We recently celebrated a big anniversary and knew we wanted to do something special. However, we've done so much travel this year that we wanted to stick a little closer to home. After much research we settled on spending an overnight at the Villas at Gervasi Vineyard. One night sans kiddo (as much as we love her) having a rustic retreat and a few glasses of wine sounded just about perfect for an anniversary celebration.
I know some people balk at the idea of paying the going rate for a what they think is a mere hotel room in Canton, but the villas are beautiful and the suites are positively luxurious. Each villa consists of four suites with a common area. The common area had a cute sitting area, a fireplace and a small fridge stocked with yogurt, coffee, tea and other drinks. (I definitely drank my fair share of Pellegrino) There was also an outdoor patio off of the common area that overlooked the lake. Now there is a bit of a luck of the draw what the other guests staying in the villa might be like, but our neighbors were pleasant and no one took over the building. In fact the morning before we left we had a nice chat with a couple slightly older than us who were celebrating an anniversary as well a birthday.
Our jaws dropped when we entered our Suite. While they're described as Tuscan they have a bit of a Renaissance castle feel to them too with high arched ceilings, tudor style beams and plenty of wrought iron. The furnishings were very comfortable and being able to turn on the gas fireplace in the evening lent such lovely ambience. The bathroom included a second flat screen television, a coffee maker, delicious smelling soap and shampoo and wonderful heated towel bars!
We planned to spend most of the weekend enjoying the grounds and sampling the food and drink Gervasi Vineyard has to offer. We got to the villas a little before check-in so we grabbed an appetizer and a drink at the Crush House. The mozzarella cheese sticks were quite different from usual bar food with a wonton style wrapping. Post check in we walked around the grounds a bit before dinner taking pictures of all the lovely gardens. I have to admit, they were lovelier than I expected. Granted, going at the height of Summer things were in full bloom, but I imagine the grounds look beautiful during other seasons as well. Their plants were lush, and I mean LUSH. I was quite envious of the the size of the Hostas (something deer always much around here!). Russian sage, hydrangea and of course vineyards were just a few lovely bits of nature to be found.
We had reservations at the Bistro, and aside from being seated in a corner which we thought was a little strange for an anniversary celebration versus in front of the windows looking over the grounds it was a delightful meal. Our waitress was very pleasant, the food was good, and of course the wine was superb. Outside in view of the water, families played cornhole or bocce ball, a live musician played at the outside bar, and couples lounged in big adirondack chairs at the edge of the pond.
If you are looking for a trip to actually sit back and relax, to unplug, delight your tastebuds and actually talk to your travel companion(s) this is a place for you. I came away refreshed and energized. As an owner of a home decor business I also came away inspired as well by the gorgeous architecture, decor and grounds.