Elk Cove Inn & Spa

We had our wedding at Elk Cove Inn and spent the most amazing weekend there. Melissa and her husband put so much love into the place, and you can feel it. Melissa was attentive and thoughtful about every detail the whole time. It was our dream venue, and we never wanted to leave the clean, spacious, cozy rooms that felt like home. And the food deserves another mention: generous portions, all delicious. Our whole family is still raving about it. We’ll recommend the inn for years and can’t wait to come back.

The room was comfortable, and the bed was terrific. Breakfast came to the room included, and it arrived hot. I found Elk Cove Inn and Spa while looking for somewhere nice along the Mendoncino coastline. It’s a beautiful little hidden gem on Hwy 1, with wonderful innkeepers and staff. There’s a path down to the shore for exploring the beach and coastline. The food was over the top, with a world renown chef, in my words. I highly recommend it and plan to return in the coming weeks.

I’ve traveled all over the world, and this is the most peaceful place I’ve stayed. One rainy February day I sat by the window, watching the waves hit the huge rock outcropping, and felt like the rain was washing my soul clean. I was so calm I never even opened my laptop. Elk Cove Inn is a boutique B&B just down the hill from the tiny town of Elk, a little south of Mendocino. Its dozen-plus beach cottages are rustic, cozy, and private, with sublime views of Elk Cove, where waves crash against a gigantic rock. Maybe it’s the tucked-away setting, Melissa the wonderful owner and host, the terrific restaurant on site, or all of it together. This isn’t a Ritz-Carlton kind of stay. The charm, privacy, and lack of corporate-looking buildings make it feel like a special hideaway from another time, somewhere the rest of the world doesn’t know about.

We keep coming back to this place. The inn and the lovely quiet beach below it are in a fantastic spot. Dinner at Elk Cove Inn is consistently delicious, and Victor is a marvelous chef. His wife Melissa makes us feel at home, whether we’re in the dining room or arranging our stay with her.