Monday, September 19, 2011

Divine Sands

Pura Vida- outdoor dining

Swimming pool

All suites feature king beds

Room detail- king spa room

Spa tub detail- king spa room

Travertine countertops...Molton Brown amenities!

Walk-in shower


While Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley are still missing a five-star, five-diamond resort like Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons, the latest addition to the hotel scene here in the gay men's resort category is worthy of both top accolades.

Pura Vida is an eight room hideaway located in the Warm Sands neighborhood of central Palm Springs.  The rooms are large, ranging in size from 325 to 525 square feet, and all include flatscreen TV's, iPod docking stations, fireplaces, large walk-in showers, desert-tone travertine floors and bathrooms and private outdoor spaces.  Two suites also have large spa tubs and the largest suite even has a patio with a spa pool.

The communal pool and spa area includes an outdoor dining area and fire pit.  Room rates are inclusive of daily breakfast, evening cocktail hour and beverages from a 24-hour self service kitchen.

What's strikingly different about Pura Vida is the attention to detail in design and amenities- each being worthy of those found in the best of hotels and the finest private rental homes in Las Palmas or south Palm Springs.  It's also not a clothing optional resort, so everyone can feel comfortable around the pool - a novel idea, especially for a resort in this neighborhood.

Who will Pura Vida appeal to?  This resort should do very well with single gay professionals and couples who  like the quality and privacy of a home rental, but don't wish to pay for an entire house.  It should also do well with visitors who have rented private homes here but appreciate the services offered by a hotel, like daily housekeeping, cooking, and poolside cocktail service.  Think buy outs for birthday parties, special occasions, and corporate retreats.

Pura Vida is a breath of fresh air for Palm Springs and sets a high standard for small luxury hotel rooms in the area.  It's a resort that's not to be missed.

Pura Vida
Reservations & rates:  (877) 786 0519

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Frances

Frances-  17th St in The Castro

House rose-  Served and paid for "as you drink"

Beet and arugula salad with buttermilk blue

White corn chowder with lime scented sea salt

California king salmon

Peach friand


I could wax on with superlatives about my dinner last Saturday at Frances, but let me just write a few words and leave the rest of it to the photos and chef Melissa Perello's accolades.

This is the best bistro meal I've eaten all year.  The sublime and simple tastes in each of the dishes I had were remarkable:  shaved buttermilk blue cheese over beets, the crunchy lime scented sea salt in the white corn soup, and the meyer lemon gremolata with the fresh California king salmon.

Frances is worthy of all the awards and attention it's received and I deem it:  not to be missed!

Bon Appetit.

Frances
3870 17th St.
San Francisco
California 94114