Merrybrook Lodge

Just spent a couple of nights here. Have been many times ! Love this place ! We always stay in a cabin but they also offer rooms ! We have a dog and luckily they have pet friendly places. The grounds are lovely and everything is clean. Very close to town. And a lovely couple that run the place. They actually use «real keys» for the doors !

I am not sure what these people are writing about but my room smelled of mold and was very cold even with the heater on full blast. Nice couple at desk but this place was a zero!

My friend and I just finished our four night stay here at the MerryBrooke Lodge and we could not be happier with the condition of the room the location of the hotel or the courtesy and kindness of the hotel staff. We absolutely loved everything about it and would recommend it to all of our friends! The only tip I have is it that you are coming for work rather than for pleasure you ask for a hotel that is closest to the front the Wi-​Fi is a little week if you stay in the last one. We cannot wait to come back again. The view is absolutely breathtaking and it is just a few steps down to a glorious and rushing river. There are so many local places to visit within walking distance for eating and for pleasure. Everything was clean and inviting it definitely felt like a home away from home.

Great little lodge located down the road from Big Basin State Park. We stayed in one of the motel rooms — it was warm and comfortable. Would definitely stay there again!

Wonderfully quite and picturesque location. Attentive friendly service. Our cottage was perfect. We stayed at Merrybrook while waiting to close on our new house nearby. It was a very positive introduction to our new state as we relocated from Colorado.

We were having our parents come into town. Booked on an off weekend. Due to an unexpected emergency we had to change it and our schedule landed in the early part of their busy season. Most lodges would have given a lot of problems with our short notice, canceled with the fee as stated in their procedures or might not even have room for us.
This Lodge gave us options … they were very flexible, understanding, accommodating and they explained everything so we felt comfortable.
Our parents stay was beautiful and unforgettable.
I recommend this lodge!!!

We had the best time at Merrybrook! Loved the setting and the cottages and rooms! The owners were so helpful and kind. We will be back hopefully many, many more times! We had cottage #4 and my sister and brother in law had room #7. Great location and the rooms were just as nice as the cottage (without the added space of living room and kitchen). We brought our small dog and still got the best cottage (#3 is pretty nice location too).

This place is really cool in the Winter because it is usually deserted. It’s right on the banks of a river. The cabins are the way to go. They are tiny, but cute as hell, with little kitchenettes and beds that aren’t too comfy, but what do you expect? It’s sorta roughing it. What’s really cool is its proximity to Big Basin State Park and the amazing Redwoods.

I hate to give a low score since the owner is very nice, but for this price ($ 180/​night for 2 people) there are better alternatives.
The place itself isn’t bad, some cabins are very nice right on the creek, some other are not so nice on the parking lot.
(I got probably the worst positioned one, but it’s because we went with a small dog, so it’s understandable).
What I didn’t like is that this place is more expensive than what’s around it, so I expected a little bit more comforts.
Instead I found quite the opposite, our cabin seemed to be perfectly tuned to save every last dollar to the manager/​owner, rather than to make the hosts more comfortable, for example
— neon lights everywhere, really ruins the comfy mood of wood paneling
— kitchenware is just a couple of random rusted tools from a different decade. If you want to cook a real dinner, be ready to bring your own everything
— No water pressure in the shower, water literally drips down from the faucet, takes minutes just to get wet
— One and a half toilet paper roll and tiny soap bars is all you get
— there’s a nice deck outside, but just 2 decrepit plastic chairs, not even a table to sit at.
Many other small details let us a bit down…
If the owner just invested a little bit more into making the experience pleasant this place could be great!

Vacationed here with my family a weekend ago. We used Merrybrook as a place to stay near the state parks, Roaring Camp, and Santa Cruz beach boardwalk. It was in the perfect location for all these places. The place has a nice woodsy feel near the creek. There was a ping pong table and basketball hoop too.
We got a cottage which was sufficient. It had a small kitchen and living space area. Shower didn’t have much pressure so we just skipped the bathing for that weekend, LOL.

