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Asilomar Conference Grounds
Rating Details »
Categories: Hotels, Venues & Event Spaces
800 Asilomar BoulevardPacific Grove, CA 93950
(831) 372-8016
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63 reviews for Asilomar Conference Grounds
I have attended yearly weekend Christian Women's conferences at Asilomar. Rooms are decent, food is OK, grounds and surrounding areas are peaceful and beautiful and my rooms have always been very close to the beach.
The fragrant smell of eucalyptus are all around while walking and crunching acorns under foot in the forestry grounds.
I attended a conference here a couple of weeks ago and had the time of my life. How many other conference grounds are located within a gorgeous state park? As such, to preserve the tranquility of the surroundings, there is no TV in any of the rooms. The Social Hall, where you check in, has free wi-fi though, for people who absolutely need their internet fix.
But who needs internet when you're across the street from the Pacific Ocean? Really.
The grounds are large. My conference had almost 650 attendees and there was enough space for lots of meeting rooms and bedrooms (with some doubling up). The buildings are rustic and built in the Arts and Crafts architecture style, though electronic key cards let you into your room.
As mentioned earlier, the bedrooms are chilly and the heaters can be loud. The walls are definitely thin. I heard a crying baby in the next room very easily. These weren't dealbreakers for me, perhaps other rooms had it worse. But honestly with all the nature surrounding you and meetings you're presumably attending, you're not going to spend a lot of time in your room. Go rent a bike from the front desk and explore instead.
I can't comment on the food because our meals were prepared with dietary restrictions specially for all of us conference-goers (kosher, mainly vegetarian). It was decent.
If you want to see the Monterey Aquarium or Cannery Row and didn't rent a car, you can take the 1X bus which stops a few yards from Asilomar's entrance. http://www.mst.org/ind...
Stayed two nights for a work retreat.
Pluses
Beautiful grounds.
Beach
Vegetarian food options
Fireplaces in some rooms
Minuses
Old heaters in rooms without fireplaces
Thin Walls
No drinking allowed in common areas unless our group payed an extra fee.
Ants in my room
Worn out furnishings
Overall, I'd go again just to be sleep in a room within earshot of the surf, the food and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere
I spent four days here for a diversity leadership retreat, and I must say that this is one of the most relaxing places I've ever been in.
The location of these grounds is simply ideal. While we weren't allowed to step off the grounds in order to maintain the sanctity of the retreat, the fact that there was a few grocery locations nearby meant you could easily take advantage of the lack of the "outside world."
While each of the dormitories at the conference grounds are old with rather loud heating systems, the fact that each are without a TV or radio suggest that you would not have to deal with the stress of the outside world. Of course, you can always head to the social hall if you need your Wi-Fi fix--I'm not gonna lie, e-mail is definitely important. The Social Hall is also a good place to shoot a game of pool with the two billiard tables that they have.
As for the meals the grounds serve, you can expect quite a good balance of protein and vegetables. The meals I've had were very diverse as they included such items as poached eggs, blondies, steak, pork chops, spinach, sweet potato, salmon, a handful of other delicious and nutritious dishes.
Right across the main conference grounds is also a very clean beach. I spent quite a few nights just lying on that beach wondering about the obstacles I'd have to face next.
Considering I was here for a leadership retreat, I didn't pay for a thing. So while I can't make any judgments about whether a stay here is worth your money, should you ever be offered to spend some time here, you should definitely take up that offer.
The grounds are gorgeous! Beach front! The rooms all have fireplaces but there's no tv or Internet! So be prepared!! The complimentary breakfast is decent. I was forced to relax because I had no modern amenities!
I was here for a company conference, the location is awesome; 15 mins away from Cannery row. A short walk to the beach, and many of the rooms have beach/ocean views. The rooms and buildings had a lodge-y rustic vibe. Price wise, you can't get more location for the buck.
However there are some areas for improvement... The vaulted ceilings have no insulation, and it can get pretty cold at night. Our room's heater sounded like it was getting hit with a hammer whenever it was running, and it was running all night to keep us warm. I got very little sleep.
I am able to forgive these fairly glaring issues, because of a midnight beach experience I had on the last night at Asilomar.
