Lighthouse Lodge & Cottages

Everything

There’s always a fear when booking a hotel for a city you’ve never been to that when you arrive it’s not at all like what they’re advertising.

That’s exactly what this place does.

They really highlight their lodges in all of their advertising but for some reason, I’m not sure who I rubbed the wrong way but I did not get into a lodge. Booking page doesn’t really spell out which one you’ll be in nor the stark difference in a lodge versus the regular motel looking rooms.

The rooms that they don’t advertise are directly across from a cemetery… which is… interesting. The rooms are really rundown, they look like they’re doing the bare minimum to keep them in running shape. The WiFi is ridiculously slow - like nothing at all loads on my phone when connected, not even texts and that’s made worse because we didn’t have any cellphone service here. Coffee in the lobby tasted like mop water.

Overall I’d like to give this place 3 stars because of price compared to others in the area but if there’s one thing that bothers me it’s deceiving advertising, it’s almost like they know the only way they can get people to stay here is by hiding some of the truths and that’s disgusting.

My sister-in-law and I came to Pacific Grove for the weekend and the Lighthouse Lodge was recommended to us. It's a fantastic location, near Asilomar, the lighthouse and beach, but it's only a short drive to downtown Pacific Grove. This charming inn is also dog friendly and for a small fee (much less than other places), I also brought my dog Norman with us. The rooms are clean, updated, well appointed and very comfortable. Our room had a fireplace and a sliding door that offered a private area to walk the dog. The location is quiet and serene. There is an ample parking lot as well. They have a pool, hot tub and a welcoming fire pit. They serve a complimentary continental breakfast and coffee. Best of all, the staff there are so wonderful and welcoming. The front desk team, especially CJ, made us feel right at home, as if we were family. Very charming and a great experience. And fantastic value for the money. I would definitely stay there again!

One block away from the Ocean makes it a great location. Enjoyed the upgraded breakfast with plenty of choices.

After a wonderful 2017 stay on the cottage side (that review is on TripAdvisor) we looked forward to a return visit.

Eight years on, changes of course were expected. There were both improvements and disappointments.
It’s hard to write this review of a place we loved in the past.

The hotel’s location and outdoor setting, under the trees with visiting deer, the staff (now including CJ and Manager Lex ) hardworking housekeeper, clean room with small kitchen area (microwave and tiny fridge—no freezer) are as good remembered. The pool was warm and clean.

Improvements: carpet has been replaced with laminate, outside walkways have attractive matting, the shingles are painted a lovely dark blue, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries are supplied, the room decor & interior colors looked recently painted and/or very clean. .

But…
Mildewed grout in the bathtub was black—there’s no ventilation in the tub/shower area, no ceiling exhaust fan, and one window above the toilet, but in a separate alcove. The tub is deep and slippery, there’s no grab bar, and no bath mat—an accident waiting to happen. (Upon checkout, reporting this to Lex, he said we could’ve asked for a bath mat. That item should be already available in the room.) As on our previous visit, windows were hard or impossible to open

The beautiful community room, on the cottage side, is now locked at all times, other than at breakfast. This is a huge disappointment as in the past it was open all day, with coffee and tea available, providing a comfortable indoor lounge area.

The evening hors d’oeuvres are long gone.

The excellent, individually cooked and served breakfast of the past, is now a buffet. It included breakfast burritos and fresh fruit, coffee, muffins, etc
The meal hours are extremely strict so when they say it ends at 9:30 a.m., you’d better arrive by 8:45 a.m. if you want to relax over your meal! The lady who ran breakfast on weekdays when we were there was like a drill sergeant. While filling a takeaway cup of coffee, waiting for a piece of toast to pup up, 9:30 arrived and i was shooed—almost pushed—out, and the door immediately locked. This is not a pleasant way to start the day.

The pullout sofa is torture. It might be ok for a little kid, but for anyone 50 pounds or more—no way! Fortunately, we brought an air mattress with us.. Only a thin blanket was provided fur use with the sofabed—we had to ask for pillows..

The pool was warm and clean, but adjacent bathrooms were inexplicably locked!! Be sure to relieve yourself before approaching the pool area.

Good news per Manager Lex: Cottage rooms are to be redecorated and upgraded with new furniture . Fingers crossed the sofabeds will be replaced!

We have been to this hotel two times and we've had great experiences each time. We've been fortunate to have rooms with fireplaces and that was a great touch for this price point. This hotel is conveniently located to golf and restaurants, which made it perfect for our girls grip.

Beautiful location in Pacific Grove a minute’s walk from the ocean. Friendly staff.

We booked a room with two double beds but called before booking to confirm that we could get a roll away bed because we have an 8-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old exchange student (male). The lady we spoke to confirmed that yes, we could get a roll away bed at no extra charge. Upon check in, we requested the roll away bed and were then told (by the same lady that we had just spoken to that morning) that we were now not able to get a roll away bed. She was very snippy about it and not understanding at all about the age and sex difference of our kids and the obvious inappropriateness of them sharing a bed. My husband went back to reception to speak about the roll away bed and a man said he would send one up no problem. After we waited for a while, my husband called back down to check on the status, and the same lady got back on and again, said that we could not have one. Instead of addressing the inconsistencies in what we have been being told by staff members all day about the roll away bed (herself included), she went as far as to give her own (unasked for) opinions on our family’s sleeping arrangements: suggesting that “it looks like” my husband should sleep in a bed with our exchange student and I should sleep in a bed with our daughter. We would not recommend staying here if looking for a place with consistency, kindness, and understanding among staff members.

We love the location of Light House Lodge and Cottages. The staff are so friendly. In the evening it is nice to go sit by the fire and relax. We will definitely be back soon. We really enjoy having a fireplace in our room.

Clean, easy parking and friendly staff

Good value for area

Overall, I’d rate this place a 4, out of 5. The location couldn’t be better. The front desk staff is friendly and helpful. The attendant in the breakfast room is very nice and treats everyone warmly. What keeps me from giving the hotel 5 stars is housekeeping and in-room entertainment options. First, housekeeping. We are a couple of years past the pandemic. So it’s past time to return to daily roomcare and not make the guest call the front desk everyday for towels and essentials. There is no place in the bathroom to hang towels to dry after use so, of course, the guest will want replacements. So it would be nice to return to normal.
As for the in-room entertainment, hey guys. Isn’t it about time to leave 1999 behind and upgrade the TV? To a smart TV, where those of us with accounts ( probably most of us) could access our Netflix, Prime…whatever? And not the weird satellite system where you have no interest in Salinas news. You can afford to change, considering we’re spending almost $300 a night to stay there.
Oh, don’t want to forget. That breakfast room?! Charging guests an extra $20 a day for, basically, a continental breakfast that most places provide for free? Not cool. Your scrambled eggs are, I suspect, pre prepared, out of the carton, and poured into a pan. Not real eggs. Your bread is far from mediocre. Your fresh fruit is non existent. Your cereal is the cheaper store brand of…
Point is, the location is wonderful. The hotel setting is beautiful. The rooms and cottages are great. But they can do better