The Cardiff Lodge was perfect for what I needed, which was a place to both relax and to work. I am partial to bed and breakfast inns but some of them I find are simply TOO lush and luxuriant; there is just no way to do something like "work" at the Jabberwock Inn in Monterey, for example. This is not a back-handed compliment for the Cardiff Lodge--it is clear that Jeanette Statser, our hostess, knew exactly what she was doing when she and her husband James planned the property. There seems to be a guest room decorated to nearly every taste imaginable, so prospective guests will often tour the property to look in available rooms and decide which setting is "them." There is also the wonderfully romantic circular Sweetheart Room which offers a panoramic view of the ocean--for the record, I can't imagine doing any work in THAT room, either. Goodness, no.

One of the rooms that is "us" is the Monticello, in which we stayed for two nights. The Monticello is on the second floor, and has dark wood with primarily green and cream decor. The bathroom is enhanced by a pink and cream scheme and sports a whirlpool tub. The high four-poster bed was exceeding comfortable; I want to know how to make my bed at home that comfortable. The Monticello gets a lot of nice natural light during the middle of the day and the ocean breeze that will come in through the almost-floor-to-ceiling paned windows is divine. This room is back in the "U" of the inn and so does not have a view but I did not feel in the least deprived. Upon walking out the door of this room, one may look over the railing wall and down into the central couryard garden and fountain. This very beautiful. When we wanted more of a view, we made our way up to the third floor to the rooftop garden. The garden is a real achievement of design, spacious but not bare, full of freshness and flowers and a dynamite jacuzzi from which to watch the sunset.

So, a couple contexts to conclude: first, plenty of guests do absolutely no work and perfectly happy not doing so. The excitement of the place for me is that it is a personalized accommodation with quality furnishings and real charm that also can be used for work or creative endeavors. There is a desk in each room; that's a important distinction for some of us working folk. Next, the breakfast is continental, not full. The pastries are generous and varied and there is a variety of beverages available. Last, I described this as a "luxury" property but in the nomenclature of the travel business, it is really not, nor with tariffs from $126-350 it is meant to be. There is a graceful but homey feel to the place. The inn shows signs of having been "lived in" here and there. It sure does feel luxurious, though.