WORTH THE TRIP Archives - An Appealing Plan

July 21, 2015July 30, 2015

Oakhurst Inn :: A Charlottesville Boutique Hotel

We travel quite a bit and luckily, most of the time, my husband goes along with my desire to search out and stay at mainly boutique hotels in the cities we visit when they are available. Our recent trip to Charlottesville, VA was no different, I researched the town and found a fairly new boutique hotel call the Oakhurst Inn. And then we arrived at the Oakhurst Inn, a Charlottesville boutique hotel… it exceeded our expectations on many levels.

Located on a small historic neighborhood road, walking distance from the University of Virginia, the Oakhurst Inn, is a two building, 27 room, boutique hotel was a literal oasis for us during our visit – so much so, we came back early to stay another night at the end of our trip {and were welcomed just as warmly}.

Beginning at check-in the young staff welcomes you as if you are old friends coming for a holiday weekend – even allowing us to check-in early and bringing our bags up to our upgraded suite. This is a HUGE bonus for me. I mean if a better room is available, why wouldn’t a hotel give you that room instead… they have one room to clean either way and isn’t always better for the guest to have a better experience?? All hotels should take a page out of the Oakhurst Inn’s room upgrade policy.

The 27 rooms are spread out on the two neighboring properties many levels. All floors have a semi-private library complete with a Nespresso coffee machine, accessible 24/7, set on top of a small wine cooler filled with chilled bottled water and one of my favorite beverages, San Pellegrino Sparkling Juices, also available to help yourself as you desire.

Each library is accented with classic yet modern design touches and colors, a one-touch gas fireplace topped with an attractive mantel, filled book cases, leather couches and upholstered chairs for gathering and a daily paper from 4 major cities for reading during your stay.

Each room is decorated slightly differently but all have a chair for reading, relaxing or for just putting on your shoes.

Our room had a small seating area with surprisingly lots of closet space for a renovated older building. The bed was SUPER comfortable and we even had a small noise machine to use at night to block out any road noise and ensure a great night sleep!

The attention to detail continues into the clean modern bathrooms. Crisp clean white towels on chrome fixtures and amazingly scented bath products from Malin + Goetz made me want to stay in the shower for hours! I am pretty much obsessed with their products now… part of the dangers of boutique travel I suppose.

I have already recommended the Oakhurst Inn to friends I know look for boutique hotels and I can confidently recommend it to you if you are in the area. Even if you aren’t able to stay overnight, it is worth the visit to say hi to the friendly staff and experience the attention to detail. Please tell them I sent you and have a Pelligrino for me!

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And, if you are looking for even more ways to celebrate everyday check out An Appealing Plan the book.

Call it a trend or a return to the past, but I believe we are bringing back entertaining at home, lingering over a table after a lovingly prepared meal with friends. It has been a way of life and passion of mine my entire adult life, and I am thrilled to be able to invite you on this journey with me through a year of celebrating every day. Filled with recipes, tablescapes, floral inspiration and seasonal entertaining ideas An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations, is a dream come true for me a true honor to be able to share it with you. To learn more about An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations here. And of course, share how you are celebrating everyday.

March 5, 2013July 13, 2013

Entranceway Design: Bamboo As a Structural Element in Vero

On a recent trip to Vero Beach, FL we stopped into Gloria Estefan’s hotel and restaurant, Costa de Este on the beach.

Although the day was cool and overcast the staff at the pool bar was welcoming and gracious, the drinks and view were delicious.

The restaurant was not yet open for dinner but the architecture of the entranceway caught my eye and I had to take a few pictures.

I love how the circles in the concrete wall provide just enough light through but still offer guests protection from the parking area. The bamboo clusters are perfectly placed and thinned to again let the light through but still create a barrier. The bamboo was at least 15 feet tall and grew through circles in the roof area up to the sky.

Large beach pebbles create a clean covering for the base of the bamboo and near by walkway.

Well done Gloria. Cheers to An Appealing Plan! Enjoy this post? What did it inspire you to do? Let a comment below and share the love with your friends using the social share button. Complete the form below to receive weekly updates to your inbox.

May 9, 2012April 12, 2022

Bluegrass Tavern: Baltimore, MD

During this weekend’s trip to Baltimore, Maryland we were able to fit in a little bit of my favorite pass time {visiting great restaurants of course!}.

Bluegrass was recommended as a neighborhood favorite doing fabulous work with seasonal ingredients. Although not necessarily local, seasonal is just as important and usually requires a chef willing to adapt to what his local purveyors are able to supply and frequently requires last-minute menu changes.