On a cloudless night, a bunch of us went out to the beach at midnight and came across a flickering bonfire someone had left. Throwing another piece of wood on the fire, we were able to get it started again. I spent the next few hours around the warmth of the fire, chatting among friends. Unforgettable.
I found this on Travelzoo as one of their Top 20 deals ($89/night with breakfast). It looked amazing, so I decided to give it a shot.
The location is definitely 5 stars. The squeaky bed, outdated furnishings, and thin walls bring it down to 4 stars. Sure, there's no TV, but that's what makes it so relaxing. Bring a deck of cards or a board game to pass the time. Get out of your room and explore the gorgeous beach that's right in front of you!
Driving around the grounds reminded me of being at camp. There are about 10 rooms per cabin and a couple of meeting rooms with fireplaces for you to use at your leisure. The front lobby has a pool table and ping pong (both free), as well as free Wi-Fi.
My bf and I were the only people using the pool one late afternoon in mid-October, but that's probably because it was in the 50's. The pool was heated and quite warm compared to the outside temps!
The breakfast wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Our server said that a new company just bought the conference grounds, but I had no complaints! The food was good, they even had organic yogurt...yummy!
This is the only conference grounds I've stayed at.
My coworker and I shared a room. Every room is veryyy old. Our room had a fireplace and 1 full and 1 twin size (pull out) bed so we just took turns sleeping on the twin bed. We never really got to use our fireplace but our room smelled like smoke from the first day we got there. We didn't get shampoo or conditioner our first night there and there's no TV or phone in our room so we couldn't call the front desk (we didn't know the number).
Breakfast: eggs and ham, pancakes or eggs w/cheese, beef hashbrowns, and english muffin
Lunch: sandwich, an apple, small bottled water, rice crispy treat
Dinner: their only good meal. Luckily, it was always a pleasant meal.
One PLUS is that the location is very close to Carmel and the beach. My coworkers and I went to Carmel for afternoon tea during lunch, a very much needed break!
I LOVE it here. I went to Asilomar for the first time last summer for a work conference. It's a wonderful, wonderful place for a conference.
I can't really add much here that hasn't already been said, but just my two cents - I actually only ended up spending one night at the grounds, because the water pipes burst in our room after the first night. Asilomar was sold out due to the conference, so they put my roommate and I up at a nice hotel across the street. We still took all our meals and meetings at the grounds though.
I personally thought the food was fine. Definitely get the veggie stamp, because they will make you pretty much whatever you want if you are a vegetarian. I found the breakfast to be the best. They have one of those nice metal milk machines that serves the milk so delicious and cold. This always makes me very happy to find one of these machines!
Just this month I was back in northern CA and just had to take a side trip to visit Asilomar for a couple of hours. We had a nice time walking around the grounds, visited the gift shop and did the 17-mile drive. Two hours of time out of our day and well worth it.
I heard while there this past time that Asilomar has been purchased by some corporate organization that also runs Hearst Castle. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing.
Asilomar has idyllic buidlings, designed by Julia Morgan and one of the most beautiful Northern California beaches I've ever visited. I have stayed on the grounds four times for an annual work conference and have enjoyed every visit. This is not your typical hotel or conference center--so those arriving with the expectation of elevators, bell desks, TV, internet access and Starbucks may be disappointed.
What it lacks in amenities, it more than makes up for in scenic beauty. Every twist and turn leads you to views of dunes, flowers, the ocean, deer and birds. The air feels clean and clear and it almost feels like you step back in time during your visit. You forget about TV and take in the natural world.
I have stayed in the Longview rooms, Stuck Up Inn and one called The Lodge (I think). Many rooms have wood floors, exposed beams, fire places and views of the ocean. A friend had a great room in Sea Galaxy with vaulted ceilings, a balcony and an ocean view.
Asilomar is lovely. A California treasure.
I saw several deer grazing right next to my window when I stayed in Stuck Up Inn. Just breathtaking and beautiful.
The food is very good and so is the service. If you expect to have everything exactly to your specifications, you need to relax and go with the flow here. It's good food, but you don't get to call the shots. I didn't love every meal, but I liked every meal and I liked meeting new people and chatting with them.
I have stayed at Asilomar since the early 1980's and absolutely love the setting and some of the rooms and suites BUT the dining room must have been managed by convicts on parole with comparable grub. Even the breakfast was horrible and it take darn hard work to mess up breakfast. The lunches were even worse. I had better food during Naval Pre Flight training as a recruit. Dinner, forget it. Don't even go there. Wouldn't eat there if it was the last supper.