I miss this place. We had the best times here. I Love the small town. There is nothing to do but drink, eat, maybe take a hike, drink some more and nap. Here’s hoping I get to go back soon and enjoy some more :)

I spent last weekend here and I loved it! The rates are very reasonable and the cottage was super clean. If you’re looking for an escape, this is the place. We will definitely be going back.

I just got back from a fabulous restful vacation here at the Merrybrook. The owners are very friendly and accomodating. We asked for a BBQ grill and they brought one to our cabin. I reserved cabin #4 which is the best location right on the water. You can hear the sounds of the creek all the time and gaze at the ducks as you sip cocktails on the balcony.
The place is well maintained and has everything you would need for your vacation. Full kitchen, microwave, fridge, stove, pots & pans, dishes, toaster… everything. And if you are missing something the staff is happy to get it for you, just ask. I needed an ironing board and iron, the staff was happy to lend it to me, and I didn’t even have to return it to the front desk. They told me just to leave it in the unit. That was nice. It has one bedroom with a Queen, then the living room has a pull out couch and a small single bed. Never used the pull out, but I did take a few naps on the single bed with the door open so I could hear the river flowing by. So relaxing!
It has a large deck facing the creek with large redwood trees that shade the deck most of the day. We checked in on a Sunday and stayed for three days. No one else was there the entire time we were checked in! It was so peaceful. It was also the weekend before Memorial day. So I am sure they were booked the following weekend.
The bathroom is nice and has a heater if you get cold. We never had to use the fireplace because it was very warm.
It is just 10 min drive from Big Basin Redwoods. We hiked on Pine Mountain Trail, which is about 2hr hike round trip. It leads you up to a look out point with beautiful views! It felt good to come back and grill at the cabin with wine on the patio. You can’t actually grill on the patio itself, but the grill is located just below the stairs. I think I paid $ 150 per night. Which was nice for how spacious it is!
Just a few minor cons. There were a couple of cobwebs here and there inside and outside of the cabin. Which wasn’t a big deal. Mostly very high up, because they have vaulted ceilings. And it is a cabin in the woods… so there’s bound to be some cobwebs. Also our microwave was dirty when we got there. I didn’t notice at first because I never used it, but that could be one thing to check when you do get there. Not very many outlets, if you need to charge stuff. Also the bedding covers look really dated, but actually, the sheets and blakets under the top bedding were so cozy and comfortable. The sheets were especially nice. And the bed was comfortable.
Over all it was amazing. I can’t wait to go back and bring friends next time! One of the best vacations I have been on!
Thanks Merrybrook!

It’s a 4.5 stars. We stayed in cabin 5 one night with 2 kids (age 4 and 2). We LOVED it!!! Cabin has a bedroom, living room, small kitchen and a lovely deck. Kitchen has fridge, microwave, cooker, some pots and pans, cutlery, cups, glasses, kettle. Would have given it 5 stars except that the queen bed was not very comfortable (my husband slept fine but I found it too wobbly). Kids slept beautifully in the living room on air mattresses that we brought. We had breakfast on our sunny deck — kids ran around happily. The owners were very nice. We went for walks in Big Basin national park which is about 20 mins from the cabin to the park headquarters. Had wonderful dinner at Scopazzi’s. Will definitely go back and will take cabin 5 again.

I’m not finding the love for this place other Unilocalers did. For $ 150 a night you’d think you’d at least get a few amenities. If you’re staying here– bring everything– blow dryers, shampoo, etc. They do provide two very small bars of soap and some very thin bath towels but that’s it. There’s no housekeeping here (oh wait — YOU are the housekeeper — even with requests to haul your garbage out to their dumpsters) and there’s no modern niceties i.e. microwaves. The cabins are cute — old but cute — and the one that we had overlooked the water which was a plus. Only about a third of the cabins were taken when we were there so it was nice and quiet — though as we were checking out there was a large family that came in that used yelling and screaming across the parking lots to communicate with each other — gave you that old camp kind of feeling. Lastly if you’re not good at backing your car out with nearby trees around this is not your kind of place. We’ll stay further down Highway 9 next time.

