Bernardus Lodge

Couched among serene vineyards, Bernardus Lodge in Carmel, California, is more than a luxury meeting destination—it’s a retreat. The lodge features 4,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including five rooms of various sizes and amenities, as well as an additional 5,000 square feet of lavishly landscaped function space outdoors. Meeting planners have the option of booking the entire resort—up to 57 guest rooms.

When not in business meetings, guests enjoy the homelike accommodations and luxurious spa, which, along with the lodge itself, has garnered a Mobil four-star rating since 2004. Wine lovers revel in the Bernardus Winery and tasting room. Bernardus also offers a chic dining experience in its Marinus restaurant, voted one of the top restaurants in the greater Bay Area by the Zagat Guide. There are no packages available at this time. There are no hot dates at this time. Posted Nov 14, 2008 by Elite Concierge
View RSS Feed May 15, 2008 - Nestled in Californias beautiful Carmel Valley, Bernardus Lodge demonstrates on a daily basis that environmentally responsible practices are as natural and welcome as feather beds, award-winning cuisine, and a sumptuous spa. Bernardus Lodge, a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is proof that a hotel can be environmentally responsible, while it offers its guests luxurious accommodations, the finest services and an extraordinary location.

The Lodges many green initiatives include:

Energy Conservation

As more guests are concerned about the nations dependence on foreign oil and the impact of global climate change, Bernardus Lodge actively reduces its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions with basic design strategies, like triple insulation in its walls and ceilings, technology choices like energy-conserving compact fluorescent and T-8 fluorescent lights throughout the property, and state-of-the-art building systems, including highly efficient heat pumps for guestroom heating and air conditioning systems, hot water re-circulation pumps, and even photo cells for the exterior lighting system. By installing electric starters on in-room fireplaces and changing our room preparation procedures, the Lodge reduced natural gas consumption between 2005 and 2007 by 15%.

Water Conservation

As drought continues to plague California and the western United States, Bernardus Lodge has significantly reduced its potable water consumption with features like low flow showerheads and toilets. An on-site wastewater treatment plant supplies water for the landscape irrigation, a feature emulated at many fine golf courses in the region. Between 2006 and 2008, Bernardus Lodge reduced its water consumption by 20%, or approximately 1.2 million gallons.

Healthy Superior Indoor Air Quality

Natural ventilation, efficient and filtered HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) systems, all non-smoking guestrooms and public areas, low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) paints and stains used throughout the Lodge, and non-toxic cleaning supplies assure guests and staff of a healthy indoor environment.

Green Supplies

The products Bernardus Lodge uses"and chooses not to use"reduces its consumption of natural resources, provides a healthier indoor environment, supports local and environmentally-responsible vendors, and reduces the Lodges contribution to landfills. Some of these supplies include:

*Organic and sustainable food products and packaging.
*Organic and sustainable spa products and packaging.
*Organic and sustainable guestroom bath amenities.
*Soy-based ink on letterhead and printed materials.
*Non-toxic biodegradable cleaning products.
*Bernardus Lodge does not purchase Styrofoam or any product that comes in Styrofoam packaging which will not degrade in landfills for many centuries.

Locally Grown Organic Food

Our restaurants use local ingredients and nearby, naturally raised meats, and organic produce, including produce grown in our own kitchen gardens. Bernardus Lodge buys locally grown produce to support the local economy, to give its guests the freshest ingredients, and to reduce our greenhouse gas footprint. Foods that are shipped from hundreds of miles away are delivered by trucks which run on fossil fuels and generate significant carbon dioxide emissions.

Recycling and Waste Reduction

To reduce our consumption of the Earths precious natural resources and to lessen the amount of waste that we send to landfills, Bernardus Lodge has instituted several policies, including:

*We recycle paper, glass, plastic, batteries, and electronic waste such as old phones, stereos and computer components.
*We are placing recycling bins in each guestroom.
*Our Anti Junk Mail Initiative reduces paper waste by removing Bernardus Lodge from dozens of mailing lists.
*We return packaging to our vendors for re-use.
*We have on-site composting of kitchen waste. The fertilizer is then used on our gardens and landscaping.
*We recycle yard waste"leaves, grass clippings, etc."into mulch for use throughout our grounds.

About Bernardus Lodge

Bernardus Lodge offers 57 luxurious guestrooms in nine adobe-village style buildings along a terraced hillside. It sits in one of Americas most scenic destinations: Carmel Valley, the sunny side of Carmel. Inspired by Bernardus Pon, creator of the Bernardus Winery and Vineyard, the lodge combines exceptional epicurean experiences, presided over by celebrated chef Cal Stamenov, with gracious hospitality. The Lodge is 120 miles south of San Francisco and 330 miles north of Los Angeles. It is a 20-minute drive from the Monterey Peninsula and its wealth of attractions.