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Beach House Hotel Half Moon Bay

Overall impression Our favorite feature of this unassuming facility was the view of the beach we had from our large and comfortable top floor suite.  The room was designed to take advantage of the view from almost every corner including the sleeping area. The living area had a working fireplace and a wet bar.  We could have spent several days exploring the quiet town of Half Moon Bay or just relaxing in our room; enjoying a good book and the view.

Staff members we met in our brief visit were friendly and helpful. The sea facing hotel was well situated right on the beach. Looking out toward the ocean we had the feeling we could almost reach out and touch the sand. Our first wish was to go for a beachfront walk.

The soothing sea facing room was just what we wanted after a long drive through wine country and San Francisco.  The ambiance was self service oriented allowing guests to find their way and pace comfortably. It was clean, mostly quiet (there was a lighthouse horn which took some getting used to), easy to find (just of the sea hugging highway), designed for guest comfort and to take maximum advantage of its shorefront location.

Location South of San Francisco on the coast in Half Moon Bay 

Owned/Managed Pacific beach House, LLC  

General manager Kevin Scanlon

Year opened/renovated Established in1997 and renovated in 2004

Size The Inn was on a 1.6-acre property. The building had 40,137 square feet of space including 54 loft suites. There were 31 employees.

Handicapped access There were four American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standard compliant rooms and three rooms compatible with guests with hearing impairments

Pets allowed No

Check-in/check-out Excellent, with no wait  

Languages Staff spoke Russian, German, and Spanish

Lobby and common areas The décor throughout the hotel was described as coastal casual with "the feel of a warm and comfortable beach cottage."  The Lobby which had a living room feel with a large fireplace. Furnishings aim to create "a casual yet comfortable and luxurious in feel of a welcoming home at the beach."

Room Our 500 square foot third floor Penthouse Ocean View room (#312) had a vaulted ceiling, a king bed with wood headboard and wood night tables with a lamp on each table on either side of the bed. One of the lamp tables had a phone. There was a wood desk area, chair and television in front of the bed. An open living space followed with a  cloth striped khaki and red sofa with two red cushions, a mirror above the sofa, a matching chair and a rattan chair with a red seat and back and a striped cushion. There was a large wood cocktail table in the middle. To one side there was a stone top and wrought iron table with a wood lamp and a two-line phone on it. In front of the living area there was a full size fireplace with a glass cover and mantle. To the side of the fireplace there was a Phillips remote controlled TV and a Technics receiver and five CD player. There was also small kitchen area including a sink, two burner stove, microwave oven, dinnerware, cutlery, and half size refrigerator.

Our favorite feature was the view of the beach and bay from almost any point in the room. There was also a porch with two plastic chairs and small table where we could sit and enjoy the view. 

The room was painted off white and had a couple of prints in the bedroom area. There were no other adornments on the walls. This was fine because the main tableau was just beyond our balcony.

Bathroom The bathroom was near the entrance of the room. It included a bathtub, separate shower and his and her sinks. 

Connectivity When we visited the Beach House, the only connectivity was through dial-up to our ISP's (Internet service provider) local number. Since we visited, the Hotel made T-1 HSIA service complimentary in all guest rooms and meeting rooms (wired not wireless). 

Cleanliness Excellent

Amenities   Complimentary newspaper and continental breakfast, down comforters and pillows, bottled water, cotton bathrobes, Aveda brand toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, bath gel, cotton swabs, make-up mirror, and blow drier. There was a sofa sleeper in the living area.

Facilities Pool, Jacuzzi, meeting facilities, fitness center, and business center.  

Pool Yes. It was approximately 20 feet x 40 feet, including a view of the ocean from the pool deck

Fitness center The Hotel's fitness facilities occupied 170 square feet and offered two exercise bikes, one stair machine and free weight dumbbells.  

Food and restaurants The Beach House provided complimentary continental breakfast for guests in the morning and complimentary wine and cheese receptions in the lobby on Friday evenings. Guests had to visit area restaurants for other meals.

Conference facilities There was plenty of meeting space (1800 square feet) including four separate stages for meetings or special events offering views of the mountains or Half Moon Bay. All the rooms had fireplaces.  Beachside barbeques for special occasions were organized by the in-house catering department.

Activities Sport fishing, golf at two nearby award winning courses, tide pools and reefs, acres of hot houses and field flowers, redwood preserves, surfing – some of the biggest waves in California, bird refuges, horseback riding on the beach, scenic bluff and hill top hiking trails along the ocean and bike and skate rentals in town. In addition, guests could visit the town of Half Moon Bay quaint Main Street with shops and boutiques, restaurants, bookstores and winery and cooking class spots.

Other Guests could request spa services such as massages and facials in their guest rooms or in the treatment room.    

Length of stay One night

Date of review April 2005

Would you stay there again?  Yes

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