Here is a list of parks managed by Delaware North so you can make alternate food and dining plans well in advance:
Our Park & Resort Locations
The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel
Gideon Putnam Resort
The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake
Grand Canyon
Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa
Jones Beach State Park
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
& Astronaut Hall of Fame
Niagara Falls State Park
Sequoia National Park - Wuksachi Lodge
Tenaya Lodge
Holiday Inn West Yellowstone
Yellowstone General Stores
Yosemite National Park
Deleware North now manages this lovely place and their reputation nationally is lousy! They have managed to take Yosemite National Park to a new low: poorly maintained facilities, lousy dining with high prices, and a holier than thou attitude.
I went for a work retreat. It was cold in November, but the beauty of the beaches still was great. Walking down the wooden path to the beach to find... huge piles of seaweed kicked in by the ocean since the summer (the beach is not for swimming). A cute little neighboring town to get some food in. Monterey in the distance with its aquarium.
The rooms are just fine, unless you're a 4-star kinda person. It was definitely low key--clean and simple, no televisions, attention to earth-friendliness, and nestled in the outdoors.
The main drawback is the food. If you plan on eating in the on-site cafeteria, think twice! Unless it's only one meal...
I've been coming to Asilomar every January for the past 6 years for a student leadership retreat I coordinate. The location is just beautiful with barely a two minute walk to the beach. The grounds are well kept and is filled with wildlife (tons of deer and raccoons running about. No possums to be seen though--thank Buddha!).
If you're planning on coming here, keep in mind that the facility is geared for Conferences as opposed to your traditional hotel/motel. Rooms are minimally furnished (though I had a fabulous fireplace this year) and dining takes place is a common hall.
However, what sets Asilomar above the rest of the conferences facilities I've contracted with is the service. Consistently courteous and extremely professional from year to year. Keep in mind, I only come once a year but I am always warmly greeted by name (sometimes with hugs) by the same front desk staff, catering managers, dining hall managers, etc. They are quick to address any needs I request which is extremely comforting as an event planner.
The only downside is that their rates have increased a pretty penny over the past few years and they are now charging for many things that used to be gratis. Eh, it's a bad economy.
Don't go here, seriously, because then it will get more crowded then it all ready is and I will have less and less chance of getting the fabulous upstairs room with vaulted ceilings, fireplace, and views of the Cypress grove, the ocean waves breaking on the rocks, and part of the Pebble Beach golf course - all outside my patio door. There are other rooms I've experienced here that are smaller and have no view, but it doesn't seem to matter once we walk outside our room, down to the beach, and experience the tide pools.
Ok, so my motives are purely selfish, but that's what I go here for! No phones, no TV, no one except me and my honey and nature. We can pay for the "dinner and breakfast" package and meet the most interesting people at the dining table, or we can save that money to forage for ourselves in Monterey 10 minutes away. Most usually we head down to Big Sur for the day and take in the views at Nepenthe - oh but don't go there either or we might not get that great table with the view straight off the cliffs and out to the middle of the ocean.
INSIDER HINT: Arrive 1 hour before check in and ask for the room you want. They will say "Your room is ____ in ____ building" which will most likely be a small room with no view and no fireplace, hoping you will just say "thank you" and walk away. Don't leave it at that. Say the magic words "Oh, but do you have anything available with an ocean view and fireplace?" With this simple question you will then be handed the keys to a great room - or at least better than the one they were going to give you.
Went here for a wedding and it was beautiful! The ceremony had a backdrop of the ocean and the reception was held at a rustic, woodsy hall. There was plenty of room to dance and be comfortable. There are a lot of srairs so for oldergenerations to attend it can be a bit of a pain but they muse be up to code, I imagine.
i haven't spend a night here, but i've walked through the grounds. This place is HUGE. there are tons of log cabiney buildings, each has a different name. Many of the conference room facilities are on the beach, or almost on the beach. most of them look pretty upscale, a fair amount of those rooms have glass walls with nice views. it's hilly, so if you are disabled, it would not be easy to walk around. There are a lot of pine trees among the buildings, so it doesn't feel crowded.
the employees get around on golf carts. my bf noted that they seemed pretty cheerful and friendly, at least towards each other.
if i were actually the conference-going type, I would prefer this spot a thousand to one over vegas, which has the highest number of conferences in the US, ugh.
the beach is white sand, expansive, not crowded, and has a lot of logs to sit on.
