Deetjen's Big Sur Inn

48865 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920-9512
Traveler (306)
Room & Suite (76)
Dining (40)

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#5 of 8 hotels in Big Sur
Location
4.7
Cleanliness
4.3
Service
4.1
Value
3.8
Deetjen's Big Sur Inn is a non-profit dedicated to the preservation and rehabilitation of the historic Big Sur Inn at Castro Canyon. A stay at Deetjen's is a step-back in time; you are immersing yourself in the unique historic experience that Grandpa and Mrs Deetjen created more than 75 years ago. The rooms are preserved in their original form with single-wall redwood construction, hand hewn doors and windows, and antique adornments. Some rooms have wood-burning stoves. The room experience is rounded out by reading and writing in each room's unique journal. You may also enjoy reading the journals of the past which are securely cataloged in the Deetjen's Archive. There are no TV's nor telephones in the rooms; there is no cell service on the property and there is no Wifi. Reservations can be made by calling the inn.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Outdoor dining area
Wine / champagne
Hiking
Board games / puzzles
Non-smoking hotel
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Historic Hotel
Charming
487Reviews11Q+A100Room tips
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Great Expectations wrote a review Feb 2023
Montecito, California45 contributions31 helpful votes
Very disappointed that Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn charged us a 10% fee for a whopping $78 to refund our deposit when we had to cancel our reservation because Route 1 was closed all the way north from San Simeon due to the heavy rains this winter telling us we could just drive south from Carmel which would have added driving an extra 100 miles from where we live! I can understand deducting the credit card fee of maybe 3% or 4% they probably have to pay, but not 10%.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
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John S wrote a review Oct 2022
28 contributions26 helpful votes
Last stayed here in 1969. Unforgettable. Now a few years later. Still unforgettable. Still rustic redwood cabins in small redwood canyon. Terrible destructive storm a few years ago nearly forced closing. But same quirky place that time has barely touched. Good beds good linens good staff good breakfast. Character galore. Worth a voyage.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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WorldBeatCalifornia wrote a review Aug 2022
California12 contributions4 helpful votes
This used to be a fabulous restaurant. We would often stop to have dinner even when not staying there. But my last dinner was mediocre and service poor. I hope management can recover its quality. Fingers crossed!
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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stefdoj wrote a review May 2022
Columbia, Maryland258 contributions55 helpful votes
My wife and I stayed here one night on our trip up the PCH, making this our layover between Santa Barbara and Carmel. It is a collection of rustic cabins nestled in the redwoods right on Hwy 1. While modest, the cottages are impeccably clean and as cozy and charming as you could possibly want. There are no amenities: just a very warm comfortable bed, a few chairs and a bathroom. We were in the one called Chateau Fiasco but I'm sure the others are similar. There is one short / steep walk from the grounds up to a view of the ocean, but otherwise there is nothing within walking distance. The three state parks with Pfeiffer in their names are all nearby, however.
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Date of stay: May 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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MRA1965 wrote a review Oct 2021
Oxford, United Kingdom37 contributions16 helpful votes
Wonderful place in amongst the big Redwoods with the cutest log cabins, beautifully decked out. Breakfast was great - superb pancakes and coffee. Didn't manage to eat here in the evening but it looked great. Big Sur itself was the highlight of our California road trip - unreal beauty and so unspoilt.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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SSLolly wrote a review Jul 2021
Orange, California6 contributions6 helpful votes
We loved our stay at Deetjen's. It was the perfect place for us to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. The staff were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The food (for the one dinner and one breakfast we ate at the restaurant) was delicious. The lodgings are rustic but comfortable - like a home away from home cabin. The peace and quiet was exactly what we were looking for. Deetjen's is close enough to most major points of interest in Big Sur yet feels miles away from everything since you're off the grid. We definitely would love to come back and experience different rooms. Thank you for the stay, it was a much needed reprieve from technology and traffic!
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: Their restaurant is closed W/TH but there are other options close by. Bring a cooler and snacks....
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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idyllwildgirl wrote a review May 2021
Honolulu, Hawaii242 contributions95 helpful votes
