Swanky Retreats – Winter 2023-2024

Summary

Hostal de La Gavina on Spain’s Costa Brava anchors the cover of Swanky Retreats Winter 2023-2024 (Vol. 8 Issue 4), a quarterly that routes affluent travellers through Mendocino wine country, California’s Lake Arrowhead, and a Georgian estate where Prince Alexander Chavchavadze introduced European winemaking 200 years ago.

The Little River Inn on the Mendocino coast opens the “Swellegant Stays” portfolio — white clapboard, Pacific views, and an on-site golf course. The Tsinandali Estate in Georgia’s Kakheti region gets a dedicated spread covering the chateau-museum, the vineyard tours, and the annual Tsinandali Festival. The “A Retreat to Remember” section (pages 8-13) features the UCLA Lake Arrowhead Lodge, recently opened to the public, with alpine architecture, a pickle-ball court, and plant-based dining.

“Gastronomic Gallivants” (pages 30-35) profiles the Hostal de La Gavina in Girona, Spain, while the “Winery Rundown” and “San Francisco Hits the Mark” segments cover California wine routes and the city’s enduring hospitality scene. A “Can You Canoe?” feature adds an outdoor-adventure counterpoint to the hotel-heavy lineup.

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Content Guide

▸ Stays / Hotels

p.3 · Little River Inn — Mendocino Coast
White clapboard facade, colourful gardens, and a lobby with antique furnishings on California’s Highway 1. Rooms have plush linens and private balconies overlooking the Pacific. The on-site restaurant sources from local fisheries, and the nine-hole golf course sits right above the surf. Book a midweek stay in winter for off-peak rates and empty fairways.

p.8 · UCLA Lake Arrowhead Lodge — Southern California
A recently public alpine lodge set among dense forests on Lake Arrowhead. Two-story chalet accommodation, a sunset lake cruise, and plant-based meals — buffet breakfast and lunch, plated dinner. The state-of-the-art pickle-ball court and the “Cardio Hill” hiking trail give active guests options beyond the ropes course. Reserve the craft-chocolate wine pairing experience during check-in.

p.14 · Luxury Inn Mendocino
A dedicated spread on a Mendocino retreat with emphasis on the coastal setting and the room-to-nature connection. The inn positions itself as a base for exploring Russian Gulch State Park’s redwoods and waterfalls. Ask for a room facing the headlands rather than the parking lot.

▸ International

p.30 · Gastronomic Gallivants: Hostal de La Gavina — Girona, Spain
The cover property sits on the Costa Brava with a Michelin-level restaurant and a seawater pool. The feature covers the hotel’s history as a mid-century retreat for European aristocracy and its current menu direction under the executive chef. Book a table on the terrace facing the Mediterranean — the tasting menu runs at least seven courses.

p.· Tsinandali Estate — Kakheti, Georgia
The Radisson Collection hotel on a Georgian wine estate where Prince Chavchavadze planted European vines 200 years ago. Guests tour the chateau-museum, taste in the modern winery, and eat khachapuri prepared by brand chef Irakli Asatiani. The annual Tsinandali Festival in summer is the best time to visit for the music programme.

▸ Active / Adventure

p.20 · Can You Canoe?
An outdoor feature that balances the issue’s hotel-heavy first half with paddling routes and gear recommendations. The destinations are selected for scenic value rather than technical difficulty. If you are new to canoe camping, the gear checklist here covers the essentials a first-timer tends to forget.

▸ Wine & Dining

p.24 · Winery Rundown
A curated list of West Coast wineries worth the drive, with tasting-room policies and bottle prices. Each entry includes the varietal the property grows best. Plan your route around the producers that book tastings by appointment only — they offer the most attentive service.

p.27 · San Francisco Hits the Mark Time and Time Again
A San Francisco city guide covering hotels, restaurants, and cultural venues. The selections favour established addresses over trendy openings. Use the neighbourhood map to build a walking itinerary that connects the recommended lunch spot with an afternoon gallery visit.

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Editor’s Take

The property photography in this issue is the real draw — the Little River Inn and Tsinandali Estate spreads are genuinely aspirational. But the editorial depth is thin: the “Can You Canoe?” and “Winery Rundown” pieces read as placeholder text rather than reported features. Weakness: no pricing anywhere — no room rates, tasting fees, or flight-cost context — which limits the practical value for a travel magazine. Best for luxury travellers who browse for destination inspiration before booking; less useful for budget-conscious trip planners.

Strengths
• Little River Inn and Tsinandali Estate photography with architectural and landscape detail
• Hostal de La Gavina historical context — mid-century aristocratic retreat angle
• Lake Arrowhead plant-based dining and pickle-ball coverage for active luxury travellers

Weaknesses
• Zero pricing across all properties — room rates, tasting fees, or starting prices omitted
• “Can You Canoe?” and “Winery Rundown” lack reported depth

Verdict: Selective read — A visual travel catalogue for destination inspiration; not a practical trip-planning tool without pricing.