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Tuscali Mountain Inn Bed and Breakfast — Understated Elegance in Topanga
Don’t you just hate it when you search for just the perfect place for your get-away, find it online via a perfect-looking website, then once you get there you find that the photos had been perfectly Photo-shopped and the place was less than, well, perfect? PHOTO BY SARA MACFARLANE Tuscali courtyard at the golden hour. PHOTO BY SARA MACFARLANE Tuscali Garden Budda. PHOTO BY SARA MACFARLANE Inside and out, the Tuscali Mountain Inn has finely appointed details and places for you to relax and unwind. Left: Teresa Marie Room and (above) Tuscali Great Room fireplace,. PHOTO BY SARA MACFARLANE PHOTO BY SARA MACFARLANE Teresa Rosati-Royer and Bruce Royer, owners and hosts of Tuscali Mountain Inn.
That was pretty much our expectation when I received the assignment to review the Tuscali Mountain Inn Bed and Breakfast in Topanga. The website certainly did a stellar job of making it look posh and luxurious.
Much to our delight, it actually was!
Arriving after our arduous seven-minute trip from our home in Old Canyon to the Tuscali Mountain Inn’s location near Froggy’s, our host, Bruce Royer, was out to meet us before we even had our bag out of the car. Within minutes we were sipping our Chardonnay among the flora, fauna and fruit trees on the patio, which is perched on the hillside nestled against the tops of the trees that grow below. Located on the “sunset side” of the boulevard, the Saddlepeak ridge loomed in the distance against a deep blue late-afternoon sky. Butterflies and humming birds entertained us while our host set about preparing Tuscan-style hors d‘oeuvers, consisting of crusty bread and sundried tomatoes, hummus spread, perfectly presented warm, gooey brie (the way the French intended), artichoke hearts and juicy black olives.
Not bad for the first 10 minutes!
“The lure of Hollywood” brought filmmaker Bruce Royer to Los Angeles in 1990 from Montreal. “I loved Topanga from afar,” he said, and then found an affordable rental in the Canyon in 1993. By 1996, he had bought the rental he was living in and later the adjacent property.
He met his wife, Teresa Rosati-Royer, in a church parking lot in Santa Monica and they were married during Topanga Days in 2003. “That way I am sure not to forget our anniversary!” said Royer. Three years ago, they built their dream home on the property.
It was during a mini-vacation on Santa Catalina island in November 2007, the idea of the bed and breakfast took root. Rosati-Royer, an interior designer who also studied architecture and opera, realized that “after we built the house and it was so beautiful, we had all these empty rooms,” she said. “We love traveling and meeting new people and we are very social,” said Rosati-Royer. “We also like to be at home. It is almost like a way to bring the travel to us,” she said. Rosati-Royer comes from a large Italian family where there was always a lot of food and music. “I love decorating and a beautiful presentation whether it’s my home or the food I’m serving my guests,” said Rosati-Royer.
During a phone conversation with Kamakshi Hart, President of the Topanga Chamber of Commerce, Royer said jokingly, “By the way, I am going to start a bed and breakfast in Topanga.” Her very enthusiastic, “Oh my God—that would be fanTAStic!” took him by surprise. At that point, he realized it could also be a great service to the community since the nearest hotel accommodations are actually miles away.
Compared with similarly appointed hotel rooms in Malibu or Santa Monica, the Royers offer “affordable luxury” at the Tuscali Mountain Inn. The well-appointed guest rooms range from $225-$295 and feature the finest linens and furnishings (including plush robes and fine bath products), Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, DVD players and a stash of movies. We stayed in the spacious Teresa Marie room (the Tuscany room is just across the hall). We opened the windows over the bed and especially enjoyed the sensation of sinking into the abundant down bedding while the cool mountain air washed over us.
In addition to the spacious bedrooms, guests have access to the elegant living room, which boasts a Froggy’s-inspired fireplace and a baby grand piano. Glass pocket patio doors lead to the multi-level courtyard-style patio overlooking the canyon with several seating areas under lighted pergolas and umbrellas, complemented perfectly by the courtyard fountain and a rich-toned wind chime. The graceful indoor and outdoor living spaces make the Inn ideal any time of year.
“We have no immediate neighbors and a creek runs between us and the trail,” said Royer, for a discreet, private and gorgeous setting. For parties and larger gatherings, the Royers open the entire house, even the rooms that are typically off-limits.
The wedding package, limited to 50 guests, is especially popular and includes Rosati-Royer’s services as the event coordinator (she is also an ordained minister). In addition to the use of the upstairs master suite for the bride, the package includes both guest rooms for two nights and Royer has put together a list of Topanga vendors from which the couple can select everything from entertainment to photography to catering by the Canyon Bistro or Bon Mélange Catering (both owned by Topangans). The ceremony itself can be performed outside under the trees or inside in front of the picture window overlooking the hills.
Since it is a relatively short drive from anywhere in LA, the Royers’ goal is to make Topanga a weekend destination. As Vice President of the Topanga Chamber of Commerce, Royer is especially excited about the cross-marketing possibilities with Topanga businesses. He is actively working on putting together several packages, including the “Ultimate Topanga Weekend” (which might include dinner at the Inn of the 7th Ray or the Canyon Bistro, a visit to Topanga Creek Bicycles for serious bikers; hiking in the 13,000-acre state park; a picnic and bottle of wine at the Theatricum and some great theatre; guidance to Topanga’s unique offerings of galleries, shopping and activities; a spa weekend with services provided by Sienna Day Spa or other local vendors; vineyard tasting tours in conjunction with Milan Vineyards in Topanga—the possibilities are endless. “The key thing here is how do we share Topanga with people?” said Royer.
Coffee in the morning was served on the patio as we ruffled our way through the Sunday LA Times. The fresh-squeezed orange juice was thick enough to use a spoon. Music from Bocelli and local artist Suzanne Teng floated by while we devoured our gourmet fare consisting of eggs-over-medium, sliced fresh avocados and tomatoes, turkey bacon glazed with maple syrup and warm croissants, presented beautifully, of course, on a table graced with roses cut that morning from the garden.
The truth is the “bed” and “breakfast,” while indeed lovely, are almost incidental at the Tuscali Mountain Inn. It is the understated elegance, secluded mountain setting and sincerity of the Royers in sharing their beautiful home and love of Topanga while at the same time achieving that perfect balance of knowing when to stay and chat and when to let us soak in the “vibe” on our own that was the true substance of the wonderful weekend.
For more information, visit tuscalimountaininn.com or call 866-644-3840.
