Big Sur River Inn

We were only at the restaurant. The food generally wasn't as described and tasteless. Our beverage was presented in a dirty glass. We were not once asked if our meal was ok. There are other places in big sur that are by far better. Try to avoid this place unless your drunk.

Our recent California Coast Road Trip first centered around Big Sur which we had always wanted to visit, but also included Santa Barbara, Morro Bay and Carmel. We mistakenly thought that Highway #1 had reopened recently but found out the hard way that it is still closed so we back tracked a little to take the long way around back to #101 and up thru Monterey and then down #1 to Big Sur (with any luck the road repairs should be completed soon). The marine fog in Monterey & Carmel cooled the air and we wondered what the weather would be at our hotel? As we drove along it magically started to clear and by the time we arrived at The River's Inn it was bright and sunny to our great surprise, as we learned that is the norm as the mountain ridge generally blocks the incoming coastal fog. Our upstairs room in this rustic building with it's rocking adirondack love seat on the balcony looking directly out at the Big Sur River made for a most welcoming touch as we settled in. Our room, bed and bath were most comfortable with extra warm seating blankets if needed. Just to look out at the giant shade trees lining the gently flowing river's edge was like a looking at a beautiful painting that you can't imagine until you see it. We used the hotel as a hub for our daily adventures of hiking to Pfeiffer and McWay Falls, and stopping at some of the local shops and art galleries. In our outings we looked for a likely dinner restaurant and luckily decided to dine right at the hotel's own restaurant for which we enjoyed one of the best Harris Ranch ribeye steaks that we've ever had, which included a small hotel discount. In the early morning and late afternoon we went down to sit in the wooden chairs as the river flowed around us, a peace and serenity that you can seldom find anywhere. We will always look back on this very special place with the most fond memories, and make a strong recommendation to experience it for yourselves. C & C, Huntington Beach

We were here attending a wedding, hence , everyone stay’d at this motel. This is a ‘bare bones’ motel with 4 season pricing. If your a ‘nature lover, this place may be for you, but if you are a creature of simple comfort/ air conditioning, maid service, in room refrigerator, iron, proper check in process etc…..this is not the place. In addition, it’s right off the highway and the rooms are across the street from a gas station….loud motorcycles all day/nite. The front desk woman, Vicky, basically does not like her job and projects that to the customer. Saving grace the restaurant was decent, aside from an over priced menu. Would we come back? Hard NO.

Thank you for sharing your experience at the Big Sur River Inn General Store! Let’s break it down: Food Pricing: Food is expensive and already cooked. Smoothie Quality: It’s great that the smoothie was fresh, cold, and tasty. Novelty Items: The store selling novelty items like key chains, t-shirts and sweatshirts adds to the charm. Wine Collection: An extensive wine collection is a plus for wine enthusiasts. Friendly Atmosphere: Unfortunately, it seems the friendliness factor fell short in the store. I asked for directions in the manager's office and he was glad to draw an accurate map. He was friendly. I'd look elsewhere for a bite to eat.

We stayed here in 2023 and were planning on going again. This week, I made a mistake on booking and booked the same day as I was making the reservation. I realized my mistake the day after we were expected to be there. I phoned, explained my mistake and management kindly refunded my money, even they were in no way obligated to do so. I am grateful for their generosity and understanding. We will stay there again!

This is a beautiful place to stay and is perfectly located to explore Big Sur. We were really grateful that they let us check in early and we could park right outside our room. The cabins are comfortable, although the shower was a bit rubbish. Our only major frustration was that the bar / restaurant shut at 8:30pm and is quite expensive. After a day of hiking we were looking forward to a few drinks and a late dinner. It's a shame there was nowhere to do that on site, as everywhere else was a driving distance away.