City

Danzante Resort, Ensenada Blanca Bay, Baja, U.S. address: P.O. Box 1166, Los Gatos, CA 95031; (408) 354-0042, www.danzante.com. “This nine-room resort, about 25 miles south of Loreto, is a relaxing, secluded alternative to crowded Mexican resorts. Complimentary activities include kayaking, snorkeling, horseback riding, hiking or picnics on a secluded beach. Meals are Mexican family-style.” Rates start at $145 per person per night, including meals.

Ray Viola

Santa Barbara

Hacienda San Angel, Miramar 336, Col. Centro, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, 48300; 011-52-322-222-2692, www.haciendasanangel.com. “Great new B&B; has fantastic panoramic views of downtown Puerto Vallarta and its famed cathedral, Guadalupe Church. It has pools, fountains and angels galore.” Double rooms from $150. Hacienda (three villas with nine suites) rented from $1,600 a night.

Larry Dunmire

Balboa Island

New Zealand

The Pillars, 7 Deborah Rise, Bonshaw Park, Taupo 2730; 011-64-7-378-1512, www.pillarshomestay.co.nz. “Mediterranean-style country manor with 5 acres of park-like grounds, tennis court, swimming pool. Beautiful en-suite bedrooms, great breakfast included. About five minutes to Lake Taupo.” Doubles from $126.

Advertisement

Maureen Zinger

Glendale

Island View Lodge, 122 State Highway 1, Waiwera, North Auckland, New Zealand; 011-64-9-426-7839, www.islandviewlodge.co.nz. “In a rural area but close to town. Glorious sea and river views, luxurious bedrooms. Gracious hosts. Delicious breakfast included in the rate.” Doubles from $85.

Maureen Zinger

Glendale

Peru

Hosteria Rumichaca, 118 Camino Antigua Inca, Urubamba-Cuzco; 011-51-84-201-149, www.hrumichacacuzco.com. “Delightful, hacienda-style inn surrounded by flowers, orchards and vegetable gardens. Rooms are attractive and spacious. Excursions available to Machu Picchu and other archeological sites.” Doubles $100, including breakfast and dinner.

Anne Marie and

George Novinger

Tehachapi, Calif.

Spain

Hotel Posada del Valle, 33549 Collia, Arriondas, Asturias; 011-34-985-841157, fax 011-34-985-841559, www.posadadelvalle.com. “The inn, converted from an 1899 farmhouse, has panoramic views of pasture-covered hillsides, graced by the snowcapped Picos de Europa. The affable British owners, Nigel and Joann Burch, made us feel right at home.” Rates from $67. Closed mid-October to April.

Doug and Marie McHenry

San Diego

Hotel Rural la Fabrica, 117 Real, Fuente de Cantos, Badajoz 06240; 011-34-924-500-042, www.hrlafabrica.com. “Beautiful, inexpensive rooms with showers and saunas at this hotel close to Seville and to the Portuguese border. It has a restaurant and bar and is close to bus and train stations.” Doubles from about $60.

Francisco Campos

Pico Rivera

Switzerland

Hotel du Lac, Hoheweg 225, CH-3800 Interlaken; 011-41-33-822-29-22, fax 011-41-33-822-29-15, www.bestwestern.ch/dulacinterlaken. “This grand old hotel is in a picturesque location on the River Aare, just off Lake Brienz. Large rooms with bath, radios and TV. Waterfront restaurant; English is spoken as well as other languages. Next door to a train station.” Doubles from $182.

Dick M. Blue

Tampa, Fla.

Wales

Pen Mar, New Hedges, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, SA70 8TL; 011-44-845-129-8145, www.penmar-tenby.co.uk. “A stunning coastline and a picture-postcard harbor add to the ambience of this bed-and-breakfast that’s just a few minutes’ walk to the sea. Ten bedrooms, most with bath, plus a great English breakfast. Lots of golden sand beaches and sheltered bays nearby.” Doubles, with bath, from $87.

Advertisement

John A. Nicoll

Glendale

Advertisement