Options abound for business traveler

By News-Sentinel staff

Business travelers will be pleasantly surprised by Lodi’s unexpected variety of comforts, amenities and genuine attractions.

Veteran travelers will be quick to tell you that it’s mainly a matter of knowing where to look, said Sharon Dais, executive director of the Lodi Conference and Visitors Bureau.

If you’re in need of a place to stay, Lodi has three main hotels:

• Best Western Royal Host, 710 S. Cherokee Lane — The property enjoyed a recent remodel. It has 48 rooms, a corporate rate of $65 and a free Continental breakfast.

The meeting room can accommodate up to 25, and rents for $85 per day.

Phone: (209) 369-8484

• Comfort Inn, 118 N. Cherokee Lane — 55 rooms, a corporate rate of $60 per night and free Continental breakfast.

Phone: (209) 367-4848

• Holiday Inn Express, 1140 S. Cherokee Lane — 95 rooms, a corporate rate of $74 for a choice of king, queen or double beds. Rooms are equipped with refrigerators and microwave ovens. Free Continental breakfast; meeting room accommodates up to 40; 1 to 4 hours, $75, all day $150.

Phone: (209) 334-6422

• Budget Inn, 917 S. Cherokee Lane — 20 rooms, corporate rate of $40 t0 $45 per night, nonsmoking rooms available.

Phone: (209) 369-1091

Now that you’ve got a room, what services and diversions are available for business travelers in Lodi? Plenty.

In the morning, you can start the day off with a little java at one of Lodi’s myriad of fine coffee shops. Mocha My Day, Webb’s, Cottage Bakery and Tillie’s top the list downtown, and are all located within a few blocks of each other on School Street. House of Coffees also makes a mean cup of Joe at 239 Lakewood Mall. (At the corner of Ham Lane and Lockeford Street.)

There are a number of outstanding restaurants in Lodi which are equipped to handle business dinners and other large gatherings.

Among them:

Omega Restaurant, 1800 S. Cherokee Lane, Phone: (209) 367-0496; Habanero Hots, 1024 E. Victor Road, Phone: (209) 369-3791; Woodbridge Feed & Fuel, 18939 N. Lower Sacramento Road, Phone: (209) 369-0266.

For a spot to relax in the evening, Lodi has several solid options.

You can experience an unusual ambiance at Legends, 27 W. Elm Street, where guests sip cocktails amid a large, interesting collection of classic Americana and celebrity memorabilia.

Hazel’s Restaurant, 28 S. School St., offers a relaxed, upscale environment for a quiet drink with a business associate. Hazel’s is also a fine choice for dinner. (Try the scoozi.)

Wine & Roses Country Inn and Restaurant, 2505 W. Turner Road, offers perhaps the finest gourmet fare and accommodations in the area — but is often booked far in advance. Wine & Roses recently underwent an expansion and renovation which has increased the number of available guest rooms and the hours in the dining room. Call (209) 334-6988 for more information.

Cactus Mexican Restaurant, 18961 N. Lower Sacramento Road, also comes highly recommended by local fans of south-of-the-border fare.

Those in need of fast, convenient, dry-cleaning services might choose Guild Cleaners, which has two locations along with free pick-up and delivery. Phone: (209) 368-2414 or (209) 368-2755. Keri’s Cleaners offers same-day service; Phone: (209) 367-3600.

Those hankering for some time on the golf course can visit Micke Grove Golf Links, 11401 N. Micke Grove Road, open from 6 a.m. until dark. Weekday rates for the 18-hole course range from $9 to $19, depending on the time of day. Weekend prices range from $13 to $27; Phone: (209) 369-4410.

For more information on what to see and do in Lodi, call the Lodi Conference and Visitors Bureau at (209) 365-1195.

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