Getting away without going far Getting away without going far (February 07, 2003)

Hotels roll out bells and whistles for world-weary couples

by Jocelyn Dong

Perhaps you've started to notice some of the signs of wear and tear. Your work schedule's gone permanently haywire; you only vaguely remember what a home-cooked meal is; and last week when your spouse talked about crabbiness, he (or she) wasn't referring to the Dungeness on your plate.

It's inevitable that fast-paced couples will feel world-weary from time to time. A vacation in exotic parts of the globe would no doubt ease the situation, but sometimes you can't get the time off. Fortunately, the Peninsula has an assortment of hotels and resorts offering packages to rejuvenate body and soul.

The Weekly looked around for deals that combined accommodations and something special -- a spa treatment, dinner, golf or other ways to relax. Here then are some getaways ideas to help you recharge your batteries, and your relationship, without leaving the area.

Garden Court Hotel, Palo Alto

If fine dining is to your liking, the Garden Court Hotel in downtown Palo Alto is offering a relaxing evening that includes dinner at one of downtown's destination restaurants, Spago. The Simple Pleasures package features a five-course dinner for two, designed exclusively for Garden Court Hotel guests by Spago executive chef Aram Mardigan. After satiating the taste buds, guests may return to their Garden Court room, which will have a courtyard view and private balcony, and select from a variety of nightcaps. Simple Pleasures is offered on Saturdays only, and includes late check-out on Sunday. The cost is $350.

For those who would rather not leave the hotel, there's the Garden Court's Romance Package , which comes with champagne, two flutes, a unique bath amenity of dissolving petals, and fresh rose petals strewn on your bed in the shape of a heart. The package starts at $365, depending on your choice of accommodations.

The Garden Court Hotel, with its arches, courtyard and terrace, has 62 guest rooms. Il Fornaio restaurant is located on its property and caters room service.

The Sheraton and The Westin, Palo Alto

Sister hotels The Sheraton and The Westin are offering special packages for those looking to celebrate Valentine's Day. On Friday, Feb. 14, guests at the Mediterranean-style Westin can enjoy a $99-per-couple dinner package, which comes with a glass of champagne and a four-course meal at the hotel's Restaurant Soleil . Stay the night at the Westin on Valentine's or Saturday, Feb. 15 and enjoy champagne, chocolate, a heart-shaped crystal box from Tiffany's, a guest room with a courtyard view, and either a 60-minute couples massage at the hotel's Spa Solace or dinner for two. The Westin has 184 rooms in five buildings and boasts views of lushly landscaped courtyards.

Next door, the elegant Sheraton is celebrating marriages that have lasted a lifetime -- or those that are destined to. Their Valentine's room rate of $119 per couple -- available Feb. 14 and Feb. 15 -- will be discounted a dollar for every year the couple has been married. Marriage certificates must be shown on arrival. And those dining at the Sheraton on Valentine's Day can enjoy a three-course dinner at the recently renovated Poolside Grill. For $75 per couple, it comes with a celebratory glass of champagne. The Sheraton has 350 rooms and includes the Cardinal Clubroom Lounge, along with the Poolside Grill.

The Lodge at Skylonda, Woodside

Couples who feel refreshed by nature can be found stretching their legs at the Lodge at Skylonda, located on Skyline Boulevard in Woodside. Beyond the gated entrance, on 17 acres of redwoods, madrones and oaks, the three-floor Skylonda Lodge has 16 guest rooms, 1.5 miles of forested hiking trails, a spa & fitness facility, and an intimate dining room featuring "healthful" cuisine.

Guests are invited to pick and choose from the lodge's vast range of services. Rooms start at $170, with many spa services priced in the $110-$160 range for a one to one-and-a-half hour treatment.

Hiking opportunities distinguish this lodge from others, allowing guests to tool around on lodge acreage by themselves or take guided hikes offsite, either privately or with a group. Guests will be transported by van to local open-space preserves for forested hikes, strolls along ocean bluffs or walks by the bay.

