Seven Stills & Stanford Court Hotel Review

Hi there, 

Well if you know Craig and I at all, you know we love a good hotel and brewery! So why not try out the newest one on the block. Seven Stills Brewery popped up in San Francisco starting with a small brewery and growing to gain a partnership with Stanford Court Hotel on Nob Hill. 

The Stanford Hotel on Nob Hill was contained in an older tall building but as soon as we walked into the lobby we were hit with modern style and an open floor plan. Around the circumference of the lobby were horses painted like they were just running around the expanse and to the right a blue tinted reading area. 

Straight ahead was the Seven Still Bar/Lounge, which greeted us with wonderful aromas.

After a quick check in we went into the old green elevator and went up to the 8th floor. I really loved how the hotel was completed...there were modern flares but with old fixtures and sconces. It really made for an interesting hotel.

 

Immediately walking into our room it was so spacious I was surprised...very minimalist that it seemed European looking. Instead of a closet they had a kind of rolling cart that was stationary to hang up your jackets and put your shoes. Such a neat idea that I hadn't seen in any American hotels yet. The bathroom was gorgeous...I'm always a sucker for a marble bathroom! Also, they actually had a tub which was a plus. Another more European feature was the heated towel rack! The last time I saw one of those, was in Ireland!

The furniture and interior design that they had up we're all based out of San Francisco and you could tell that they tried to keep things pretty local. They had complimentary water which I rarely ever see and on the desk there was a paper mat that showed all the different events going on during the month. Perfect for a guest visiting the city for the first time.

Once settled we made our way back down the long hallway into the old elevator to check out the Seven Stills eating area. The space was open and very relaxed looking. Everything on the menu had a bit of a twist to it and nothing was boring looking. Craig went for one of their craft beers which smelled fruity but didn't taste that way, which was a surprise to him! The beer was delicious and so different from what he was used to.

We ordered a light dinner...some chicken wings, salad and some brussel sprouts. The wings were good (according to Craig) but messy he he. I expected the salad and sprouts to be a bit more decadent but they were a little basic. But that's alright...I had my eye on their dessert menu. Seven Still had the most delicious looking triple chocolate mousse. This masterpieces had a dark chocolate layer, white chocolate layer, dark chocolate layer and an oreo cookie crust on the bottom. Plus chocolate flakes on top and yummy raspberry sauce on the side. Needless to say I ate the whole damn thing. No regrets!

Craig tried a beer float which to our surprise was actually kind of gross tasting...sorry Seven Stills and I've never seen Craig not finish a drink or a dessert but he couldn't do it. Something about their signature Chocasmoke whiskey with their ice cream just did not quite mix well. I gave it a sip to and did not enjoy it at all. I'm not that into bitter food but it wasn't just bitter. It was earthy and a bit like a bad version of those round barrel root beer candies. Craig kindly ordered a whiskey to cut the taste he he! 

The rest of our night was lovely but I have to mention one thing...the bed wasn't the best. From the hotels vibe I expected to melt into the mattress and never want to leave but that wasn't the case. The frame creaked a lot and definitely distracted from certain things...LOL! We also noticed that they offered different pillows to try, since Craig sleeps with a memory foam pillow at home he asked to try the service. But no one ever showed up :(

The next day we headed to the Seven Still Brewery a short distance from Nob Hill. 

There we enjoyed a tour and whiskey tasting. I don't want to give too much away but it was such a nice experience. Staff were friendly and eager to teach us about their work. Each whiskey was so original, being that they were all small batch. Craig's favorite was the Four Legs Good.

The brewery held a chill vibe with a hint of humor all mixed with serious brewing magic! We would totally recommend a visit. This place is gonna get big!

Thanks for reading my review. 

Cheer, Bunny

Simply Ballyseede

Morning!

Our third stop on our honeymoon tour was Ballyseede. This castle was much smaller than the others but seemed to marry both Ballynahinch's cozy charm and Dromoland's service. It was just adorable! 

They even have two dogs on staff! A smaller black and white dog, Einstein, who met us as we approached their big red doors and nonchalantly went inside. We kind of figured that he was allowed to...the other, Mr. Higgins, whom we met later wasn't as lucky. A lovely woman named Ester checked us in, giving us a big key and talked a bit about meals and other accommodations.

The inside of Ballyseede was so quaint and really didn't fit with the modern world. Each space was ornately dressed yet personal and warm. I felt as though I was at my grandparents house. Their home used to be filled with antiques, items from their travels and lots of family photos. Ballyseede seemed to be family owned, or at least family run...from what we gathered Ester handled check ins and other needs and her brother helped with meal service. Looking back I should have asked more questions! Throughout the castle alongside antique paintings were lots of photos, mainly of families that had stayed at Ballyseede or had gotten married there. Maybe we should send them a card to add to their collection!

