Escape to Murphys, CA: Unforgettable Stays at Murphys Suites
Escape to Murphys, CA: Unforgettable Stays at Murphys Suites - My Brain Dump of Bliss (and a Tiny Bit of Chaos)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans (and maybe some red wine, knowing me) on Murphys Suites. Forget your typical, dry hotel review – this is going to be a full-blown, unfiltered, sometimes slightly-off-kilter experience. Because honestly, a trip to Murphys, CA, deserves nothing less.
The Setup (And the Search for Accessibility…Ugh):
First things first, Murphys Suites is relatively accessible. They say they offer facilities for disabled guests, which is always a good start. I’m thinking, "Elevator? Check. Ramps? Hopefully." Realistically, I always call ahead and bug them about specifics. Why? Because let's be honest, "facilities for disabled guests" can mean anything. Hopefully, some thoughtful ramps and accessible rooms, but I have to confirm before I can relax and be happy. The website doesn't go into major detail though, so I need to call. I'll be honest, this hunt for accessibility is exhausting. They DO have a car park on-site (free!), which is a major win. And there's a car charging station, which is a nice touch in this day and age. Important to me. I’ll circle back here after the phone call!
Internet, Glorious Internet, and Wi-Fi Everywhere! Thank God!
Okay, internet is critical. I can't live off the grid, not yet! And good news, folks: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the tech gods! They also boast Internet access (LAN) and Internet services which is a bonus. Wi-Fi in public areas too, which is essential for a quick social media boost if needed! Seriously, no one wants to go back to the dark ages of dial-up. This is a HUGE plus in my book. I need connectivity especially for work!
Things to Do, Ways to Unwind (Or Just Collapse After a Long Day):
This is where things get REALLY interesting. Murphys Suites offers a bunch of ways to unwind.
- Spa? YES, PLEASE! They brag about a spa. I'm a sucker for a good spa. I'm visualising the aromatherapy massage right now! I can start thinking about it, as I have time today to imagine my body scrub and wrap, and then that sauna… sigh. It's a bit of a dream honestly, and sometimes, a body can't wait to just relax.
- The Pool with a View. If it's a good view, even better. I am obsessed with views. I can easily spend an hour there just staring, contemplating life, the universe, and everything. Let's hope it's as beautiful as it sounds.
- Fitness Center/Gym: Good! If the spirit moves me, I can burn off ALL the delicious food I'm about to consume. I will actually use it!
- And the Rest: Well, they mention a foot bath, steam rooms, and all that jazz. I'm intrigued, especially by the foot bath. My poor feet deserve some pampering. Even though, sometimes these "relaxing" things can feel like extra work when I'm exhausted, I love the option.
Cleanliness and Safety – Let’s Get Real (and Sane):
Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the pandemic. I am extremely relieved to see their commitment to cleanliness. They're talking:
- Daily disinfection in common areas.
- Anti-viral cleaning products,
- Rooms sanitized between stays,
- Staff trained in safety protocols.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere.
That’s what I want to hear! Extra points for safe dining setups – that's crucial. The fact that they offer room sanitization opt-out is a nice touch, too. These things tell me they've thought this through. It's not just lip service.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Where the Magic Happens (and the Calories Pile Up):
Oh, the food. This has to be done RIGHT. Murphys Suites is loaded. It reads like a culinary paradise!
- Restaurants: Plural! I'm already salivating. Let's hope at least one has a good view.
- A la Carte, Buffet, Happy Hour! This is great!
- Asian Cuisine. This is awesome. I’m a big fan of international cuisine.
- Poolside Bar?! Yes! Imagine sipping a cocktail while basking in the sun, watching the pool, eating a salad. I'm sold.
- Coffee Shop. Must have. Coffee is a necessity, not an option.
- Room Service (24-hour): This is the dream. Waking up with coffee and a croissant? Or a late-night burger? Heavenly.
- Desserts, Soups, Bars, Everything! I'm honestly a bit overwhelmed… in a good way.
Services and Conveniences – Making Life Easier (Thank You, Universe):
This is where a hotel REALLY shines. Murphys Suites is ticking a lot of those boxes:
- Doorman, Concierge - Hello, helping hands!
- Air conditioning (in public areas AND in room) – A non-negotiable in my book.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service – Because who wants to do laundry on vacation?
- Gift/Souvenir shop - Easy gifting.
