June 1, 2008
New York Times - 31 Places to Go This Summer
There used to be a time — oh, let’s call it 2007 — when summer was considered a time of almost limitless possibilities, a time of languorous vacations, of trips filled with the promise of discovery. But the summer of 2008 is starting out like a cruel joke, with air travel increasingly a nightmare and with wildly escalating gas prices threatening to make the road trip all but obsolete. It’s almost enough to make you sit at home and catch up on episodes of “Gossip Girl.”
The summer vacation is still an inalienable right, however. And there is no reason to forgo it this year. It will just take a bit of creativity — and perhaps the willingness to stay a little closer to home this time around — to pull it off in 2008.
Thus, here are 31 options — from river rafting in eastern Oregon to biking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire — for a great summer vacation. Not one involves the terrifying conversion of dollars into euros, many can be enjoyed without ever getting on a plane, and the road trips are ones that actually justify filling up your tank, even if the price of gas hits $5 a gallon this summer.
June 2008
Westways - Day-Tripping: Paso Robles
Paso Robles' small-town charm evokes a gentler, quieter California. With more than 170 wineries, however, El Paso de Robles, or "Pass of the Oaks," midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, is also quickly becoming known as the home of the state's fastest-growing wine country, not to mention a mecca for foodies...
Spring / Summer 2008
Touring & Tasting - "Paso Robles' Secret"
Halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along California's Central Coast, the unassuming community of Paso Robles is quietly booming as California's fastest-growing appellation...
April 2008
Santa Barbara Magazine - "Chic Cheval"
The name translates as "horse" in French, and indeed, this new boutique hotel in Paso Robles takes its equine theme seriously. The reason? Owners (and Santa Barbara residents) Robert and Sherry Gilson are equestrian enthusiasts with a San Luis Obispo County weekend estate, and they drew on their hobby when Robert, who has bought and renovated several historic Paso Robles buildings, acted on a longtime urge to "be in the hotel business."
April 2008
Glam.com - "Weekend Getaway: Hotel Cheval"
Don’t you just love when you discover a cute little town that you never want to leave? Such was my feeling when I visited Paso Robles, CA a few weeks ago...
February 2008
San Francisco Chronicle - "Hotel Cheval"
"For cocoonlike comfort, unobtrusive service and proximity to wineries, restaurants and Paso Robles' blossoming downtown district, Hotel Cheval is a horse of a color not previously seen in these parts. The downside? As tourists discover Paso Robles, getting a room at Cheval will require planning"
February 2008
Austin American Statesman - "5 Romantic Getaways for your Valentine"
Hotel Cheval, Paso Robles, CALIF: "The "Be Still My Beating Heart" package pulls out all the stops at the stylsih small inn..."
February 2008
Statement - "Presents..."
Statement presents the allure of Paso Robles...
February 2008
Smart Meetings Magazine - "Unique Meeting Venues"
In Paso Robles, California, Hotel Cheval is an exclusive l6-room inn well-designed for intimate groups. With an on-site wine bar called "The Pony Club", this new property features an upscale equestrian theme with masculine, tailored bedroom furnishings, antique horse-related artwork inside and out, outdoor fireplaces for lounging and a library and patio that can be reserved for parties or meetings. If you stay on a Friday or Saturday, Chester the Belgian draft horse can take guests to dinner in a carriage.
January / February 2008
Luxury Life & Style - "Paso Robles Steps Up"
When it comes to California, most wine consumers automatically think Napa and Sonoma. Lately, Santa Barbara County's wineries have also begun to register in the national mindset, thanks largely to the success of the movie Sideways. That leaves the Paso Robles AVA as uncharted for many enthusiasts, though as California's fastest-growing appellation, the secret is out of the bag, and the race is on in many respects.
October 2007
Town and Country - "Travellers Notebook"
"The historic downtown of Paso Robles, a flourishing food and wine destination on California's central coast, finally has a great place for visitors to spend the night: Hotel Cheval..."
Spring / Summer 2008
LA BRIDES - "Destination Renowned"
In Central and Southern California, you've got the world at your feet when it comes to idyllic spots for engagements, showers, rehearsals, ceremonies and receptions.
Isn't it time you thought outside the ballroom?
November 2007
Brentwood Magazine - "The Perfect Place for Passion - Paso Robles"
" From that welcoming base at Hotel Cheval, a romantic weekend in Paso can go in whatever direction suits your fancy."
October 2007
Getaways - "Hotel Cheval"
"...Hotel Cheval is an eloquent and fitting name for Paso Robles' new luxury inn. But there is much more to the Hotel Cheval than a well-chosen name..."
