Resort Gardens Are Grounds For A Memorable Stay - hotels in California, Colorado and Florida - Brief Article

Flower & Garden Magazine, May, 2001

It used to be that "getting there was half the fun," but these days, travelling is almost always a harrowing experience. Why not make your next trip a garden-themed one, and truly relax at your final destination in style! As we approach our hotel, the grounds are the first thing we usually notice. The eye wanders but eventually comes back to the landscape, scenery or countryside. From dazzling mountains and hillsides to lush, subtropical grounds, these hip-hotels offer the perfect respite for both young and old.

* THE RITZ-CARLTON--LAGUNA NIGUEL

Consistently ranked among the best resorts in the world, the four-story structure, reminiscent of a classic Mediterranean villa, consists of 330,000 square feet, 393 guestrooms and is located on a 150-foot bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Located in Laguna Niguel, California, the hotel is located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. The resort staffs a full-time landscape department, which cares diligently for and takes great pride in the grounds. In the perennial gardens, the use of colorful and fragrant plants, including gladiolus, iris, tuberose and alstroemeria, is abundant. At my time of visit, the ice plant on the hillside happened to be in full bloom--what a devastatingly beautiful sight, to say the least.

Rare ferns, various flowering plants, sycamore trees, weeping willows, a variety of palms and California flora grace the manicured grounds, which makes for a most relaxing and picturesque atmosphere.

Something to consider: Every Tuesday and Friday through May 29th, then every Friday until October 26th, guests and local residents are invited to join "Jungle Julie" as she leads an educational and fun-filled tour of the lush gardens and interior plants at The Ritz-Carlton. "Jungle Julie" (as she is affectionately referred to) is Julie Hunt, who is a certified arborist. For more information and/or reservations, please phone 800.241.3333 or 949.240.5008.

* THE BREAKERS--PALM BEACH

Situated on 140 acres on the island of Palm Beach, Florida, The Breakers, an Italian Renaissance-style hotel, was founded in 1896 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Breakers has recently undergone a stunning refurbishment and redesign of its grounds, to match the comprehensive revitalization of the hotel. Danny Miller, the oceanfront resort's director of golf and grounds, headed the project, and manages a team of 39 gardeners and laborers who maintain the premises, which contain 34,000 annuals, 2,700 palm trees and 5 miles of formal hedges.

Some places of interest Miller designed include the Children's Secret Garden, the Color Garden Walk and an Herb Garden. The Herb Garden includes 20 varieties, such as basil, lemon grass, hot and sweet peppers, chives, rosemary and much, much more. The Color Garden Walk starts with 10,000 sq. feet of plant color blocks, compromised of 100 plant species that graduate from hue to hue as with a color scale. Finally, the Children's Secret Garden, just a stroll away from the main hotel, is tucked away in the northwest corner of the property. A favorite among children and parents alike, the garden boasts 1,200 feet of hedge maze and 600 orange jasmine plants. For more information phone 888.BREAKERS.

* THE HOTEL JEROME--ASPEN

Many who think of Aspen, Colorado, visualize snow and frigid temperatures. But there are many seasons to this old mining town, which is rich in history. The legendary Hotel Jerome (listed on the National Register of Historic Places), opened in 1889 at the height of Colorado's silver boom and boasts Victorian architecture and aesthetically pleasing grounds.

In spring and summer at the Hotel Jerome, the Garden Terrace opens for lunch, with awesome Aspen Mountain as the backdrop. The beds are full of various species and colors of lilies, while potted plants filled with resplendent arrays of a variety of flowers dot every available corner. Fall introduces seasonal touches, while wintertime at the Jerome brings fresh flowers to light up dining room tables--a serene sight in the middle of winter. Of course, magnificent arrangements of seasonal greenery and beautifully-decorated Christmas trees adorn the premises this time of year as well.

The hotel has a trained staff who ensures proper placement of specific plants and shrubs throughout the hotel's grounds. Both summer and winter offer varied displays, should you be so inclined to visit in the different seasons.

Of interest is the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies. Located at Hallam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, the Center provides an excellent learning environment with a lake, river, forest, marsh, meadow and wildlife. A must visit for any nature lover. For more information phone 800.331.7213 or visit www.hoteljerome.com.