Hotel Escalante

11/25/03

Trellised gardens and a working horticulturist set this seaside hotel apart.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Set among botanical gardens, this Mediterranean villa-style beachfront hotel sits on over four acres of gardens with more than 300 species of flora. All plants are labeled and cared for by an on-site horticulturalist who leads garden walks. Frangipani, yellow dwarf orchids and Samoan sunshine trees are among the prized plants. Songbirds and butterflies are, not surprisingly, also abundant here. There are a number of courtyard gardens ideally suited to wedding receptions.

The Details
The 71 rooms are scattered among eight buildings, each named after a flowering plant. The decor is British colonial with mahogany beds and armoires. Frette linens are standard, as are Old World touches such as chaise longues and French doors. Most of the rooms have patios. Breakfast is served poolside. Coffee, tea and a selection of wines are available throughout the day in the library, which also features a 42-inch plasma screen television. The staff is discreetly attentive.