Giant bed with great linens at the Marriott Napa Valley!

Two things are high on my must have list for hotel rooms:

• plentiful and easy to access outlets so I can plug in my traveling library of electronic devices
• good light in the bathroom so I can accurately apply my “too much for daytime, but perfect for me” eyeliner

You might think luxury hotels would always have these two oh-so simple features, but you’d be wrong. It’s hotels that cater to business travelers that always seem to come through for me.

I’m pleased to say that the magical place where you can find all of these delights is in my backyard: the Marriott Napa Valley Hotel and Spa.

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The Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square and French Champagne house Champagne Pommery have teamed up for a unique offer – buy a bottle of Pommery’s Cuvée Louise 1998 Champagne, and you get a free night’s stay at the sofitel.

Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square

They’re selling the bubbly for $299, and the hotel’s average rates are around $350, so it’s a good deal, even if you’re not that keen on the champagne.

And if you just happen to be a wine aficionado, well – Cuvée Louise was created as a tribute to Louise Pommery – an absolutely pure wine which quintessentially conveys the wine-making expertise of the Pommery champagne house. So that’s like getting a $350 luxury hotel room for free.

Sofitel is a luxury French brand, and so is Pommery. Apparently the hotel is celebrating it’s French ‘rendezvous’ roots, and together with Pommery, wants to show us that the French still know a thing or two about luxury living and the finer aspects of life.

The ‘Sparkling Sofitel Rendezvous’ offer is valid only at the Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square until Dec 31, with or without reservations. To make a reservation or for more informaion, call (202) 730-8800.

The Sofitel is situated at the corner of Lafayette Square, bordering the White House. You can get your bottle of Pommery’s Cuvée Louise 1998 Champagne at the hotel’s bar – Le Bar – located at the hotel’s entrance.

Info: 806 15th St NW Washington DC 20005; (202) 730-8800; website

Sofitel DC photo by dionhinchcliffe; Wine bar photo by Jing a Ling

View from Artesa Winery in Napa

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, now is the time to start planning your romantic getaway. Thanks to our current Mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom, you have this beautiful and upscale choice less than two hours from the city.

Carneros Inn Cottages

The Carneros Inn, a Plumpjack Resort is a jewel at the entrance to Napa Valley. It is a perfect escape and location for a weekend wine tasting or just relaxing. My husband and I stayed in a cottage soon after the resort opened a couple of years ago and had a very relaxing weekend – starting with sampling wines at the gorgeously modern hillside (and near by) Artesa Winery.

The second time we returned, we stayed in a two-bedroom cottage that is part of The Orchard, their small group of luxurious homes on the resort property that are for sale. Each time our experience just gets better and better.

As you pull into the property just past Domaine Carneros/Taittinger Winery, if you are coming from San Francisco, follow the signs to the Registration up on the hilltop. As you check in the staff offers you a chilled glass of local champagne, then gallantly escorts you to your cottage via a quiet electric golf cart.

Cottage patio and outdoor shower

One of my favorite features in their cottages is the outdoor shower. Inside your bathroom, your shower glass door opens to the outside allowing you to experience the slightly decadent and often romantic alfresco shower.  And the heated floor in the bathroom warms your feet as you dry off.

Each 450 square foot cottage comes with a wood burning fireplace for a romantic evening with room service or a lazy morning before check out.

The property has a few restaurants to choose from now, starting with the roadside Boon Fly Cafe, but I recommend The Farm for an intimate dinner for two – and ask for the table that faces the fireplace for a great view during your meal. Bring something warm to layer on after dinner then definitely consider having a night cap outside on one of the couches around the fire pit before heading back to your cottage.

The Carneros Inn is the perfect blend of warmth and luxury with an easy drive from the Bay Area – and a great romantic escape.