Wow, what an amazing spot! I've heard of Asilomar throughout the years, but have never actually been there myself. Since were staying right across the street this past weekend, we took a stroll over to see what it's all about.
The man hall is this cool old lodge designed by Julia Morgan. It was full of families playing pool, ping pong, putting together puzzles, kids banging on the piano - a real family atmosphere, which was brought to present day by the folks who were tapping away on their laptops. The lodge is the only place that has wi-fi, hence the crowds..
We leisurely explored the grounds, which has several large meeting rooms, a main dining hall, a chapel, swimming pool, small cottages, large cottages, free standing houses, all surrounded by the forest and fronted by the gorgeous beach. Most of the paths have boardwalks, which makes it super-easy for the elderly and handicapped - really a nice touch.
Hopefully I can ever persuade the partners at my firm to forgo Meadowwood in Napa or Bernardus in Carmel to come here instead for our next offsite!
Do NOT stay here. Any business that charges you three times to stay in a room one night is not worth the trouble. The rooms are old, the beds squeak, the food sucks and the help is unhelpful.
If you're planning to visit the Monterey Aquarium, try to get a room here. They offer just the bare essentials, a room with beds and a bathroom. Which only means that you don't pay for a TV, phone, alarm clock, mini fridge, etc. Their rooms vary, so don't procrastinate on calling them, do it fast so you can get a good one!
The first time I came here was way back before I could drive. We weren't planning on coming down to Monterey, we just kinda ended up there, so of course we had no room reserved. Luckily they had one room left. It was tiny. There were two twin beds crammed on opposite sides of the room. There was enough space in between the beds to walk through, but that was it. I didn't mind, it's just a place to sleep. The maids knocked loudly on the door at 8 in the morning and woke us up.
This is the best State Park I've ever seen.
They are managing the forest, and there are all kinds of animals on the grounds. The Julia Morgan architecture is pure rustic art, and the entire camp is maintained well. The beach is right across the road, and there is a heated swimming pool in the park.
This is the perfect place to hold a retreat, as there are many, many rooms and auditoriums where workshops and lectures can be held. There is a chapel by the meadow, and Merrill Hall holds over 800 people.
Those 800 people get through the restaurant in just one hour, three times a day. The food is balanced and complete. When you walk in, salads, desserts, coffee, tea and water are already set on the table. Go through the entree serving line, and you have the whole package. I feel that the menu and the service are really the best part of the conference.
Sitting on a bench in the pines, or just walking across the camp to get to the restaurant for a meal, I am struck with all the natural beauty here.
I came here once for a truly enlightening leadership retreat several years back. Asilomar's conference grounds was a perfect venue for the retreat. The isolation that Asilomar provides only helped to accentuate our retreat's stay.
The conference grounds is designed to reveal the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Buildings have an old-time feel to them, as they are made out of wood and natural materials. Every room is stripped down to the bare necessities so if you're wondering if you should bring an extra towel, I highly encourage you to do so.
Asilomar's cafeteria hall dishes out decent food that usually hits the spot. If you don't like one dish they usually back it up with something else. Plus when I went it was totally free so it felt like a vacation really.
For me the true highlight of the conference grounds is the beach. You can walk a wooden man made path to the beach. This path reveals the beach up in a dramatic way. Cloudy days can be a drag, but if you're granted a blue Californian sky you're in for a treat.
Wildlife is sparse although we had a humorous encounter with a raccoon. Don't feed them Jason. lol.
WEDDING SITE REVIEW: We went here to look at Asilomar for our wedding.
I understand the rustic, northern California coastal feel... but it just didn't seem right for my wedding. And we LOVE the beach.
Justin said the dunes reminded him of a wasteland. He is use to warmer, less windy southern California beaches. Asilomar beach is WINDY and covered in kelp!
I did like Merrill Hall. It is gorgeous and rustic, but also dark and the stage overpowers the room. If you had a live band play it would be nice because the stage is and will be the focal point of the entire room!
