They say money can’t buy happiness, but even the worst of orators would beg to differ if they had ever stayed at Ms. Susanna’s wisteria guest home. This place is a priceless piece of heaven! Seven things we adored about Susanna’s place (and there are plenty more):
1. The kindest/warmest greeting from Ms. Susanna and most thoughtful/generous touches (there was a bouquet of a dozen gorgeous roses awaiting on the front table welcoming our anniversary get away and a free guest pass to the museum we came to visit. This woman’s kindness is above and beyond!)
2. Chocolates!! Salted carmel dark chocolate, gorgeous handmade chocolate, mint chocolate atop our pillows, sipping chocolate at the snack bar, chocolate tea cookies (if you don’t like chocolate, no worries, there are plenty of other non chocolate lovelies Susanna tenderly places).
3. Ms. Susanna’s restaurant write up! Delicious places to eat are abundant and just a few minutes walk from the home. Ms. Susanna’s personal restaurant review write up is almost as delightful to read as the food is to eat. Spot on—we loved every restaurant we tried on her list.
4. Beverages: Ms. Susanna treated us to a lovely bottle of “Sparkling Blush” and had a fantastic, hand thrown bowl filled with terrific tea selections—organic honey lavender, gaahh, pour me a cup and call me zen.
5. The bed: I honestly can’t recall the last time I slept that well. From the moment my head hit the pillow, it felt I was cuddled in a cloud and gently wisked off to la-la land with the smell of fresh freesia blossoms from the night table aside me still wafting sweetness through my mind.
6. The neighborhood: We adored walking around the neighborhood with its friendly dwellers, inspiring gardens, and Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie Bungalow style like homes each so unique and beautiful while creating a community unity. Also, Balboa park with the museums, piazzas, zoo, artists market, playgrounds, nature reserve etc. is all within walking distance, a gorgeous and fun walk I might add.
7. The decor: What is it about a great rug?? Our babbling infant (and us) giggled, learned to crawl (tender), and played on the plush front room rug for hours (Susanna so kindly provided us with a couple of baskets full of wonderful toys). The books are phenomenal and interesting, and the antiques and hand sewn table runner are treasures.
I do have one bit of advice when booking this blessed abode: If at all possible, plan to stay AT LEAST two nights. There are so many gems to be had, you will not regret taking time to harvest.