With Priceline.com and other such types of websites, it’s easy these days to shop around for affordable lodging before heading for a vacation weekend somewhere. I’ve found some great deals on Priceline-don’t get me wrong, but sometimes you really do get what you pay for.
For instance, I found what I thought was the deal of the century on a Courtyard Marriot room in a small town in Oregon for a recent roadtrip. I ‘named my own price’ to cash in on the lowest possible offer and sat back in my desk chair (not to imply I was doing this at work of course) satisfied in my crafty deal-making skills. I felt calmer knowing I had a place to sleep on the first night of my roadtrip as well.
However, I didn’t consider the drawbacks to this plan.
Unfortunately, I found that our (my road companion and I) weekend plan needed to be amended in order to utilize a much more convenient and direct route to the places we wanted to get to. I couldn’t cancel my hotel room however (can’t cancel when you name your own price on priceline-oops), so we ended up staying in a town that didn’t have anything going on, and driving two hours farther than we wanted to drive the next morning.
However, in my obsession with finding the best deal on a place to stay, I really got what I was paying for. Yes, I spent less money. However, isn’t time and enjoyment worth more than money? Getting around to my point now: B&B’s are the way to go if you can find the good ones. They are warm, friendly, oftentimes luxurious, and you know you are supporting a small business and it’s owners when you stay there.
Our second night in Oregon we found a small local seaside Inn and camped out for 2 nights. Although a tad pricier we still got a great deal since it was off-season and we were staying 2 nights. They had free wi-fi, breakfast included, and we were within steps of the downtown area. We also were recommended to the really good places in town-not just the ones they are supposed to recommend. They figure if we’re happy, they they’re happy! We wanted to move to the town and buy property by the end of our 2 days which I’m sure was in part due to our lovely lodging and it’s attentive and friendly staff (btw the ‘staff’ are usually the owners at B&Bs).
I know some of us can’t afford to spend every night of our vacations in a nice place. It eats up a huge portion of our travel budget before we’ve even considered food and entertainment! However, I find that with the amount of time (great suggestions for local activities from knowledgeable local business owners) I save, and the comfort level (cushy rooms, homey feel) along with the added on extras (wine nights, appetizer hours, etc.) I almost can’t afford not to stay somewhere I’ll love.
Here are just a few of my top favorite B&Bs and Inns in the Healdsburg area:
Haydon St. Inn-John or Keren (owners) will check you in, give you dinner or winery suggestions, and offer wine tastings on certain weekend nights. You can walk to the center of Healdsburg easily from this Inn. http://www.haydon.com/popup%20winter.htm
Hope-Merrill Cosette and Ron are lovely folks who will take good care of you in one of their 2 historic B&B’s. Cosette even cooks breakfast herself for all the guests in the morning! http://www.hope-inns.com/
Honor Mansion- Owners Steve and Kathy have a warm and attentive staff, top notch breakfasts, private balconies, croquet and bocce ball courts and are also walking distance from down town Healdsburg. http://www.honormansion.com/
Camellia Inn- Only 5 rooms. Anne or Lucy will probably be taking care of you, and they are full of wonderful suggestions for what to do in wine country as well as stories about the area. Walking distance to downtown Healdsburg. http://www.camelliainn.com/
Belle de Jour-Tom and Brenda will make you feel right at home in their peaceful B&B right across the street from Simi Winery in Healdsburg. http://www.belledejourinn.com/
If you get a chance to stay at any of these wonderful B&B’s, tell them Brooke from Michel-Schlumberger sent you — and please — stop by for a tour and tasting up at the Estate!
Brooke On The Road
