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STRESS LEVEL TEN
It’s been seven months of sticking close to home, virtual work, and school, worrying about our health and skipping vacations. Most of us are feeling the stress! I certainly have been and needed a change of scenery. Because long trips aren’t on my “do-anytime-soon list,” I opted for a staycation. When my daughter mentioned that her husband would be working all weekend a few weeks in the future, I knew it was time to make a getaway happen for my daughter, granddaughter, and myself.
I chose Quail Lodge for several reasons: Carmel Valley is one of my favorite places with glorious weather this time of year. Most importantly, Quail Lodge offers everything we needed to be comfortable with three generations and one dog sharing a suite: separate space for the toddler, easy access to a private outdoor space, and a pool.
My daughter and granddaughter wouldn’t be arriving until later in the afternoon, so I headed over to Carmel Valley at 1 pm on a recent Friday for early check-in. Our room was spacious with a king-size bed, a fireplace, a separate living room area, a dining table for in-suite meals, and a large bathroom with a separate shower. The living area had a floor to ceiling blackout curtain that could be tightly shut to create a separate sleeping area–perfect for a toddler with an early bedtime. The room had a large window seat framing the picture window overlooking the golf course. Just outside our door was a private patio with table and chairs and a beautiful pond and golf course view.
STRESS LEVEL NINE
After checking in and a quick lunch at Edgar’s from the Patio (located on the patio overlooking the golf course driving range), it was pool time. The large pool deck has lounge chairs with plenty of room for social distance. The water is heated to a perfect 82 degrees, and the pool quite large. I happily settled in for a couple of hours of quiet reading and sunbathing.
STRESS LEVEL SIX
Once my daughter Alex and my granddaughter Nina arrived and settled in, we walked across the street to Baja Cantina for an early dinner. The weather was perfect, and a margarita and chips on a warm evening helped melt the stress. The kids’ menu has good options, and the meal was plentiful enough that Nina had leftovers for lunch on Saturday. After taking some Autumn-themed photos with the props set up around the center, we took a leisurely walk around the hotel grounds and made it an early night.
STRESS LEVEL FIVE
We started Saturday with breakfast at Edgar’s Restaurant. The patio restaurant off the main lobby offers a beautiful view of a large pond, and breakfast and dinner are served there daily. Then it was off to Palo Corona Park for a toddler-friendly walk. Because we had Nina’s stroller, we stayed on the bottom, paved path. It’s a leisurely, comfortable stroll that allows little ones to see cows and horses and to explore safely. If you have older kids or adults, don’t miss the hike to Inspiration Point. It’s a moderate to strenuous hike that offers gorgeous views of the Carmel coast.
With Nina nicely worn out, we went back to the hotel for her to have lunch and nap. Alex, meanwhile, headed to The Refuge for an outdoor massage and some well-deserved alone time in their heated pools.
STRESS LEVEL THREE
Saturday evening, we chose to stay at the hotel for a steak and lobster dinner. The restaurant offers authentic California cuisine with a creative flair. The staff is very accomodating, and the food is delicious. Finishing off our meal with homemade ice cream and pie was a well-deserved treat.
STRESS LEVEL TWO
Sunday morning was reserved for pumpkins! We made a trip to Earthbound Farms, and Nina had fun picking out mini pumpkins and enjoyed a fresh fruit smoothie from their organic farmstand. Time flew by, and it wasn’t long before my girls had to be on the road back to the bay area.
STRESS LEVEL: ALL GONE!
Since I didn’t have a two-hour drive home, I decided that I would end my weekend in the same way it had begun–by the pool. Two hours of reading in the warm sun, interspersed with laps around the pool to cool off? Perfection!
If you’re feeling a little too tightly wound, I highly recommend a short staycation! Staying close to home reduces the hassle involved in a getaway. Whether you choose Quail Lodge like we did or another hotel or resort in Monterey or Santa Cruz County, getting away from home for one or two nights really can make a big difference. Even if you do nothing but hang out by the pool or sit on your room’s patio, that change of scenery can make a huge difference in your mood.