The Pines Inn and Cottages — Hotel in Grass Valley

We try to make it back to Grass Valley at least once a year, since we love the Yuba River so much. This was our first time staying here, and our first time meeting the owner/host, Tony, who runs the place as if he is welcoming everyone to his family--he has filled each room with thoughtful details and he is eager to help make one's stay as pleasant as possible. The Pines is located about a half-mile from downtown Grass Valley--it's a cluster of rooms and one cottage with a nice big yard underneath big trees and lots of chairs and hammocks to lounge in. During this past 4th of July weekend, we stayed in the cottage (#10), which had a bedroom and living area and a full kitchenette space (refrigerator, stove, microwave, etc) and had a hammock outside which we used quite a bit. Everything is super-clean and charmingly decorated. Our fridge had a water filter pitcher in it and a wire basket full of eggs, vegetables, and snacks in case we wanted to make breakfast or felt hungry (I made omelettes for us on our final morning there, and toasted bread we had bought, because there was a toaster in the cupboard). The bed was super-comfortable and we so appreciated the fitted sheet, since you don't usually get those at this price point. On our final night there, Tony, the owner, and James, the innkeeper, invited us to join them for margaritas and hotdogs with their friends and other guests and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly--you couldn't imagine a sweeter, friendlier, and more welcoming bunch. Heartily recommend this place (unless you're a misanthrope) and hope we can come back here...

Oh my gosh! This place is darling!

I arrived later than I had hoped (partly due to a stretch of freeway construction), and when I called The Pines with an ETA, I was told to call when I arrived as the office would be closed and someone would open the room.

The studio was more than I expected. The kitchen had everything I could ever need -- plus it was SO cute with its pale lavender wall color and black and white "star" tile design and tasteful art. It was charming.

The owner of the motel presented with a basket complete with everything for breakfast, plus it included an individual bottle of wine, "To help you relax after your long, difficult drive." I had been thinking that it would have been nice to have a glass of wine before dinner-- and there it was! Who would think?

And on his heels was the "motel ambassador cat," who wanted to meet me (and which made my day).

I loved that the room was updated tastefully without losing the charm of an old motel, and in addition, the bed had the MOST comfortable mattress and pillows. Plus there were plush robes and slippers in the closet.

As I was loading my car to leave, the groundskeeper smiled and waved from across the yard. It was a beautiful, sunny morning, but that sweet gesture took it all up an extra notch.

When I am back in town, I am definitely going to stay at the Pines...

This place is lovely. I'm currently staying here & have one more night. I have one of their smaller rooms. One Queen bed, a full wardrobe (think The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe style), a comfy chair, side tables, plus an eating table that has folding sides to make it bigger or smaller. I also have a full kitchen, with a Free-standing stove & oven, a full sized refrigerator, a microwave, coffee pot, kettle + my bathroom. The room feels spacious, very clean, and is adorable. I feel like I could actually live here for the rest of my life. I'm here for the weekend to relax and this is the perfect place. The owner has breakfast & in a basket for my entire stay in my fridge, along with water and, which is perfect in our triple digit weather. The wall mounted air conditioning unit is also keeping up. If it wasn't so hot, I would go out and sit on my porch or by the water feature which is lovely. Last night, I saw the firepit was lit & heard someone was playing guitar. I will definitely try to make up a reason...