The walk to the beach would be terrible for my grandmother, my aunt in the wheelchair, and anyone older or out of shape.
BTW, watch out for HUGE rocks buried in the sand. I stubbed my toe on one.
Not to mention the booking process. There are no guided tours, you fill out an application to be faxed or mailed in, then you wait.... conferences get booking preference and weddings are on a waiting list.
We decided that we would only risk passing up other venues to sit on a waiting list for months and months if we LOVED Asilomar... but we didn't.
If you want an affordable, rustic, beach wedding this is the place for you! Just keep in mind that all your guests must be able to come early to find parking along the beach or be able to walk on a sandy boardwalk, then down steep stairs, and through loose sand... and all the way back up.
We might return for a campy, romantic weekend alone. But we will not be using Asilomar for our wedding.
One of my favorite places on earth.
Once had a major epiphany about process theology at the water's edge just across the highway. Commited myself to being "High on Christ," instead of drugs and alcohol in one of the rooms in Sea Galaxy when I was a teenager. Re-wrote & led my own version of the Lord's Prayer as a teenager in Merril Hall. Have stayed in rooms in at least 6 different buildings.
The rooms & facilities are great for small and large group gatherings. The rooms, though rustic, are perfectly adequate. I see others have complained about no TVs in the room. I am a TV addict, but never miss TV here. Too much to see- too much nature to soak in between (or during :)) meetings. I particularly like that most buildings have a living room that you can use if you are rooming in that building. So much friendlier to invite people back to your living room than your bedroom!
It has gotten really pricey over the years, which prevents some people from going to conferences there.
I do have to agree that the food is not so good. My trick is to always get a vegetarian stamp on my meal card & then if the regular meal doesn't look good- I get the veggie meal. It's not a fool proof plan, but it doubles the chances of having a decent meal. Meal portions are ample and there is always another choice, or the chance to customize your meal if you have dietary restrictions. But hey, I don't come here for the food.
The dining room is distractingly loud. My daughter, who doesn't liek loud noises, has a hard time eating here at all because it's so loud.
You couldn't find a better place to hold a conference. It is in the most incredible location ever, right on the water in Pacific Grove. You will see all kinds of animals, like deer and squirrels. Nature, man, nature.
The rooms are varied, some big and some small. The food is varied, some good and some bad but get out of your room and walk around, you'll be happy.
It gets very cold and windy here so prepare for winter at all times. Bundle up, stay warm and you will have a ten times better experience.
So the bottom line is call them, make a reservation and get down to Asilomar. Then get outside and walk around Asilomar Beach. It is wonderful for your body, soul and spirit.
We (my family) have been going to Asilomar for about 15 years. Though mainly a "conference" facility, they do rent rooms to individuals/families as available.
We have always had a great time here - but it is not for everyone. There are no phones or TVs (though one year during some major sports event they did have a TV set up in the lobby) - no hot tub (but they do have an allegedly heated pool that only our kids used a few times) - the "family style" breakfast (included) has limited options (one hot option daily - today it's pancakes and sausage - tomorrow scrambled eggs and bacon - with yogurt and cereals also available) and if you don't want to sit at a table with strangers you likely won't like it - but that is (for us) part of the charm.
There is a lodge with free use (if available) of a pool table and a ping pong table (spent many hours there with the kids) and a small shop with coffee and snacks and a small selection of gifts (and has - as of a few years ago, free internet access I hear - none in the rooms!).
So far this may not sound so great, but it has been one of our all time favorite places to go. Because the location is so wonderful. Because it's cut off from the outside world. Because It's a California State Park with wildlife and nature and it's slow and easy.
Some rooms have fireplaces (though you never know if you will get one for sure), some have Murphy beds, You might get a queen and a twin, or two twins, or two queens... That's just the way it is.
We are going there for our 30th anniversary soon and we don't know for sure what kind of room we will have - but that doesn't matter.
There is a wonderfully restored dune area with boardwalks to a beach that is rarely crowded, One of our favorite things to do here is nothing in particular. Often we go to one of the community rooms (in most buildings, and if you are in a building with out one you just find a building with one) - build a fire in the fireplace, and then spend the day reading and playing games, Maybe you will have it to yourself - maybe others will be in there.
Serendipity is part of the experience.
