The Chaminade Resort & Spa
A Luxury Resort for Those Seeking a Little Adventure
The Chaminade Resort & Spa in Santa Cruz is perched high above the hustle and bustle of this busy northern California beach community nestled amongst the Eucalyptus and Redwoods. It sits on 300 acres of land overlooking the city lights with breathtaking panoramic views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Pacific Ocean making it the perfect spot for a relaxing getaway.
HOW TO GET THERE
This spectacular mountaintop resort sits high above the city about 3 miles inland from downtown Santa Cruz and the waterfront. It is conveniently located just minutes off Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) and close to three major airports – San Jose Airport (34 miles), Monterey Airport (40 miles) and San Francisco Airport (68 miles).
To get there from the San Jose/San Francisco area, take Highway 1 south to Watsonville/Monterey. Exit Soquel Avenue and go right at the stop sign. Turn right at the next light onto Soquel Drive. You will cross over Highway 1 and go left at the first light onto Paul Sweet Road. Continue 0.25 miles to Chaminade Lane and make a right. The resort sits at the top of the road.
As you turn onto Chaminade Lane, you will begin to feel like you are miles away from home. As you ascend the large hill lined with Eucalyptus trees leading up to the resort, the sweet scent of the forest will envelop you as you leave all the worries of the world behind.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Here are some quick facts you should know when booking your stay.
The resort is located just 3 miles from downtown Santa Cruz and the waterfront. It is perched above the city with sweeping views of the mountains and ocean in the distance. It is the perfect escape from the busy city life if you want solitude and quiet.
The Chaminade is a pet-friendly hotel offering rooms for you and your pet. Pets are also allowed on the outdoor patio of The View Restaurant and on the hiking trails located on the property.
The resort offers The View Restaurant open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The View also offers brunch on Saturday and Sunday, live music 6 nights a week and a full bar with a seated lounge area.
The resort has three hiking trails that take you around the property and through the surrounding redwood forest as well as a state-of-the-art gym and fitness center, pool and spa.
WiFi is available throughout the property.
The Chaminade is a great place for weddings offering bridal suites and incredible views for saying your vows. It is also a great place for honeymooners seeking solitude.
The resort offers weekly and annual events including Thanksgiving dinner and artisan fair, Christmas dinner, New Year’s Eve celebration, movie nights and live music. Read more below.
ACCOMODATIONS
The Chaminade offers both contemporary guest rooms and spacious suites, including bridal suites. All rooms and suites offer resort or forest views. It is a pet-friendly hotel offering pet-friendly rooms for you and your four-legged friends.
Rooms are decorated in trendy Bohemian décor and come with blow dryers, coffee makers, WIFI internet access, flat screen TVs, plush bath robes and great bath products.
Regular guest rooms sleep 2-4 guests and have the option of two queen beds or one king.
Suites offer more space to indulge in and there are three types to choose from - Junior. Deluxe and Premium Suites. Suites are perfect for traveling with families, bridal parties or anyone wanting more space. Suites offer separate living and sleeping areas, wet bars and mini fridges. They have pull out couches or fold out single beds in addition to the bedroom area.
I recommend requesting a room with a patio so you can enjoy your morning coffee out there in your bathrobe listening to the birds rustling in the trees and the peace and quiet of the forest. It’s a great way to start your day.
Note: there is a resort amenities fee, currently $37 per night, added to your room rate
DINING
The View Restaurant is located on the property and is open 7-days a week offering breakfast, lunch and dinner so you never have to leave the resort unless you want to.
The restaurant offers indoor seating as well as an expansive outdoor terrace with absolutely incredible, breathtaking views. I highly recommend catching a sunset on the patio listening to live music or enjoying a glass of wine and dinner overlooking the city lights during your stay. The View also offers a great weekend brunch.
The View has live music 6 nights per week from 5:30-8:30 pm. It also has a Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4-5 pm with 20% off cocktails, wine, beer and the bar menu. Every Tuesday is Tapas Tuesday with a special Spanish inspired tapas menu.
I recommend booking a reservation for dinner as The View can fill up quickly. However, if you miss the opportunity, there is open seating at the bar where you can still order food off the main menu.
It is a full bar and the friendly staff makes excellent cocktails. There is also a lounge area next to the bar where you can enjoy drinks.
