We have reservations for Asilomar State Park
lodging in Pacific Grove. Has anyone stayed there? We're hoping it's rustic, although we weren't able to reserve a room in the historic section since they were all booked. Thanks for any info you can provide.

have you checked out their website?

www.visitasilomar.com

We stayed there a couple of nights last Sept. Walked back through the pines to get to the unit that had our room (we'd rented one with a fireplace.) The rooms are quite spiffy, though the location is rustic. Our location was not in the original section--presumably that's what you mean by the historic area. A full (though light) breakfast is included in the price.

We didn't get to the beach, only because we spent all our time doing the penninsula (sp.) We'd certainly do it again.

Asilomar is gorgeous. It is an old camp built during the 1930's by the California Conservation Corp for use by California state agencies.

Big rooms with fireplaces, a functional, not elegant, dining facility. It's not uncommon to have deer wander by your cottage.

I heard that the state outsourced management to Marriott, or someone a few years back, and the property has suffered because of it. I'd check into that. But you cannot beat the location and price!

I've been to Asilomar three times over the last four years for conferences. 1998, 2000 and 2002

Pros:
---the beach is in walking distance
---given the right room, the views are great
---nice and rustic
---the staff are friendly and courteous

Cons:
---the rooms are in desparate need of maintenance
In May 2002, my toilet was not properly seated onto the ground. So when I sat on it, the toilet would rock side to side. Not to mention the thin plastic toilet seat that kept shifting off the toilet.
In May 2000, my room had a pipe that constantly 'banged' every time someone in the for adjoining rooms would flush the toilet, take a shower or run the faucet. The water pipes between the walls kept banging.
In May 1998, the bar to securely lock the sliding door had been bent and partially ripped out of the door. So it was barely hanging on. Just flapping around.
---the walls are thin and you can hear the people next to you and above you
---the food is diner-style (Denny's) and can be greasy.

My coworkers had similar problems with their rooms. When we complained to the staff, they were more than happy to switch us to another room. Once switched, the next room was 'problem fee'. You could still hear your neighbors but I think that goes with any building that was built back then.

Hopefully the room isn't too much per night.

I live about 1 mile from Asilomar in Pacific Grove. To answer the question above: They are currently in the process of a remodel. The main lodge is undergoing a lot of work that I see as I walk through there on way to beach. I would assume the rooms were too.

This place has a great location and short walk to beach. The FISHWIFE RESTAURANT, almost across the street from the Asilomar on HWY68, looks like a small dive from outside but inside is very, very nice and the locals love it. Ask at the desk. Easy walk and great sea food.

Check out www.pacificgrove.org for other things to see and do.

Never stayed at Asilomar there but ahhh....The Fishwife. Stumbled upon it a few years ago and make it a point to eat there whenever I get near (which, since I live in upstate NY, isn't often enough).