Once checked in we made our trek to the top of the castle. No elevators needed here. Craig carried a few bags and someone helped me with mine, thank god! Our room, the Mangan, was small and bed a bit old but we were okay with that. Each new place we stayed at was such an adventure! 

Upon exploration we found that there was a lower level of rooms so it was really sweet of them to give us a top floor room. We had a grand view overlooking the very Alice and Wonderland grounds. Ballyseede had glass water bottles as well. Such a fantastic idea!

 Ballyseede had both an outer door and inner doorway and that's where we found Mr. Higgins, a very big Irish Wolfhound! He was so sweet! Off of the main floor there were two big rooms to the left and 3 to the right...if I'm remembering correctly! The right making up a dinning area and bar. Part of that dinning area, more reserved for breakfast, extended into a whole other ballroom fit for magical weddings. Ester even took us in there to see! They had maybe 6 tables set up with different kinds of place-settings and a smaller table with a big sword on it, that was used to cut the cake. She even let us try it out...sadly without cake!

We grabbed some lunch in their bar area. I wanted to try their version of a goat cheese salad. It was really good...but way too much fried cheese he he! I wanted to eat it all but my tummy wouldn't let me. Craig had their fish and chips and an Irish coffee!

Dinner was similar...rich and decadent! We had expected more guests for dinner but no one was there, our server said that there was supposed to be a wedding that weekend but it had been canceled. We ended up having the entire dinning area to ourselves. Definitely more romantic! We felt so tucked away from the outside world. Our server was really nice as well and funny! We joked about sitting at the long table in the center, just us two, yelling back and forth like rich people.

He brought out a little cup with a treat from the chef, it was mushroom soup! Yum! For our main course I tried the salmon and Craig the duck. I usually can't eat a ton of fish in one setting but this was really flavorful and not too fishy. Craig liked the duck, it was a nice change from usually eating beef/steak. They brought out some potatoes too...OMG so buttery!

That morning we had the most delicious breakfast!!! I found out that their pancakes were more like crepes and I wanted to eat a mountain of them! So good...I need to fly back there just to eat these!

 Craig also ran into a duck...most likely friends with the one he had eaten for last nights dinner! Yikes!

That afternoon we were heading out to see some sites and Ester made sure to give us a map of the Dingle Peninsula with lots of notes about where to go. She also said we needed to visit Dick Macks. "You have to go, tell them I sent ya!" 

We did make it there and they had no idea who she was but loved that she keeps sending people there LOL! It was a cute pub...sort of old-school and dreary. It looked like it was created in an old home and there were only a few people inside. I tried a fizzy "girly" drink he he!

Dingle was pretty and turned out to be a surfing town much to our surprise, we are from Santa Cruz. It was fun seeing a few surf boards along the way. There were cute boutiques and shops too, so we took our time and walked around. The drive around Dingle was really pretty too. Lots of open land and lakes!

 By the time we returned, a bit late in the evening, it was time for tea and dessert! We ordered a lava cake with a bit of ice cream....I probably don't have to describe how awesome it was! I also had some peppermint tea in one of their fancy cups and a scone. These were usually for breakfast but they were far to good to pass up.

 Einstein was there too...playing with what I thought were those brownish sugar crystals but they turned out to be rocks. There were 7 of them and he would wait for you to toss one and he would go get it and so on...then he would keep them in his mouth until he wanted to play again. So funny!

Then the morning came and what we feared finally happened...it was time to go again..sigh! We ate breakfast, they even wrapped up a few scones for me, and Craig and I walked around the property snapping pics. I could totally see why it is such a wonderful place to get married...I imagined what my dress would look like flowing down the castle steps...greeting guests in the garden...even feeding the ponies. Oh to dream! Such a beautiful castle!

  This was going to be another place that we will have to come back to. I still only have the fondest memories of Ballyseede!
http://www.ballyseedecastle.com/index

-Bunny

I'm Going to Dromoland

Hi there,

Our second stop was Dromoland Castle!

Rounding the corner toward the castle we saw lots of green lawn perfect for golfing and a tennis court, this was definitely more of a country club/resort. Then there it was...Dromoland! Grand and opulent with a large circular drive-through for better access unloading bags. Staff were immediately friendly and helpful. Offering to park our car and get our remaining bags. The check in was right through huge wooden doors and past a giant table set with flowers and a guestbook. There were even suites of armor and other old world items.
We had a small mix up about our stay...the 31st of October was unaccounted for and neither us or our travel agents caught it lol! A small mix-up, we were supposed to be booked for three nights (30th to 2nd). 

But both Exploring Vacations and Dromoland were quick to help and even got us a kick-ass room. It was so lovely!

