Cambria Hotel help please...
 

Hi! I am in the process of planning a trip to CA in July. We (husband and I, early 30's) will be spending one night in Cambria & going to Hearst Castle the next day. I have narrowed it down to 3 choices for hotels, and would love to get some opinions.

1. Pelican Suites (King, balcony, full-ocean-view, fireplace, buffet breakfast, wine and cheese, dessert, pool) = $296

2. Cypress Cove Inn (King, jacuzzi, patio with ocean view, fireplace, continental breakfast, outdoor spa) = $259

3. Blue Whale (King, Gourmet Breakfast, afternoon tea, cocktail hour, 4*) = $259

We are looking for a romantic, relaxing place. We plan on spending a relaxing day in Cambria the day that we arrive and then going to Hearst Castle sometime the next day.

Thanks for any opinions/advice!

I've stayed at the Cypress Cove & the Blue Whale Inn. Both were very nice, located right on Moonstone Drive, directly across the street from the ocean. :)

What is most important to you in a stay? The breakfast at the Blue Whale Inn was amazing the hosts there are very hospitable. The rooms are a bit on the frilly side, but very comfortable. There is no pool or jacuzzi here.

The Cypress Cove is my favorite. The rooms are very tastefully decorated and elegant. We had the oceanview room on the upstairs corner that had beautiful views and the jacuzzi is nice, tho it is set back in the parking lot. You can also use the pool at the Fogcatcher if you stay at the Cypress Cove. Also, very nice breakfast in the am. Bathrooms are rather small and uneventful at the Cypress Cove but nice enough.

Next stay I hope to try the Fogcatcher. I also think the rooms at the Pelican Suites are very frilly and a bit over-done from what I have seen on the website. I also remember a friend that stayed there felt the same way. Any other specific questions, let me know! ***kim*** ((f))

Moonstone Drive is the place to stay, but I find the hotels there to be wildly over-priced, and the 72-hour cancellation policy is another problem. I almost always book ahead, but the next time I stay in Cambria, I'm going to take my changes and shop around when I get there.

PS There are very few rooms on Moonstone Drive with ocean views (that might justify the outrageous rates).

Check out the close-to-the-ocean rooms at the Best Western in San Simeon (the other rooms are shop worn).

The hotels are all very close to each other, all have essentially the same view, which is lovely. If standing at your window looking out is important to you, go with any. Keep in mind that the water view patio or balcony is not very private, as they are closest to the street. Even a room without a water view is just steps away. I think all of these choices are good ones - you won't make a bad choice. Remember to make your reservation for Hearst Castle, which you can do online. I'm guessing that July is the very busiest time of the year and they limit the number of people on each tour.

Also keep in mind that the rooms at the Blue Whale Inn do NOT have oceanviews. Last July on a Fri. night we got our room for $200/night at the Cypress Cove Inn. Where did you find this rate? ***kim*** ((#))

Last summer my husband and I stayed at Moonstone Landing. Our room was extremely pleasant and there was a very nice continental breakfast. I would recommend it with no reservation.

http://www.moonstonelanding.com/home_page.html

Just read my post ... by "no reservation" I meant "whole-heartedly".

Thanks everyone!

Kim - all of the rates were given to me by the hotels as their AAA rates. I wonder why the price is so much higher than what you paid??? We are going to be there on a Thursday night too. Hmmmmm......

While I've stayed at the Blue Whale and found it had good rooms, a good view from our room and great breakfast, it wasn't worth the cost. I now stay at the very end of Moonstone Beach Drive at the San Simon Pines Inn for much less. Auto Club 3 Diamond rating, so long as your room does not back onto Highway 101. A little pitch & putt golf course is attached.