Front Porch Inn Arcata: Serene Getaway with Hidden Bath & Spa Oasis

Loved everything about this place. Bed was comfortable. Shower was awesome. The room had wonderful decor. The sauna and hot tubs were both perfect after a long day hiking the red woods. Dog friendly, area is quiet and serene.

The tranquility of the garden & fountains is surpassed only by the sublime bliss found in the soaking tubs & sauna. The starry night sky was framed by the exquisite living walls surrounding the copper lined tub I relaxed in. Pure ambrosia. The room was unpretentious yet lovingly & tastefully decorated. The level of comfort in the room was the kind you typically enjoy while visiting favorite friends or family. The happy birds chirping while I enjoyed my breakfast on the porch was a delight I will not soon forget.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at The Front Porch Inn in Arcata, CA, and it was an unforgettable experience. My partner and I absolutely loved the hidden bath—it's the perfect place for a nighttime soak under the stars. The living fern walls and secluded ambiance made it feel like a secret oasis. We also enjoyed the sauna, which provided a deep sense of relaxation. The craftsmanship throughout the property is stunning, with beautiful stonework and old-growth redwood details that add a unique charm to the whole place. Our room, Basecamp, was absolutely magical. The decor was thoughtfully curated, and the comfort level was top-notch. We felt like we were in a cozy, whimsical retreat. The amenities were exceptional, and the attention to detail was evident everywhere we looked. The Front Porch Inn is truly a hidden gem. Whether you're looking for relaxation, adventure, or a little bit of both, this place has it all. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and memorable stay. We can't wait to return and explore more of the different themed rooms!

Clear communication, gorgeous setting and all the supplies we could need. We throughly enjoyed our 3 days in base camp while touring the Redwoods. This is such a fun and relaxing place to land after a day on the road. Thank you for accommodating us! 🏕️

Long review with pros and cons: Arrival: gps took me right there. But zero signage on the long fence and so so instructions on “going through the pedestrian gate” made it a little confusing. I figured it out but a sign on the outside somewhere would have made it a little easier to figure out. Getting into the unit was easy. Each unit has a lock box with the keys and the instructions were easy to follow to get into the unit. The unit: Smaller than the online description made it out to be. Very quaint. Totally livable for the time. The kitchen was well stocked and made it easy to prepare food or reheat leftovers from going out. The fresh eggs were a super exciting plus. When I requested more eggs, they were happily delivered to me each day. The bed was SUUUUUUPER comfy! There were plenty of towels for showering and the soaking tubs. And lots of hand towels and wash cloths. It was a bit awkward not having a bathroom place to get ready for the day as I was traveling for work. But I think this isn’t a place most people stay for a business trip. And as a work traveler, I can make almost anything work. The shower was smaalllllll. I’m a petite person and I was bonking my elbows quite a bit. But a shower is a shower. The lack of outlets near the bed made it a little frustrating to keep my devices charging while I was having down time in the evening. But again, I can make anything work. The toilet sink was odd at first but I thought it was cool for water consumption. It did mean that brushing my teeth and washing my face happened in the kitchen. The ac unit was not cooperative even when I followed all the instructions. I was thankful to be able to open the window and have the ceiling fan going. The WiFi was a bit spotty but meh. That’s not going to make or break my opinion of this place. I just used my hot spot a lot of the time. The courtyard: If there is any reason to spend your money to stay here, this is it. I am not a bath person. But hot damn. Those soaking tubs were the bees knees!! What a spectacular way to start and end your day! Completely private little soaking “rooms”. Sitting out there at 6am drinking coffee, watching the hummingbirds flit around was a total highlight for me. Communication: While I never had face to face interaction with the hosts, they communicated very well via text. I requested more eggs a few of the days and when I returned from work, they were outside my door waiting for me. I did leave a few bucks for my added request because I understand that feeding chickens isn’t free. When the gate code was changed during my stay, they let me know asap. Other guests: The place was booked almost full the entire time I was there. Every guest was polite with their children, animals, and noise. While I’m sure there were probably 25ish people there, I barely noticed. Everyone was so quiet and private. Parking: while there is a private parking lot inside the gate, there are only four spots and they’re often full. So street parking is where I ended up. I read some reviews complaining about this, but I never had a hard time finding street parking right in front. Location: Everything was close. The Safeway. Food. Breweries. The freeways. Etc. The parks are super close by and eureka is 10 minutes away. Overall: This is such a cute fun place to stay. The rooms are smaller than described on the website (if you’re not staying in one of the bigger suites) After reading many reviews and the website, they say they are a boutique hotel when IMO, they are more like boutique bungalows or an airbnb. Given the amenities and location, it’s actually a really great value for your dollar. Because, again, that courtyard and those tubs… *chefs kiss* After many of my posts to my personal social media, so many friends reached out to find out where it was and want to plan a trip. Totally worth it.