We’ve got another fabulous post by our travel reporter Kathy Leong.
Yellow daffodils make me happy. Roaming chickens? Even happier. And llamas? Give me a capital H! These three may not always call to mind a bed and breakfast inn, but at the Glendeven Inn & Lodge, they do. On a recent stay here in the town of Little River near Mendocino, the noble quietness of the property and the views of the ocean reminded me that life can be great again.
This combined ten-room lodge and nine-room inn line the highway like many others. What makes this one distinct, other than the animals, are the touches that make you feel welcome. These include signage in the parking stall with your name on it. The best chocolate chip cookies in the world await at the check-in desk. A personal note of welcome greeted my daughter Grace and me in our suite. On the sideboard, a small sack of the same cookies and a sachet of chicken feed extended a warm hello.
Know in advance that there are two distinct lodging types. The Lodge building is a modern and newer build with hardwood floors, fireplaces, and televisions. There is a gathering room for breakfast and lounging. The ten suites and rooms are located both downstairs and upstairs.
The Lodge is where the reception desk is. (Note: you cannot check in early, so plan on 3 p.m. and check out is promptly by 11 a.m.) Also, it opens at 9 a.m., and no earlier.
If you choose the inn, you will find older furnishings. These rooms do not have televisions, but you do have access to WiFi. If you possess a penchant for Colonial décor, you will feel right at home. Grace and I stayed in the Eastlin suite, one of five rooms in a three-story Victorian dubbed the Farmhouse. Adjacent to us was another Victorian, the Stevenscroft with four rooms.
Our suite was located up on a short flight of stairs, and upon opening the door, we stepped into the bedroom, simply furnished with a few framed paintings of the ocean and trees with a set of windows covered by white sheer curtains. Curtained off to the back was another sitting room of generous size featuring a fireplace, a tall bookshelf with a few tomes, and double French doors that led to the balcony views of the llama pasture and the Pacific in the distance.
The bathroom of marble tiles and a white pedestal sink was spacious, and the shower with a curtain, no door, was also roomy. The wondrously thick bed mattress and the rich, warm sheets of a perfect thickness made this spot perfect for sleeping… which we did. In fact, the sheets are for sale at the front desk. Also heavenly was the pair of thick bathrobes that made the mornings extra comfortable.
The map of the property shows walking access to the fern canyon, the Van Damme beach, and to the Mendocino Headlands. We tromped these three trails, all before lunchtime. Each was easy an hike, each different in scope, so the inn is the perfect starting point for hiking lovers.
Breakfast is served daily at 9 a.m., and during this COVID season, you get it brought to your door. Ours arrived in a wicker basket with organic orange juice, an egg soufflé dish made of farm eggs from the chickens on the property, a homemade cheddar jalapeno corn muffin, and a fruit cup of pineapple, blueberries, and kiwi, along with coffee and tea. The basket of delights was bountiful and tasty and filling. And also during COVID, there is no wine hour, but you get a small bottle of Husch chardonnay each day. But when things get back to normal, the wine barn with high ceilings and modern furnishings will be open for in-person gatherings and complimentary tasting.
The bottom line? The Glendeven Inn and Lodge is perfect for hikers, animal lovers, and take-it-slow sojourners who need a break from the breakneck speed of life. The staff is friendly and supportive of your every need. The premises are well manicured. The fare is savory and mostly organic. The fictitious Dr. Doolittle would love it here as well as the Jackie-of-all-trades, Martha Stewart.
