Secret Garden Inn

The Peruvian restaurant Coya is right behind the inn, and we loved the food there, breakfast both days and dinner one night. The rooms have a cozy, artistic, eclectic feel and are tastefully decorated. My family came to stay overnight after driving in from OC, but my parents liked the penthouse suite enough that we added a second night. If we hadn’t all been working Monday, we might have stayed longer, haha. I’d give the room a 4.5 technically because the bedroom got pretty warm at night, and the old AC didn’t work well. For anyone who watches kdramas, it feels like the rooftop apartment where the female lead would live. It was a perfect little staycation, and my family and I are already planning to come back.

We had dinner on the patio outside our room after asking Cafe Secret if they could serve us there. They were happy to, and it turned out to be a private, relaxed spot where we could linger. The food was incredible, and the included breakfast was just as good as dinner. Such a peaceful, romantic getaway. I’ll definitely be back.

The ocean view is just as advertised, and the “nice cream” ice cream shop on the same block made a great nighttime snack. This tucked away little place in uptown Del Mar feels a bit like an Airbnb with its own character. I’d lived half a mile away and biked past for a couple of years without noticing it. The innkeeper was very kind and pleasant to chat with while checking me in. She explained the food and restaurant details and was easy to work with. The place has a look like a Mexican restaurant, a castle, and a European style boutique room all mixed together, in a good way. It’s right below a restaurant, so you can hear some activity. If you enjoy a sense of things happening around you and have reasonable expectations, I think you’ll like it.

With only four rooms, The Secret Garden feels like a small, enchanting boutique hotel, and every room has its own style and personality. The bed was comfortable, too. The owner is very kind and clearly loves this little place. Breakfast comes from the Peruvian restaurant next door. I had excellent beef empanadas and one of the best coffees I’ve tasted in the US.