California
Bridge at Hidden Valley
Program No. 23081RJ
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Bridge at Hidden Valley
Bridge at Hidden Valley
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Participant Reviews
Based on 17 Reviews
SHOWING
The Hidden Valley Intermediate Bridge Retreat was wonderful and so welcoming and inclusive to a rusty Bridge player like myself. I attended to keep my husband company knowing that I was not really at the Intermediate level and more importantly had learned to play Bridge in the 1970's and as I found out a lot has changed since then in the Bridge world. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the Retreat and learned a lot thanks to the excellent and patient instruction from Frank Smoot and for the patience and forbearance of the kind and friendly fellow participants. Thank you for allowing me to rekindle my interest in an old hobby.
— Review left October 30, 2025
Nice program good value
— Review left May 3, 2025
Bridge information and trip was just great. The instruction and the format were easy to follow and all was good. Frank and Jenny were a pleasure to learn from and were always available for questions. Accommodations were fine and food was plentiful and lots of choices regardless of dietary needs. It is worth every penny and was fun to boot.
— Review left March 21, 2025
This program is perfect for the intermediate bridge player.
— Review left October 5, 2024
Do not attend this program unless you understand that days or weeks of study of program materials, after the program has concluded, are necessary to get the most out of the program. There is an avalanche of information dispensed during the sessions. You will not be able to absorb it all. In fact, most of the folks in our session, including me, were overwhelmed. That's fine with me. But you will need a doggy bag and several home sessions to actually learn and retain the the information to be a better bridge player.
— Review left February 4, 2024
An excellent intensive and enjoyable course in the limited stated subject matter.
— Review left November 17, 2023
This program provides an excellent set of lessons to intermediate or seasoned beginner bridge players in a serene setting. The instructor is excellent and will definitely add to your practical playing skills.
— Review left February 5, 2023
This class was just the right level to challenge me and advance my bridge skills in a fun and friendly way. I am an intermediate duplicate player. Plus Carmel Valley is very lovely.
— Review left October 16, 2022
Enjoyed the program very much and plan to attend the advanced class next year.
— Review left September 2, 2022
Bridge at Hidden Valley with Frank & Jenny exceeded our expectations. The 4 of us have played bridge together since the 1970s and Frank was able to penetrate and open us up to new perspectives and better approaches. We've already signed up to return next year!
— Review left April 2, 2022
My first experience with Road Scholar travel has opened new travel options for me. As a timid solo traveler I met several new friends on my first trip with Road Scholars and I'm eagerly looking forward to my next trip. The care, consideration and expertise of Road Scholars can't be beat!
— Review left February 6, 2022
Excellent program for players at all levels below expert. Focus on getting the main content, purposes and strategies of bid and play. Focus on actual deals, great pre-dealt hands, teaching by doing. Great surroundings and an excellent reasonably-priced program in the area.
— Review left September 18, 2019
Location: The Carmel Valley is beautiful; lots of trees, coastal mountains, green grass and vineyards.
Accommodations: The Hidden Valley Inst. is convenient. It's steps from your room to the bridge room, the commons, and the dining room. We stayed in the dorm instead of the nearby Lodge. That worked well for us because it was easy to get back to or room to use the bathroom or get some papers we might have forgotten. Peter, our host and the director of the Hidden Valley Inst was welcoming and set us all at ease the first evening when we had our wine and cheese followed by dinner and more wind welcoming party.
Meals: outstanding. The chef and her assistant prepare delicious meals with plenty of vegan and gluten free offerings. Three meals a day anbd all god. Excellent setting fgor geytting to know your fellow travelers. Wine always available..and good. This is CA after all. 24/7 there are snacks, coffee, and drink available. If you can't sleep escape to the dining room for reading and noshing.
Support: Jenny was the best. Behind the scenes, unobtrusive, helpful, always ready to fill out a foursome. Very good at bridge, too.
Teacher: Frank Smoot was unbelievable. Keeps his cool when the sound level in the room is 105 db; can answer any question; funny without being sarcastic; the women thought he was handsome and the men admired his intelligence. Can't say enough. Frank made the trip. All levels of bridge players can be helped. You might have 100+ MP's but I can assure you that the sample hands chosen to represent the day's lesson will challenge you. If they don't, move over Frank.
Conclusion: this was our first Road Scholar experience. We are very high on the program and already planning for this same trip next spring. We will also try another trip with more outdoor time. We did get an afternoon of hiking in. Also did the morning stretch. I do not like Yoga but would recommend the e stretch by Deanne.
— Review left March 22, 2019
If you play bridge & want to improve this is a great class. Also Carmel is beautiful.
— Review left March 16, 2019
This course was an excellent value. It delivered very high quality instruction and interesting supplemental activities. My feeling was that the course was very well-described such that all participants were in similar enough range of ability to enable good learning for all. Enjoyed it and would recommend it highly.
— Review left March 16, 2019
Great program!
— Review left March 16, 2019
Frank Smoot is a terrific bridge instructor. He has a high level of expertise and a very pleasant teaching style. He has a great sense of humor and his approach to teaching makes complex concepts easy to understand. I highly recommend him to bridge players at all levels.
— Review left March 15, 2019