"There are no keys at Drakesbad," says Billie, our hostess, while introducing us to lay of land. "We're on honor system." This applies to everything from sodas and beer in ice buckets to items in concession store. Candy bars, sweatshirts, and books about history of Drakesbad - you sign your name and room number on roster and settle up upon your departure.

Not that you'd be in any hurry to leave Drakesbad Ranch. The guests that have visited year after year for generations know that Drakesbad is a place you'll want to spend some time.

It's not easy to get to Drakesbad, but that's part of what makes it so worthwhile. Hidden in southern side of California's Lassen Volcanic National Park, ranch is accessible only by a narrow country road that winds over three one lane bridges before losing its pavement before turning up a gravel track. The last few miles are unpaved, but easily navigable by careful drivers. Nope, no need for four wheel drive.

We arrived in time for lunch and dined on a buffet of fresh salads and deli fixings. Meals are included with price of your stay. The staff understands that you might want to spend day hiking in surrounding splendor; they will pack a sack lunch for you if you sign up night before. The kitchen is happy to accommodate any special dietary needs if you let them know before arrival.

After dining al fresco in afternoon sunshine, we headed out to Devil's Kitchen. The lodge sits on edge ofLet's Soak in Volcanic Hot Springs an expansive meadow frequented by dragonflies, mule deer, and red winged blackbirds, to name just a few of remarkable denizens. We crossed meadow to forest and hiked up a moderately easy trail shared with horseback riders. (The ranch maintains a corral of horses and offers rides for all skill levels.) The two-mile hike ends in an array of steam vents and boiling mud pots. Deposits of sulfur coat rocks and air is filled with steam. Yes, there is a strong smell, described to us in advanced by two little boys on trail: "It's really stinky up there!" This is just one of a number of hiking destinations and ranch even keeps a canoe at one of nearby lakes - but you have to take advantage of that early in season. The lakes are formed by snow melt and evaporate by end of summer.

It started minute I was greeted by W San Diego Hotel's valet. A beautiful young woman, with a friendly welcoming smile opened my car door and my "W" experience began!

"Hi, welcome to W San Diego, we're so happy that you've arrived!" From minute my foot touched curb in front of this new "style" hotel, I immediately knew something extraordinary was about to occur. The "W" is located in heart of new residential loft district just south of Little Italy on State and B Streets, in downtown San Diego. San Diego has always been my favorite city in world. Now that downtown area is undergoing an exciting renaissance, I couldn't wait to experience this new kind of urban lifestyle.

There wasn't a moment that I wasn't surprised, captivated, and thoroughly enthralled with way "W" captured casual comfort and beach culture that makes San Diego one of most quintessential Southern California cities. This place is like none other in all of its amenities.

As you enter lobby you realize that you've found a place where "high touch" meets "high tech," and you can't wait to see, feel and taste what's next!

The visually stimulating "technowall" over lobby bar is a grouping of ten individual television screens measuring six feet high and five feet wide. The video showed a surfer riding big blue Pacific waves, a vision of perfect symmetry in motion. When I'm at beach I always feel a tremendous sense of awe and wonder at ocean's magnificence. This virtual reality "technowall" instantly, gave me ocean experience I craved.

So without fighting for parking, or being mobbed by tourists, I was getting my beach fix just by entering W San Diego's lobby. The warm and inviting beach colors greeted me like call of a friendly seagull. The plush sofas and extravagant window seats invited me relax and enjoy exhilarating beach sensations The sky blue of chairs and sandy beige stripes accented by golden tones and sunny images made me feel like a perfect Southern California day. I began to believe that "W" stood for Wow!

As I checked-in, I admired dramatic round entryway that led me to reception area. Behind desk was a clear resin wall embedded with floating shells that served as another visual seascape. As I looked up, I was captivated by soaring ceilings and sheer drapes that framed lobby décor. It was a grand mixture of textures and natural fibers that are usually found in luxurious Mexican retreats but a strong influence of American Modernism eclectically integrates colors and lines creating a marriage of substance and style.

There were two rows of eight tall dark wicker chairs that had individual acrylic game tables that included oversized and colorful checkers, chess, and other unique board games. It was festive and sporty. The lobby décor captured everything I love about San Diego and it gave me distinct impression this was one of most sophisticated and sizzling places to be. Like being at beach, where people watching is a spectator sport, lobby of W was a place to relax and enjoy, watch and wait or see what would happen next?