- Cash withdrawal - Good to know if you get caught short.
- Luggage storage - Always a lifesaver.
- Elevator - Phew, hopefully I can get there easily!
- Baby sitting service - Great for families.
- On-site event hosting - This is for business? or fun?
- Airport transfer. Super convenient.
For the Kids – Because Everyone Deserves a Good Time:
They say they're family-friendly, and that's great. Babysitting service? Good call. Also, they have kids' facilities, which is cool, and kids' meals. Sounds like they are making the effort.
My Room – My Sanctuary (Or at Least, a Place to Crash):
Okay, the room details are promising.
- Air conditioning? YES! (I may have mentioned this is important.)
- Blackout curtains?! Oh, sweet, sweet sleep!
- Coffee/tea maker? Essential.
- Free bottled water? Always a plus!
- In-room safe box? Important.
- Mini bar? Hmm, tempting…
- Non-smoking? (Thank goodness!)
- Private bathroom, Separate shower/bathtub. Luxurious!
- Wi-Fi [free] (Again! Yes!)
- A desk for working. Sometimes you have to.
**Getting Around - Because You Gotta Get There: **
- Airport transfer? Sounds like this is in place, though I'll confirm.
- Free Car Park? Check.
- Taxi? Good to have options.
The Verdict (So Far):
Murphys Suites sounds amazing. It promises a blend of relaxation, culinary delights, and convenience. But the real test is in the experience. I'm hopeful it's as good as it sounds on paper. I'm also still going to make that phone call to see where they are with access and accommodation!
My Emotional State Before Booking:
Right now? I'm a mixture of excitement, cautious optimism, and a touch of "I need this vacation NOW." My brain is buzzing with images of the spa, the pool with a view, and the delicious food. I'm dreaming of those blackout curtains and a good night's sleep. I feel the need to book now, before something goes wrong!
Let's address that accessibility question. I called and…
(Rambling as I wait on hold) Okay, on hold… on hold… I bet they're busy. Ugh, phone music. Is it elevator music? Or is it… I think it's a really terrible remix of some generic pop song. Okay, I'm just imaging the spa. Okay, okay, okay… yes! It's a real person!
(Actual Phone Call) Me: "Hi, I just have a few quick accessibility questions…" (Answer to the questions) (Me: "That sounds perfect!"). Now, I am officially excited.
My Offer to You (Because you deserve a break too!):
Escape to Murphys Suites: Your Unforgettable Sierra Getaway – Book Now and Get Pampered!
Tired of the everyday grind? Craving a getaway that's both relaxing and rejuvenating? Then it's time to Escape to Murphys Suites in beautiful Murphys, CA!
Here's
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Murphys, CA: A Trip Log (AKA My Brain Dump on a Weekend in Wine Country)
Alright, so here’s the deal. I’m not a planner. I’m the queen of the "wing it and hope for the best" travel style. But, my friend, bless her heart, meticulously planned this weekend in Murphys. Murphys Suites. Sounds fancy. Expectation: chill, wine, maybe learn something about rocks (apparently, the gold rush happened here). Reality? Well, let’s see…
Day 1: Arrival, Accidental Wine, and the Great Pizza Debacle
- 2:00 PM - Arrival at Murphys Suites: Oh, the Suites. It’s… charming. Think grandma's house, but with slightly better WiFi (a crucial detail for a millennial like myself). The place looks like it’s been through a few gold rushes – vintage, a little creaky, but clean enough. Finding the room involved a thrilling quest through a maze of hallways and stairs. I swear I saw a ghost of a gold miner wink at me. Or maybe it was just the California sun.
- 2:30 PM - Check-in Chaos (and a Free Glass of Wine!): Let's just say the check-in process was… a process. There was a minor mix-up with reservations, some frantic phone calls. But hey, the very nice lady behind the desk felt bad and gave us a free glass of wine each for the trouble. First taste of the local vino – and it was divine. Suddenly, the mix-up didn't seem so bad. Bless her, she saved the day!
- 3:00 PM - Walking Around Town & Accidental Wine Stops: Murphys is ridiculously cute. Seriously, picture postcard material. We strolled around, oohing and aahing at the old buildings, the art galleries, and the endless wine tasting rooms. One of us, and it wasn't me (wink wink), fell into a tasting room. Oops. The next thing I knew, we were all three glasses of wine deep and feeling like the best friends. Seriously, the Chardonnay was amazing. My brain's now all fuzzy and feeling… blissfully relaxed.
