I am going to try my best to write a balanced review, because #1 we love Justin Wines and are members of the Wine Society, and #2 overall we had a good stay and staff were friendly. If there were a 3.5 stars, I'd do that.
We were in the Isosceles Suite, which is lovely. You are greeted with a bottle of wine which is also lovely. In addition, you supposedly get a free tasting at your meal (more on that later). FYI - each special thing that you receive is a one-time only - regardless of how many nights you stay. That includes the cheese plate, which we devoured on Sunday night because the restaurant was not open. Since we were also there the next night with no restauant, it would have been thoughtful and appropriate for the Inn to supply a cheese plate again.
The woman who took care of our room was very helpful and pleasant. The bedroom was comfortable and the beds were good. The bathroom was spacious, but the large and oddly shaped tub was just plain awkward and a bit dangerous. The shower was such that you had to stand in a very narrow spot (I wish I had taken a photo of this) and the soap and shampoo and conditioner were all in very heavy ceramic jars with wide mouth lids. If you dropped one of those on your feet? Trust me, I made sure I didn't. Also, the water got into the jars despite trying to avoid that (sorry for nitpicking here but a room that goes for $720 a night should be perfect). Few outlets near the bed, although they are sprinkled around the room and very poor wifi.
Breakfast. You had better not be fussy. The chef makes some wonderful dishes for breakfast, but there are no options, not even a side of toast. For example, I had a delicious chorizo omelet, but it was on top of avocado toast, which I dislike. The side of fruit and yogurt was the only option. The first morning we had a very tasty small quiche along with the fruit and yogurt and OJ. Again, no toast, bread, etc. By the second day we knew enough to bring back some baked goods from town. That shouldn't be necessary. I know others have criticized the kitchen but we didn't use it except for coffee.
If you stay on any of the 4 nights that the restaurant is not open, be certain that you bring food from town or are prepared for a very dark and windy road back to the Inn - if you go out to a restaurant. On Sunday, we ordered extra food from lunch, only to discover that what we ordered (the flatbread) was so greasy we threw it out and we ended up devouring the cheese plate which was pretty small for 3 people.
We happened to visit when the area was having major rain storms. Our bad. When we left in pouring rain it seemed fine, however returning (thankfully before dark) we found a tree that had fallen and was blocking the road that led to the Inn. No cell service, no wifi - the navigation system thus not helpful - and only because I remembered seeing some small roads on a map did we (with luck and no further fallen trees) get back to the Inn coming from the other direction. The staff told us the next day that they were shocked we had gone out in the morning, but no one thought to call to see if we got back at night. No one was staffing the Inn.
Regarding the "free" tasting that you get at the restaurant. It is free if you do the non-reserve tasting. If you choose the reserve tasting, and I would guess that most Wine Society members would indeed do that, then you are charged the full $80 per person. If the $40 tasting is free, then shouldn't the $80 tasting be $40???? It not only makes no sense, it is a bit insulting.
Based on the excellent wines we'vepurchased from Justin over many, many years, I would have expected to leave a 5 star review plain and simple. I will admit that all three of us were a bit disappointed. Small things can make a real difference. Love the wines (most), but the Inn, not so much. read more