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Best Boutique Hotel Group Getaway

Bring your whole brood, book all 14 hotel rooms and have an unforgettable coastal bridal bash, a charmed family reunion, an enchanted anniversary, a chill company soiree, … you get the inn idea. This lovely, quiet and quaint boutique hotel, dubbed one of Condé Nast Traveler's Top 50 Small Hotels in the U.S., is an ideal place to retreat to with your closest friends and family.

The secret hideaway feel, idyllic La Jolla location (across the street from stunning beachside cliffs) and the hotel's proximity to town makes it an ingenious stay for any group of travelers. Sure, just one couple could select the hotel for their romantic getaway, or a family for their relaxed retreat, but it is beyond perfect for occasions that call for booking multiple rooms.

Scripps Inn is a small two-story hotel that feels instantly comfortable in an upscale, unassuming manner. It's one of those stays in which you'll remember the people more than perhaps the décor and appointments. The hotel hospitality is a warm welcome when returning from town or the beach. Managers will undoubtedly ask you how your day was, they may lend you a pair of their antique binoculars, even pull out a vintage newspaper or map from decades past to give you a look back at the old La Jolla. When you add this charmed intimacy to your already close group of friends or family, you begin to see how the group getaway becomes so naturally appealing.

Thoughtful boutique-hotel design touches include the lobby's Dutch door, the building's ornamental creeping fig, the weeping mortar between bricks, the curved center staircase and the leisure second-story deck accented with patio umbrellas and fresh flowers. All the rooms also have aged teak benches and chairs outside their doors—seemingly inviting one to read a book or rest one's bones while soaking up the spectacular views, gentle sea breezes and rolling surf.

The Inn's prime location is unbeatable: just steps from the beach and the winding sea wall that leads to a gathering spot of hundreds of wild seals. The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is also right next door, plus there's shopping and dining walking distance in town.

Family and friends could easily come and go as they wish from Scripps Inn's central spot. Couples, friends or a family could pick their preferred day-jaunt activities, then meet back up in the afternoon or evening. And you could plan a few large-group outings, such as a breakfast at Cody's in town (you can reserve the whole place even), or everyone could celebrate in style aboard a Hornblower Cruise. Sunset cruising with a group makes for a fantastic dinner cruise where you can watch everyone unwind on the dance floor after a few glasses of champagne. (The Scripps Inn staff is happy to coordinate your excursions.)

As far as the room accommodations, the Inn offers five room types that vary in size, each with an airy, simple Mediterranean look. The Ocean Vista Suite should be reserved for the anniversary couple, bride-to-be, or possibly those who travelled the farthest. The Suite has exquisite views from all directions.

Aveda products are offered in all rooms to naturally soothe and energize. And all guests are invited to start the day with a lobby continental breakfast of scones, muffins, coffee, tea and more.

If Scripps Inn sounds like your kind of place, but you just don't have that big brood to bring, rest assured, you can always just go with your spouse or immediate family members, as you're certain to make fast friends with the staff and others staying there.

Scripps Inn is such a unique find for its intimate yet approachable style—and rarely do you find such an affordable boutique hotel with such incredible coastal access that everyone can enjoy. As they say, "the more, the merrier." So go big (in a boutique way) or go home, and book the whole Scripps Inn.

Debbie Lavdas is a Southern California freelance writer. She also contributes to bask Magazine, Laguna Beach Magazine, OC Family Magazine and more. Keep up with her at DebbieintheOC.com and @deblavdas on Twitter.

Photos by Debbie Lavdas or courtesy of Scripps Inn.

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