Her name was Liesl and she was my publisher friend with gams up to here. She was a doll and a half, and that extra half was all brain. She could make a mountain lion purr, and since she lived in the hills during dry seasons with little food, that was quite a generous gift to have bestowed upon her. She gave me my assignment: write The History of The Video Game Industry in the SIlicon Valley and make it sign to the kinder of the world. I was up for it and she said if I needed research money, I could have it. I put in for three nights at the Merrybrook, a place I’d been told was perfect for getting away from the rummers and the nutters and goons who plague my life.
I drove up, my car nearly overheating, and checked in. The folks were friendly in the way that only people from towns where the only path to entertainment is a long car ride. I settled in with a computer, a pile of books and notes I’d taken from all over the place. This was the setting. I also brought a bottle of Rye and a Raymond Chandler novel, just in case the skinny on the place was right and I was left with only my mind to entertain myself.
I got a pizza one night, a Coke to go with it.
I watched the creek some and put myself into the comfort of my thoughts, not worrying about the press from San Jose that I deliver the goods. I could do it, I knew that, but the time was pressing like a roscoe into the small of the back of a Shamus who the bad guys had the drop on. It was quiet and perfect for concentration, and I left that final morning and drove home with a manuscript in my bag and a relaxed spirit.
Of course, no matter how rested an peace a weekend you have, getting the work thrown back in your face will ruin your mood.

If you are headed down to Santa Cruz for no particular reason, other than to get outside and enjoy nature, Merrybrook is the spot to stay. I was looking for something a bit «rustic» (if you want to call it that), and was obviously not concerned about other things that some might be looking for, such as the following: big bathrooms, a whirlpool tub, LOTS of big fluffy towels that are replaced everytime it is not hung up on the rack, room service, a concierge, etc.
I WAS looking for very basic accomodations in a small town amidst the Santa Cruz Mountains, and Merrybrook exceeded my expectations. Like Tracey W. said, the cabins are the perfect, cozy size, and many of them back up to the creek (not all). Aside from the logisitcs, there were some added bonuses to staying here. The owners are super friendly and patient (we lost our key after a night on the «town» and he let us in without any problems and seemed to understand that hey, these things happen). That brings me to the «town»… Boulder Creek has 2 big grocery stores, a gas station, about 2 or 3 full service restaurants, about 3 or 4 bars, and a couple cafes. Then there’s Round Table, hmmm. Anyway, there’s more, but I won’t go on. My point is that it’s all situated within 2 blocks and you can walk to any of these places in 10 minutes or less. The locals tens to wonder why you’re there because there isn’t a whole lot to do, per se. When I went, that was the point!
If you’re interested, Merrybrook is only about 10 miles from Big Basin State Park too, so you can do a hike and then come crash at the Lodge. Great for those of you who want to try camping but are not quite ready:)

Love this place, cost a little more than the cheap hotels in the area, but the living room with the wood stove more than made up for it. Freezing the night we stayed, but we were toasty warm on the couch in front of a roaring fire. Close enough to stagger back from downtown, great place to stay and no need for all the hassle of staying in Santa Cruz.

I never even knew this place existed until some time last month but I’m very glad I got to see it now! My bf’s parents stayed here for their vacation and we went over to visit for a day, it was beautiful! The weather was severely dreary, I mean pouring down rain, but the scenery was still absolutely beautiful! Their cabin was facing the creek and when you would look out the window or stand out on the porch you could watch the water flow down the creek.
I don’t remember what the prices were like, they told us but it went in one ear and out the other… I know it was decent enough because I’m going to be staying there sometime soon!
Great place to go if you just want to get away and you like quiet!

If you are staying in the Santa Cruz mountains, I highly recommend this place. They have cabins on the creek and are walking distance to what stands for a downtown. They are clean and owned by very nice people. They allow dogs also.
Number of rooms: 6 Cottages 4 Rooms
Number of floors: 1
Check In: 1:00 PM
Check Out: 11:00 AM
Awards: AAA 2 Diamond Award