Skylonda's log-cabin design aims for the feeling of a rustic retreat rather than a high-end urban resort. In addition to hiking and traditional spa services, the lodge offers yoga classes, mindfulness meditation and one of its newest services, watsu, which is described as "shiatsu in the water." Elsewhere in the lodge, a high-ceilinged great room comes lined with bookshelves and games. Creative guests can make use of the grand piano, African drums and sketching supplies. The lodge is one of five properties operated by the Auberge Resorts.

Half Moon Bay Lodge, Half Moon Bay

Farther away from the maddening crowd, the Half Moon Bay Lodge covers the bases with its range of packages. Couples looking to reignite the flame can opt for the Romance Package , which provides guests with a room with fireplace, chilled champagne with engraved flutes, a gift bag with aromatic bath crystals and oils, a complimentary in-room movie and late check-out. The cost is $250, although the price does not apply on Feb. 14.

Those who love nibbling can grab the $250 Perfect Picnic package, a deluxe picnic basket with gourmet snacks, a split of wine and etched wine glasses. If the weather's good, guests can find an outdoor spot and relax on the complimentary beach blanket while flying their souvenir kite. Of course, some may find the picnic just as enjoyable by their room's fireplace.

If Dinner and a Movie is more your style, the $250 package offers dinner for two at either the Moss Beach Distillery or Cetrella, which is offering a preset three-course meal. Accommodations include a complimentary movie shown in the comforts of your room.

To enjoy both sea and tee, the lodge's Golf Getaway gives guests the chance to play oceanside on either of the Half Moon Bay Golf Links courses, one designed by Arnold Palmer and the other by Arthur Hills. The package is available Friday-Sunday and is priced at $350 or $380, depending on accommodations.

Closer to home, the Half Moon Bay Lodge's sister hotel, the Stanford Park Hotel in Menlo Park also offers in-room packages, including the Bed & Breakfast for $179-$195 and Romantic Escape for $205-$225.

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

One of the newest resorts to open on the coast, the two-year-old Ritz-Carlton features a variety of golf and spa packages, as well as one for car lovers, a Mercedes-Benz package.

At the top end of the Ritz-Carlton's offerings is the three-day getaway, All Good Things Come in Threes for $1,495. One day, the couple receives two 60-minute Swedish massages. Another day, they enjoy rounds of golf on either of two courses at Half Moon Bay Golf Links. And a third day can be spent exploring the coast with suggestions from the concierge.

For those looking to get away for only one night, the $950 Coastal Serenade package comes with ocean-view accommodations, champagne upon arrival, a dozen roses, two 60-minute massages, and a five-course tasting dinner for two in the resort's oceanfront restaurant, Navio.

And then there is the Mercedes-Benz Key to Luxury package starting at $575. Guests who enjoy taking a spin in a new set of wheels are given a 2003 Mercedes Benz to use for the day, along with accommodations at the hotel's "club" level.

Other package deals are available, including the Bed & Breakfast package for $425. Contact the hotel for details.

The Ritz-Carlton, located on a scenic bluff, has 261 rooms, a spa, three main dining establishments, and sports facilities.

For more information...

Garden Court Hotel
520 Cowper St. Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 322-9000 or (800) 824-9028 hotel@gardencourt.com www.gardencourt.com

The Westin Palo Alto
675 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 321-4422 westinreservation@pahotel.com
www.westin.com/paloalto

The Sheraton
625 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 328-2800 sheratonreservation@pahotel.com
www.sheraton.com/paloalto

The Lodge at Skylonda
16350 Skyline Blvd. Woodside, California 94062 (415) 954-8565 or (800) 851-2222 skylondaspa@aubergeresorts.com www.skylondalodge.com

Half Moon Bay Lodge
2400 S. Cabrillo Highway Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 (650) 726-9000 or (800) 368-2468 reserve@halfmoonbaylodge.com www.halfmoonbaylodge.com

Stanford Park Hotel
100 El Camino Real Menlo Park, CA 94025 (650) 322-1234 reservations@stanfordparkhotel.com www.stanfordparkhotel.com

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
One Miramontes Point Road Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 (650) 712-7020
www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/half_moon_bay/