# Romantic / Sexy Inn in Calif. wanted **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 5, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romantic-sexy-inn-in-calif-wanted/444130 "2008-04-05T23:38:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romantic-sexy-inn-in-calif-wanted/444130/1 "2008-04-05T23:38:31Z")
I wasn’t sure if this belonged in GQ or here, but I put it here. Mods, feel free to move. I’m looking for a romantic / sexy inn or motel for a long weekend with my SO. A couple of years ago we went to the Fantasy Inn in South Lake Tahoe ([http://www.fantasy-inn.com/](http://www.fantasy-inn.com/)) and it was a big hit. So I’m looking for some place similar. We’re looking for a “couple’s Inn”, if there is such a category. Location: Anywhere within 5 or 6 driving hours of the Bay Area. Anyone have any suggestions or personal experience with a similar Inn? Thanks, J. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2008, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romantic-sexy-inn-in-calif-wanted/444130/2 "2008-04-05T23:42:58Z")
[Highlands Inn, Carmel](http://highlandsinn.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp) Stayed there in 1996 and loved it. Fantastic oceanside setting, first-class food and wine, cozy accommodations in bilevel cottages with hot tubs and such. Spendy, but well worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romantic-sexy-inn-in-calif-wanted/444130/3 "2008-04-06T04:31:04Z")
I’ve been to the Fantasy Inn also, with similar impact. The only similar place I can think of is [the Madonna Inn](http://www.madonnainn.com/) in San Luis Obispo. It has theme rooms also, but no mirrors on the ceiling, so it is more of an interesting standard hotel. For just a standard romantic place, we stayed at a motel on the Slough in Fort Bragg, with a hot tub in the room. But I don’t know of any place like the Fantasy Inn. Did you stay in a theme room? If yes, you can try another. ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romantic-sexy-inn-in-calif-wanted/444130/4 "2008-04-06T15:42:43Z")
[QUOTE=Voyager] The only similar place I can think of is [the Madonna Inn](http://www.madonnainn.com/) in San Luis Obispo. [/QUOTE] Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve made brief rest stops in the Madonna Inn before on the way to LA, but more for the entertainment value than the “quality” of it. I suppose everyone has a different “tacky” threshold, and for me, the Madonna Inn crosses that threshold. Keep the suggestions coming! Thanks, J. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romantic-sexy-inn-in-calif-wanted/444130/5 "2008-04-06T17:40:38Z")
The Carriage House Inn in Carmel. ETA- site [here](http://www.innsbythesea.com/carriage-house/). The Doryman’s Inn in Newport Beach (probably too far away). ---
**Author:** ![Sassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassy)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romantic-sexy-inn-in-calif-wanted/444130/6 "2008-04-06T20:24:17Z")
[Jenner Inn](http://www.jennerinn.com/index.htm) or [River’s End](http://www.ilovesunsets.com/home.html). River’s End restaurant was the location for one of the great meals of my life! ---
**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romantic-sexy-inn-in-calif-wanted/444130/7 "2008-04-06T20:56:06Z")
[The Blue Dolphin Inn](http://www.cambriainns.com/blue-dolphin-index.asp) in Cambria - just north of Morro Bay. Stayed there one weekend - what a treat that was. Listen to some reviews of it: > [@](#): > > We reserved the room thru [hotels.com](http://hotels.com), got in late after driving from SF. Everything was as expected and better - the website really does not do the inn any justice - Beautiful room with king size bed, great bath and bathroom, lovely hostess, quaint tea room. We’re just sorry we couldn’t stay more than the night we did. > [@](#): > > This Inn is the most beautiful and friendly place I have ever stayed. Our rooms were First Class all the way. Comfort and peacefulness abounded at the Blue Dolphin. The staff was friendly and helpful. We highly recommend the Blue Dolphin and look forward to another visit. > [@](#): > > We stayed here in early August. I loved this place!! We stayed in 3 different hotels during or CA vacation and this was the most comfortable. > > The front desk was very helpful. The rooms were very clean and well appointed. They have great toiletries for use. The bed was a pillowtop mattress and was so comfy. The sheets were soft and we had lots of pillows. The room was a desent size. The inn has a very cozy feel and feels more like being in a nice guestroom. > > The breakfast was awesome. We got there early and enjoyed fruit, pastries, and fresh waffles. In the afternoon they offer snacks but we missed these. The times posted for bfast and afternoon snacks in the room book are off and that messed our schedule up just a bit. > > The beach is just across the street and is beautiful (and cold). We enjoyed spending our afternoon at Hearst Castle. We at dinner at The Wild Ginger Cafe on Main Street. It was a neat little bistro. > > Would highly recommend this place and cant wait to return one day… Highly recommended for your romantic getaway. ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romantic-sexy-inn-in-calif-wanted/444130/8 "2008-04-06T21:47:35Z")
