It all started with a call. A simple and short phone call.                                                      The story goes like this;

I quickly dialed the number to convey and confirm that we will reach JD house – Inns of Mendocino,  very late at night the next day. I got a warm reply from the other side – “Thank you for letting us know. You will get the keys as instructed in the email. But please be careful while driving at night”. I loved the care in her voice. I said, “I will, thank you”. The next day, we reached JD House at midnight. I called a number given to me. I again heard the same caring voice. She instructed me in detail and we went in.

JD House - A beautiful boutique hotel in blooming Mendocino! #California #Hotel #Travel Click To Tweet

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JD House – A beautiful boutique hotel in blooming Mendocino

When we entered our room I saw something unique; I rarely see such things in a hotel and could feel the passion behind every detail in our room. I saw four books and they were decades old.  Can you guess the very first thing I did? A hint – this quote from Ray Bradbury.

A computer does not smell … if a book is new, it smells great. If a book is old, it smells even better… And it stays with you forever. But the computer doesn’t do that for you. I’m sorry.

JD House - A beautiful boutique hotel in blooming Mendocino, California, JD House, USA

Can you see those books?

Perhaps you guessed right! I smelled them deep and closed my eyes and after a while, I read the first page of a beautiful novel by a German writer. JD House which is a part of Lark Hotels made a beautiful and indelible first impression on my mind. Book your stay here.

JD House which is a part of Lark Hotels made a beautiful and indelible first impression on my mind. Click To Tweet

An exquisite white wine bottle was placed on a table along with a handwritten personalized note from the host Jayne and Daren. The handwritten note touched me deeply! All the tiredness from the hours of driving vanished.

JD House - A beautiful boutique hotel in blooming Mendocino, California, JD House, USA

Wine is the only art work you can drink!


JD House and the bed and breakfast

The next day in the morning around 8.30, we heard a knock on our door. When I went and opened the door, I saw a blue breakfast basket. It instantly reminded me of a scene from an English movie. I almost felt that I am inside a storybook. The breakfast was healthy, nice and warm. We enjoyed every bite. If you are planning a trip to Mendocino, then book your stay here.

JD House - A beautiful boutique hotel in blooming Mendocino, California, JD House, USA. breakfast

Happiness served in the form of this warm and leisurely breakfast!


A perfect patio in JD House

While standing on the patio, when I looked afar I saw the sparkling blue ocean and when I looked down I saw pink blooms all over, fluttering butterflies and felt the bliss of a laid-back life in Mendocino.

While standing on the patio, when I looked afar I saw the sparkling blue ocean and when I looked down I saw pink blooms all over, fluttering butterflies and felt the bliss of a laid-back life in Mendocino. Click To Tweet



A gorgeous garden in JD House

I feel a flower is the sweetest messenger of nature. Being a parent to a two and a half year old girl, I feel, spending some time amidst flowers is possibly one of the best gifts I could give to my daughter. JD house in Mendocino fulfilled my wish. My daughter spent a beautiful day amidst flowers inside the garden in JD house.

JD House - A beautiful boutique hotel in blooming Mendocino, California, JD House, USA, garden, garden in JD House

The earth laughs in flowers. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I loved seeing my daughter running from one flower to another like a butterfly. In this age when competition with one another is the norm, and perhaps she cannot be immune forever; but for now, let the flowers teach her otherwise. Flowers don’t compete with each other, they just bloom and spread their fragrance.

I loved seeing my daughter running from one flower to another like a butterfly. In this age when competition with one another is the norm, and perhaps she cannot be immune forever; but for now, let the flowers teach her otherwise. Click To Tweet
JD House - A beautiful boutique hotel in blooming Mendocino, California, JD House, USA, garden, garden in JD House

A flower blossoms for its own joy. ~ Oscar Wilde


JD House and its surroundings

The location of the JD house is perfect in so many ways.

Plenty of quality restaurants nearby

We tried food from two restaurants and loved them. I highly recommend the restaurant in the Little River Inn. It is within a few minutes drive and its a gem. If you don’t want to drive then I recommend Trillium Cafe which is just beside the JD House.


Beautiful beaches within minutes of driving

After spending some lovely hours in the beautiful garden in JD House, we drove to a nearby beach. After reaching there, I was feeling cold and was not carrying warm clothes. But as soon as I started walking on the beach, the warmth of the sand comforted me and I started enjoying the pleasant sea breeze. My daughter was making sand castles and Siddhartha was lost in his thoughts. I was penning down some points from my trip in my diary. One of  the lines from my diary reads

There is no place like the beach… where the land meets the sea and the sea meets the sky.

JD House - A beautiful boutique hotel in blooming Mendocino, California, JD House, USA, Beach in Mendocino

Sun, sea, and sand and a bit of us and our imaginations!


Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

If you visit Mendocino then the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens are a must-see place. I loved every moment I spent in this garden. This spacious and well-maintained garden has beautiful flowers, cactuses, lovely sculptures, and lots of benches to take rest while walking.

Mendocino coast botanical gardens, JD House - A beautiful boutique hotel in blooming Mendocino, California, JD House, USA, garden, garden in JD House

Mendocino Coast Botanical gardens!

While you sit, birds come and sing exquisite songs for you.

A garden isn’t meant to be useful. It’s for joy

~ Rumer Godden

Mendocino coast botanical gardens, JD House - A beautiful boutique hotel in blooming Mendocino, California, JD House, USA, garden, garden in JD House

You and I in this beautiful world!

My visit to this garden reminded me of my trip to Keukenhof -the world’s largest flower garden in Lisse, Netherlands. Walking on the green grass, amidst flowers while taking in the aroma is so uplifting. I love looking at flowers; they are the epitome of effortless beauty and elegance.

I love looking at flowers; they are the epitome of effortless beauty and elegance. Click To Tweet
Mendocino coast botanical gardens, JD House - A beautiful boutique hotel in blooming Mendocino, California, JD House, USA, garden, garden in JD House

Flowers – sweetest messenger on nature!

Travel Realizations

Before saying goodbye to JD House, some moments flashed once again. The opening of the decades-old books after seeing them on the bookshelves, the warm breakfast in the breakfast bag, my daughter running in the garden amidst flowers and the first glimpse of the sparkling Pacific. I highly recommend this beautiful boutique hotel in Mendocino. Book your stay here.

A cozy common area for guests!

JD House - A beautiful boutique hotel in blooming Mendocino, California, JD House, USA, garden, garden in JD House. Patio

A memoir!

Before releasing the break in my car, I felt I am leaving behind some beautiful moments in Mendocino. These moments are yours JD house and my gift to you is this memoir. Until next time, adieu!

These moments are yours JD house and my gift to you is this memoir. Until next time, adieu! Click To Tweet

While this post was in partnership with The Blue door group, the opinions expressed are my own.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my detailed review of JD House – A beautiful boutique hotel in Mendocino. You may also enjoy these other Bay Area and California travel guides.

 

 

 

Chirasree Banerjee

Hello. My name is Chirasree. I have been traveling for almost 11 years to places all over the world. I enter into a separate reality during my travels and enjoy the allure of escape from the mundane. I seek beauty through nature and human-made creations. Because beauty is powerful. I seek knowledge. I observe, absorb, and write about the places I visit and the profound realizations and inspirations that each place has to offer.