Clear Lake Cottages & Marina is a lakefront property that has been owned and operated by Bob since 2016. A particularly unique aspect that is most commonly associated with the business is the boat rentals available on-site to those who stay in the cottages. As the name would imply, a marina with a private boat launch is on the premises for people to dock their boats at their leisure. While its proximity to Clear Lake provides the means for lake recreation, the city of Clearlake can also offer opportunities for tourists to explore the location. Bob recommends visiting some of the wineries, restaurants, and shops that constitute the locality.
Situated in California's northwestern region, Clear Lake Cottages & Marina occupies land next to Clear Lake in the city of Clearlake. The establishment offers 18 cottages that range from single-queen studios to units that can sleep a maximum of 6 occupants. Fold-out sofas are provided in the larger rooms to accommodate bigger groups, and seven of the cottages have fully equipped kitchens that include a microwave, refrigerator, stovetop, toaster oven, dishwasher, pots, pans, dishes, silverware, and wine glasses. Four of the seven units that comprise a kitchen also offer lake views, and the owner of the business, Bob, notes that these accommodations tend to be more popular for this reason. He also observes that the single-queen units are generally popular among couples.
In addition to the cottages, visitors are given access to the property's main office, a 40,000-gallon heated swimming pool, picnic tables, and 5 barbecue grills. The barbecue grills, which include a mix of propane and charcoal grills, are arranged near the picnic tables for those who are hoping to organize their meal near their cooking space. Beyond these previously noted amenities, however, Clear Lake Cottages & Marina is known for its on-site marina with ten boat slips that can be rented by those who stay at the establishment. Guests who choose to park their boat in one of these slips are also supplied with electricity to generate their boat. Moreover, the business has a range of water recreational vehicles for patrons to utilize, such as pontoon rentals, bass boat rentals, wave runners, and kayaks. It should be noted that staying at Clear Lake Cottages & Marina is required to make use of the rentals. With the intent to help his guests feel like they get their money's worth, Bob explains that he and the staff ensure that every boat rental has a full tank of gas before visitors operate it. The owner promotes outdoor activities among his visitors by providing these rentals, and he takes pride in the pastimes that derive from the location itself as well. For example, the establishment also encompasses a grassy area that Bob refers to as "the peninsula," where people often go fishing.
While a wide range of activities are available on-site, Bob encourages guests to tour the vicinity beyond the boundaries of the property. He mentions that the mountainous character of the location can cater to outdoor enthusiasts, as he periodically sees hikers and birdwatchers who are traveling in the locality for the natural setting. In parallel with this, he says that the city's natural hot springs frequently draw people to Clearlake as well. Apart from the natural aspects of the destination, a number of local wineries and restaurants can also be found in the city. Bob enjoys recommending specific establishments to his patrons, one of which is a locally-owned Mexican restaurant called Delicias Alvarez, which he says serves homemade food. Another dining option that Bob suggests is the Saw Shop Public House in Kelseyville, which he describes as a "higher-end wine-tasting establishment." Lastly, visitors are also directed to Riviera Hills Restaurant & Lounge—a culinary business that overlooks Clear Lake in a hilly landscape and offers indoor and outdoor seating. Riviera Hills is primarily known for serving brunch on Sundays, as noted by Bob.
With previous experience in the lodging industry, the owner of Clear Lake Cottages & Marina, Bob, considers himself to have "an eye for quality," as he takes note of certain elements of other lodging businesses he has visited. An example of this is that he and his staff members aim to maintain cleanliness both inside and outside of the cottages. Bob also hopes that his guests will feel "like they have unobstructed use of the property" during their stay. Concerning the quality of hospitality that he intends for visitors to receive, Bob says, "We want to be there for them and support them, but we also want them to have time to themselves to enjoy the property." As such, interaction is typically left to the discretion of those who are staying at Clear Lake Cottages & Marina. Even so, Bob puts forth effort in making his rounds around the cottages, checking in with everyone to ensure that their questions or concerns are being addressed. A review from one patron who previously visited mentioned their experience with the owner's availability to assist as needed, as they wrote, "[The] owners were very inviting, friendly, and accessible if questions came up. [The] rooms were well kept, and the location was great." Generally speaking, the owner tries to be welcoming, friendly, and informative to everyone during their time at Clear Lake Cottages & Marina.