- **6:00 PM - The Pizza Apocalypse at *Alchemy Cafe & Bar :* Okay, here's where things went sideways. We'd heard good things about Alchemy. So, we get there, super hungry, ready for beautiful pizza. We order a fancy pizza, and, well, I'm not going to lie, it was… undercooked. I saw the disappointed look on our faces. They'd been really slow at the counter and they weren't very helpful, but the pizza was awful. It was a proper pizza disaster. We ended up ordering a different kind of pizza, which was marginally better, but the damage was done. I was still angry. It was a pizza-fueled existential crisis.
- 7:30 PM - Meltdown (and then Karaoke?): Okay, I felt completely hangry! I had a minor meltdown. I needed some pizza. The evening was spent trying (and failing) to find a decent dessert shop. And maybe, just maybe, some karaoke. My friend suggested the local karaoke bar, which sounded like a terrible idea at the time. But hey, what does a night end up with? Some very off-key singing, and I was feeling better.
Day 2: Gold Rush & Wine Recovery
- 9:00 AM - Awkward Breakfast at the Suites: Breakfast was part of the deal. It was a continental situation: a sad-looking bowl of cereal, some stale muffins, and weak coffee. Thank goodness for the coffee shop down the street!
- 10:00 AM - Angels of Gold and Misery: We went to the Columbia State Historic Park to chase the gold rush. Seeing the old town was cool, but the information overload and hordes of tourists were overwhelming. The historical reenactors were a bit intense, but that helped to ground everything.
- 12:00 PM - Wine Time, Take Two: Back to my favorite wine-tasting room! I felt the need to wash everything away with some delicious wine.
- 2:00 PM - The Calaveras Big Trees State Park Driving through the towering ancient giant sequoia was a wow-moment. These things are massive. We hiked, we stared up, got dizzy looking at the tops of the trees. Honestly, it was humbling and overwhelming. I felt like a tiny speck of dust. (And promptly took a tumble on a root, because clumsy.)
- 5:00 PM - The Healing Effects of Wine, Continued: More wine! I can't even remember which winery, but the wine was flowing, the mood was relaxed, and every single worry and care seemed to be banished to the far parts of my memory.
- **7:00 PM - Dinner at *Ground Up Restaurant": Dinner was great. I had a fantastic meal, and it redeemed the pizza disaster.
- 8:30 PM - Back at the Suites: I was in a state of pure bliss.
Day 3: Departure & Reflections (and a Promise to Return)
- 9:00 AM - Delayed Departure: The breakfast was still a disappointment. The coffee was bad, and the muffins still felt stale.
- 10:00 AM - Last-Minute Souvenir Shopping: I bought a t-shirt that said "I survived Murphys!" I’m not sure if it's ironic.
- 11:00 AM - Goodbye, Murphys: Said our goodbyes, and hit the road. Final Thoughts: Murphys, you’re a weird, wonderful place. The wine is spectacular, the scenery is stunning. Sure, there were a few bumps in the road – the pizza incident will haunt me forever. But the good stuff? Oh man, the good stuff makes it all worthwhile. Would I go back? Absolutely. Next time: I'm bringing my own pizza. And maybe a good pair of hiking boots. And a serious plan for breakfast.
P.S. I still don’t know anything about rocks. Maybe next time.
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Frequently Asked Questions... Or, More Like, Things I've Been Muttering About Murphys Suites After Staying There. Prepare Yourselves.
Is Murphys Suites Really As Charming As They Say?
Charm? Oh honey, Murphys Suites *oozes* charm. It's like they bottled up all the good vibes of a Hallmark movie and poured it into a building. But... (and there's ALWAYS a but, isn't there?) It's not *pretend* charm. It's the kind that's a little worn around the edges. Like the perfectly comfortable armchair in the lobby that looks like it's seen a few arguments (and maybe a spilled glass of wine or two, ahem, *speaking from personal experience*). The old wooden beams, the crackling fireplace... it's inviting, yeah. But you also get the *feeling* that the owner, bless their heart, probably does all the maintenance themselves. Which, honestly, is part of the charm! You know it’s real.
What's the Deal with the Location? Is it Walking Distance to Everything?