The bed had a ton of pillows, chairs with a coffee table and a large armoire with everything a coffee lover needed! Craig was thrilled and immediately made an Irish Coffee. The bathroom was large and had a double sink!

Staff also left us the sweetest note with some chocolates, big brownie points to them! They did this each night and the note also came with a little quote. 

Sleep is darkness preparing us for light. Proverb

Walking around the big castle/hotel it brought out feelings of sophistication and a little bit of dread...let me explain...

It must have been the red carpets and walls, but there was a very distinct resemblance to the Shinning or rather the Titanic. Which sounds crazy but that was the feeling Dromoland's long hallways and grand rooms gave me. Creepy and quiet....kind of perfect for Halloween though, my favorite time of the year!

So that next day (Halloween) I was pleased to find pumpkins on our way to Breakfast! So here in Ireland, so far from home, we still got to have a bit of that spooky spirit, with Dromoland staff carving really intricate pumpkins and turning a few rooms into haunted play areas for children. 

Breakfast was scrumptious! There was the usual rice cereals, pastries, toast and a few yogurts to pick from. I loved the jams... made from a few different berries and some marmalade but my favorite had to be the raspberry. It was perfect with my toast and cocoa! I think I just started dipping everything into the jam...Later that night, after spending the day exploring the cities around Dromoland, we decided to try their lovely Earl of Thomond 5 course dinning restaurant. It was pretty booked but we had made a reservation, like the staff suggested. There were always a few different dinning options, a little confusing about where to go but they had each menu out near reception, so you could make a better selection. There is even a club house with a smaller restaurant, mainly for those spending their time golfing.

The Earl of Thomond space was beautiful, blues and golds married together with huge portraits of a time long past. Wait staff were very proper and on request, found us a more secluded table, the first was a little too close to the harpist he he! 

We ordered pumpkin soup and a salad to start and the chef sent out a tiny cup with an oyster to try. This was way out of my comfort zone but I tried it anyways...not bad! The seasoning took away the bite that some seafood has. I tend to stay away from chewy, slimy foods he he! The pumpkin soup was exceptional...maybe I can recreate it....hmmm must find recipe! Craig ordered steak with some red wine and I a pasta dish but the real treat was dessert! 

A souffle and petite fours! Delish! That kind of cake with a molten center can change a person....make them get lost in the moment. It is just so...perfect.

Next we went off exploring the place....got a little lost but a nice bell boy guided us back to our room! We found some huge doors, tapestries and a few antique looking chairs. Most walls had wallpaper but some were stone and you could see that you were indeed in a castle. That transition between wall and stone was a little strange but it was consistent throughout. The bathrooms were so interesting too, I had to take a few pics! I love little birdies!

When we got back we had another note and chocolates....I could definitely get use to this! Castle of Ancient Days! in time long gone. Thy lofty halls in royal splendour shone! Thou stood'st a monument of strength sublime, A giant laughing at the threats of time! James Bird

In the morning we headed down for breakfast and quickly scarfed down cereal, toast, eggs and more than a few servings of coffee and pastries! We hung out for a little bit in our room before heading out to Bunratty Castle, which we would recommend to travelers. Especially if you want to see home and shop replicas and a true castle build to withstand battles. You get to climb through the castle and see how it was decorated/lived in. 

In the evening we ate out at The Locke Gastro Pub in Limerick! Great fish and chips and burgers! The peas were not good at all LOL...especially after having such great ones at the Ashling! Upon our return we found more chocolate and a note.

Oh sleep!

It is a gentle thing,

Beloved from pole to pole.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Reality began to creep in when I realized that they added a cleverly designed questionnaire about our stay :( Of course they were getting top marks but it was bittersweet that we would be leaving in the morning. These were to be our last chocolate here.

So in the morning we begrudgingly ate our pastries in a fancy sitting room overlooking the grounds, visited the gift shop and checked out of the castle. This is where I found the most lovely hunter green scarf by Patrick Francis.

Dromoland was indeed grand! Service was exceptional and a bit unreal...the chocolate, notes, turn down service....we felt special! Plus the rooms had everything we could want in them as well! Oh and the tissues were shaped like a flower....just adorable! My only critics would be that it was very large and a bit cold in the hallways, so it was not as cozy but we did feel well taken care of he he! 

We didn't want to leave but our journey was far from over! Plus a shop owner in Bunratty told us about some ruins we could get to near Dromoland and Craig was all about that! LOL

We did find the ruins...we hiked uphill through berry bushes (not fun) and discovered old stone circles taken over by time and nature. There was also a little structure and much to our surprise a sign and pathway! So it wasn't as mysterious as we thought ha ha! 

Cheers, Bunny

http://www.dromoland.ie/