If that sounds boring to you - if you need to know for sure what will happen - if you don't like to interact with strangers - if you want great accommodations with amenities - PLEASE STAY AWAY, (It's hard enough to get a room if you are not part of a conference - so I'd prefer not to compete with you to get a room).
If a laid back "gee - what should we do today - go to the aquarium, take a walk on the beach - go to the tide pools, watch the wildlife - kayak on the bay - do nothing in particular vacation sounds good - this is a great place to go in a great location. It's not cheap - but given the area it's not expensive either.
Note that the ratings on Yelp seem to be either high or low - you either love it or hate it. We love it!
Asilomar is absolutely beautiful. My family and I used to spend a few weeks here every summer when I was growing up, and I really loved it. The rooms are a little dated, and there is no television or phone. As a teenager that was a little disturbing, but I got over it. I'm in my late-ish twenties now and still enjoy weekends at Asilomar. The ocean is literally right across the street and the grounds could not get any prettier. The main building was designed by Julia Morgan and is stunning.
This is a great place for families, romantic get aways or just a relaxing night. Very quiet and serene....just beautiful.
The Conference Grounds are run by the State. It is location, location, location deal here. Don't expect Marriott type rooms, but more like the summer camp type basic spartan rooms. No phone or tv, and that's exactly why I like it.
Walking trails to the ocean, and right in Pacific Grove where you can hike all through the town. Meals are provided in the dining area. This is a great place for families.
We have used it for a family reunion. We got 5 rooms in the same building and had a common conference room with fireplace. It was super. We talked, laughed, and played games with all the kids and parents. Really memorable.
Go for the serene beauty of the location. You will be glad you did.
Asilomar means "refuge by the sea" and if you visit the Asilomar Conference Center you'll have a chance to experience solitude and quiet as there's no phone, no TV and few other distractions on the conference grounds. There is the sound of the ocean crashing into the beach, Monterey pines and other coastal plants and wildlife to create a peaceful environment.
The conference center itself is large, 30 acres. There are meeting and conference rooms and a large communal dining room. There are also separate dining rooms if you're in a group and have paid extra for them.
Guests rooms are rather spartan, but adequately furnished. You'll be comfortable, but so much that'd you want to camp out in your room.
Rates include breakfast, lunch and dinner. For our group, it was $189 a night for a single/double room.
The food was good. We had several different entrees to chose from for dinner, sea bass, chicken and tri tip along with mashed potatoes, an antipasta plate and salad. For an extra charge, wine and beer are available.
Asilomar is part of the California State Parks system.
The natural setting gets 5 stars: the beach allows dogs, and I come here about 1x a month to get some peace. I wanted to get married here, it's gorgeous!.
However, the business side of this place was terrible in my case. I called for info, no response, I called again and left my info, no response. I sent an email from the website, and I received a call 3 weeks later. I showed up, turned in my stuff, and no response until 2 weeks later. The people who were polite were the people at the front desk, and one gentleman in the office (whose name I can't remember). I didn't ask him to help me talk to someone in the events/wedding department, but he connected me to them, and apologized so much for the run around I got. By the time I actually spoke to the wedding event coordinator the date,she waited so long to say it wasn't available (and I was ok with this, I understood it's a popular site). I spoke to her a couple times after that and her behavior was hit or miss, initially she behaved very rudely on the phone when answering the same questions I'd asked at other venues (maybe she was having a bad month?). I did my best to try to fit our event into THEIR availability, and I still didn't end up booking an event there. Their response time is so slow, and the wedding events person was not very nice on he phone, so I didnt' want to risk having her as a part of this special event. I spoke to at least 2 ladies there nthe events and wedding part, and both were rude more than once. But then towards the end of the month the wedding coordinator person behaved a bit nice. By the time she'd sent me more info about availability; I had already booked another venue. I couldn't beleive the whole experience, compared to the service offered everyhwhere else. If you want to get married here, just be prepared, I'll send a special blessing that these people don't act so poorly when you have to plan your event =0)
Later on, I found out my friends were planning to have their wedding done there (it's a very pretty place), and they had a similar experience, but they said the reception offereings are "like glorified cafeteria food."
I just got back from an Immunology retreat held by UCSF and UC Berkeley this past weekend. This was my second year attending, with this year being the best.