Well, I don’t know anyone who has actually stayed there, but I may as well pimp for a local [landmark.](http://www.sanysidroranch.com/) I figure it it was good enough for JFK and Jackie O’s honeymoon, it’s probably not half bad. ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romantic-sexy-inn-in-calif-wanted/444130/9 "2008-04-06T22:10:41Z")
We stayed at [Vintage Inn](http://www.vintageinn.com/) in Yountville for one night of our honeymoon. Crazy expensive but gorgeous. Much less sumptuous, but with sea lions and whales just off shore: [Turtle Rocks Oceanfront Inn](http://www.turtlerocksinn.com/). Probably the best place we stayed on our honeymoon was [Stanford Inn by the Sea](http://www.stanfordinn.com/) just outside Mendocino. Gorgeous setting, kayaking, a delicious vegetarian restaurant, spa services and fantastic romantic rooms with fireplaces. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romantic-sexy-inn-in-calif-wanted/444130/10 "2008-04-06T22:49:57Z")
[QUOTE=jharvey963] I wasn’t sure if this belonged in GQ or here, but I put it here. Mods, feel free to move. I’m looking for a romantic / sexy inn or motel for a long weekend with my SO. A couple of years ago we went to the Fantasy Inn in South Lake Tahoe ([http://www.fantasy-inn.com/](http://www.fantasy-inn.com/)) and it was a big hit. So I’m looking for some place similar. We’re looking for a “couple’s Inn”, if there is such a category. Location: Anywhere within 5 or 6 driving hours of the Bay Area. Anyone have any suggestions or personal experience with a similar Inn? Thanks, J. [/QUOTE] One of my old co-workers once showed me a site map of a place that IIRC was pismo or some other monterey-morro bay central coast type place. It was right on highway 1 and was pretty much a collection of 30-50 cottages buried in heavy landscaping with private hot tubs for each one, I have never been able to remember the name. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romantic-sexy-inn-in-calif-wanted/444130/11 "2008-04-07T01:05:44Z")
I don’t know of any ‘fantasy’ or theme type places like the one you went to, other than The Madonna in SLO, but I can recommend a few great places in the area. I second Sassy’s recommendation of Jenner Inn and River’s End. I also had one of the best meals of my life at River’s End. [One Mesa](http://www.onemesa.com/) is one of my favorite B&Bs in the area. It’s small and secluded, and the owners are incredibly friendly. The Sunset Cottage is amazing, incredibly comfortable, intimate, and charming. [Oleander House](http://www.oleander.com/) in Yountville is where my husband and I celebrated our first anniversary. Very comfortable. [Fort Ross Lodge](http://www.fortrosslodge.com/) is also nice, though a bit more rustic. We stayed on ‘The Hill’ one Valentine’s Day and loved it. Our own deck with BBQ, our own hot tub, our own sauna. With a gorgeous view of the ocean. The ‘Cut Glass Suite’ at the [Inn at Occidental](http://www.innatoccidental.com/about.htm) has a private hot tub and is gorgeous. I love Occidental. Negri’s and The Union Hotel are two of my favorite restaurants in the area. If you like spa type stuff - [Osmosis](http://www.osmosis.com/about.cfm) is nearby and is one of the best in the country. We did a weekend in Occidental one V-day and tried the enzyme bath along with massages. The enzyme bath is a neat experience, but the massages have become something of a tradition. Others you might want to look into - [Safari West](http://www.safariwest.com/cabins/) has safari ‘tents’ and cottages and they do romance packages during the spring. [Kenwood Inn](http://www.kenwoodinn.com/accommodations.php) - In the Sonoma Valley and newly remodeled. An ‘Italian villa’ kind of feel. [Post Ranch Inn](http://www.postranchinn.com/accommodations.shtml#) - Big Sur, with ‘cliff’ rooms, ‘tree’ rooms, and other neat accomodations. [The Eagle’s Nest at Blackthorne Inn](http://www.blackthorneinn.com/acc.html) - This one looks pretty cool. It’s on my ‘to do’ list.