Cavalier Oceanfront - San Simeon

We book a Premium Ocean Front room for a weekend once a year. This is our 4th year and the Cavalier continues to be a gem. The view is extraordinary. The room is literally 20 steps from a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Nice big deck with comfy rocking chairs. The rooms have real fireplaces, for which they provide an endless supply of compressed wood and lighter material. The beds are comfy. The rooms are clean. Our premium room has two really comfy easy chairs that we sink into and watch the waves. There's a big, deep bathtub, fluffy robes, and decent towels. They even provide quality binoculars to watch surfers and wildlife frolic in the water. We usually order room service for breakfast; it arrives quickly, hot, and with a smile. We've ordered room service for supper, and have also walked into their on-site restaurant. The menu isn't wildly creative, but the food is always prepared well and served with care. The liquor selection in their bar is pretty basic (no top-shelf brands) but the pours are generous. The entire place is extremely pet-friendly, and they don't gouge pet owners with additional costs. In short. We thoroughly enjoy our annual visit to the Cavalier and look forward to returning next time.

The location deserves a 4, while I would rate the restaurant a 3. However, the room itself is a 1. I was placed in an east-facing room with a close-up view of some evergreens from the sliding door and balcony, but it was quite peculiar. It was one of three rooms located in a utility shed structure above the garages and storage areas. The room was dirty, noisy due to the activity below, and in need of a refresh, as the furnishings were worn and had a musty odor reminiscent of summer camp from my childhood. I strongly advise against staying here.

Regrettably, the reality is that the property has significantly deteriorated over the years. The carpets in the rooms are noticeably worn, the wallpaper is peeling away from the wall, and there’s a red crayon mark on the bathroom wall. Our door shows signs of heavy wear, with peeling paint and a gap between the door and the frame that resembles the aftermath of a break-in. The plumbing fixtures are tarnished and coated with mineral deposits, and the bed linens are thin and threadbare. Paint is chipping off the stair railings, and I could mention more issues. It feels as if management has simply stopped caring, which is disheartening because this used to be such a delightful place to stay. I must also mention that the front desk staff are nearly rude, and if you request anything, you may find yourself having to follow up to remind them. Despite the declining condition of the property, prices have consistently increased while the level of service has dropped – they even eliminated daily maid service after COVID. We used to be warmly welcomed by name, and complimentary champagne awaited us in our room upon check-in. We were proud members of the Prestige Club, which I can only assume is no longer in existence. So, farewell to an old friend. We're saddened to witness the decline of what was once a wonderful haven.

The restaurant was incredibly disappointing. It felt very old, with a musty smell, and appeared as if it hadn't been updated since the mid-1950s. The atmosphere matched the odor. To make matters worse, I was charged an extra $150 for a so-called "cozy service," which consisted of an old blanket and a cheap bottle of wine. I had explicitly requested online not to include this service when making my reservation, but the front desk clerk insisted that it was mandatory. Additionally, when I called to request a cleaning for our room, I was informed that they only clean rooms every other day, which they had failed to mention before. The grounds were just as neglected, and yet the prices were the highest in the area. Overall, it was a significant letdown, and I will not be returning.

Renovations on the rooms. Outdated, dirty, hazardous issues in rooms. Stained carpet, mold in bathroom, stained outdated chairs etc