Olympia Lodge: Serenity in the Trees in Pacific Grove
James Raia
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Nearly hidden among often flowering shrubbery, there's an old mural blanketing a small section of the recreation trail in Pacific Grove, Calif. The mural details the history of the quaint city and it features the enduring motto: "Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey-by-the-Smell and Pacific Grove-by-God." 
The slogan isn't fair, of course. It dates to bygone times on the Monterey Peninsula. What is relevant about the saying today is that the area's three primary communities have vastly different "personalities."
Specialty restaurants to varying accommodations, the three primary peninsula locales are extraordinarily close geographic neighbors, yet they're surprisingly different.
As one example, I've traveled to the Monterey Peninsula for more than 20 years, but it had been several years since I'd opted for accommodations in P.G. (as locals calls it).
Yet on a recent trip, I spent three nights at the renovated Olympia Lodge and rediscovered the serenity of the city and its wondrous small-town appeal.
Located near the far reaches the city's main street, Olympia Lodge (1140 Lighthouse Ave.) sits among several other area hotels, motels and bed and breakfast locations undergoing a resurgence of interest as affordable, quiet and clean lodging options. They're all tucked away among mature pine trees and within a short walk to the Pacific Ocean shoreline.
During my stay, I had a third-level room overlooking the pool and with a sliding glass door that opened onto a small deck with an ocean view. The lodge is unique in that all rooms have outside entrances and all are located along rustic wooden walkways. It's an old-style approach, and it's also refreshing and appropriate considering the serene, woodsy nature of the locale.
The lodge renovation is more readily apparent inside the rooms. My spacious room had a beam ceiling, nicely spaced modern furniture in a wood motif and a clean, if small, bathroom. The bed was particularly comfortable and the room had the usual appointments -- hair dryer, refrigerator, iron and ironing board.
Olympia Lodge: Serenity in the Trees in Pacific Grove
The slogan isn't fair, of course. It dates to bygone times on the Monterey Peninsula. What is relevant about the saying today is that the area's three primary communities have vastly different "personalities."
Specialty restaurants to varying accommodations, the three primary peninsula locales are extraordinarily close geographic neighbors, yet they're surprisingly different.
As one example, I've traveled to the Monterey Peninsula for more than 20 years, but it had been several years since I'd opted for accommodations in P.G. (as locals calls it).
Yet on a recent trip, I spent three nights at the renovated Olympia Lodge and rediscovered the serenity of the city and its wondrous small-town appeal.
Located near the far reaches the city's main street, Olympia Lodge (1140 Lighthouse Ave.) sits among several other area hotels, motels and bed and breakfast locations undergoing a resurgence of interest as affordable, quiet and clean lodging options. They're all tucked away among mature pine trees and within a short walk to the Pacific Ocean shoreline.
During my stay, I had a third-level room overlooking the pool and with a sliding glass door that opened onto a small deck with an ocean view. The lodge is unique in that all rooms have outside entrances and all are located along rustic wooden walkways. It's an old-style approach, and it's also refreshing and appropriate considering the serene, woodsy nature of the locale.
The lodge renovation is more readily apparent inside the rooms. My spacious room had a beam ceiling, nicely spaced modern furniture in a wood motif and a clean, if small, bathroom. The bed was particularly comfortable and the room had the usual appointments -- hair dryer, refrigerator, iron and ironing board.
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