64 South Bay Accent COURTESY OF CEDAR HOUSE SPORT HOTEL rave reviews for Cedar House. A decade later, they’ve perfected their signature eco-conscious approach. Rooftop gardens abound with gold and red perennials every fall. Recycled wood, deemed substandard for traditional buildings, becomes gorgeous siding after milling. Abandoned galvanized steel beams, arranged just so, provide sculptural eye candy in front of the hotel entrance. The hotel buildings serve as an architect’s gold standard for sustainability. Potential guests who share their values for ecology and an active lifestyle will find Cedar House a perfect match. In 2011, it won the North American Wood Design Building Award for superior architecture. Handsome curves and sightlines accentuate the wood and steel exterior. An outdoor hot tub nests modestly among the foliage. All units, from single queen to luxury suites, echo refined simplicity. Each room features a “European bedding system” consisting of a pillow-top mattress and two down comforters. Minimalist design elements mean that rooms are closet-free but include drawers and a hanging rack. Amenities include bottled waters, refrigerators, Keurig coffee makers, Egyptian cotton robes and flat screen televisions. Guests look forward to launching mornings with a breakfast fit for a health-conscious king. Fresh fruit, steel cut oats, scrambled eggs and harvested salad greens are a few of the tasty morsels on the buffet. Afternoon appetizers are just as alluring: roasted veggies, cheese, crackers, fruit and a homemade sweet treat. Even the coffee is roasted especially for Cedar House. At night, the breakfast room morphs into Stella Restaurant for seasonal pop-up dinners. During these feasts, guests sit next to strangers who become friends. “It’s an intimate time where we ring the dinner bell and have a completely interactive dining experience,” Patty explains. In such a technical age, “we need physical interaction. In communal dining, people take time to sit down and share about the adventures of the day instead of texting.” An 80 percent return rate provides evidence that guests are happy. Signage on the beams of the dining room reminds you “Everyone smiles in the same language.” Do Jeff and Patty believe it? Indeed—they live it as well. CEDAR HOUSE SPOR T HOTEL 10918 Brockway Road, Truckee, 508/582.5655; cedarhousesporthotel.com. Rates: $180 and up. VILLAGE AT SQUAW VALLEY Affordable luxury should be the tagline for Village at Squaw Valley Lodging, the third option at the ski resort. This 300-room condo hotel represents the epitome of convenience. As its name suggests, the inn rises at the epicenter of the Village at Squaw Valley, abundantly stocked with shopping and dining pleasures—and within quick access to the mountaintop and hiking and biking trails. Nine room categories cover a range of choices. A standard room is ideal when you only need to bed down for the night. From there the accouterments escalate. A studio suite surprises guests with a full kitchen, a living room, flat screen TV and DVD player, plus gas fireplace. One- to three-bedroom condos sleep up to eight. Want to invite the buds for a hiking weekend or spa/shopping extravaganza? Your guests will thank you for booking such a great location with tremendous value. Tip: Choose rooms facing away from the village action, as it can get noisy with service trucks and night revelry. Guests report they like the top fourth floor best for quiet. Amenities include heated slate floors, for blissful steps in the right direction. Kitchens feature all the comforts of home: large dishwasher, full size refrigerator, stove, microwave. They are stocked with every doodad needed to whip up a gourmet meal. On the premises you have access to a dry sauna, whirlpool spa and fitness center. Also available, a media game room with a large-screen TV and game consoles. A children’s game room lets kids be kids, and a communal laundry room comes in handy. The underground heated parking garage is an added free bonus. Many guests call the Village lodging their favorite for its European-style atmosphere and mountain views and instant access to shops and restaurants. Alice’s Mountain Market carries a wide selection of groceries. There are also men’s and women’s clothing boutiques, a chocolate store, art gallery, toy store and sellers of just about every kind of item you might want to purchase. When you don’t want to stay in your room, wander about and meet new people. Starbucks is just downstairs, and bars and restaurants will satisfy your social and food cravings. The lobby of the Cedar House Sport Hotel includes a chic lounge area and full bar
South Bay Accent - AugSep 2016
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