After a mis-guided young gentleman sitting on a front staircase, sent us on a wild goose chase in the wrong direction on Hanover Street, we finally back tracked to arrive at the corner tavern with outside seating as well as two floors inside. It was a little cool out so we opted for inside and were seated in a nice corner table. The rooms are cozy and the building appears to have originally been one of the brick row homes.

The interior decor was wood cabin-ish with cabinets flanking a large fireplace housing glassware with chicken wire door inserts {get ready for a furniture before/after posting coming up}.

Our server was pleasant and well versed in the menu selections and beverage pairings. The food overall was very good. Beverages were priced well and offered a large selection of both wine and craft beers. I would recommend going if you have the chance but be aware of your wallet. With our 3 courses and two drinks each the bill would be in the “VERY Nice Dinner Out” category. $$$ out of 4 / Overall B+

Bluegrass

1500 S. Hanover Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

“Bluegrass is an informal fine dining experience dedicated to the perfect pairing of food and drink, with a special focus on America’s finest bourbons. Our casual dining room features fold-away walls that provide a relaxing, social atmosphere that is open to the outdoors. Reservations are always appreciated.”

FIRST COURSE

taylor bay scallops / egg yolk vermicelli, oyster mushrooms, dill butter

spring asparagus / vermont quark ravioli, hazelnut honey

MAIN COURSE

crispy smoked creekstone beef belly / anson mills aged cheddar grits, pickled red cabbage, cheerwine bbq sauce

pan seared grouper / butter braised leeks, crispy hen of the woods mushrooms, pomme puree, hendricks gin

DESSERT

I forget the official name but basically: Big A** S’more

My mouth is watering just thinking about the grouper again. DELISH! ~ kf.

April 18, 2012May 25, 2016

My Fantasty Land – Epcot 2012 Flower & Garden Show

Not usually a “Disney” girl Epcot has won me over. It is my grown-up fantasy world where life is good. The plants and grounds are perfectly manicured. The food and wine are perfectly placed and always tasty {ok the escargot in France were not my favorite. But no one is perfect right?}

This visit I timed my trip to be able to see HGTV’s Sabrina Soto give her presentation. She was very real and refreshing. She gave tips on how to get involved with the station and programing as well as answered all types of questions about design and her shows.

The audience was interesting to say the least. Two separate ladies made some what negative comments and Sabrina handled it very well. At one point joking saying she was not going to answer her question. She was also questioned on her fondness for Benjamin Moore paints when HGTV has a new partnership with Sherwin-Williams. Her response was frank and not based on monetary commitments…perhaps not wise but endearing her to me even more. As you can see she is a tiny girl with a big personality.

After the workshop I moved on to another favorite “country” England where Twings Tea has sponsored the English Garden. The herbs and boxwood have me dreaming of being whisked away and then “Alice in Wonderland” and the line of children waiting for their photo-op snap me back to reality. Brief but worth the trip as usual.

The show runs now through May 20th. If you have the chance, make the trip and have a sip of champagne in France for me. ~ kf.

April 7, 2012July 13, 2013

Cottage in Sonoma

No I don’t want to go home. Would you want to leave this courtyard lined with olive trees and Rosemary hedges. A bed of fine gravel as the bases with other areas of flagstone and bright green spring grass poking through.

Sure it’s is still chilly in Sonoma but the sunshine and people make it feel much warmer. Or us it the wine?

Cheers! kf.

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January 4, 2012April 1, 2015

Green Space in the City: Tudor City Greens

As mentioned in previous post my last visit to NYC I was determined to add to my list of favorite experiences, to do this I picked up a book by Allan Ishac called New York’s 50 best Places to Find Peace and Quiet (available at many bookstore in the NYC area or online).

Tudor City Greens is located First Ave. and Tudor City Place at 42nd Street, you have to climb 40 steps from 42nd Street which makes the first glimpse all that more anticipated. The there two portions of the “Greens” on each elevated side of 42nd. I arrived in winter but the peacefulness was just as noticeable perhaps even more so.

I loved all the seating available and can just imagine all the visitors reading and enjoying a cup of coffee on a summer day. I plan on returning in the spring to see all the plants and buds blooming. However if you are a gardener or artist of any kind you can appreciate all the organic shapes the dried flowers created against the city buildings.

The Gardens are maintained by local groups and volunteers. In fact there was someone in the shed and I actually waited to see if I would have the opportunity to thank the person working hard that evening doing a fall cleaning. But alas no one came out and I it was getting pretty dark. Time to head back. {If interested you may donate to the group and join their mailing list for updates on the official site.}

Ishac mentions in the book he can be found on the bench in the back under the Magnolia tree…he wasn’t there the day I visited..perhaps next time we can share the peace and quiet of this lovely green space.