Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [122]
In addition to the lodgings discussed below, chain motels in the area include the Ventura Beach Marriott, 2055 Harbor Blvd. (☎ 805/643-6000), which charges $149 to $189 for a double; Best Western, 708 E. Thompson Blvd. (☎ 805/648-3101), $69 to $99 double; and Motel 6, 2145 E. Harbor Blvd. (☎ 805/643-5100), $55 to $70 double. Toll-free reservation numbers appear in the appendix (p. 661).
Bella Maggiore Inn
67 S. California St. (½ block south of Main St.), Ventura, CA 93001. ☎ 800/523-8479 or 805/652-0277. Fax 805/648-5670. 28 units. TV TEL. $75–$175 double; $150 suite. Rates include full breakfast and afternoon refreshments. AE, DISC, MC, V.
European elegance pervades the Bella Maggiore, an intimate Italian-style inn whose simply furnished rooms (some with fireplaces, balconies, or bay window seats) overlook a romantic courtyard or roof garden. Breakfast is served around the patio fountain, an intimate spot known to nonguests as Nona's Courtyard Cafe. Nona's also serves breakfast and lunch daily (and dinner Wed–Sun).
Brakey House Bed & Breakfast
411 Poli St. (west of City Hall), Ventura, CA 93001. ☎ 805/643-3600. Fax 805/653-7329. www.brakeyhouse.com. 6 units. TV. $95–$195 double. Rates include full breakfast and wine and cheese. AE, DISC, MC, V.
Perfect for a romantic getaway, the Brakey House is an 1890 Victorian Cape Cod–style originally built for Robert Brakey, a local house-mover and politician. The inn has spectacular views of the ocean from the parlor, breakfast room, and two of the six units, all of which are furnished with European flair. The rooms, each named for one of the Channel Islands, are cozy and recently refurnished with plush queen beds and DVD players. Two of the rooms have Jacuzzi tubs, and there's one for all guests on the back deck.
Clocktower Inn Hotel
181 E. Santa Clara St. (1 block north of Thompson Blvd.), Ventura, CA 93001. ☎ 800/727-1027 or 805/652-0141. Fax 805/643-1432. www.clocktowerinn.com. 50 units. A/C TV TEL. $119–$149 double. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
The Clocktower Inn is a good choice for families—it's within walking distance of the beach and Ventura pier. Integrating a 1940s firehouse (now the lobby) and adjacent clock tower when it was built in 1985, the establishment manages to gracefully blend reliable convenience with Southern California flair, the end result being one of the better hotels in Ventura. All rooms come with spacious bathrooms, and many have fireplaces and private balconies. The Italian restaurant serves lunch and dinner and is home to a better-than-average bar.
Pierpont Inn
550 San Jon Rd., Ventura, CA 93001. ☎ 800/ 643-6144 or 805/643-6144. Fax 805/641-1501. www.pierpontinn.com. 77 units. A/C TV TEL. $145–$185 double; $195-$395 cottage or suite. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V.
Established in 1910, the Pierpont Inn has seen the adjacent coastline change dramatically, but the property's top-notch service and unassuming elegance have endured. Nestled in exquisitely maintained gardens, the Pierpont offers an array of lodging, from hotel-style rooms with exterior entry to lavish cottages furnished with period antiques from several different periods: the '50s Flat exudes midcentury modern, while the Vickers Estate reflects the Spanish Colonial Revival style that was the rage in the 1930s. There's a restaurant, a private racquet club, and great views of the beach. Our only complaint is that the property is fairly close to U.S. 101, and traffic noise is omnipresent outdoors.
Where to Dine in Ventura
There is no food available on any of the islands in the national