Embrace the Season or Escape the Stress

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. October 14, 2008

NOVEMBER 29, 2007. Unique Inns, one of North America's first bed and breakfast inn-keeping organizations, today announced a sampling of holiday getaways at several of the organization's member inns. Whether the goal is to embrace the season or escape its stresses, Unique Inns' locations offer opportunities for all during the holiday season.

Unique Inns includes approximately 40 member properties located in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California. Many of the innkeepers that are part of Unique Inns are involved with the global Slow Food movement, an organization of more than 80,000 individuals in 45 countries who are passionate about adding flavor to their lives. Slow Food, a non-profit, member-supported organization, was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life. The organization supports local food traditions and renewed interest in food, where it comes from, how it tastes and how food choices affect the rest of the world. The Slow Food movement is reflected in many of the holiday dining experiences available at Unique Inns' locations.

"Food is an integral part of the Unique Inns experience," said Rose Allen, executive director of Unique Inns. "Whether an innkeeper offers a gourmet breakfast, picnic lunch, or multi-course dinner, the meal is prepared with care and attention that has the ability to bond through the sharing and serving of good food. In accordance with Slow Food, we believe that in seeking a good life, it is important to consume food created from fresh, quality ingredients, produced in a manner that does not degrade species or resources," she added.

In addition to offering extraordinary dining experiences, many of the Unique Inns' locations embrace the season with beautiful light displays and tastefully decorated Christmas trees, reminiscent of holidays long past.

Celebrate Dickens-Style at Oregon's Winchester Inn

The three-hour, six-course Dickens' Christmas Feast at the Winchester Inn (www.winchesterinn.com) located in Ashland, Ore., is one of the inn's premiere annual events and has become a holiday tradition for families across the country. The feast includes a traditional prime rib dinner and a celebratory glass of Champagne or sparkling cider. Performances by the Winchester Singers highlight the evening, with jolly old Saint Nick bringing gifts for all who attend. Feasts are held on select evenings through December 24. The cost is $67.50 per person, including tax and gratuity. For reservations call 800.972.4991.

Just one-half block above Main Street in downtown Ashland, the Winchester Inn is situated on a quiet hillside up the street from shopping, art galleries, the Oregon Cabaret Theatre and the world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Innkeepers Michael and Laurie Gibbs have created a destination in itself with the inn's Victorian charm and contemporary amenities.

Holiday Traditions Abound at Campbell House in Eugene, Ore.

The holidays at Campbell House (www.campbellhouse.com) in Eugene, Ore., bring a number of annual traditions including Holiday Teas, a Thanksgiving Buffet and a Christmas Eve dinner. Holiday Teas, a popular holiday tradition, will be served at Campbell House on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through December 23. Guests enjoy hot tea, a festive array of holiday goodies, and traditional Christmas carols performed by The Hanson Family Singers. Friday teas begin at 12:15 pm while Saturday and Sunday teas are at 1 p.m. The cost is $34 for adults and $18 for children.

The traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner buffet at Campbell House will feature the chef's turkey carving station, Tolly's Restaurant's famous turkey dressing, parsnip and golden mashed potatoes, fennel apple salad and baked sweet potatoes. On Christmas Eve, Campbell House will offer an old-fashioned buffet, including roast beef and ham carving stations, an array of harvest salads, and a variety of sweets, including pumpkin chiffon pie, rum raisin pie and chocolate hazelnut torte. Thanksgiving Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. and Christmas Eve dinner will be at 4:30 p.m. The cost for each is $45 per person; $18 for children under 12 years. Reservations are required for the Campbell House Holiday Teas as well as the Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve dinners. Reservations can be made by calling 800.264.2519 or 541.343.1119.

Located just two blocks from downtown Eugene, Campbell House is a Victorian estate built in 1892 that has been lovingly restored and expanded by Myra Plant. The Campbell House is distinguished by its bucolic setting which provides a retreat within the city.

Escape for the Holidays to the Lodge at Suttle Lake

For 10,000 years, people journeyed to Suttle Lake in Central Oregon to be inspired by its beauty and tranquility. Today, they also take that trek to enjoy a series of holiday and winter events at the Lodge at Suttle Lake. The Lodge is a great place to escape for the holidays and let someone else do the cooking. Holiday dining includes a Thanksgiving Feast, Christmas Eve Dinner, Christmas Day Feast and their New Year's Eve extravaganza. The Lodge's New Year's Eve celebration is a black-tie affair that includes live music, casino night and a midnight toast. The Lodge also offers a number of other winter-time retreats such as lakeside snowshoeing, the Festival of Lights, and the indulgent after-dinner cigars and cognac by the fire.

Located 14 miles west of Sisters, Ore., on Suttle Lake in Deschutes National Forest, the Lodge combines rustic charm with modern amenities. For more information, visit www.thelodgeatsuttlelake.com or call 541.595.2628.

Eureka's Carter House Offers Holiday Respite in Northern California

Carter House (www.carterhouse.com), in northern California, offers a duet of holiday getaways for guests who want to steal away from the holiday hustle.

The inn's Romance in the Redwoods package, available only on the Internet, provides guests with overnight accommodations in one of the inn's fabulous guestrooms, a five-course dinner at Restaurant 301, in-room massage for two, a bottle of Champagne and a dozen red roses. The package also includes a two-course breakfast, wine and hors d'oeuvres before dinner, cookies and tea before bedtime, as well as a turn down with chocolate truffles. The rate is $570.

With the Carter House Wine Lovers package, guests are provided overnight accommodations, a one-month Wine Club membership (two bottles of wine), one bottle of Champagne, and the Discovery Wine Tasting Dinner for two at Restaurant 301. The wine-tasting dinner includes a seven-course meal and wine tasting with each course. The cost is $475.

Carter House offers a wide variety of stylish rooms with luxurious amenities, original local art, and plush furnishings. Surrounded by more than 1,600 historically significant Victorian structures, Carter House owners and attentive staff provide the perfect gourmet getaway in the heart of the Redwood Coast. The Carter's wine cellar is among the world's finest, while their Restaurant 301 is one of Northern California's best. For reservations at Carter House, contact 800.404.1390 or [email protected].

Winter Gourmet Special at Washington's Willows Inn

With the Winter Gourmet Special at the Willows Inn (www.willowsinn.com) on Washington's Lummi Island, guests can enjoy evening dinner on a Thursday or Sunday and stay overnight in the main house for just $99. The Willows Inn also features a number of Winter Winemaker/Chef Dinners between December and April, featuring some of the best chefs and winemakers in the Pacific Northwest. The Willows Inn is an historic bed and breakfast retreat that is easily accessible by a six-minute ferry ride from Bellingham, Wash. The inn's organic fine dining is consistent with the Slow Food movement, making the Willows Inn one of the most sought-after bed and breakfasts in the San Juan Islands. To make reservations, call 888.294.2620 or e-mail [email protected].

For more information on these and other members of Unique Inns, visit www.uniqueinns.com.