We have traveled to many places abroad as well as in the USA and usually stay in unique places with either special ambience or places that are off the beaten path. We have stayed in the finest and the simplest hotels, humble B&B’s, as well as a rustic log cabin in the woods. So far we have been fortunate in our choices, because all have been clean and accommodating. However, we made a POOR choice when we selected the BLACK HERON INN. The website shows a scenic, idyllic spot on Tomales Bay and that was our deciding factor. We selected the Grand Suite, which was the best the Inn had to offer. Entrance to our suite led through a small, slightly lop sided kitchen door. The first thing that drew our attention was the dark, deep purple dingy looking carpet. Then the living area, which was filled with old outdated, shabby furniture, reminiscent of cast off stored in an attic or bought from a thrift store. The only drawers available were found in the old office desk and they were dirty.(We decided not to unpack). There was a glass door which separated the owner’s quarters from the Grand Suite. A spider clung to the curtain covering this doorway. Superficial dusting had been done, but it was evident that the place was in dire need of major spring cleaning. The bathroom towels and rugs were the same color as the deep,...We have traveled to many places abroad as well as in the USA and usually stay in unique places with either special ambience or places that are off the beaten path. We have stayed in the finest and the simplest hotels, humble B&B’s, as well as a rustic log cabin in the woods. So far we have been fortunate in our choices, because all have been clean and accommodating.
However, we made a POOR choice when we selected the BLACK HERON INN. The website shows a scenic, idyllic spot on Tomales Bay and that was our deciding factor. We selected the Grand Suite, which was the best the Inn had to offer. Entrance to our suite led through a small, slightly lop sided kitchen door. The first thing that drew our attention was the dark, deep purple dingy looking carpet. Then the living area, which was filled with old outdated, shabby furniture, reminiscent of cast off stored in an attic or bought from a thrift store. The only drawers available were found in the old office desk and they were dirty.(We decided not to unpack). There was a glass door which separated the owner’s quarters from the Grand Suite. A spider clung to the curtain covering this doorway. Superficial dusting had been done, but it was evident that the place was in dire need of major spring cleaning. The bathroom towels and rugs were the same color as the deep, dark purple carpet. We were unable to determine whether they were soiled or clean. they certainly did not smell fresh. The bathroom window screen was laced with cobwebs and particles of dead insects.
The upstairs loft housed more dated, dusty furniture and a king size bed which was covered with old discolored linens and bed covers which consisted of a mish-mash of textures, colors and patterns none of which seemed to blend with the non existing décor. An extra twin bed in the living area only served to make the place look more cluttered and small.
A glass enclosed porch offered a view of the meadows and the Bay in the distance. Even though the view was pretty, it was marred by the dirty glass panes and the blazing afternoon sun made it impossible to sit there. There is no A/C at the Inn. The pair of shrunken home-made looking white curtains which separated the glassed-in porch from the living room was not enough to ward off the afternoon heat in the Grand Suite.
We were told that the fridge would be stocked with 3 days worth of breakfast items. The skimpy provisions were an embarrassment not worth mentioning. All in all, the Black Heron Inn was not a pleasant place to stay. We contemplated leaving, but could not find a suitable place over the holiday weekend. For the mandated prepaid cost of $852.50 (their “discounted rate”), at a minimum, the owner should have provided, clean white linens, fresh white towels, a tastefully decorated, dust free environment and clean windows. We hope that this review will initiate a change!More