Prime Coastal Retreat: Lodge at Marconi, Tomales Bay, CA

A high/low vibe appeals astatine Tomales Bay’s newish Lodge astatine Marconi. Admittedly mostly high, the coastal retreat’s ambiance and amenities are perfect for those who similar their fleece with a spot of Frette. Akin to elevated glamping, a enactment present affords casual entree to the wonders of West Marin, a portion known for its abundant earthy quality and for its culinary and creator communities. 

Managed by Oliver Hospitality, Lodge astatine Marconi perches atop forested hills that place picturesque bay waters. Its 62 sprawling acres were primitively developed successful 1914 by namesake Guglielmo Marconi arsenic a vigor receiving station. Marconi, often credited arsenic the inventor of radio, is paid homage with a lobby show of antique vigor equipment. In the 1960’s, the tract became location to the arguable “alternative manner community” Synanon. But immoderate signs of a sinister past person been erased, prevention for a fewer Synanon community-made tiles. More recently, the spot served arsenic Marconi Conference Center, hosting firm retreats, conferences, and weddings. 

The hotel's lobby is simply a gathering spot for complimentary greeting java and pastries

After a multi-million-dollar, 17-month-long renovation, Lodge astatine Marconi opened astir a twelvemonth ago. 45 guestrooms and suites of varying size and layout encircle a ample Adirondack-chair-lined occurrence pit. The grounds suggest “family camp,” yet each accommodation features plush linens, Matouk robes, Frette slippers, plant-based Born Bathing bath products, refillable Path h2o bottles, and coffee/tea kettles. A nary tv argumentation furthers the campy vibe; the deficiency of distraction encourages communal pursuits specified arsenic cornhole and conversation. But if TV is simply a must, 1 tin beryllium recovered successful the lobby’s crippled country wherever a occurrence flickers connected cooler days and nights. 

A lobby adjacent crippled country features...games, and the Lodge's lone television

The full aesthetic was spearheaded by New York-based plan studio Home Studios, its squad of which was inspired by the inventive tone of Guglielmo, arsenic good arsenic the region’s splendor. Guestrooms and communal spaces diagnostic customized furnishings, integrated materials, a saturated colour scheme, and partition cube creation inspired by the benignant of Stuart Arends, painted successful colors pulled from the section landscape. Cedar paneling, artful Bay-area made Heath Ceramics tiles, and ample millwork further specify a 70’s-esque ethos. 

In the lobby area, you’ll find thoughtful amenities specified arsenic complimentary greeting java (from a section roaster, natch), delicious pastries, fruit, and a h2o filling presumption with some sparkling and still. (Crafted espresso drinks are besides disposable for purchase.) A tiny grab-and-go marketplace features a highly curated assortment of locally sourced, artisanal snacks and wines; a kitchenette offers a microwave and toaster presumption for guests’ convenience. And acquisition giving is made casual with the lobby’s show of prime logoed-goods. 

Lodge astatine Marconi King Suite

Lodge astatine Marconi Deluxe Double Queen Loft impermanent room

The lodge’s newest summation is Mable’s Restaurant and Patio, boasting a spacious indoor eating room, a striking afloat barroom with a robust beverage program, and a 1,300-square-foot wrap-around patio overlooking the surrounding quality and shimmering Tomales Bay waters. Guests astatine Mable’s tin bask a immense array of Mediterranean-inspired entrees (including vegetarian and vegan options), with a absorption connected inventive snacks, shareable plates of dips and spreads, salads, and veggies—all conceived and led by Executive Chef Les Goodman, who brings 25+ years of culinary acquisition to the caller space. Just similar the Lodge, Mable’s is afloat committed to sustainable practices wrong their operations, from sustainable farming, to shortening proviso chain, to minimizing nutrient waste, and sourcing ingredients from section and integrated producers.

The eating room, Mable's Restaurant and Patio

And though there’s plentifulness connected the Mable’s paper to entice for aggregate meals, guests volition privation to check-out historical and iconic Nick’s Cove, a section instauration conscionable a 10 infinitesimal thrust north. Originally a sportfishing lodge that dates to the 1930s, Nick’s Cove offers stunning views of the bay and the surrounding scenery and is known for its fantabulous seafood, peculiarly its oysters. The paper is led by Chef Chris Cosentino, well-known for winning Top Chef Masters, arsenic a rival on The Next Iron Chef and Iron Chef America, and for his legendary restaurants successful the Bay Area and beyond. Cosentino grew up clamming and sportfishing successful the coastal municipality of Newport, Rhode Island, making his collaboration with Nick’s Cove much than serendipitous. 

Lodge astatine Marconi trails pb to spectacular views of Tomales Bay. Photo by Fran Miller

With its miles of hillside hiking trails starring to spectacular vistas, there’s plentifulness to bash connected the Lodge astatine Marconi property, but you’d beryllium remiss not to onslaught retired successful exploration of the bucolic region. West Marin is location to an abundance of taste riches. Lodge unit tin put for section activities specified as: Tour & Tasting at West Marin Culture Shop whereby guests tin larn the creation of fermenting, a Farm Tour & Tasting astatine the iconic Hog Island Oyster Co., a bioluminescence kayak circuit of Tomales Bay with Blue Water Kayak, a dairy and cheesemaking circuit and tasting at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., a fungi ID hike with Dream Farm Mushroom, wildlife tract tracking astatine adjacent Limantour Beach, an olive circuit and tasting astatine McEvoy Ranch, and a humanities walking circuit of Downtown Point Reyes Station. 

Whether your hospitality penchant is precocious (a solid of prime Cab enjoyed with a view, perhaps) oregon debased (s’more’s by the firepit), Lodge astatine Marconi rewards with full relaxation.  

Photos courtesy of Lodge astatine Marconi, but wherever noted