HotelChatter

The setting: Justin Vineyards and Winery in Paso Robles.

Note: the road to Justin is no easy find from the freeway. We missed it twice.

David: I can't believe that turn off the freeway. There was no way to see it coming. I will be talking about it for months! Months, I tell you!

Shira: I lost cell phone coverage!

After getting placed in the Sussex room....

Shira: I love the plush pedestal canopy bed. The two footstools for assisted ascent and decent are a nice touch. Good for collapsing into bed and snuggling beneath the covers.

David: I am not sure how I feel about the footstools, because I know I will want to hop out of bed, and I may hurt myself. (Insert pun: The footstool was David's terroir! Wine joke, sorry!)

Shira: It's refreshing to see real wood rather than IKEA furniture. These rooms feel very personal in its style and decorating. I totally feel comfortable making myself at home here, even if I wouldn't exactly decorate my home like this.

David: There is a lot of orange in this room, a lot of orange and red trim. I like the distressed leather couch. It's homey but fancy, a nice balance. If I had a deadline, this would be an ideal place to disappear for a week. It's very airy but still contained, which would allow me to focus. I like that they provided firewood, newspaper and a fire poker. Gives me a good reason to make the mood romantic. I can burn stuff!

Shira: The shower was very spacious and easy to stay in forever. The big spa shower head and seat make it nice to just sit there and zone out.

David: It was so nice I fell asleep. (David slipped, but that was because he didn't put the mat down.)

About the service at the hotel....

Shira: What's nice about JustINN is you become a part of the place immediately. While they'll walk you to your room and welcome you with a complimentary bottle of their vino, you'll be carrying your own suitcases to your room and hanging up your own coat in the restaurant.

David: They're not going to fawn over you, but they'll make you feel warm and taken care of.

Shira: You're pampered and relaxed, but it's not over the top with annoying, constant service.

JustINN is great for dog lovers. There is a Golden Retriever named Sunny who recently had a little surgery on his leg so wears one of those big head horns, and a Bassett Hound named Churchill. Both like to rest their heads in guest's laps dining in Deborah's Room. Not so good for David and his allergies.

David: (to Churchill) Shoo. Go to China.

Shira: (to Churchill) No he's OK. Come here, Churchill.

David: (to Churchill) To China. Go.