Carter House Inns

Hotels
Independent
9 (189 reviews)
301 L St, Eureka, California, 95501 , Eureka , US

Pets allowed

Facilities

Free breakfast
Boat tours nearby
Nature reserve
Express check-out
Fireplace in lobby
Electric car charging station
Health club
Free WiFi
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great service
Comfortable rooms
Excellent breakfast
Good location
Cons:
Parking confusion
Room temperature issues

Categories

Cleanliness
8.14
No specific mention; general satisfaction with room quality.
Service
9.61
Service from staff, notably Kat and others, was top-notch and made guests feel at home.
Location
9.15
Location was praised for walkability and convenience to nearby attractions.
Room Quality
8.6
Comfortable room environment though noted as warm; other room features praised.
Amenities
9.13
Includes a bar with vouchers and well-received breakfast options.
Value for Money
9.09
Guests felt they received good value for what was paid, particularly given the services and amenities.
Food and Beverage
9.14
Breakfast was described as fantastic with a variety of choices.
Overall Experience
9.11
Guests had a thoroughly enjoyable stay and would return.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-06 20:57

Property Description

Experience the charm of Carter House Inns, where Victorian elegance meets modern comfort in the heart of Eureka.

Recreation and Wellness
Indulge in our health club and unwind by the cozy lobby fireplace. Guests can enjoy complimentary access to a nearby fitness facility, making it easy to maintain your wellness routine while traveling.

Dining and Socializing
Savor delightful meals at our on-site restaurant or relax with room service. Join fellow guests for a complimentary reception each evening and finish your day with a refreshing drink at our welcoming bar/lounge.

Comfortable Accommodations
Retreat to one of our 40 well-appointed guestrooms, featuring plush pillowtop beds, flat-screen televisions, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Each room offers private bathrooms equipped with essential amenities for your convenience.

Book your stay at Carter House Inns today and embrace a blend of luxury and leisure!

Important information:

  • One child 12 years old or younger stays free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.
  • Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
  • This property allows pets in specific rooms only (surcharges apply and can be found in the Fees section). Guests can request one of these rooms by contacting the property directly, using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
  • Contactless check-in and contactless check-out are available.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: ACV

Property Policies

  • Pets

    Service animals are exempt from fees/restrictions

  • Check-in & Check-out

    Contactless check-out is available

  • Guest type

    Essential workers only - NO

  • Pets

    Pets allowed

  • General

    Professional property host/manager

See all policies

Location

Guest Reviews

9
Based on 189 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.14
Service: 9.61
Location: 9.15
Room Quality: 8.6
Amenities: 9.13
Value for Money: 9.09
Food and Beverage: 9.14
Overall Experience: 9.11
S
scottkleinberg Couples Lincoln City, Oregon
10
Fun and upscale hotel with great service
Pros:

Fun and upscale hotel in Eureka, totally unexpected. Really enjoyed our stay, definitely would stay again. Highlights included the restaurant and bar open with vouchers when we arrived that made the end of our long journey so much easier.

The room (204) was really comfortable and even though they don’t call it ADA, it is ADA enough for my needs! The coffee maker was excellent. (a top priority!) And the toiletries in the bathroom were appreciated. Our only comment on the room was that it was warm and hard to cool off. Room controlled Thermostat seems to not be a thing there. But it was fine.

Breakfast the next morning was included and was fantastic downstairs. Kudos to the chef on both of our meals.

Parking was a little confusing,, and the front door is not logically where you would think it should be, next to the parking lot. But it all worked out.

Service from Kat was top-notch cherry and on point. Really was made to feel like we were at home. As I said, we will definitely stay there again.

