Ponte Vineyard Inn
"How did it strike you on arrival?Equal parts elegant and rustic, this charming 60-room, Mission-style hotel is bedecked in brick pathways and Spanish tiles. Accommodations are grouped in a U-shape that's surrounded by rose gardens, vineyards, and a pond. In early 2018, the property will add 30 more rooms, plus a pool with an adjacent bar. Even with the expansion, the abiding principle here is serenity now; in fact, designated "quiet hours" run from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Nice. What’s the crowd like?You'll see mostly couples, plus families and wedding parties (it's a popular place to tie the knot). The good stuff: Tell us about your room.Rooms are clean, comfortable, and outfitted in whites, beiges, and browns—like a posh home study but brighter. All rooms, which range from 360 to 1,360 square feet, have balconies that overlook vineyards, mountains, or the fountain. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?With cushy, pillow-top mattresses, Ponte's beds are ultra comfortable. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?There's in-room coffee and tea, an iHome docking station, and a mini fridge. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.The huge bathrooms have glass-walled showers, plus Gilchrist & Soames products, robes and slippers. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Wi-Fi is free, and there are no resort fees. Room service: Worth it?Don't miss breakfast or weekend brunch on the patio of the Bouquet Restaurant, a romantic space that feels straight out of Europe and overlooks the courtyard garden. Here you'll find soups and salads, as well as gourmet breakfast staples like cinnamon-swirl French toast or smoked salmon on an everything bagel. Try the $24 breakfast bar, an all-access pass to fruit, pastries, yogurt, steel cut oats, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, fruit juices, and coffee. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.Vacation or not, it's worth waking up at dawn to spot the dozens of hot air balloons ascending over the lake and vineyard. Try some reds and whites at Ponte's on-site tasting room, housed in a former barn that's been retrofitted with modern interiors. If you prefer something more à la carte, a guided tour of the 300-acre ranch includes a tasting—you'll sip straight from the cask—and a wine-and-cheese plate to finish. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?You're less than two hours from San Diego, but you feel as if you've been transported to Italy. Bottom line: worth it, and why?Who needs the crowds of California's larger tourism regions when you can have a stunning hotel, fine reds, and all the R&R you could possibly ever want from a wine country getaway?" - Archana Ram
