BEWARE OF BOOKING HERE. I'll echo the reviews made earlier…read more I had stayed in the Serenisea cabin on the bluff years ago. When I called the Serenisea number to book the specific "cabin on the bluff", I was misled by the owner and booked into their Cabin 6. The cabin that I actually wanted - Cabin 5 - is "on" the Serenisea grounds but NOT managed by the Serenisea owners! I canceled my Thanksgiving reservation in JULY, but the Serenisea owners - citing a reservation agreement that I never received, reviewed, nor agreed to - charged me a $20 "reservation fee" and would not refund it. Stay at your own risk.

We stayed a few nights in Cabin #1, a place with a view so fine it almost forgives the cabin for…read morebeing what it is. The ocean rolls in and out like it has for centuries, the sunsets set the sky ablaze, and from the deck you can sit with a cup of something warm and feel, for a while, that you've made a good choice in life. There's space to stretch out, a sturdy dining table for a family feast, a comfy bed with plenty of heat to chase the chill, and firewood enough to kindle your pioneer spirit. They even take pets, which is a blessing if you can't bear to leave yours behind. But then you step inside and reality taps you on the shoulder. Cobwebs are woven into the corners like a decorator's flourish. Gnats--dead and alive--have taken up residence as if they too booked the cabin. The plumbing shrieks like a banshee, the fridge rumbles like a tractor and the handle is held together with duct tape, and the sink taps resist all attempts at courtesy. Cabin #1 is closer to the road, so you can hear the traffic because the windows are thin, and you stumble over steps where you didn't expect them. I found three fleas on me before the week was out, which made me wonder how many more were attending uninvited. The furnishings have that "estate sale bargain" charm. Doors stick, blinds are grimy, and the bathroom floor has known better decades. Even outdoors, many large trees stand dead and brittle, gutters choke with leaves, and plants have gone the way of all flesh. Hospitality, too, was a little tepid--more nod than embrace. There was no coffee, tea, or sugar waiting, and when you leave, you're asked to strip the beds, fold the blankets, and take out the trash. Internet and phone service wander off and don't come back. So here it is: a cabin in a glorious location, blessed with views you'll carry with you, and cursed with upkeep that seems to have been postponed indefinitely. If you can laugh at the quirks and overlook the fleas, you may just love it. If not, the ocean will still be there, magnificent and forgiving, even if the cabin isn't.

We visited Mar Vista in early June this year and had such a magical time. Cab and Deanna are…read moregenuinely kind, warm-hearted people who have created a truly special place to share with others. Our cottage was incredibly cozy, and our days were filled with simple joys: harvesting vegetables from the garden, feeding the bunnies, collecting eggs from the chicken coop, helping shepherd the goats, and playing with the cats. There's also a beautiful beach less than a 5-minute drive away, making it the perfect balance of farm and coast. At Mar Vista, fresh eggs are delivered to your cottage every day. On our last day, we noticed every single egg in our egg basket was blue! We realized Cab or Deanna had probably hand-picked the blue eggs for us after learning that our toddler was in a phase where she loved everything blue. It was such a thoughtful gesture that meant so much to us. And who knew eggs came in so many beautiful colors? That was one of many incredible things we learned/experienced at Mar Vista. Our toddler has been asking to go back every single day since we left, and honestly, so have we. We can't wait to return.

We had such a wonderful experience here and it makes an amazing retreat for when you need a place…read moreto slow down from the hustle and bustle of life. Our cozy cottage was clean with a great view of the garden and ocean. The bed is very comfortable and the provided space heater helped kept us warm at night. Only con I have to say is the pillows were very flat so we had to sleep with both pillows on top of each other for more support. I love that it had a full kitchen so you can cook delicious meals with fresh ingredients such as the daily delivered eggs straight from the chickens and greens you pick from the garden. If you want a break from cooking or want a meal prepped for when you arrive, you can add in the option of a dinner or picnic basket to your reservation as well. For the activities such as chicken chat and goat gab we weren't able to attend; it was raining pretty heavily during our stay so we opted to stay indoors and enjoy the cozy cabin. For the moments where the rain would stop, it was nice to explore the land, making stops by the bunnies and chickens with our dogs. Definitely planing on coming back! Would love to experience Mar Visita during the spring or summer!

Loved the room we were in! Friendly desk service, classy decor, but the fireplace's chimney seemed…read moreto need to be serviced because the smoke kept coming in our room and that was not fun. Also the hotel should offer reservations to the associated restaurant, especially on holiday weekends. We checked in on valentine day and the restaurant was fully booked, then closed the following day. It was very disappointing because the food was one of the main reasons we reserved the room Also the bath tub was dirty, we had to clean it before we used it-kinda gross- and the toilet paper was very poor quality and only had like six sheets of toilet paper on it and there was only one more roll: housekeeping staff needs to step it up

The Pros: 2 of the 3 people who work there were VERY nice. Great location. Great view…read more The Cons: We were in the D bldg, top floor after we asked specifically for a quiet room. The room has some very dated features and the layout is incredibly awkward. The most surprising part was as we were getting ready for bed, we turned off the lights in the room. Only to realize the room was being lit by the lights from the restaurant next door! The window above the bed had no way to cover it. The lights finally turned off some time after 11! Our complaint the next morning fell on deaf ears. Not a single person acknowledged that we should have been warned at the very least!