2025-12-25 via Tripadvisor
P
Paradise648770 Solo travel San Diego, California
10
wonderful private cottage
Pros:

I loved the Carter Cottage at Carter House Inns in Eureka. An entire historic cottage with a complete kitchen, dining room, living area with fireplace and tv, extra bathroom, lovely bedroom with fireplace and another tv, with a commodious bathroom with a spa tub, it was cozy and charming. The private patio with a view of the historic mansion down the street was the pièce de résistance. It was easy to walk to restaurants and shops. The entire staff, including Rebekah and Troy, were thoughtful and helpful. I just loved its ambiance.
Thank you

2025-11-03 via Tripadvisor
M
madhupj2025 Family
10
Excellent experience at the Carter House in Eureka, California. Excellent staff, excellent food, very safe and walkable.
Pros:

We arrived on October 19th and departed on October 25th, we were impressed by the location, the outside façade, the rooms, the dining area, the area to sit down and associate with other people, the small bar which was very intimate, the food which was excellent. We loved it. When we get back to Eureka, we'll be happy to stay there. The people who were working there were excellent. Liz, Amber, Jamie, Diana Sarah, Ian(bartender few days) and the manager TROY were accommodating and wonderful people. I'm sure I've missed a few names, but the staff was very accommodating. They were all kind, professional, and helpful.

The breakfast was Delicious every morning. There was quiche, breakfast sandwich that would probably feed two people, at least 3 different juices every morning were available, the pastries which are made fresh by a pastry chef on premise, and the fresh fruit.
I could go on and on about how much I enjoyed it, but most people don't like to read too many words.

2025-10-27 via Tripadvisor
M
MichaelSJazzLives Family Great Neck, Long Island, New York
4
How about DON'T?
Pros:

It presents as a mansion, but it's more like a haunted house.

We booked a queen room that looked pleasant enough online, but when we arrived, we were shown to the Victorian house. Entry to the room required a substantial flight of stairs to enter the building and an even longer one -- with a railing only attached for one-half of its length -- down. The space was large, apparently the whole floor, but it felt like a windowless dark basement. What windows there were, were placed near the ceiling, and they were small. The bathroom needed repair -- a stained sink, a cold water faucet that howled when turned on, a sink and toilet only tentatively fastened to their foundations.

For the detail-conscious, our four-night stay amounted to $1035.

We were offered a "complimentary" breakfast which was a meager portion; oh, we could have had a larger selection, but that would have been $25 per person. Our host was superficially gracious but my conversations with him felt as if he was counting pennies while he spoke. Three staff members distinguished themselves by their warmth: Sarah, Rebekah, and Jamie, but unless you are a deep fan of THE ADDAMS FAMILY, I would recommend visitors to Eureka stay elsewhere. Even an anonymous chain motel would be more satisfying, because it doesn't pretend to a grandeur that it cannot or will not deliver.

2025-10-07 via Tripadvisor
L
lisakJ2842NB Couples
8
Nice rooms, pleasant staff
Pros:

Stayed two nights in 303 and one night in Carter Cottage. All the staff are welcoming and professional, with a big Thank You to Sarah at the front desk for helping us out with a slight issue. The lady bartender is also a lot of fun, but we didn’t catch her name. 303 is a great room but if you take a shower make sure to close the bathroom door or you could set off the carbon monoxide detector (we did at 7 am — sorry, neighbors!) Showers are kind of strange; it is a shower head mounted over a jacuzzi tub with sloped ends so you will need to do a bit of a back bend to wash your hair. Not the greatest if you are an older person. We moved to Carter Cottage for our last night which is nice but the mattress is not great (compared to 303, which is in good shape). Breakfast is well thought out. Communal areas are nicely maintained.

Be aware that there is a large unhoused population in Eureka. So anywhere you stay you will hear occasional noise from passers by at different hours. One night a barking dog was left outside across the street until around 1 am, and then someone kept whistling at it. I’m not sure if it was a watch dog because there appear to be only businesses across the street but it was still heard over the fan and a white noise machine. Not a reflection on the hotel but more of a testament to the times we live in,

Overall, we would stay here again if we ever were to return, but recommend a non-street side room for less noise. Third floor location is good otherwise because no one is overhead.

2025-10-05 via Tripadvisor
E
Eileen
10
Pros:

Lovely building. Nice breakfast selections.

2025-10-05 via Nuitee
R
Raphael
10
A lovely inn
Pros:

A lovely Inn. Very friendly and helpful staff, a lovely clean room and an excellent restaurant: Restaurant 301 adjacent to the lobby. Highly recommended.

