Gosby House Inn

Tucked between the busier resorts of Monterey and Carmel, Pacific Grove has managed to avoid much of their more touristy ambiance and retains the air of being an inviting Victorian summer retreat. The Gosby House Inn is a perfect place to retreat to, with certainly a lot more fun and frolic than in days gone by when it was the summer home of a stern Methodist family. While the decor is decidedly Victorian in flavor, it has an air of whimsy and fun that banishes all formal stuffiness: teddy bears are posed rakishly on each bed. The bedrooms are scattered upstairs and down, some have garden entrances and two deluxe rooms occupy an adjacent clapboard house tucked behind the pretty garden. Over half the bedrooms have fireplaces and all have well-designed and decorated bathrooms. Each room is appealingly decorated with flowery wallpapers and comforters and many benefit from the romantic touch of antique beds. Our particular favorites are 21, a garden cottage, and 22 and 23 in the Carriage House with spa tubs and large decks. Before you step out for dinner, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and wine in the living room. A full breakfast is set out downstairs between 8 and 10 every morning. It’s a perfect location for visiting Carmel, exploring Carmel and visiting Big Sur. A Four Sisters Inn.