California's Denmark

A quaint town a few miles north of San Barbara hosts a quiet retreat back to Denmark. This trip I stayed with the two of my 3 dogs at Wine Valley Inn and Cottages.

The Inn is located one block from the main thoroughfare, with cobblestone sidewalks. Parking in their main parking lot can be a challenge if your vehicle is larger than a 4 seat small sedan. (Meaning it was a fun challenge pulling in a F250 Super duty truck.) After backing in the truck, I checked-in.

Very friendly staff.

I was assigned room 33. Upon entering I could hear the people through the joining door, as if they were sitting on the bed with me. My dogs would have barked all night. They would have disturbed the entire hotel.

So, I returned to check-in and mentioned the other hotel guest voices could be clearly heard in the room assigned to me. I thought I would have an issue, for many hotels are limited to the rooms they will allow dogs in.

No problem. I was moved to the next building over. At the same rate I was upgraded to a double the size room with a private patio.

The hotel also provided nice size dog beds, food and water dishes, and a cute dog box of treats!

Upon examining the rooms, you really do not have a work table to work on your lap top. There is a table where the coffee pot, ice bucket and a few other items upon it, leaving really no room to work.

The carpet. I feel comfortable (almost) walking without slippers on their carpets! Clean!

The exhaust and air vents are dust free. There is not dust anywhere. No hidden filth.

There are plenty of outdoor nooks and seating areas with outdoor fireplaces. In the main lobby there are additional sitting areas and computer workstations.

The free breakfast offered was no different than any other free breakfast offered at a hotel.

When I was at the front desk requesting the same room in a few days, the desk clerk reserved the room at the same discount rate as the cheaper room I initially paid for. In addition, others that were checking in, without reservations, were given 30.00USD discount on any room they wanted. Now I would not try this during their busy season, however, if you are flexible with your dates, I would wait till the last minute for a room.

One thing you must pay attention. There is a 25.00USD/per dog fee plus a 100.00USD protection fee on their rooms. However, if you want the 100.00USD back, you must have the room inspected upon departure. IF YOU DO NOT, you will lose the 100.00USD.

I know there are a few things I am missing, however I will add them to the return portion on the blog.

I will be re-staying in the same room in 2 more days to see with the change of staff the cleanness and hospitality.

Addendum:

Here are a few points I forgot to mention in the initial type up.

1. Walking the dogs. Well, all around the hotel are lovely round flower beds, and well maintained hedges throughout the cobblestone thoroughfare. Once you leave your room, you need to sprint your canine companion about 1 minute to the back of the building to some parking lot beds, or to some green grass by some small shops. Remember, it is hard to clean up a stones sidewalk without a garden hose. 

2. The shower. The shower head was 7 feet up. First time in a long time at a hotel that I could stand comfortably under the very large shower head. It was just like a gentle waterfall. 

3. Tower Pizza. The locals say the best. Well I ordered their version of a roast beef grinder (grinder = sub = hoagie for those who are not from New England.) Delivery was free, and I could eat out on the patio without going out for dinner. After a long drive it was nice just sitting and watching people going to and fro in the spring evening. As I tasted the first bite I was recalling the hot roast beef grinder with all the flavors that I had as a young teen with my father over in Pittsfield. This was no grinder. Not even a good sandwich. Nope. Don’t have their sandwiches.