2025-09-25 via Nuitee
J
Julie
10
Pros:

The staff was amazing and the food was beyond expectations.

2025-09-21 via Nuitee
M
Molly partner
10
Pros:

This hotel reminded us of the glory days of Eureka. The room was nice, but a bit noisy as we needed open windows at night, which lets in traffic noise. The architecture of the place is great. All the staff are personable, friendly, and helpful.

2025-09-18 via Nuitee
P
P9420CScathyc Family
10
Great stay
Pros:

Wonderful experience. Friendly staff! Beautiful Victorian. And meals are great! Truly consider trying if you are in the area!

2025-09-15 via Tripadvisor
J
Jillybean4707 Friends getaway Exeter, Devon, England
8
Interesting and quirky
Pros:

Interesting place. This is a bit old fashioned but very different!
Staff were very helpful, rooms were clean and comfortable. The restuarant wasnt open due to a function and this would have been handy to know in advance.
There is no air conditioning and lots fans are used to keep rooms cool but its a bit noisy. Overall a nice, interesting place.

2025-09-14 via Tripadvisor
M
Margaret family
10
Pros:

Rooms are clean and comfortable. The continental breakfast was fantastic. The staff was friendly as well. We enjoyed the wine time and cookies as well.

2025-09-14 via Nuitee
U
Uzma
8
Pros:

enjoyed our stay.

2025-09-06 via Nuitee
S
SHERI J. family
10
Pros:

Grea Staff!

2025-09-04 via Nuitee
M
michaelhO2061ET Couples
10
Comfortable and Charming
Pros:

The General Manager, Troy was exceptional. He was very helpful in picking yummy wines, they have a huge list of fine wines, and was a resource for our stay. My wife and I stayed in the cottage and found it very comfortable. It is an easy walk to Olde Towne Eureka and multiple hikes in the Redwoods are less than an hour drive away. Next time we are in Eureka, we will stay here again.

2025-09-01 via Tripadvisor
D
Danielle partner
8
Pros:

The inn was quaint and in a good location for the old town area. Breakfast was good and the room was comfortable. We stayed in the main building which is quite old and there is no sound proofing. Also the tub didn't drain properly as likely older plumbing.The staff, especially Sarah, were very friendly and the complimentary wine hour is good.

2025-09-01 via Nuitee
L
Linda
10
Pros:

Even thou the Inn in the downtown area. The location is safe, plenty of parking and the facility keeps the front door lock after happy hour bar closes @ 10pm. The facility is a lovely clean cute place to stay. Troy at the front is very personable and friendly. He was a pleasure to chat with. The morning breakfast was nice and the server was a delight. She sat us to our table even thou we were a tad late. The rooms are clean and stocked with the simple amenities in the bathroom. The over all stay was lovely positive experience. I would stay here again with my dog next visit.

2025-08-31 via Nuitee
C
C680BUlisak Couples
10
Lovely, indulgent place with clean lines
Pros:

The Carter House Inn was lovely. We stayed in the big building with the restaurant on the ground floor. Everything had been renovated and upgraded, looked great throughout. Pretty crown molding, lush rugs, bright paint throughout. Modern art was mixed in nicely which lightened up the otherwise heavy decor features. We were in later than expected and the front desk called and coordinated with me and even opened wine for us to enjoy once we finally got to our room. Shower and the bathroom was all modern, quick hot water. Room was impeccably clean. Breakfast was excellent, we had the quiche and buffet. Then enjoyed chatting in the comfortable lobby. The hotel is two blocks in from marina and the streets are walkable to shops. There has been a nice effort to renovate or otherwise preserve the Victorian and turn of the century buildings and early California vibe. We didn’t stay long enough to find restaurants but plan to come back and enjoy those next time.

2025-08-29 via Tripadvisor
S
Sherri
6
Pros:

Customer service. Property is unique & quaint.

2025-08-29 via Nuitee
C
Cathy
10
Pros:

An oasis in the middle of downtown Eureka. Very nice accommodations and very friendly staff. There are a number of homeless people in the area and we heard a lot of idd sounds during the night. Dinner and breakfast was very good. Would stay here again if in Eureka.

2025-08-26 via Nuitee