AMENTITIES & THINGS TO DO
All guests staying at the resort have access to a wide range of resort amenities including the following:
Red and Blue Hiking Trails – The Chaminade offers three hiking trails right on the property including the Red Trail (1.25 miles) and Blue Trail (1.75 miles) through the redwoods or the Green Trail (0.5 miles) that loops around the property. The trails are great for hiking and jogging and are pet friendly.
There is a protected area around the creek located on the Blue Trail which prevents developers from building in the area which adds to the solitude and quiet as you wind your way through the forest.
Additional Trial Information:
Both guests and non-guests are allowed to use the trails.
Watch for poison oak.
You can ask for a guided tour of the trails and learn about the resort’s rich history.
There is a treetop obstacle course located on the trail for team building.
Trails are uneven and rough in areas so use caution especially when jogging.
Hills can be steep.
State of the Art Gym – The resort offers a state-of-the-art fitness center with on-call personal trainers. The gym includes cardiovascular and strength training exercise equipment and Peloton bikes. It also offers a Fitness membership for non-guests allowing them to enjoy the gym as well as the other spa amenities.
Other Fitness Center Amenities
Outdoor Pool area with cabanas
Yoga Class
4 Lighted Tennis Courts with on-call tennis pro
Pickleball Courts with equipment
Private spa patio with whirlpool
Himalayan Salt Sauna
Steam room
Private lockers, towel service and vanity stations
Relaxation lounge and massages
Complimentary filtered water, hot cocoa, tea and coffee
Other Amenities
Business Center
Lounge area/game room with fireplace
Valet and self-parking
WiFi wireless internet access
WEEKLY & SPECIAL EVENTS
The Chaminade offers a wide variety of weekly and special events for guests. Even non-hotel guests can come up for dinner, music, movies and other activities.
Weekly Live Music – The View offers live music 6 nights a week from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Tapas Tuesdays – The View has an Apertivo Hour with discounted cocktails, wine, beer and bar menu Monday through Friday, 4-5 pm as well as Tapas Tuesday with a special Spanish inspired tapas menu on Tuesdays 5:30-8:30 pm.
Winedown Wednesday Movie Nights – Every Wednesday, The Chaminade offers Movies on the Mountain where you can drink wine and watch classic films overlooking Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay for free.
Weekend Brunch - Enjoy Saturday and Sunday Brunch at the View from 7 am-1:30 pm with seating on the terrace. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (831) 465-3449.
Weddings – The Chaminade is an incredible setting for saying vows overlooking Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay as you start your new life together. For information call (831) 465-3421 or click here.
Haunted Forest for Halloween – Each year, the Chaminade hosts the Haunted Forest where kids and adults alike can dress in costume and visit the resort for a fun filled forest walk, DJ music, games, costume contest, food and drinks including a cash bar and local brewery vendors.
Thanksgiving & Local Artisan Market – Chaminade offers a great Thanksgiving dinner at The View from 12-6 pm with all the traditional fixings as well as an artisan market for the holiday.
Christmas & Christmas Eve– Celebrate the holidays with a special Christmas Eve dinner at The View Restaurant on December 24, 5-9 pm; or Christmas Day Buffet on December 25, 10 am-6 pm. Reservations are required.
New Year’s Eve– Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a 4-course meal, champagne, dancing and midnight balloon drop at The View Restaurant with three dinner seating times – 5 pm, 7:30 pm and 10 pm. Party ends at 1 am and there is a VIP option.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENDEAVORS
Energy Efforts - The Chaminade is doing its part to help protect this planet including the installation of a solar panel filed located on the property to power the resort. It uses compact florescent lighting throughout the property and has electric charging stations for guest use.
Green Choice Program - All guests are automatically opted-in to the Chaminade Resort & Spa Green Choice program where rooms will not receive housekeeping services unless requested and guests receive vouchers for the restaurant for participating unless they choose to opt-out.
Additional Efforts - Chaminade composts and recycles waste. To-go orders at the restaurant are packaged in containers made of corn and potato starches and it never uses Styrofoam. Menus are based on locally sourced ingredients and it works with local farmers to serve herbs and vegetables not commercially grown. Everything is bought in bulk to minimize waste.
It also provides guests with bath amenities mounted in showers to eliminate the waste that comes from using miniature bottles. All cleaning products are organic and environmentally friendly and paper products are made of recyclable materials.
Low maintenance and low water landscaping is implemented throughout the resort and low flow tanks are used to minimize water waste.
Read more…
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