Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post by The Strawberry Inn and Old County Inn and Travel Foodie Mom received accommodations and food for an honest blog review.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Arizona’s warm temperatures, but being from Michigan, I miss having actual seasons. The brisk, cool breeze, “hoodie weather”, hot chocolate, and a fireplace at night…it brings back so many memories. However, when you check the weather in November and it’s almost 80 degrees, it feels so far out of reach. Thankfully, Arizona’s Rim Country exists!
Located only an hour and a half from the East Valley is a quaint town right outside of Payson called Strawberry. It truly is as amazing as it sounds. Personally, I go to Pine in the winter to see snow and Payson for snowboarding, and Strawberry is just up the road.
The Strawberry Inn is a unique boutique hotel, in the perfect location! It makes for a great getaway, whether with family, with that special somebody, or a group of friends. Plus, rooms 1-4 are dog-friendly (with a small fee) so you can bring Fido along for the adventure.
Upon pulling into the parking lot, The Strawberry Inn gave me feelings of Christmas. The property was newly renovated and has a “Pinteresting” touch. Our room gave me the feeling that we were in one of those catalogs that you circle everything and write “want” next to it. The room accents were adorable and made you feel at home. We were also welcomed with fudge from Pine Creek Fudge and Ice Cream in Pine, Arizona (oh, the way to my heart – and apparently my son’s too).
As a bonus, for all you digital nomads, Wi-Fi is included (yes, that is magic to my ears)! It was exactly what is needed to get out of the city for a bit. Relax on a porch swing, feel the cool breeze, and take it all in!
Now, for food. Just down the road is a great woodfire pizza place called the Old County Inn. It’s not just an everyday pizza place, it’s as if a local pizza joint/watering hole and culinary specialty restaurant had a baby. Plus, it’s dog-friendly! We sat on the patio, where they supplied blankets and warmers (and a dog dish). It didn’t even feel cold out!
We enjoyed the meat + cheese board along with the meat pie pizza and Hawaiian BBQ pizza. Everything was delicious and kid-approved, and the staff was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. It definitely received my A+ of approval!
Between the amazing food and the extraordinary accommodations, Pine-Strawberry was exactly what anyone needs to catch a breather and refresh. We definitely see ourselves coming up to the Rim Country as soon as snow is in the forecast for a round 2!
Book your stay and save 5% off with code foodie2017 at checkout. Good now through the end of the year!
Are you ready for a GIVEAWAY? Enter here for a chance to win a one night stay for two at The Strawberry Inn to be used before the end of 2017 (no holiday weekends), and a $50 gift card to Old County Inn. (Giveaway ends 12/9/2017 11:59 PM PST and winner will be announced on 12/10/2017).