Carter House Inns

Though the property is made up of several Victorian-style structures, most of the action takes place in Hotel Carter -- the largest of the buildings, and where visitors will find check-in, free daily breakfast, and the bar and restaurant, as well as some of the room categories. All accommodations included, the Carter House Inns has just 32 rooms, so the lobby may not be sprawling, but the space certainly suffices and feels larger thanks to high ceilings. There's a nice sitting area with a fireplace, and during the day guests can munch on apples and cookies, and enjoy a cup of coffee. The tiny, but renowned, wine bar is just up the stairs overlooking the lobby and the restaurant -- where a free breakfast is served, and also dinner -- sits to the left of the entrance.

Some guests are in the area for business, but most are middle-aged couples starting in Eureka and making their way down the coast of Northern California. Aside from some historic homes, cute shops, and the waterfront, there's not much to do in town, but the parts of the famed Redwoods are just 45 minutes away.

All of the Carter House Inns buildings are grouped together and each can easily be reached from the other. This area of Eureka is small, and almost everything is within just a few blocks of the hotel, including the waterfront, and sights such as Carson Mansion, a beautiful historic home, and the Historic Old Town, with shops and restaurants. It seems perfectly safe, but there is a noticeable homeless population so the streets can feel a bit seedy and desolate at night. 

It's just about a 20-minute drive from the Eureka airport, and the inn's location puts it right between two major Redwoods areas. Guests can drive about 45 minutes to an hour to reach attractions such as the Shrine Drive-Thur Tree and Avenue of the Giants. Mendocino Village, with adorable shops and stunning ocean views, is about three hours south by car, and San Francisco is about five hours south.

Guests in larger groups or visiting for extended stays can book Anne's House, a standalone one-bedroom cottage with a full kitchen and private patio. Otherwise, all rooms and suites are found in the four Victorian buildings that make up the Carter House Inns. Decor is simple but attractive; the look is reminiscent of what you'd find at a New England bed-and-breakfast. 

Almost all rooms have fireplaces and/or deep whirlpool tubs that are open to the bedrooms. Simple white bedspreads top the (often four-poster) beds, as do colorful throws. Some of the furniture can feel a tad generic (picture solid-colored couches and chairs) but rustic wood pieces, like window seats and desks, are nice additions. All come with flat-screen TVs with numerous channels, Keurig coffeemakers, and free (but unreliable) Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have plush robes and toiletries include nice extras like makeup remover wipes.

The standout feature here is likely the hotel bar, which may be tiny but has an impressively large wine list which has garnered numerous awards from the likes of Wine Spectator. Here, guests receive a free glass of wine during happy hour each evening, which is frequented by locals as well. It's a cozy space overlooking the lobby and the accompanying Restaurant 301, which offers the same wine list at dinner. This is also where the free daily breakfast is served. Along with coffee, tea, juice, fruit, and various pastries, breakfast includes two rotating options each morning -- often an egg dish and then something sweeter.

There's no gym or spa, but in-room massages can be arranged and guests can buy cheap day passes to the local gym a couple blocks away (there's not much to it, though). The hotel provides plenty of free outdoor parking, and Wi-Fi is also free -- although the signal can be weak at times.