We had an really sweet accommodations (Breakers is the best!), as I had double and an balcony overlooking the beach and ocean. I just wish that we had known the setup of our place, as we would have brought an cooler, beer and and a small TV.
The food at the center is ok. My co-worker Vinh really enjoys the outdoor bbq lunches. Breakfast wasn't too bad, although I felt the dinner portions were too small for me.
Nice place to walk around. I wish I had more time to walk around the beach....although I did get an chance to go to Cannery Row and walk around there during our lunch break.
Overall an nice place to hang out and get away from SF...and lab life....
Beware of the food, if you're going down to Asilomar for a conference. My suggestion is to stop at Trader Joe's in town before getting stuck on-site.
Luckily, I brought my own food (granola bars, fruit, etc) this time. There is a gift shop on the premises. But of course, it's it's closed during lunchtime. This makes no sense because it sells the only edible grub on-site because none of it is made here. I asked at the front desk when it would be open, and they said AFTER their lunch break. Only Asilomar would try their best to cutoff any acceptable options. I'd probably find better food washed up on the beach or growing in the sand. If I had to stay a week down here without options, it's possible I would have to resort to this. Luckily, however, I'm leaving in a few hours.
So my advice: Remember the food problem at Asilomar and plan ahead with a stop at Trader Joe's on the way down. It's too bad the dining options resemble something if the form of summer camp food (and not the good stuff like smores and burgers).
And btw, this place is WIDELY known among conference attendees for it's bad food. First thing someone remarks when you stay at Asilomar is how much of a problem this is.
People who whine about the fact that Asilomar's rooms do not have phones or TVs will never get it. You're in one of the most beautiful coastal places on the planet, in historically significant settings with elegant and environmentally-harmonic design. DETACH!! Quiet down, soak it in... and if you're feeling really restless, take a stroll down the boarded pathways right to one of the most magical edges of the Pacific Ocean.
Not enough? Knock yourself out with the ping pong tables, the pool table, and a really nice heated swimming pool.
Still not enough? Loan a bike and pedal two blocks to the entry of the famed 17-mile drive in Carmel. Pedal and explore it like you never would from a car.
Still not enough? Go home and seek penance for wasting space during your stay that so many others would have cherished in your stead.
Asilomar is a popular site for corporate retreats and conventions, so expect to share the grounds with a lot of people who might be speaking the same jargon.
I'm a city girl who is used to "finer" accommodations, but I really liked Asilomar. We decided at the very last minute to take a short trip here (just one night) and so there were no more Julia Morgan rooms. We ended up in the newer "standard" rooms, which were closer to the beach. Think Best Western - clean, definitely doable for one night, but nothing to write home about. Next time I'm bringing my own pillow (the pillows are cotton filled and lumpy).
But then we woke up in the morning, took a walk, and experienced a beauty not to be found in many other places! The beach is fantastic, as is the walking trail. We saw lots of locals with their dogs, runners, etc. There are also benches for you to rest along the way. There was one stop that was so beautiful, my Mom had to stop and do some tai chi, right there. Considering that we paid $130/night for our room, it was a bargain, especially since the Inn at Spanish Bay charges $800 for the same view and location!
The breakfast was cafeteria style, but honestly, it was fine. The coffee was a bit "meh," but the scrambled eggs and waffles were decent, and did their job. If you're complaining about the quantity, you have issues. Yes, it's not the big amounts that Americans tend to eat, but hey man, I'm not looking to be obese.
Anyway, it's highly recommended. A great short getaway at a good price!
I just returned from a retreat at Asilomar; it was my first stay there though I've known people who've been to this wonderful place over the last 20+ years.
Wow.
The food was excellent - let's consider now that this is mass-produced food; not Gary Danko, so let's give them a break. The meals I had were quite delish. No complaints. And the service was outstanding!!!!!!! Also, the Executive Chef stood over the prep team making sure every detail was done to his satisfaction. I was really impressed.
My room was....rustic. I stayed in "Lodge" and this is about what I consider to be camping; I'm rather prissy. It was a nice room with its own bathroom/shower; clean and nicely appointed. Just rustic.
The grounds are tranquil and clean; great paths to all of the buildings and very well lit at night.
And the beach. Amazing. We walked along the beach and went back to the grounds simply refreshed. I'm still feeling great from it.
Already have next year's retreat dates on my calendar.
