Bernardus Lodge & Spa

With the ability to travel again, the priority for many is to flee to a bucolic destination that’s nothing like home. We want to be swept off to a magical place with gurgling fountains and manicured lawns that look as though they’ve leapt out of a fine painting.  At the same time, we want surroundings that allow enough active pursuits to shed a few shelter-in-place pounds. Bernardus Lodge & Spa offers all of this.  Set on 28 pristine acres in Carmel Valley, a northern California community known for vineyards, mountain views, and easy access to the ocean, it will easily become your dream home away from home.

A Passion Project

The property, located on the Monterey Peninsula, is the passion project of the late Bernardus Marinus Pon, a Dutch Olympic marksman, professional race car driver, wine connoisseur, and entrepreneur who died in 2019 at the age of 82.  It was his vision to develop Bernardus, one of the first wineries in Carmel Valley. Later, he created the area’s first luxury lodge on the grounds before the turn of the century.  Folks who knew the man said he possessed an unparalleled zeal for living.

Today, the Italian-style lodge with mustard and red buildings sits nestled among vineyards and lavender groves.  It boasts 73 elegant guestrooms and suites scattered in one-and-two-story buildings throughout the enclave. New detached villas with multiple bedrooms range from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. At the height of the pandemic, families booked the villas so their children could attend school via Zoom as parents worked remotely.

Fitness Pursuits at Bernardus Lodge

Certainly, we have hovered over our computers for more hours than we’ve liked over the past year and a half. So, to offset our sedentary ways, the inn offers a junior Olympic-sized swimming pool so we can do some much-needed wading and laps.  Not a swimmer? No problem. Bernardus maintains two tennis courts and provides gear upon request.  To secure a court, just reserve one either before or after you check in.  And, if that is not enough exercise for you, an on-site gym with weights and equipment awaits the eager beaver.

As you view the Santa Lucia Mountains in the distance and begin to wonder about scaling those peaks.  Note, the property sits minutes away from several regional parks with easy to challenging trails as well as free parking. You can hike or run to your heart’s content.  There is no excuse not to break a sweat!  Even non-fitness savvy individuals can take part in croquet and bocce ball on the lawn. The staff will run the rules by you.  A power walk through the herb and flower garden provides another way to shave calories.

Lucia Restaurant & Bar

When it comes to meals, you’ll find delicious, wholesome, and sensible fare at the elegant Lucia Restaurant & Bar.  Many of the fresh ingredients are plucked from the inn’s two-acre garden. Whenever possible, meats and seafood hail from local ranches and regional waters.  This past summer executive chef Cal Stamenov crafted a plant-based menu comprised of dishes such as a green gazpacho and a green risotto using kale and Swiss chard. Of course, healthy choices are up to the guest. More filling fare like a grilled rib eye steak, sea scallops and house churned ice creams and sorbets are equally memorable.

A Boost to Your Well-Being

Exploring the Bernardus premises feels very much like being in Italy. Color washed walls with climbing vines, gardens, romantic pathways, stone fountains, manicured hedges, and leafy arbors exude a vibe reminiscent of Old Europe. And sipping a glass of Italian red, valuable for its antioxidants, will relax and invigorate you.

In addition to diet and exercise, health also involves quality sleep. Accommodations are furnished with pillow-topped queen or king beds and guest quarters rooms are intimate with a serene palette of neutrals. The modern Italian farmhouse ambiance continues with wide plank floors, fireplaces, and vaulted beamed ceilings. The dreamy beds practically lull guests into an otherworldly slumber. And if you do have issues with your sleep patterns, book a deep tissue massage or a hot stone treatment at the Bernardus spa to alleviate them.

Even a short stay at Bernardus Lodge & Spa will provide a boost to your energy and overall well-being, and, like the late Mr. Pon, a true zeal for life.