Big Sur budget accommodations
Apr 29th, 1999, 10:37 AM
#1
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Big Sur budget accommodations
My boyfriend and I have only one night to stay in Big Sur and would like to stay someplace nice but can't afford Ventana or Post Ranch Inn (the least expensive rooms there are $400/night). Unfortunately, the other options seem pretty limited. Right now we have a reservation at the Big Sur Lodge but even that is $200/night and the rooms look awfully spartan for that price. Has anyone stayed anywhere else in the area that they would recommend? Please don't say Carmel/Monterey/Pacific Grove because we are staying there the following night. Some of the places we have heard of are Lucia Lodge, Big Sur River Inn, Fernwood Resort, Glen Oaks Resort, Ripplewood Resort, and Riverside Cabins. Are any of these nicer than Big Sur Lodge? Lucia Lodge looks nice but the location seems kind of far from some of the good hiking and other things to do. Any suggestions?
Apr 29th, 1999, 03:10 PM
#2
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Having just moved to the Bay area recently, my husband and I have been searching ourselves for lodging in this area. One place that we are considering and that you did not mention was the Deetjen Big Sur Inn. It is written up by Karen Brown in her charming inns of California and is between $75-180 / night.
I did some research and found a website that has some suggestions (including the Deetjen)
http://sanfrancisco.sidewalk.com/detail/40580
I have read several articles in our area newspapers about this inn and it gets high marks for uniqueness, friendliness and of course location. Good luck!
I did some research and found a website that has some suggestions (including the Deetjen)
http://sanfrancisco.sidewalk.com/detail/40580
I have read several articles in our area newspapers about this inn and it gets high marks for uniqueness, friendliness and of course location. Good luck!
Apr 30th, 1999, 12:43 AM
#3
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Remember, Deetjen's has no ocean view, is very close to highway 1 and on the "wrong" side of the road (and they aren't kidding when they say it's "rustic"). Deetjen's is a good place for breakfast though. Fernwood has a rep for being a rowdy place and it's hardly attractive. Lucia is further south and tiny but it does have ocean view...something lacking in all the others mentioned in that price range (including Big Sur Lodge). IMO check out whether Esalen has rooms for that night...they often do if workshops are not full and they are by far the best place to stay in Big Sur. Spectacular grounds.
Apr 30th, 1999, 12:45 AM
#4
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Remember, Deetjen's has no ocean view, is very close to highway 1 and on the "wrong" side of the road (and they aren't kidding when they say it's "rustic"). Deetjen's is a good place for breakfast though. Fernwood has a rep for being a rowdy place and it's hardly attractive. Lucia is further south and tiny but it does have ocean view...something lacking in all the others mentioned in that price range (including Big Sur Lodge). IMO check out whether Esalen has rooms for that night...they often do if workshops are not full and they are by far the best place to stay in Big Sur. Spectacular grounds.
Apr 30th, 1999, 12:47 AM
#5
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tried posting several times and it's not showing up....trying one last time (Fodor's how about working out these bugs in your web site?)
Remember, Deetjen's has no ocean view, is very close to highway 1 and on the "wrong" side of the road (and they aren't kidding when they say it's "rustic"). Deetjen's is a good place for breakfast though. Fernwood has a rep for being a rowdy place and it's hardly attractive. Lucia is further south and tiny but it does have ocean view...something lacking in all the others mentioned in that price range (including Big Sur Lodge). IMO check out whether Esalen has rooms for that night...they often do if workshops are not full and they are by far the best place to stay in Big Sur. Spectacular grounds.
Remember, Deetjen's has no ocean view, is very close to highway 1 and on the "wrong" side of the road (and they aren't kidding when they say it's "rustic"). Deetjen's is a good place for breakfast though. Fernwood has a rep for being a rowdy place and it's hardly attractive. Lucia is further south and tiny but it does have ocean view...something lacking in all the others mentioned in that price range (including Big Sur Lodge). IMO check out whether Esalen has rooms for that night...they often do if workshops are not full and they are by far the best place to stay in Big Sur. Spectacular grounds.
Apr 30th, 1999, 12:57 AM
#6
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Hi Lisa,
It's been a couple years since I've been up to Big Sur (one of my favorite places on the planet) so although my memories may be strong, my information may be a tad weak or outdated.
Deetjun's Little Big Sur Inn IS incredibly charming and romantic and comfortably rustic. It would be my first choice.
Big Sur Lodge is clean, nice, basic. Didn't wow me but it was fine. (Certainly wouldn't wow me at $200/night) Over the years, I've also stayed at Ripplewood and Fernwood. Again, these are nice, clean, basic and have a rustic feel to them. They're not necessarily "nicer" than BSL - they do have a different "feel" to them.
Lucia is quite lovely and worth the extra 15-20 minute drive - which is beautiful anyway. It's much less crowded and as I recall, we were able to book a big, beautiful room for at least a third less than one in Big Sur.
Sorry I don't have more details for you.
Of course, the beauty of Big Sur is outdoors. Personally, I'd book the least expensive room available and save my money to buy great food and wine for a romantic hike and picnic.
Have a great time (no matter where you stay)!
It's been a couple years since I've been up to Big Sur (one of my favorite places on the planet) so although my memories may be strong, my information may be a tad weak or outdated.
Deetjun's Little Big Sur Inn IS incredibly charming and romantic and comfortably rustic. It would be my first choice.
Big Sur Lodge is clean, nice, basic. Didn't wow me but it was fine. (Certainly wouldn't wow me at $200/night) Over the years, I've also stayed at Ripplewood and Fernwood. Again, these are nice, clean, basic and have a rustic feel to them. They're not necessarily "nicer" than BSL - they do have a different "feel" to them.
Lucia is quite lovely and worth the extra 15-20 minute drive - which is beautiful anyway. It's much less crowded and as I recall, we were able to book a big, beautiful room for at least a third less than one in Big Sur.
Sorry I don't have more details for you.
Of course, the beauty of Big Sur is outdoors. Personally, I'd book the least expensive room available and save my money to buy great food and wine for a romantic hike and picnic.
Have a great time (no matter where you stay)!
Apr 30th, 1999, 08:19 AM
#7
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Thanks everybody for the advice -- but others on this site have repeatedly advised against staying at Deetjen's because apparently the walls are thin and you can hear EVERYTHING going on in rooms around you. Frommers mentions this is a problem as well. Some others have also mentioned rude service. So we were leaning away from Deetjen's...
