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A Unique Inn - Martine Inn
Pacific Grove, California... Butterfly Town USA By Norm Goldman
(Pacific Grove, California)Pacific Grove was originally a Methodist
Church retreat in the 1870s. Today, it is known as a seaside
village with a quiet demure and hometown atmosphere.
There are many reasons to
visit here: the views of the rocky coastline of Monterey Bay
are spectacular, Point Pinos Lighthouse that is California's
oldest working lighthouse, an award-winning natural history
museum, an 18-hole golf course, and Asilomar State Beach and
Park.
It is also very close to
Monterey's Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and
California's first outlet center located in the renovated
tinnery which supplied the cans for the sardine industry on
historic Cannery Row in neighboring Monterey between 1921 and
1946. You will be surprised at the bargains you can pick up at
the outlet as my wife confirms!
Even noble-prize winning author John
Steinbeck enjoyed many childhood memories in the area and in
fact he used these locations in his novels Tortilla Flat and
Grapes of Wrath.
It is also the resting stop for
Monarch Butterflies that every year flock to Pacific Grove from as far
away as 2,000 miles away to escape harsh winter weather.
To enjoy all this and more, a stay at
the Martine Inn is a must where you will be enchanted with the past,
pampered by the staff and inspired to return shortly.
When we recently visited the Martine
Inn we had occasion to spend many an hour walking on the recreational
trail that runs along Monterey Bay across the street from the Martine
Inn. The trail runs for about one mile from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to
Lovers Point. The section within Pacific Grove is part of a recreation
trail network which runs from Marina to Pacific Grove and where you will
find separate walking and cycling paths.
As we meandered along the trail, we
were overwhelmed with its dazzling views and the fresh and salty breezes
often pausing to watch and listen to the sounds of the harbor seals, sea
otters and sea lions, appreciating just how fortunate we were to have
discovered Pacific Grove and this boutique inn.
It was surprising to learn from some
of the locals that Pacific Grove has more Victorian houses per capita
than any other city in America. The Martine Inn is one such home that
was built in 1899 and subsequently acquired by Laura and James Parke of
Park Davis Pharmaceuticals in 1901. As Laura was quite a socialite who
entertained a great deal many pioneers of California's early society
passed through the doors of this enchanting house.
In 1972 the Parke estate sold the
property to its present owner Don Martine who has fully renovated the
grand mansion maintaining, however, certain features as the fixtures,
turn of the nineteenth century antiques-including push button switches,
claw foot tubs, brass fixtures, marble sinks and other elements. Don has
also paid careful attention to the restoration of the mansion's fine
Victorian interior by removing paint from the mahogany and oak trims and
by stripping and refinishing the inland oak and mahogany floors. He also
added a game room and spa to the inn.
In addition, the inn now showcases
over thirty early California landscape oil paintings that include many
of the great plein air painters. After having a glimpse at some of these
paintings, we were able to have a good idea as to how the Monterey
Peninsula appeared through the eyes of these great artists almost 100
years ago.
In fact, James Parke's sister, Sally,
was among these artists, and she lived in a home constructed for her on
the family compound. You can spot several of her paintings on display
throughout the inn.
We also had a peek at some of the
inn's 24 bedrooms which all differ in colors, wall coverings, fabrics
and furniture designs. As was pointed out to us, furnishings have been
carefully selected to fit the style, size and ambience of each of the
rooms. Don searched high and low for some great bedroom suites to place
into the bedrooms and he has been successful in securing several of
which one belonged to Academy Award recipient and renowned costume
designer, Edith Head.
This 1920's American walnut Hoof
footed 9-piece bedroom set suite was placed in the room named after her
and where we stayed. The room also contains several other interesting
antiques as well as a 5 ½ foot claw foot tub with shower including rare
case iron base and a1950's European China pedestal sink with pattern. As
is the case with all guest's room, there was a rose in a Victorian
silver vase, luxurious bath towels and bed linen. All which enhanced its
romantic ambience.
Just in passing, Don is an avid
vintage car collector and he has some dandy MG's on display at the inn
and in his nearby restoration shop, where he restores these cars and
builds race engines for race-cars. It was amazing to check out some of
these rare cars that were put back into tip-top shape!
Complimentary breakfast is served in
the dining room and fresh baked delicious cookies, coffee and tea are
always available. We appreciated how the inn is large enough so that you
can remain anonymous if you choose to be, yet small enough making it
quite easy to strike up a conversation with other guests.
UNIQUE WEDDING VENUE
As an added feature, The Martine Inn
prides itself as being a great wedding venue and they have on staff an
experienced wedding consultant for advising, organizing and coordinating
the more than fifty weddings that take place at the inn during a year.
The location of weddings varies in accordance with the number of
attendees. These range from the landscape courtyard, the library with
the fireplace and inlaid, hardwood dance floor, the parlor with
fireplace and unbelievable ocean view, the party room with courtyard
view, the dining room with ocean view to the sitting room with ocean
view.
Food is freshly prepared in the inn's
own kitchen drawing on traditional creations as well as many recipes
from the original 1880s White House Cookbooks. Among the possible
choices are Teriyaki Salmon with fresh Pineapple Salsa and Filet Mignon
in a Red Wine Reduction.
Meals are served on Victorian-style
china, old Sheffield silver and crystal. Also available are champagne, a
variety of wines, beer, sparkling cider, mineral water, carbonated
drinks served by the bottle or fountain.
Information
and photo submitted
by:
Don Martine Martine Inn 255 Oceanview Blvd
Pacific Grove, Ca 93950-0330 800-852-5588
Author: Norm Goldman is the Editor of
Sketchandtravel.com and
Bookpleasures.com. He and his artist wife, Lily Azerad-Goldman
meld Norm's words with Lily's art work, and their articles can be
seen on Sketchandtravel.
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