September 2007
Los Angeles Magazine "Napa can wait"
“ Days unfold slowly here. Breakfast at the new boutique Hotel Cheval (8o5-226-9995 or hotelcheval.com$; 245-$425) is a complimentary basket of sweet cinnamon and blueberry cakes set outside your door or on weekends a hot buffet at the Pony Club's horseshoe-shaped wine bar…”
October 2007
C Magazine "Horsing around"
"...Hotel Cheval is the latest addition to this flourishing wine region...it takes a stylish spin on the equestrian theme..."
December 2007
New York Times - "Sipping Through the Next Great Wine Region"
"It was a 6.6, and buildings here were leveled" said Mrs. Lewin.The structures that have gone up their place include the chic new equestrian-themed Hotel Cheval, with stone and teak architecture and antique furnishings."
September 2007
805 Living Magazine - "The New Look at Old Paso Robles"
“…of course, all those wine drinkers will need a place to stay…the small, stylish Hotel Cheval is another recent addition
to Paso Robles that heralds a new direction with craftsmanship and personal service that echoes the sentiments of small town
California…Hotel Cheval is a luxurious yet completely comfortable boutique hotel with a distinct European
ambiance.”
Autumn 2007
Vintages - "Luxury Hotels on the Central Coast"
" A new breed of luxury hotels in San Luis Obispo County specialize in pampering, catering to and perhaps even spoiling their guests."
September 2007
California Home - "A Day at the Races"
"...the hotel's architecture was inspired by rustic country inns. It features rooms named after racehorses, with original artwork by Santa Barbara artist Richard Tullis, fireplaces and sun decks."
September/October 2007
Modern Bride Magazine - "Beyond Napa"
Where to unwind -"This 16-room inn is Paso Robles best upscale retreat.Enlist the services of Chester, a Belgian workhorse whowill transport you via antique carriage to dinner..."
April 2007
West - Los Angeles Times
"It's the latest project of Santa Barbara financier Robert Gilson, who's doing for San Luis Obispo County what Ty Warner's been doing for Montecito..."
May 2007
Daily Candy - "Horsing Around"
HORSING AROUND
At the newly opened Hotel Cheval in Paso Robles,
California (the new Napa), you're escorted to dinner in a
carriage drawn by a Belgian draft horse named Chester.
Giddy-yes.
May 2007
San Francisco Magazine -"Paso Robles, Central Coast"
" ...fireplaces in the courtyard garden ward off the chill from the evening fog (good for the grapes, less fun for you).
2007
Valley Magazine
"...this 16-room luxury inn will feature an equestrian theme, with each of the distinctive rooms named after a famous racehorse..."
Fall 2007
Food & Home "Great Escapes - Pleasant in Paso"
"There's a lot of Santa Barbara style emerging in Paso Robles, thanks to Sherry and Robert Gilson's new inn, Hotel Cheval:a posh, 16 room, California european-style,retreat just half a block off Paso Roble's mellow town square."
October 2007
Journey ipod - "The hip new Wine Country"!
"Talk about personalized service! This gorgeous 16-room boutique hotel will have you feeling like you’re the only guest visiting and that you’re somewhere in Europe"
May 2007
GrapevineRadio.net
"Last nite, Thurs. May 9, was a reception at the beautiful new Paso Robles European style luxury hotel, Hotel Cheval. Stunning. You've got to check it out..."
September 2007
The Design Magazine - "Sideways Country & beyond"
"The Paso area offers several unexpectedly luxuriousplaces to stay, with breakfast and optional spa services: Indowntown Paso, the new Hotel Cheval has 16 spaciousand elegant guest rooms and the Pony Club, a wine bar where local vintners gather."
April 2007
San Luis Obispo.com - The Tribune
"Paso’s luxury Hotel Cheval opens downtown Hotel Cheval, a luxury boutique hotel, opened Wednesday in downtown Paso Robles..."
July 2007
Tasting Panel Magazine
“Downtown Paso Robles is more uptown than ever thanks to real estate developers, travelers and equestrians Robert and Sherry Gilson, whose new Hotel Cheval—with its cobblestone edifice and Old World charm—resembles a Provençal country inn.”
October 2007
Equestrian News - "Paso Robles new Inn has Equine Theme"
"Whether you're sipping a Central Coast wine in front ofthe fireplace or riding with your sweetheart in a vintage Chester-drawn carriage, the Hotel Cheval is a horse lovers getaway. As (owner) Sherry Gilson puts it, "Think Europe or Central Park-a timeless way to travel."