The establishment has received fairly large groups in the past, many of which have rented out the entire property for a gathering or an event. Bob remarks that he hopes to begin hosting his own events on-site, namely wine-tasting or other similar arrangements. "I have a background in wine myself," he comments. Clear Lake Cottages & Marina's location in a wine region draws groups of people who are in the area for such purposes, as observed by Bob; however, he mentions that the demographic consists of a mix of people, ranging from business travelers to young families. A fair amount of guests are employees of a hospital located in the vicinity, as reported by Bob. Likewise, construction crews occasionally stay at Clear Lake Cottages & Marina over the course of their work duration in the area, primarily on account of the resources on-site that allow them to go fishing and barbecuing after their work shift. Aside from business workers, the establishment also receives young couples who are traveling from various parts of the United States as well as people who enjoy fishing and other outdoor activities. Regardless of one's background or beliefs, Bob says that he intends to be inclusive to everyone who wants to stay at his site.
The owner characterizes his business as a "multi-generational property," stating that "some people have been returning for years." Because of this, Bob offers a discount for repeat guests, as he expresses, "We value people who choose to come back here, and that's why they should get the best rates." This discount is available year-round, with the exception of the summer season due to it being comparatively busier. May, June, July, and August tend to receive a higher number of reservations in comparison to the winter months. Bob attributes this seasonal influx of visitors to the fact that kids are out of school, people are traveling more, and the weather conditions are moderate.
Everyone is required to abide by some of the policies that are enforced at Clear Lake Cottages & Marina. Smoking is prohibited inside every cottage; however, visitors are welcome to do so outside on the grounds. Clear Lake Cottages & Marina is a pet-friendly establishment, though a few guidelines are in place for those who bring a dog with them. An additional $35.00 fee is charged per dog, and Bob must be given advance notice about any pets that will be accompanying visitors. In a further effort to accommodate pets, the owner says that food and water bowls, biscuits, pet-friendly sheets, and a free frisbee are provided for dogs. He explains that every cottage contains wood flooring, as opposed to carpet, to facilitate the cleaning process should pets have any accidents during their stay. Besides pet policies, everyone is also expected to respect the quiet hours that are implemented every night from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. With the exception of one room that has a minimum age limit of 21, guests of all ages are welcome at Clear Lake Cottages & Marina with no age restrictions. Pack-and-plays and roll-away beds are available to accommodate a larger number of occupants and young children. Along with this, life jackets are provided on-site for kids as well.
The check-out time is designated at 11:00 a.m. while the check-in time is at 3:00 p.m., although Bob mentions that an earlier check-in or later check-out time can be arranged with an additional fee of $59.00, provided that there are no other reservations for the cottage before or after theirs. For an earlier check-in time, visitors can pay the fee to arrive four hours earlier than the designated time of 3:00 p.m., akin to the later check-out time that allows visitors to occupy the cottage until 5:00 p.m. instead of 11:00 a.m.
While Clear Lake Cottages & Marina has been under the ownership of Bob since the end of 2016, the property itself dates back to the 1940s and was, at one point, known as Ship 'N Shore. Roughly 15 to 20 years ago, the grounds mainly comprised a few cabins that were eventually torn down and replaced with the present-day cottages.
As previously noted, Bob has prior experience in the hospitality industry, considering that he was employed at lodging places in Oregon, New York, and California. He explains that he was drawn to the wine region of Clearlake, and he had been visiting the area before he was married. Bob had always regarded the location as "a good getaway from Silicon Valley," where he lived at the time. Fishing, skiing, and other outdoor activities piqued his interest, prompting him to revisit the area several times. Later on, the opportunity to purchase Clear Lake Cottages & Marina was manifested, and he decided to take over the business. Since then, Bob has found that his favorite part about his occupation is "sharing what [he] know[s] about the area—from fishing on the lake to exploration around the area's restaurants." Throughout his employment as the innkeeper of Clear Lake Cottages & Marina, Bob has tried to serve both his visitors and his employees, as he and his team tour local wineries and restaurants on a regular basis to familiarize themselves with the area and provide guests with more insight during their travels.
Clear Lake Cottages & Marina has undergone a few notable updates over the course of its history. One such is the addition of on-site rentals that patrons can use. As far as future plans go, Bob is hoping to make the color scheme slightly darker throughout the property, and he is currently in the process of adding 50-inch TVs to each of the cottages. Furthermore, the owner plans on updating the mattresses and bedding in the accommodations.
13885 Lakeshore Drive
Clearlake, California 95422
United States
Campground
