Lodges in Half-moon Bay

Joan United States

The entire Church Hill Boutique Lodge and Restaurant set up is designed to please even the pickiest customer. The lodge room is spacious with beautifully upholstered sitting chairs, a huge king-sized comfortable bed, and a warm wool throw for afternoon naps. The bathroom has a roll-in shower with a hand-held device to blast away the aches and pains of all the hill climbing. The mirror has a de-fog function and there is a nightlight to help you find your way. There are high quality Breville appliances available -- a water heater and a coffee machine, a teapot with filter, and plenty of loose leaf tea and coffee pods. The restaurant in the front portion of the Sara's house provides diners with a view of the bay or a place by the fire. The restaurant is filled with antiques and works of art, some by Deanne herself. Fabrics, dried flowers and herbs, and shell flatware rings decorate the table. Deanne the Chef is top quality. We ate dinner there twice just to try the various offerings - mussel patties, mutton bird potstickers, gourmet lamb chops in a wine reduction, baked blue cod with kumara, crispy salmon skin and salmon on potato cakes -- all of which were unusual and delicious! The flavors went together wonderfully. Moreover, the presentation of the dishes was exquisite! Deanne uses a lot of her home made jams, canned fruit, granola, and wonderful breads available at breakfast. Chris is the sommelier and server, and disappears while you're eating dinner to turn down the bed and put chocolates on the night stand, and who will pick you up at the ferry and take you to the airport and other harbor if needs be. He is very knowledgeable about the history of the island and has a wealth of other information to share with you. I was saddened to find that the Saras have the restaurant and lodge on the market. I'd advise those of you wanting an A-one getaway to get down to Steward Island while the Saras are still there.