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Blue Whale Inn – reviews, photos

6736 Moonstone Beach Drive, Cambria, CA 93428
Hotel amenities
Blue Whale Inn
Ranked #20 of 33 Cambria B&B and Inns
4.5 of 5 stars 21 Reviews
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21 reviews from our community

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Aberdeenshire
Top Contributor
56 reviews 56 reviews
Reviews in 31 cities Reviews in 31 cities
26 helpful votes 26 helpful votes
“Pleasant but overpriced”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 October 2007
4
people found this review helpful

When we booked the Blue Whale Inn for one night, we knew that it was more expensive than the other places we had booked in Monterey and Sonoma but convinced ourselves that it wuld be something really special. I have to say that we were slightly disappointed.
Moonstone Drive in Cambria is on the spectacular ocean front. We, perhaps naively, didn't realise that all the seafront properties would be inns or B&Bs in one long strip! Having said that, they all look v nice and tasteful.
For the £178 room price, we were expecting a room overlooking the sea, In actual fact, the place is set out like a motel with all the rooms facing the parking lot although there is a great view from the breakfast room.
The largest single thing that put us off was the fact that no sooner had we arrived than our credit card was taken and swiped before we had even seen the room! So many other reviewers have raved about the hosts but while they were pleasant enough, they never introduced themselves altho one of the ladies did offer to book a restaurant for us.
The room itself was very comfortable and very large with a separate bathroom - it was a suite really. The hairdryer didn't work though which I would have expected to at the price we paid. I found out after I had gone to breakfast with wet hair that there should have been a replacement in the drawer.
Breakfast itself was nice and we met some good people there but we would not go back as there are so many other places to choose from.
The coastline at Cambria is stunning.
We ate at Wild Ginger which is a casual Singaporean place run by a really friendly lady called Debbie - fab!

  • Liked — The location
  • Disliked — The price and the fact that our credit card was swiped before we had even stepped thru the door!
  • Stayed September 2007, travelled as a couple
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Check-in / front desk
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
temecula
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Amazing Inn!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 July 2007
1
person found this review helpful

The inn was beautiful with breathtaking views of the ocean from the main house. You get to eat the excellent breakfast while watching the waves crash! In the afternoon they provide fresh baked cookies. Yummy! The wine and appetizers in the evening was also relaxing - and filling. We ended up being too full to eat dinner. The service couldn't have been any better! The innkeepers treated us like family. They even surprised us with a bottle of champagne and chocolates waiting in our room to celebrate our birthdays. When we asked for an extra water bottle, they gave us 7. We felt so pampered the entire time. We really didn't want to leave. We stayed 2 nights and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd recommend this Inn to everyone. You won't be disappointed. (we stayed in room 2 which was very light and airy.)

  • Liked — the service and location
  • Disliked — the price - but it was worth it
  • Stayed July 2007, travelled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Check-in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Ridgecrest, CA
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Great B&B;The Innkeepers Are Terrific!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 June 2006
1
person found this review helpful

My husband and I have been fortunate in being able to travel often during our 40 years of marriage and we recently spent our anniversary weekend at the Inn. We found everything in order, a very clean, beautifully decorated room, gorgeous common room and well-maintained grounds. The web-site was accurate. However, we must commend the Innkeppers, Jay and Karen, for making our stay so enjoyable. From their welcome greeting, through their delicious gourmet breakfasts, homemade cookies, and cocktail treats, these folks certainly know how to make an Inn stand out above the rest. Great service!

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A TripAdvisor Member
Livermore, California
1 review
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Lovely Place and Warm Hospitality!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 June 2006
2
people found this review helpful

We just arrived home yesterday after spending three wonderful nights at the Blue Whale Inn. Our room (#4) had great views of the ocean, the king size canopy bed was incredibly comfortable and the jacuzzi tub was amazing.

Every morning we walked along the boardwalk, returning in time to enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by either Vy or Karen. We took in the sights at Hearst Castle, visited several wineries in Paso Robles, shopped in downtown Cambria, flew kites along the beach and enjoyed wine and hors d'oeuvres offered in the main sitting room of the inn every afternoon. (The afternoon tastings were a good time to meet the other inn guests.)

Suppers at the Black Cat and Madelines in downtown Cambria were superb.

Our stay at the Blue Whale Inn was magnificent, thanks the friendly staff Jay, Karen, Vy and Amy and the cleaning crews who kept the rooms spotless. It truly was a memorable stay and we plan to return next year.

  • Stayed June 2006
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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A TripAdvisor Member
Los Angeles
1 review
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Won't Stay Anywhere else, The Best!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 June 2006
4
people found this review helpful

Would I stay here again? You bet. In fact it has become a "birthday" treat for myself, and a welcomed getaway for my wife and I both over the past 4years (many times twice a year). We have stayed previously at other properties in Cambria, and NONE compare to the Blue Whale. I have colleagues who have stayed at other locations both on Moonstone Beach Dr and in town, and when we compare notes, there is NO comparison.

How can you compare the Blue Whale's made from scratch "gourmet" 2 course breakfast each morning to at worst (and verified by talking to colleagues) warehouse club brought danish and muffins and canned OJ? (Yes there are inn's along Moonstone Dr that do this, at a price equal to a nights stay at the Blue Whale Inn, picture included of one of our brekfasts).

The views are magnificent from the dining room (see attached photo), the inn is large enough to offer extra comfort and services, yet small enough that the Inn Keepers always greet you by name! On the later, Jay and Karen are the BEST. We make sure we book at least one or more of our nights when they are on duty, and in turn are always rewarded with a warm handshake and greeting that makes us feel "at home". And its not just us they do this for, but for each and every guest at this inn.
The inn has changed owners at least twice since we've started staying here, but Jay and Karen have been the single thread that's kept the inn grounded and one of the reasons we keep coming back.

The rooms (there are 7) are all each unique (no cookie cutter here) and each has its own Charm and personality. There is 1 that closer to the equipment room that might get noisy during the day, so if you plan to stay in your room during the day ask for one of the rooms 1-5 or the only one we have not stayed in the "suite". But each is very comfortable, and offers a restful night no matter the room. (We've stayed in room 6, closest to the equipment room, and it too is very comfortable) While the decor maybe a little too "country cottage" for my personal taste, none are so much that it distracts or offends. Again there just very comfortable. Being a traveler on business, and lucky enough that my company will allow me to stay in places like the 4 Seasons or Ritz-Carltons' I can confidently say the rooms here are as comfortable and better equipped than those at the aforementioned 5 star locations.

Am I alone in this opinion? No. Everytime I've stayed, EVERY guest we speak with at the inn always tell us the EXACT same thing.
Having seen the 2 "negative reviews" listed here, I felt I had to say something to offset what was obviously a "fluke" and not representative of my stays and from what I can gather the stays of other guests while we've been at the inn.

Looking forward to our next stay at the inn in a few months!

  • Stayed March 2006
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Additional Information about Blue Whale Inn

  • Blue Whale Hotel
  • Blue Whale Hotel Cambria
Address: 6736 Moonstone Beach Drive, Cambria, CA 93428
Price range (per night):* INR12,266 - 15,627

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