The Lodge at Bodega Bay — Hotel in Sebastopol

If you are looking for somewhere to relax and unwind— theBodega Bay Lodge is not it. Granted, the location is beautiful, but the rooms are looking tired, and service is inconsistent, non responsive or just bad, with no planning and management for full occupancy, and the resulting number of people using the hotels amenities. Requested items were called in and confirmed three times with the front desk, but still never showed up, ordered tea service, was charged but only got hot water, no tea, ordered cheese and charcuterie plate was charged, but only got cheese and three soggy pieces of bread. Was told the manager would call me, never did. I just gave up having to call again and again to correct orders, request items that had previously been requested. I didn’t pay for a vacation where I was calling the front desk/restaurant all the time to follow up on things. The pool, jacuzzi area was so overcrowded my husband and I literally could not sit down in that area the whole weekend of our stay, because there were so few lounge chairs and seats. People had to perch on a stone wall that lines one side of the area, yet, even with this as “seating”, my husband and I could not find a spot to sit anywhere all weekend, every single surface, seat and lounge chair— of which there were only about 20 were occupied. I asked management if they could bring more chairs to the pool area, and nothing ever happened. When I asked the front desk again at check out about there not being enough chairs, they looked shocked the situation happened, even though they confirmed that every weekend in summer is always as busy and crowded, and has been for years. What? do no staff visit the pool during the day all summer, to check, and if they always experience full capacity on the weekends in summer and have for years, they still haven’t managed to solve the problem? Although the jacuzzi occupancy limit is 12, I counted at least 30 screaming kids with their mothers jumping from the side of the jacuzzi into the water, and the pool which is small with an occupancy of only 20, was equally way over capacity. Kids were cannon balling into the pool, or running around it with the encouragement of their parents ironically enough right next to the sign that read, no running, jumping or diving. The decibel level was so high— again all under a sign that requested noise be kept to a minimum- it was hard to hear and maintain a conversation with a person standing next to me. Massages are available, but since the spa area is directly next to the pool, any relaxation a massage might offer is blunted since you will have it accompanied by the screeching of the kids at the pool. Interestingly, there is an area adjacent to the pool where management could have made additional seating available. It is outside the fenced in area of the pool, so not ideal, but at least there would be a place to sit. This place bills itself as a place to relax and de stress, and the location is beautiful, but if you are looking to use the hotel amenities you will be disappointed. We paid for a premium room ($500+) a night and couldn’t even sit at the pool once the whole weekend. Let alone get into the pool or jacuzzi.- more than disappointing. Being regulars who have come to the property every year for four years. I guess we made the mistake of coming in the summer this time, and visited when the hotel had just come under new management- overall, an incredibly disappointing experience for which we paid more than $2000 to only to end up more stressed then...

9/3/14

The next time a friend or colleague asks me to recommend a place for a fun weekend getaway, or a great retreat for a romantic rendezvous, I will encourage them to enjoy a stay at the Bodega Bay Lodge. The Lodge is only a short distance from our home in the East Bay (less than two hours away), but it's in its entirely own wonderful world. After stopping to see our family in Petaluma, we drove 30 minutes further, passing hillsides with green grass and colorful flowers, and families of black and white cows busy grazing, and happily flicking their sun-drenched tails.

We arrived at the Lodge about an hour before official check-in. We spent this time at the pool and in the fitness center. (Well, more like 15 minutes in the fitness center, and then some time at the pool). A beautiful outdoor shower is provided so you can clean off before getting into their heated pool and giant infinity spa. I took a quick cold shower which made the cool pool water feel much more welcoming. The weather was cool and breezy, so after a few laps, we enjoyed resting in front of the heated infinity spa jets. I did notice their pool is 8 ft deep. Soooo nice! I rarely see deep pools any more. It made swimming and playing in the water so much fun!

We were called when our room was ready but cell phone service was slim (even though I had internet with the free wifi they provide, I couldn't easily make or receive calls - and I have Verizon!) So we missed this call, but strolled back to the front lobby at the perfect time. The terrific welcome we were given included a description of the resort's amenities.

Our key let us into an over-sized room with a beautiful view. There was a fire place, a large bath tub, and a wonderful shower in the bathroom. There was a sound machine that we set to softly play "city sounds". When the back door to the deck was open we could hear the ocean sounds. It was a nice combination. A small fridge is also in the room, and a wonderful single-use coffee maker. My first cup of tea was full of soapy water once it was heated, and although I had to remake another cup, I was happy that their dishes were not overlooked in cleaning.

The resort has bikes available to use (free!) and we took a lovely 40 minute bike ride along a safe, winding road through the state park to the ocean. That was one of my favorite things about the weekend. The bike ride was enjoyable - even helmets are provided and the bikes are really nice.

If you want a quick bite to eat, there is a happy hour to welcome guests with cheese, crackers, and wine in the lobby where you check in. We chatted with other guests while we snacked for the hour. Even the staff were happy to be engaged in conversations. Don't eat too much here though because you'll want to check out the Duck Club. This wonderful restaurant on the premise was our dinner and breakfast destination. I can't say enough good things about the food - Our favorite items were the Oysters Rockefeller at night, and the corn-flake-crusted-French-toast the next day!

I really can't wait to go back - and I'm just as excited to sincerely recommend that my friends check the place out for a pleasurable and affordable...

We were at the Lodge for a weekend getaway to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary, and for this occasion, you want everything to be perfect. And while many things were nearly perfect, some were disappointing. Let's just list everything:

5 stars: -the property itself. -the gorgeous view over Bodega Bay. -the nice gesture of congratulating us on our anniversary with a bottle of wine. -the close proximity of the Doran Regional Park with its beautiful beach and nature area. -the heated pool which allows for comfortable swimming even when it's only 59 F outside.

3-4 stars: -friendliness and competency of the staff (generally very friendly but frazzled with inconsistent information when the water heater failed). -breakfast at the Fireside Lounge right by the fireplace with very nice service. -the room itself (not taking into consideration the amazing view from the balcony): it was reasonably spacious with a very comfortable bed, a fireplace and a seating area, but it in the end it was - view aside - just a normal hotel room that lacked some of the high end feeling (especially in the bathroom), that I would expect for the price; also, we did not find a lockbox, if there was one.

2-3 stars the gym (small for the property, but friendly and bright, with only one bike, elliptical and treadmill each and a multifunction workout tower: the hand disinfectant dispenser appeared empty).

1-2 stars: the dinner experience at the Drake: very overpriced ($60 for a Filet Mignon) with poor presentation (my wife's cocktail came in a juice glass and something must have gone wrong in its preparation: it burnt in the throat like cheap liquor and we returned it). The steak tasted OK and my salmon was a bit salty and I had better ones for half the price. Service was mediocre and moderately friendly at best: no regrets about the drink were voiced, and when I ordered ice cream as a dessert I asked for vanilla and chocolate and was told it's one or the other; I picked vanilla and received three scoops without any decoration in a bowl, asking myself why it had not been possible to replace one of the scoops with chocolate flavor.

Finally, there is the question: how much do you want to pay for a weekend getaway? This was a special occasion, and I did not look at the price, but for the amount we paid, I would have expected...