Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [385]
One of the best places to stay in the Sierra, this 70-year-old resort is the perfect location to get away from it all. There are no phones and no televisions, just rustic cabins nestled under huge trees, all facing Lake Elowin, a small body of water above the Kaweah River. Milton Melkonian purchased the resort in the 1970s with the idea of creating a place to coexist with nature, and he is fastidious about his creation, which attracts all sorts of creative types, such as writers and artists, as well as others seeking a refuge. Cabins can accommodate two to six people. We especially like cabin no. 1, which sits close to the lake and has a delightful view from the kitchen window; and Master Cabin, which boasts a fireplace, deck, and Jacuzzi. However, we wouldn't turn down any of them. All cabins have linens, towels, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, canoes, and barbecues. You bring the food, sunblock, and good attitude. All cabins are nonsmoking— guests must actually sign a contract to not smoke here.
Plantation Bed & Breakfast
33038 Calif. 198 (16 miles west of the park entrance), Lemon Cove, CA 93244. ☎ 800/ 240-1466 or 559/597-2555. Fax 559/597-2551. www.plantationbnb.com. 8 units. A/C. $139–$299 double. Rates include full breakfast. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Step into the Old South at this delightful inn, where rooms are named for and decorated in keeping with characters from Gone With the Wind. For a quietly conservative atmosphere, request the Ashley Wilkes Room, which has a king bed; honeymooners might enjoy the luxurious Scarlett O'Hara Room, with king bed, velvet love seat, fireplace, and marble bathroom containing a Jacuzzi tub and separate shower. Our favorite is the Belle Watling Room, done up in elegant bordello style: a king-size bed with a huge mirror alongside, red crystal chandelier, and claw-foot bathtub with a tasteful Renaissance-style nude painted on the side. Several rooms have TVs and VCRs; two rooms have showers only, and the others have showers and tubs.
Secluded in the orange grove, and watched over by an almost-life-size statue of a mermaid, are a large swimming pool and oversize Jacuzzi. The wonderful breakfasts include an abundance of fresh fruit, homemade granola, and a hot entree such as mushroom asparagus crepes, croissant French toast, or spinach frittata. The inn is nonsmoking.
Sierra Lodge
43175 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers, CA 93271. ☎ 800/367-8879 or 559/561-3681. Fax 559/561-3264. www.sierra-lodge.com. 22 units. A/C TV TEL. $58–$99 double; $130–$200 suite. Winter discounts (about 20%) available. Rates include morning pastries and coffee or tea. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Built to resemble a Swiss chalet, this small motel about 3 miles from the national park entrance offers well-maintained rooms and suites in a scenic riverside setting with 150-year-old oak trees. The rooms range from quite small to fairly spacious and have a lot of homey touches, such as decorative plates, artificial flowers, and the like. Most standard rooms have painted block walls and offer a variety of bed options—two doubles, one queen, or one king. The suites are more luxurious. For instance, the VIP Suite would be ideal for two couples traveling together. It has two bedrooms (one queen bed in each), a full bathroom, a kitchenette, a living room with a handsome stone fireplace, and a private balcony with splendid views. All rooms have small refrigerators, and some have fireplaces or kitchenettes. Guests also have use of barbecues and a small outdoor swimming pool.
Spalding House
631 N. Encina St., Visalia, CA 93291. ☎ 559/ 739-7877. Fax 559/625-0902. www.thespaldinghouse.com. 3 suites. A/C. $95 double. Rates include full breakfast.