We stayed here one night and were excited by the positive reviews. I didn’t see any negative reviews that were recent so we booked it. As soon as we saw the room (we were in Fiasco an upper unit) we knew it wouldn’t be fun. So we went out for dinner and returned to read. First the outside porch chairs are basically rotten wood, so not something you could actually sit in or relax. The room was quite warm even at 5pm in mid May, so we opened the half door for a nice breeze until a huge bee was hanging around. The screens on the windows are not well fitting so we hoped for the best. My husband was going to read in the only chair provided and that turned out to be difficult as its an old chair that needs to be reupholstered, i.e. stuffed and fortified. I sat in it to take my shoes off and something stabbed me in the leg...like a pin or a staple or ????? The bathroom floor was sticky when I walked barefoot on it (it was old vinyl and looked clean) so that was gross. This place would be much better if they kept up with the maintenance of the wood (we used to own a log cabin so we know what we’re talking about with maintenance) but it was obvious everywhere we looked that they are not bothering to maintain or enhance the property but raking in huge fees (I paid $361 for this room). The description of the place is very romantic but there’s a reason that there are only a few rooms pictured. Also if we ordered breakfast (the restaurant was open for breakfast only they told us) we were going to have to carry it back up to this room to eat! Ugh....no..... They didn’t serve coffee till 7:15 am so we were out of there at 6am.
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Date of stay: May 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
5 Helpful votes
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Nikki D wrote a review Dec 2020
Los Angeles, California9 contributions3 helpful votes
My partner and I had a two week trip to Oaxaca planned to celebrate our one year commitment ceremony/first year as domestic partners, anniversary that unfortunately due to the intensity of covid here and abroad, we had to cancel at the last minute. Left scrambling to put together an anniversary trip at record speed I decided to call Deetjans on a lark. In the past when I've tried to reserve a room they have been booked months in advance. This time however luck was on my side. Unbeknownst to me they had been closed since August and had softly re-opend for business days before I called. The Castro Cabin was available and we took it. Upon arrival we were immediately overwelmed by the beauty of the property, it calls back to an older generation of artists and travelers that still lingers around the corners of Big Sur. We were greeted by Clarissa who was so very chill, kind and helpful. The cabin itself was A DREAM! Its small but clean and everything you could possibly want is there, extra blanket, heater, outlets, racks for jackets, cups and extra towels and a place to even put your shoes. Most of all Big Sur is the star. Outside our cabin was a creek and gurgling water we fell asleep to and towering trees that smelled divine. No wifi but whatever, we knew that before arriving and dowloaded movies, ordered take out from the Big Sur Bakery, the BEST food and snuggled up in the little wood cabin. At night we went out and looked at the stars on our deck. The property was mostly empty and we had it to ourselves, a few property cats, Chester and Baton Rouge withstanding. We woke up from the best sleep ever and went out to grab complimentary tea, coffee and wrapped pastries- covid safe- and met Matt, the hotel manager who was also SO NICE. We decided to stay an extra night and wish we were still there now. The restaurant is set to re-open in the spring and we will be back. What a magical rejuvenating and perfect stay. Thank you Deetjan's for making our one year anniversary the most wonderful adventure ever. ALSO be sure to bring cash to tip the also, truly kind and wonderful cleaning women. Cash is short these days due to covid and I'm deeply ashamed to say I left without leaving a tip and that's sh**t. Learn from our mistake and grab cash before arriving. Big Sur closes early and atms are far and few between.
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Date of stay: December 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
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Ehartshorn wrote a review Feb 2020
Brooklyn, New York38 contributions9 helpful votes
+1
Deetjan’s was one of the most beautiful places I’ve stayed. My wife and I brought our two young kids and everyone loved it. I will definitely return there! The restaurant was excellent as well. I recommend it!
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
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Will L wrote a review Nov 2019
Mississauga, Canada39 contributions33 helpful votes
have been a repeat client albeit many years apart. was glad to find it remains as it was. food was fantastic. decor is eclectic and service is friendly. very peaceful and would definitely return. The setting was exactly what we were looking for
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Date of stay: October 2019
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
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ALSO KNOWN AS
deetjen`s big sur hotel big sur, deetjens big sur hotel, deetjens big sur inn
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaBig Sur
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
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DEETJEN'S BIG SUR INN - Updated 2023 Prices & Resort Reviews (CA)

Frequently Asked Questions about Deetjen's Big Sur Inn
Which popular attractions are close to Deetjen's Big Sur Inn?
Nearby attractions include Pfeiffer Beach (2.9 miles), Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (3.2 miles), and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (3.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Deetjen's Big Sur Inn?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, free parking, and breakfast.
What food & drink options are available at Deetjen's Big Sur Inn?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, breakfast, and an outdoor dining area during their stay.
Is parking available at Deetjen's Big Sur Inn?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Deetjen's Big Sur Inn?
Conveniently located restaurants include Deetjen's Big Sur Inn Restaurant, Sierra Mar, and Nepenthe.