Walking distance? Absolutely! Unless, you're me, and you get distracted by a particularly shiny rock in the dirt, or a cute dog, or the way the sunlight hits the old brick buildings... then it's walking distance plus a half-hour detour to gawk at everything. Seriously though, everything's right there. Wineries, restaurants, shops... you can stumble (safely, hopefully) back to your suite after a few too many glasses of that glorious Zinfandel. Don't judge! It's Murphys! And that reminds me! I saw a couple get engaged in front of the Mercer Caverns sign and it made me tear up *and* secretly wish it was me. (Kidding! Sort of.)
Okay, But What Are the Suites *Actually* Like? What Can I Expect?
The suites... they're comfortable. Not sterile, corporate hotel comfortable. More like, grandma’s-house-but-with-a-king-sized-bed comfortable. You know, cozy blankets, slightly mismatched but charming furniture, maybe a framed vintage map of the area. They’re well-appointed, sure, with things like coffee makers and fireplaces. But they’re NOT minimalist. There’s personality. You can tell someone *lives* there, even if it's just for a weekend. Oh! And the bathrooms. They're often bigger than my apartment. Which, admittedly, isn’t saying much. But still! The one I stayed in had a clawfoot tub. I almost spent the entire trip just soaking in that thing. It was glorious. Until I realized I forgot to pack bath salts. Rookie mistake. Learn from my mistakes!
Is It Worth the Price? Is it Budget-Friendly?
“Budget-friendly”? Ugh, that’s so relative, isn't it? Let’s just say it’s an investment. It’s not the cheapest place in the world, no. But considering the location, the experience, the *charm*, and the fact that you’re not staying in some cookie-cutter motel? I think it's worth it. Especially if you're splurging on wine tours and fancy dinners (which, let’s be honest, you WILL be). Think of it like this: you're not just paying for a room; you're paying for an *experience*. A slightly rustic, wonderfully flawed, memory-making experience that you'll tell your friends about for months afterward. In a good way. Trust me on this, my budget-wary friends!
Tell Me More About the Food! What Should I Eat?
FOOD! Omg, the food. Okay, so, you HAVE to hit V’s for breakfast. Pancakes the size of your face! And be sure to try the apple cider donuts. It’s a REQUIREMENT. Seriously. I would go back to Murphys JUST for those donuts. No joke. Then, for dinner... ah, that's where it gets tricky! There are so many options. From fancy farm-to-table joints to cozy little pubs. I’m a big fan of the Brickhouse. Their pizzas are amazing, and the atmosphere is super chill. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! And the wine... don't even get me started on the wine. Just... go. Drink it. Enjoy it. You'll thank me later. Trust me, your taste buds will be doing a happy dance!
How's the Wi-Fi? I Need to Stay Connected Sometimes, Sadly.
Wi-Fi... *sigh* Let’s be honest. You’re going to be tempted to turn off your phone, throw it in a drawer, and just *be* present. Especially because the first day, the Wi-Fi may have been a little...spotty. Like, you'd have a strong connection for about 30 seconds, then it would decide to take a nap. Then, it might wake up again. But honestly? That was the BEST part. It forced me to actually *relax*. To read a book without the constant lure of my phone. To *talk* to my travel companion (who, by the way, is still the best travel companion. I miss you, Karen!). To look out the window and just...breathe. But hey! It's 2024! They probably fixed it by now. Call ahead to check, if you absolutely must. But, and I'm just saying, maybe take the digital detox opportunity. Your brain will thank you.
Anything Else I Should Know Before I Go? Any Hidden Gems?
Hidden gems? Oh yes, darling, plenty! First, the Mercer Caverns. They're really cool! Kind of damp inside. And the gift shop is... well, it's a gift shop. Second, the old cemetery just outside of town. Creepy, yes. But also beautiful and historical (and it reminds me of *that* episode of *The Walking Dead*). And the third...this one's kind of personal. Find the bench in the town square and just...sit. Watch the people go by. Soak it all in. Murphys is a *feeling*. It's not just a place. It's a state of mind. And if you go, let me know what you think. (And please, tell me if they still have those apple cider donuts. I need to know!) Also, pack layers! The weather can change on a dime. Mountain weather, people! Don't be a fool! And finally, just let go of your expectations. Let the charm wash over you. Embrace the imperfections. And, most importantly, HAVE FUN!