My recent experience at this motel room 119. This room should be redesigned. The Armoire is way…read moretoo large, has broken door and missing latch/ handle, has no interior light/ very dark. Two oversized chairs in front of the window face inward and are too bulky to reposition to enjoy the ocean view you just paid extra to see, and limits access to the hidden refrigerator. The underpowered microwave is in a foreign language; I had to ask how to use it. TV controls are a mess. Bathroom tub/shower too slippery for me to use ( I tried and almost fell) and no grab bars of any kind. Very dangerous. This room is just too small. I did not enjoy this room at all. I think the owner should spend a few nights in this room. I've had much nicer rooms for half the cost. The staff is very nice.

Surf Motel is our favorite place to stay on the coast It's…read morecozy, the view is spectacular, the price is super reasonable and most importantly Jade is the greatest hostess you can ask for!

I stayed here for 2 nights while I was traveling for work. Clean rooms with everything you need. In…read moreroom coffee maker makes really good coffee. Affordable price. Great location in town. Even tho it's on hwy 101 it's quiet at night. And there were people staying above me which I was initially worried about but I didn't hear a peep after they got settled in. The check in was fast and easy. Nice hotel staff. Good hot water. Comfortable bed. I'll stay again.

I'm staying here right now for work in town will be here for two weeks, and this place is awesome…read moregreat views of the river and ocean . The lady that runs it is very nice and friendly, the room is very clean and nice . There's a grocery store and foodies in walking distance. And it's quiet here very peaceful , I would totally recommend this place for a stay.

We've only had good experiences with Beach Rentals. Helpful…read moreand professional. The homes we've rented through them have always been clean, modern, and well appointed. We've always got our security deposit back in a timely manner.

We've used Beach Rentals for years. They treat us like family. Love Rochelle, she's the best!read more

Let me preface the review by saying the bed and pillows were VERY comfortable and I slept like a…read morebaby (which is not easy at my advanced age!) Unfortunately, I wasn't sure I'd have that opportunity. I booked the room through Expedia, which routed me through VRBO, and it's possibly this two-step process that caused the issues we encountered (I'm trying to give the owner the benefit of the doubt) This was just one night of a multi-night trip. As the day approached, I realized I hadn't gotten any info from VRBO regarding check-in instructions, etc. Typically, this is very detailed before-hand via email and text. We arrived at a very derelict-looking property about 6pm, and despite about seven cars in the parking lot, there weren't any signs of life. I walked up to what appeared to be the office and found it locked. There were some bare wires hanging out from where a doorbell would normally be. I knocked, but through the glass I could see there was no one inside. I rechecked my reservation info for phone numbers. I found two numbers, both of which went unanswered and was advised that the voice-mail was full. I went back to the front door and knocked loudly, to no avail. I attempted to jump the doorbell wires to make some noise inside, but that didn't work either. I went back to the car to try to find alternative lodging but I wasn't optimistic about finding anything on a summer evening on the California coast. The wife was starting to get hangry at this point, so I agreed to drive into Gualala to find food and hopefully a room. As we were pulling out of the parking lot, another couple was walking to their car, so I stopped and asked them if they had seen the proprietor, or had any idea where she might be. The wife asked if I had checked the obvious places, and then she suddenly realized, "Oh, your room is upstairs from us. It should be open!" Her husband, on the other hand, said "no, we don't even know who these people are". I assured him we were the correct people. I thanked her profusely for the info, and walked up a treacherous concrete staircase through the very overgrown foliage. At the top of the stairs, we found one door open, which led to a tiny foyer with two rooms, with coded locks. The first knob I tried was locked, the second door opened into a very musty-smelling (apparently not updated since possibly 1986), but otherwise, tastefully-appointed room. It has a small balcony with an ocean view, and as I mentioned, a very comfortable bed. There were wine and drink glasses provided, which was a nice touch. The bathroom is very aged. The tub is indeed a spa tub (though no larger than a standard bathtub), but I think you'd need to be quite desperate for a soak to use it, because your head would be adjacent to the toilet. There's an ice-maker in an odd place, in the under-sink cabinet. It was full, but it made me wonder when the filter had last been changed. Interestingly, there were five or six "guest books" in the room with entries dating back to the late 80's. It was almost like being in a museum! The next morning, we got up and left. We never heard nor saw any sign of the proprietor. At one point I was quite livid. In 2026, there is absolutely no reason for such a lack of communication from the property owner! The fact that we had to get check-in instructions from other guests, who we just happened to run into, is beyond ridiculous! Needless to say, we won't be back. . .

