Pacific Grove - Gatehouse Inn
 

I am going to be in the Monterey/Carmel area next week.

Unfortunately, some of the top picks are booked.

I am looking to stay at the Gatehouse Inn in Pacific Grove - My room has an ocean view.
www.gatehouse-inn.com

It was originally owned by the same owners at the old st. angela inn but it actually looks better from what i can tell.

Is anybody familiar with it?

The other considerations which have at least one room available right now are Inn at 213 17 Mile Drive or Coachman's Inn in Carmel. Coachman's Inn would be the most expensive - and i'm thinking of nixing that b/c it doesn't even have a full breakfast.

Please tell me your thoughts if you know about these. Please keep it specific to these b/c i've heard about some others which are unfortunately booked.

I'd appreciate your help!

I was in Carmel last weekend and walked by the Coachman. It looks pretty tired from the outside. Actually most of the inns in Carmel looked kinda shabby. Only The Adobe struck me as anyplace I'd care to stay.

thanks knute. i didn't feel so warm and fuzzy from the coachman's inn's website even. so i'm glad i am nixing that i guess.

does anyone know about the gatehouse inn in pacific grove? www.gatehouse-inn.com

Novagirl,
Of the 3, I'd choose the Gatehouse Inn. I used to live near the inn, so I haven't stayed there, but it's always interested me, because it's one of PG's oldest and most historically significant Victorians. Looking at the website, the Langford room looks nice with good views and it's larger than the rest. The rooms have a lot of character. It's located in the center of the place where Central Avenue forks off, so Central Avenue on one side is busy, but the road on the other side is quiet--just so you know, it's not exactly hidden away. Easy walk to the ocean and aquarium.

Do you wonder why it's called the gatehouse? Back in the late 1800's Pacific Grove was a Methodist summer camp with quite strict rules--no alcohol and early curfews. Senator "Judge" Langford built this house. The Retreat Association built a fence around the whole city to keep the "good" guys in and the "bad" guys out. One of the gates was just outside his house--but Senator Langford got fed up having to go downtown to get the key to open and close the gate, so he took an ax and chopped down the fence and it was never replaced. That was the beginning of the end of the fence around Pacific Grove--they tore it all down soon after. Yay, Senator Langford! :-) Now doesn't knowing that make the Langford room even more fun? Btw, Pacific Grove was still "dry" (no alcohol sold) until 1969 (!), but you'll have no problem finding good wine all over town now.

The Inn at 213 17 Mile Drive looks ok, and is in a nice location, but a lot of the rooms leave me cold. I had questions about the rooms and views and called the innkeeper--let's just say he wasn't interested in answering them, only in a big hurry to make a reservation. I never did get a decent answer from him. The guy was exceptionally rude. With all the wonderfully professional innkeepers in town, there's no way I'd stay at a place run by a person who treats potential guests like this. Sorry for the length of this, hope it helps in some way--enjoy Pacific Grove.

winerycat,

What an excellent and helpful post.

The Langford room is nice but it is unfortunately booked when i need it. I got the wicker room - it was the best of the ones available i was told. It does have a partial oceanview too - so that's good.

Yeah - i like that it is walking distance from the Aquarium - saves me a little on parking for one day.

Currently, i have dinner reservations at passionfish one night and flying fish another night.

I figure we probably won't need breakfast b/c they have a gourmet breakfast at the gatehouse inn. But if you have lunch suggestions - i'd love to take them.

You are very helpful!

The Wicker Room looks nice too. Hope your stay is lots of fun. Oh, the lunch possibilities in this area!

PG: The Red House Cafe. Delicious, creative sandwitches, salads, desserts. Really casual, a local hangout.

Pebble Beach: For something special, Stillwater Bar & Grill at the Lodge at PB. Emphasis on seafood, but other great choices and some of the best ocean and Carmel Bay views around. Their lobster salad or crab bisque are terrific. If you tell the gate people you have a reservation, they should waive the $8.25 gate fee--if they don't, the Lodge will reimburse you. This means you get to take the 17 Mile drive through the beautiful Del Monte forest free. Gorgeous place!

Carmel: Casanova, wonderful Mediterranean food, quaint, romantic ambiance. Patisserie Boissiere for classic Carmel tearoom ambiance-- serves small entrees, save room for dessert! As you enter the Flying Fish, look directly up and you'll see a tiny balcony with a bistro table, my favorite "hidden" spot to relax and people-watch, while sipping a cup of their strong French roast and delicious pastry. Also check out Grasing's or the very casual Forge in the Forest.

Picnic at Point Lobos (just south of Carmel): Head over to Neilsen's Market in Carmel for everything you'll need for a gourmet spread, then enjoy the ocean, wildlife, peacefulness of this spot.

Califonia Market at Highlands Inn (Carmel Highlands): The casual place to eat at this famous inn overlooking Point Lobos. Memorable rocky ocean views. Well-prepared sandwiches, salads, luscious desserts and more.

The Wharf (Monterey) Domenico's. Best Cioppino on the planet--extensive seafood and wine lists--on Monterey Bay with views of the marina.

Hope something here strikes your fancy or gives you ideas of your own.

I second the California Market suggestion. Very good fish tacos and the Tahatian vanilla bean creme brulee is out of this world!

We also like Domenico's on the wharf. Try the sand dabs, they're wonderful! ***kim*** :)

Once again - fabulous advice everyone.

I am very much liking the pacific grove gatehouse inn option very much.

An option which seems to now be available is also the centrella inn - www.centrellainn.com - it doesn't really look better though.

thoughts?

i think the only thing i might drop it for is if a room opened up at the Martine Inn or Green Gables (but fat chance i think).

Thoughts on Centrella vs. Gatehouse?

Nova,
I tend to agree with you that the Centrella's probably not a step up from what you already have.

If you want to continue to check for last minute cancellations (wouldn't hurt to try), in addition to Green Gables and Martine, have you tried my favorite inn, the Grandview Inn, also the 7 Gables Inn, both located on the bay near each other and owned by the same family. www.7gables-grandview.com.

For lunch, can't forget Fifi's Cafe in PG, a great little French bistro, on Forest up the hill by Safeway--good bistro classics and a nice local crowd.

If you want to take the drive to Big Sur for lunch, (a nice idea if the weather's good), try Nepenthe (views better than the food, but a fun place to stop), Sierra Mar at Post Ranch (ultimate views, food very good--reserve ahead) and Cielo at Ventana, on the other side of the highway, but also good food and great views.

You may have to extend your trip a few days! :-) Have a wonderful time--let us know how things turned out.

The gatehouse inn turned out to be a great find.

There is a full breakfast with a hot entree with treats in the early evening.

The rooms are well kept and uniquely decorated. I love the place and i could walk to the aquarium.

For dinner, we went to passionfish and Flying Fish (in carmel). I enjoyed both of these places and would highly recommend both!

It was a great trip.

Glad you had a great trip to PACIFIC GROVE!

We live in PG and love this area! The more tourists the better! America's last hometown! Hope to see you again in this great community.