Martine Inn – A Romantic Historic Escape on Monterey Bay

Oceanfront Romance in Pacific Grove, California

Set directly above the rocky shoreline of Monterey Bay in Pacific Grove, Martine Inn is a historic bed and breakfast designed for couples seeking a romantic coastal retreat. Housed in a restored early-1900s mansion, the inn combines sweeping ocean views with the intimate warmth of a small, 25-room property.

Guests consistently praise the inn’s location right on the water, its relaxing, "step back in time" ambiance, and welcoming staff who create a safe, comfortable, and homelike stay.

A Living Museum for Couples Who Love Character

Historic Mansion Filled With Antiques

Originally the Parkes family estate, Martine Inn has been meticulously restored and furnished with authentic antiques from 1800–1920. Each guest room is individually decorated, many showcasing rare pieces, carved Victorian sets, World’s Fair exhibited furniture, or Art Deco and Art Nouveau originals.

Rather than a modern chain-hotel feel, couples experience the charm of a bygone era: high ceilings, leaded glass, bay windows, and rich period décor that guests often describe as visually memorable and romantic.

Intimate Scale and Quiet Atmosphere

With most rooms limited to double occupancy and a quiet-hours policy after 9 p.m., the inn naturally caters to couples and adults seeking peace and relaxation. Repeat guests return year after year for anniversaries and coastal getaways, noting how the inn has become their favorite escape for more than two decades.

Romantic Rooms & Suites

Oceanfront and Fireplace Rooms

Martine Inn offers a variety of room types tailored to romantic stays:

• Panoramic Ocean View rooms (such as Parke, Marie’s, Victoriana, The Suite, and Eastlake) feature large bay windows or multiple picture windows framing Monterey Bay, often allowing both sunrise and sunset viewing from cozy seating nooks.
• Fireplace rooms (including Carriage, Mahogany, Captain, Art Deco, Garden, Rolled Oak, and others) provide genuine wood-burning fireplaces for crackling, firelit evenings.
• Many rooms include romantic claw-foot tubs or raised dais tubs; select rooms offer step-in showers.

The ADA-accessible Carriage room offers ground-floor convenience, widened doors, grab bars, and a fireplace, making the historic inn more accommodating without losing charm.

Breakfast With a Bay View

Complimentary Cooked-to-Order Mornings

Breakfast is a highlight for many guests. Served with expansive views of Monterey Bay, the complimentary morning service features rotating dishes such as creamy French toast, eggs, oatmeal, fresh fruit, bacon, and quality coffee and juices.

Throughout the day and evening, couples can enjoy 24-hour coffee, tea, and water in the lobby, perfect for sipping while watching waves crash on the rocks or strolling the coastal pathway directly across the street.

Shared Spaces & Unique Touches for Couples

While Martine Inn is primarily a place to unwind and reconnect, it also offers thoughtful on-site diversions:

• Comfortable lounges and sitting rooms filled with books, pianos, and period furnishings
• Games and recreation like board games, a library, and ping pong/pool tables, ideal for cozy evenings in
• Binoculars available for spotting otters, seabirds, and life along the bay
• Regular display of vintage MG cars and memorabilia, adding an unexpected, photogenic twist to the historic setting

These touches create a relaxed, “so-cute” vibe that many couples find both charming and nostalgic.

Location: Walkable Coastal Adventure for Two

Martine Inn sits on Ocean View Boulevard in Pacific Grove, just a short walk from:

• Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row’s dining and boutiques
• Lovers Point Park, a classic romantic lookout and beach area
• The paved coastal recreation trail directly across the street, perfect for hand-in-hand walks along the ocean

Guests appreciate being able to park easily near the inn and explore the coastline on foot, then retreat to a quieter, less commercial neighborhood at day’s end.

Service, Atmosphere, and Who This Inn Suits Best

Many reviewers highlight the friendly, caring staff, from warm check-ins to attentive breakfast service and thoughtful goodbyes that make stays feel genuinely personal. The secure front-door code entry adds a sense of privacy and safety that couples value.

As a historic bed and breakfast, Martine Inn emphasizes character, ambiance, and location over ultra-modern amenities. Couples who love antiques, ocean views, real fireplaces, and an intimate, old-world atmosphere tend to find it especially romantic and rejuvenating.