By Maria Gaura
This story originally appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle
Cambria, CA (Oct. 2007) -- When a gardener turns hotelier, the outdoor rooms can
be an attraction in their own right. That is the case at Cambria Pines
Lodge, where well-raked garden paths meander from one leafy enclosure to
the next.
Owner Dirk Winter, whose 10 Moonstone boutique hotels share a
gardening theme, has transformed this rambling, Depression-era resort on
the Central Coast into a romantic getaway with an environmental twist.
COMFORT ZONE
The lodge was built in the late 1920s, but new construction over the
decades means there are nine types of rooms, including rustic cabins,
buildings housing four to eight rooms and suites, and new freestanding
units holding one "deluxe suite" or two "superior rooms." Our year-old,
spacious "superior room" boasted high ceilings, sunny back patio,
double-hung windows that we left open all night, a gas fireplace with
stone hearth, ceiling fan and good reading lights. The two queen beds had
comfy foam mattresses, fresh-smelling cotton sheets and thick down
comforters. Despite sharing a wall with the next unit, we never heard a
peep.
BATH AND BEYOND
The bath was sparkling and well-designed, with vast counter space, mirror,
wall-mounted hair dryer and shelves stocked with sea-green towels. A tiled
shower sported a glass door and wall-mounted gizmo dispensing shampoo,
soap and lotion. Additional soap bars and lotion bottles filled a
countertop basket. The ceramic bathtub, separate from the shower stall,
had a handheld shower attachment. A discreet window allowed for additional
fresh air.
GEARED UP
Flat-screen TV with cable, microwave, mini-fridge, clock radio,
coffeemaker and iron.
GROUNDS FOR APPROVAL
The meticulously kept grounds are a gardener's treat, including a rose
garden, a spiky and beautiful xeriscape, a whimsical birdhouse garden and
an open lawn with a huge barbecue. For romantics, there are wandering
paths perfect for an arm-in-arm stroll and benches for two tucked into an
undulating hedge. Most adorable is an al fresco bedroom suite, the
"mattress" upholstered with bedding plants. A certified organic kitchen
garden supplies the on-site restaurant. The heated outdoor pool, long
enough for exercise, and hot tub are brand new; poolside lounges have
thick red cushions. Also on hand: a ballroom, a day spa and a roomy bar
with antler chandeliers and sofas - a good spot for morning coffee.
IN THE VICINITY
Pretty much anything you see growing in the gardens can be found for sale
at Cambria Nursery and Florist, also owned by Winter and a short stroll
from the lodge. The nursery's theme gardens range from a Japanese tea
house to a grass-roofed cottage. Walk a bit farther to visit Cambria's
East Village, a Carmel-like jumble of owner-operated galleries, shops and
cafes, or drive 10 miles to Hearst Castle. (For details on Hearst Castle,
see the Oct. 21 Travel story "Hearst Castle proves worthy of pilgrimage".)
GOOD TO KNOW
Before booking, go online to view room types - not all have amenities like
foam mattresses or flat-screen TVs, and in addition to five wheelchair
accessible rooms, two are hypoallergenic and 26 are "pet-friendly". When
you settle your bill, Moonstone Hotels gives a certificate worth 50
percent off your next visit; it also gives small garden-themed gifts and
free upgrades to regular customers. Cambria's narrow streets can be
jam-packed in summer, but after Labor Day hotel rates plummet, parking
spots reappear and the Central Coast enjoys some of its best weather. The
county room tax is 9 percent.
HIGHS AND LOWS
One of the mattresses in our room was beginning to sag in the middle, but
that was literally the only problem we encountered during our stay. (We
never complained about the mattress, we just made our fourth-grader sleep
on it.) The hotel staff is alert and helpful, even mailing our discount
certificates after we failed to check out in person.
VITALS: 2905 Burton Dr., Cambria (San Luis Obispo County). (805) 927-4200.
www.cambriapineslodge.com, www.moonstonehotels.com. 152 rooms and suites
(five wheelchair -accessible). Standard rooms $109 (winter, midweek) to
$179 (summer, weekend); deluxe suites, $209 (winter, midweek) to $399
(summer, weekend). Two-night weekend minimum, three nights for some
holidays. Weekday specials November-February as low as $69; check online.
This review originally appeared Oct. 25, 2007 in the San Francisco Chronicle
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