Lighthouse Lodge & Cottages

The Lighthouse Lodge & Cottages makes a sweet first impression: quaint cedar shingles cover the low-slung buildings tucked among Monterey cypress trees. The small reception area, with a large fish tank, carafes of coffee, and only two plush chairs in the corner, is more of a pit stop than a place to linger. Across the street from one another, the lodge side and the cottage side offer different experiences. The lodge side has the pool and whirlpool (and reception) and the unfortunately small breakfast room. On the “cottage” side (units are attached with larger rooms), welcoming fire pits dot the patio areas and the large, pleasant dining room has two fireplaces and cushy seating. It’s a good space to mingle, as guests do during the afternoon wine-and-cheese reception. With a cemetery on one side and the lighthouse grounds on the other, the hotel has a secluded feel that seems to invite quiet. The couples and families who stay here come for the lodge’s convenient sightseeing location and good value.

The Lighthouse Lodge is located on Point Pinos, an underdeveloped area on the northern side of town. Guests will need a car to access most area attractions, but it's very close to the beach and the lighthouse. Cute downtown Pacific Grove, a few minutes' drive away, is home to a few museums, shops, and good restaurants. One of the area's biggest draws is the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, where the butterflies overwinter from November until mid-February.- Four-minute walk to the historic Point Pinos Lighthouse

• Five-minute walk to Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links
• Nine-minute walk to Asilomar State Beach
• Two-minute drive to the 17-Mile Drive scenic road
• Four-minute drive to good restaurants, shops, and cafes
• Seven-minute drive to the Monterey Bay Aquarium
• 17-minute drive to the Carmel Mission
• 55-minute drive to Santa Cruz
• 60-minute drive to Big Sur
• 88-minute drive to San Jose International Airport

At the Lighthouse Lodge & Cottages, the main choice guests have to make is between a room on the lodge side or a “cottage” (larger but not freestanding) unit. Both are pleasant and spacious, with high white wainscoting, beige or butter-yellow walls, wood floors, and striped carpet. Most have high ceilings and all have balconies or patios. Some patios on the cottage side are ungroomed, appropriate to the surroundings but not to everyone’s taste, while those on the lodge side are attractive though small wooden balconies with wicker seating. Some rooms overlook the neighboring cemetery. Working fireplaces are a nice feature in many rooms, especially on the coast where even summers can be cool and foggy. All rooms have mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers, and some have kitchenettes with sinks. Technology is limited to flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, and rooms have irons and ironing boards. Bathrooms are bright and modern, with marble countertops, large walk-in showers or showers over jetted tubs, and hairdryers. All rooms come with free breakfast, but the continental breakfast on the lodge side is on the lean side and served in the attractive but too-small breakfast room. The cottages come with breakfast that’s made to order and served in the large dining room with two fireplaces.

The Lighthouse Lodge & Cottages has an unheated outdoor pool and a whirlpool with wicker loungers. In an area that can be cool and foggy, the fire pits on the cottage side are a welcome bonus. The free breakfast is continental (and sparse) for those on the lodge side and made-to-order for those on the cottage side. Complimentary afternoon wine, cheese, and hors d’oeuvres, served in the cozy dining room, are a nice perk. For a fee, in-room spa services are available and pets are allowed. Parking and Wi-Fi are free, and a computer with a printer is available for guest use in the reception area.