Carter Estate Winery and Resort

"How did it strike you on arrival?Desert vibes meet winery charm at Carter Estate, which is dotted with bougainvillea bushes, expansive vineyards, and terracotta-colored buildings. Nice. What’s the crowd like?Low-key families and couples The good stuff: Tell us about your room.All 42 rooms are suite-style and, at 500 square feet and up, they're enormous. Amenities vary suite to suite, but can include electric fireplaces, soaking tubs, dining areas, and private patios. No bland decor here; rooms are designed with the Mediterranean in mind, with vivid royal blues and handsome tufted headboards. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?Although the bedding is luxurious through and through, note that some rooms are outfitted with a Murphy bed. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?Book your room directly with the hotel, and you'll get a complimentary bottle of wine. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.Bathrooms are large, with an equally spacious travertine shower. Some even have a separate makeup area. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Wi-Fi is included in the $19 resort fee. Room service: Worth it?There's no hotel restaurant—just room service or poolside dining. Breakfast ($9 to $17) runs the gamut, from kale smoothies and steel-cut oatmeal to egg sandwiches on croissants. Lunch and dinner offerings include lobster empanadas ($18), a caprese pesto chicken panini ($17), fish tacos ($20), and more, plus various Carter Estate wines served by the glass or bottle ($13 to $62). The property sources many ingredients from its two-acre on-site garden. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.Sip Chardonnays, Merlots, Syrahs, and more at Carter Estate's on-site tasting room ($25 and up per tasting). Reservations aren't required unless you're in for a food and wine pairing, which includes five Carter Estate wines with cheeses and cured meats. The heated outdoor pool is lined with stylish striped cabanas. It's worth getting up at dawn to see the hot air balloons rise over the vineyard. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?It's a chic wine country getaway with huge, comfortable rooms and romantic touches everywhere you look. Bottom line: worth it, and why?The rooms are huge." - Archana Ram