Joie de Vivre Hotels Receive Fodor's Choice Gold 2010 Awards

THREE JOIE DE VIVRE HOTELS RECEIVE FODOR'S CHOICE GOLD 2010 AWARDSTHREE JOIE DE VIVRE HOTELS RECEIVE FODOR'S CHOICE GOLD 2010 AWARDS

Ventana Inn & Spa, Hotel Del Sol, and Hotel Drisco Named Among "Best of the Best" U.S. Hotels

San Francisco (June 28, 2010) - Fodor's Travel has named three of California-based boutique hotelier Joie de Vivre's properties to its first-ever Fodor's Choice Gold Awards, which honor the 100 top hotels in the U.S. in 10 categories. Big Sur's Ventana Inn & Spa was named one of the top 10 in the "Most Romantic Hotels" category, and San Francisco's Hotel Del Sol and Hotel Drisco were named to the "Best Hotels for Kids and Families" and "Best Urban Escapes" top 10 lists, respectively.

Most Romantic Hotels: Ventana Inn & Spa is perched 1,200 feet above the iconic Big Sur coastline and emerged from a $26 million renovation last year. The property's 60 weathered cedar rooms and suites rest on 243 mountainside acres and boast a rustic luxury befitting its spectacular natural setting. Couples seeking romance enjoy Ventana's private outdoor Japanese baths, two outdoor pools (one clothing-optional) balconies and fireplaces in most rooms and suites, an on-site spa, and the acclaimed Restaurant at Ventana, with panoramic 50-mile ocean vistas from its terraces. Among its other accolades, Ventana has been named to Conde Nast Traveler's "Top 100 Best in the World" Reader's Choice Awards and to Travel + Leisure's list of "The 500 Best Hotels in the World."  (Rates from $479 weekdays)

Best Hotels for Kids and Families: Hotel Del Sol, located in San Francisco's trendy Marina District, offers a beach house-inspired oasis for families staying in the city. The property, a renovated 1950s motor lodge, is removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown and offers families free covered and uncovered parking, complimentary continental breakfast, and easy access to nearby attractions such as Lombard Street, the Marina Green, the Exploratorium, and Chestnut and Union Street shopping and restaurants. A heated outdoor pool (a natural salt-water/saline, rather than chlorine-treated, pool) is located in the colorful hotel courtyard, and kids get free beach balls, sunglasses, and visors with their stay. Freshly-baked cookies in the afternoon and a fully-stocked video lending library keeps gives kids something to entertain them after time at the pool. The Del Sol, which recently attained green certification from San Francisco Green Business, has created an eco-friendly "Love Your Mother (Earth)" package for families who want to see the greener side of San Francisco. (Rates from $129 weekdays)

Best Urban Escapes: Like the Del Sol, Hotel Drisco is also removed from the busy downtown pace and offers travelers the comfort and elegance of a European inn. Located atop the city's upscale Pacific Heights neighborhood, the 48-room Drisco is central to many San Francisco's attractions, but provides the feel of a sophisticated private home. The property's size affords a high level of personal service, and complimentary amenities include a daily wine and cheese hour, sitting room with 24-hour coffee and tea, overnight shoeshine service, and town car service to select neighborhoods. The Drisco also participates in Joie de Vivre's Golden Gate Greeter program, an offering unique to U.S. hotel brands that pairs local volunteers with guests for free customized insider tours of the city's hidden gems (available by advance appointment). The property is close to area parks and both Fillmore and Union Street shopping and restaurants. In 2010, the Drisco was named #6 on a list of the top 25 hotels in the U.S. by TripAdvisor readers in its Travelers' Choice awards. (Rates from $149 weekdays; $249 weekends)

Each of the properties named to the Fodor's Choice list embody Joie de Vivre's boutique sensibility, which caters to guests' lifestyles and personalities by providing an "identity refreshment" through distinct design, as well as a sense of place that reflects the local community. Joie de Vivre is the largest boutique hotel collection in California, with 33 properties plus a collection of restaurants and spas throughout the state. The brand recently announced a strategic capital partnership with San Francisco-based Geolo Capital that will provide capital to fund the boutique hotel brand's expansion outside of California.

The Fodor's Choice Gold award winners represent the 10 best US Fodor's Choice hotels (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) across 10 categories, including: Best Destination Wedding Hotel, Best Hotel Design, Best Hotel for Kids and Families, Best Hotel Pool, Best Hotel Restaurant, Best Hotel Service, Best Resort or Destination Spa, Best Sense of Place Hotel, Best Urban Escape Hotel, Most Romantic Hotel. For reviews on each hotel chosen for the awards, see www.fodors.com/fodorschoice2010.

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