Another place that I have been coming to for years. The atmosphere here is so serene and natural. I enjoy simply walking around and taking in the beauty. One of my favorite parts is the planked path leading to the beach. It's like something out of a book.
I'm always excited to see in what quarters I'll be placed, as they are all unique. I always hope for the rooms with fire places in them.
The lobby is very warm and inviting, and there are pool tables for guests to use, and also a gift shop.
The staff is very accommodating and kind.
Breakfast is good, and we always seem to meet very interesting and enjoyable travelers at the table we are placed at (many of them have been coming to the grounds for many years).
I'm sure I'll be returning many more times.
What, NO TV!!!
I just returned from an offsite work conference at Asilomar and I'll try not to let my review get tainted by the facts that I was forced to be there, just about at gunpoint, and it was for work.
First of all, my company has a conference there every 18 mo and I started with my company immediately after their last conference. So, for about 18 mo I have heard horror stories about the food served by the Asilomar cafeteria. So, I was actually pleasently surprised by it's quality, which isn't to say it was good, but having such negative expectations made the mediocre meals that much better.
The rooms are pretty spartan, though they did supply us with complimentary burlap sacs full of wood to have a little in room fire. This would have been great if I had wanted to get romantic with Ken, my roommate, however, he's not quite my type. I guess watching the fire instead of watching TV it the in room entertainment.
The conference grounds are actually pretty nice. Pretty canpestral and quite a few deer roaming around. Not something I see usually at work or near home, in S.F. But even better there is a few short trails that lead to a beautiful beach with some of the best sand, tidepools, and a good jogging trail. Oops, I think I missed a few talks, kinda got distracted by the gulls and sea anenomies. The main hall wasn't too comfortable for attending talks, with it's uncomfortable folding chairs, so I spent most of the time at the simulcast which was in the chapel, which had better chairs with little wooden desks.
The staff seem pretty nice; I have never heard anyone claim that their watch, phone, wallet etc has been stolen out of their room, and they let you have racous parties until 3:30 AM.
A good place for a conference (it was good enough for the 60th annual World Affairs Council Conference), I don't know about for a vacation though.
This is one of my favorite places in California. It's hard to describe, but I will give it my best shot! It's like a giant camp for adults. The accommodations are very rustic/basic...just like camp! The meals are served cafeteria style...just like camp!
I always feel very at peace when I'm walking around the grounds of Asilomar. You'll see lots of deer roaming around. I've never attended a conference here, but we did have our wedding reception in the "Seascape Room," after the ceremony on the beach. I swear, it was the best place in the world to have a party!
You really need to check this place out. A good place to start is the main reception hall/lobby...I can't remember the name of it. It's so welcoming! You'll find pool and ping pong tables, cozy chairs by the fireplace, and a big old deck that looks out toward the ocean. You'll love it here. It's a little piece of unspoiled California.
I peeked at some other reviews and have to say that they were quite generous due to the killer location. well the location is spectacular for sure. However the hotel leaves something to be desired. From the sandpaper sheets to the lumpy bed, dated and dirty rooms and poor lighting, I cannot rate this any better than 2 stars. It would not be fair to give it credit for the natural beauty that surrounds it. I love NYC but would you give a crappy hotel a good rating for a great city? I think not.
If you want to give a good rating for the area, do that separately.
If you want to rough it bring your tent.
The grounds of Asilomar are really beautiful. The conference rooms were very functional, and there is wifi in all the conference rooms so you don't return to work post conference to a full inbox.
The location is great for a 5 mile sunrise run around the beach!
The common room felt like a ski lodge/dorm common room, with ping pong and pool. They have a "no alcohol" policy but if you're classy like our group was, you can go to the sav-on down the road and get wine in brown bags. Make sure you get the new plastic party cups where you can scratch your name on the side like a chalk board. Awesome.
They had lots of vegetarian food options and served tasty oatmeal for breakfast.
I don't think I would voluntarily book a room there, because of all the random groups that were there at the same time. But for a couple of days for a conference, it is a perfect place.
A Conference Center in Pacific Grove near Monterey with modest rooms. The food was ok, nothin spesh. (We are supposed to get only 1 plate meal but I had 2 or 3.) Asilomar is right by the ocean, so there's a cool, fresh breeze blowing all the time.
It's a nice getaway from San Francisco...
