The Front Porch Inn

From the moment you arrive you feel safe and secure having a gate, passcode and the self check-in makes arrival seamless. The Gardens and grounds are small but beautiful and Lush and a fern-filled labyrinth brings you to a multitude of hot tubs in your own private sanctuary. All the rooms are unique and colorful and have just about everything you need but you might want to bring coffee and other amenities if you want anything extra. Everyone on the ground seems to be pretty respectful and polite and the beds and pillows are very comfy. The first shower I had didn't get hot immediately but it already stated that in the email and told you the trick so that you can get the hot water so that wasn't a problem at all. Communication was great and you're so close to so many amazing spots for hiking, Beach days and sightseeing. Would highly recommend for adults and couples looking for something quiet and private.

A quick walk to great food, but that’s not the point. The cute and quirky rooms full of antiques that delight and comfortable furniture. The star of the show is the courtyard. Just being present in the courtyard is amazing on its own. Read a book in the sun on an Adirondack chair. Listen to the water splash into the Lilly pond surrounded by a slice of a long fallen enormous redwood tree on a gliding bench. Relax in one of the private soaking tubs. It’s an amazing escape right outside your door.

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.

I stayed in the hangout, it was cute with a main room, a bathroom, a kitchen and a bedroom. The decoration was enough to make the room pop. The kitchen was good with the only flaw being I wished there was a bit more counterspace for cooking in.
Other reviews talk about being able to Har other guests in theirrooms, but i only heard people that were outside while my windows were open.

The garden area was well maintained and pleasant to be in.

Then outdoor baths are the big reason to stay here though. They're each in a their own secluded mini-oasis with Moss walls and many ferns and flowers growing. Everything was quiet and peaceful, so you have to be careful talking, because your voice will carry here.

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! 🏕

What a wonderful place to stay! Our Lounge Room exceeded our expectation. We enjoyed sitting by the Lotus pond on our front porch. The kitchen was more than sufficient and the decor was very comfortable. If you're staying in the area, this should be your first choice!

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.

This is a bohemian, hidden sanctuary filled with lush gardens and outdoor spa amenities. There are so many originally crafted details from reclaimed wood and stone and there are little waterfalls everywhere. You would never guess, from the outside how special it is! Once you walk in the front gate, you’re immersed in a gentle tranquility. It’s almost like something out of a Tolkien novel. Service is friendly, welcoming and seamless. The rooms and suites are unique, cozy and comfortable with a touch of whimsy.

Beautiful stay. We rented the "Resting Light Lodge" with our daughter. We all enjoyed the beautiful outdoor baths and the local cafes. Our lodging was clean and well supplied with everything we needed as well as some special extras (fresh eggs, fench press). A cozy and romantic spot. The saff is friendly and quick to respond to requests and questions. Only minor complaint would be the occasional noise from the street and pedestrian traffic, which was likely specific to our lodge location ( one of the walls is by the main street).

The pictures are great but barely do justice to this amazing place. The bathhouse courtyard is simply spectacular with soaking tubs under the stars and a gorgeous sauna to wrap up the outdoor experience. The thick, lush living walls make you feel like you’re the only lucky people there.
The room we stayed in (Waterfall) wasn’t technically very big but the thoughtfulness of the design makes you forget the size. The little things matter here: fresh eggs in the fridge, a truly functional kitchen, Starbucks VIA and oatmeal packets, an electric kettle and much more.
Finally, the art of the woodworking around the place deserves a museum show. New redwood window frames, reclaimed wood moulding, and driftwood handles and faucets in the bathhouse are just some of the highlights.
The location was safe and right next to walking trails through a gorgeous marsh which we enjoyed with our dog. The beach cruiser bicycles quickly whisked us to a unique and quirky downtown with sandwich, bagel and coffee shops. So fun!

Basecamp room was such a fun room to stay in! We didn’t want to leave our room. There’s so many fun things to look at, it felt like an escape room! Sleeping in the tent was a really cool experience! We also throughly enjoyed the hot tubs they provide here and how you have walk through a fern jungle to get to them. We had a lovely, relaxing time, and we will be back again!

Great stay! A unique inn that's a hidden gem in Arcata. Fantastic gardens and spas on the property and the attention to detail throughout the property is incredible. We stayed in Sundrop and it was the perfect size for the two of us. The farm fresh eggs, oatmeal, hot chocolate, and teas available in the room were a nice touch too. Functions as a contactless inn, but we messaged their contact number and received prompt responses. Great experience!

Stoped here while driving from SP to Portland. For $100 more than a motel 6 is absolutely worth it. It was great that they were let friendly.

The good:
The place is absolutely beautiful
The tubs and sauna are wonderful. Love that they’re open 24/7. I’m traveling through and felt so great to be able to go into a hot pool after my long drive
It’s definitely worth the money

The a little less good. Nothing major but things to note:
The room was lacking outlets by the bed
The walls are relatively thin so I could hear the very loud TV of my neighbors till 1am which kinda prevented me from going to sleep. It seems like every one else was being very peaceful so maybe I just got unlucky on the neighbors

I didn’t really check out the neighborhood so I can’t speak to what it he lack to be here for a longer period of time.

We loved our stay at The Front Porch. Someone with an artistic eye has decorated every niche, nook, and cranny with a thoughtful assemblage of antiques, mid-century, and modern furniture and fixtures. Then to top it off is a fully furnished kitchen complete with every imaginable implement, wine glasses, even a garlic press. We'll never forget the vine and fern covered outdoor soaking tub. It was a highlight of our trip

We stayed in the the Garden Breeze. The room is beautiful, the outdoor tubs are wonderful, and they left farm fresh eggs for us to eat for breakfast along with teas, hot chocolate, and other cute little things. They kitchenette is adorable and everything was fantastic!! The bed is the only thing that brought the room to 4 stars because it loudly squeaks with every movement. They did provide earplugs which was nice though. We’ll be returning and trying out a different room!

Sweet little safe alcove tucked walking distance to the Arcata Marsh, Redwood Curtain Brewery, Pub at the Creamery and various points thereabouts. Communication from the hosts was excellent, tricky key codes and lock boxes worked just fine. The experience was closer to a VRBO than a motel. Our room was charmingly appointed and yes, there were fresh eggs in the fridge. We had a brunch date and did not sully the kitchen, but if you are wanting to cook some food it appeared fully equipped. The courtyard was captivating, thank-you Shannon for your personal attention!

We stayed in the Sundrop, which is a little independent building at the back of the property. And we LOVED it. The room is indeed small, with a one butt kitchenette, but it was thoughtfully decorated and very comfortable. We enjoyed the tubs and sauna, and had no issue with parking. Would definitely recommend for an unforgettable stay.

Had a really sweet stay at The Front Porch Inn (TFPI) this past weekend. It was my wife's 30th birthday, and we were returning to TFPI for the first time since our first roadtrip together quite early in our relationship. It was even better than we remembered: really lovely rooms with everything you'd need (without the glitz/glam), very colorful and charming (esp. the spa amenities in the courtyard). It's too bad that we live so far away, as we'd no question stay here more often – it's beautiful with great access to attractions like Redwoods National Park and Avenue of the Giants. Arcata is a sweet town too with nice shops and incredibly friendly service – that goes for TFPI too. Shannon was exceptionally sweet in helping me set up our reservation. Couldn't recommend more highly, we're looking forward to coming back!