Like a mighty gray whale breaching the surface of the beautiful Pacific off the Mendocino County…read morecoast, the Whale Watch Inn has reopened. And if you're looking for a place to relax and revel in the calm, powerful beauty of that ocean and that coast, you should consider making this recovering gem your base of operations. A short drive to the restaurants, markets, art galleries and other artifacts of modern Northern California life, including multiple parks and trails. Grounds rich with local trees and well-tended flora. An eclectic selection of comfortable, television-free rooms and suites, some with kitchens or mini-refrigerators so you can lay in provisions and hide from the outside world. Free, fast Wi-Fi for when you want or need to reconnect to said outside world. A Whale Watch Lounge where you can read, play board games, heat some of your provisions or restaurant leftovers in the microwave (if there isn't one in your room) or just gape in slack-jawed wonder at the views. Several rooms have amazing views from windows or decks as well. A highlight of your stay will doubtless be any interactions you have with the marvelous Miren, She Who Runs Things at the Inn. Whether she's bringing your included hot breakfast to your room or recommending nearby attractions, Miren will definitely enhance your stay. There is a weathered, 134-step stairway that deposits you on a lovely stretch of beach. But if you walk, bike or motor to the nearby Anchor Bay Campground, you can buy a day pass that lets you skip those steps and walk comfortably to and from the beach with unlimited "in and out" privileges until sundown. It's not lavish, or pretentious, or overdone. It's comfortable, quiet, and in harmony with its surroundings. The Whale Watch Inn is a nearly perfect place to relax, recharge, and enjoy a perfect dose of some of the magic of the Northern California coast.

We stayed two nights in the Aquitaine room. The artwork and decorations were eclectic. The…read morekitchenette with a decent sized mini fridge and freezer. With the available cooking utensils, we were able to make dinner one evening. A small grocery store is a few minutes south. We didn't use the fireplace but there are recliner chairs in front of it that were very inviting if you want a relaxing night in. It is easy to reach Diane and Damien via text. The day before we placed our breakfast order and it was delivered to our door in the morning. The ginger scone was my favorite but the biscuits were also huge and fluffy. Loved the matcha latte. The flowers and plants on the property were gorgeous. If you walk to the top of the property, there is a gazebo and sitting area. Perfect for a place to read. You can see the ocean and hear the Sea Lions. One night we signed up for an hour long session in the hot tub. It was very private, clean, and super relaxing. If you go after dark, the stars are incredible. The pathways were well lit for your walk back. Before visiting, I was a little unsure of what the electric vehicle charging would look like. There are two sections of parking, depending on which room you are staying in. They are well marked based on which room you stay in and don't require a long walk. I recommend to have directions saved and to look up ideas on where you want to go before you leave. There will be little to no signal once you leave the property. Had a fantastic dinner at Izakaya Gama (be sure to make reservations ahead of time) and went to The Record afterwards for a drink. There was a live band and so much positive energy. Damien and Diane were so friendly and welcoming. We can't wait to go back, try a different room, do a wine tasting with Diane and explore more of this gorgeous area. Thank you both for your hospitality!

The sheer beauty that Damien and Diane have created at Rendezvous is unimaginable unless one…read moreexperiences it. The rooms are clean, each with its own eclectic identity, and the grounds are so well manicured that an arborist would be in awe. The property is truly magical, with a distinct beauty that I haven't experienced at any other bed and breakfast. I had one of the most relaxing weekends of my life simply unplugging, listening to the sea lions, and experiencing Mendocino, Gualala, and Point Arena. Do not miss the homemade biscuits, so freaking good. Thank you, Double D. I will be back!

We ate here on Thanksgiving. It was an absolutely wonderful meal! The restaurant, the food, the…read moredrinks, the staff.... I couldn't have asked for anything better! Rob, the bartender, was so friendly! He really made our evening seem special. We had cocktails, stilton in phyllo dough, crab cakes, lamb shank, beef, pecan pie, and cheesecake. The Stilton appetizer was the absolute star of the show in my book! It was SO delicious. Everything was cooked to perfection and not overly seasoned. It was a pretty expensive evening, but worth it!

Ste. Orres Restaurant and Inn. I would give the restaurant a…read more5 star rating - the food was excellent, the service was fine. The Inn I would give 0 (zero) stars First there is not daily service - no one to clean the toilet (We asked about it and they said they have not had daily service since covid - covid ended over 2 years ago!) No one to clean the coffee pot or cups No one to wipe down the table or clean the floors The paint is old and the metal is rusting, the front door looks like it was varnished last decade. The shower has mold. The wood deck is old and twisting, someone unsure on their feet will likely trip. I enjoy "rustic" but this one is getting pretty long of tooth. All in all we are not coming back.