The Lodge at Marconi is a true “yes and.” Is this a state historic park? Yes, and also a hotel steeped in Northern California coastal style, that special blend of nature-friendly architecture, floor-to-ceiling windows, luxury linens and inviting outdoor spaces. Was the property at one time a cult or drug rehab headquarters? Yes, and before that, a radio receiving outpost that made trans-Pacific radio communications possible.
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This “yes and” approach serves it well in its current state as a hotel and event space with views of Tomales Bay, hiking trails around the property, and a restaurant. In late fall, I took an hour’s drive from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Lodge at Marconi to spend the night. Here are the details of the experiment.
What you need to know about the Lodge in Marconi
- Rather than a single building, the Lodge is made up of groups of individual buildings and homes scattered throughout the wooded hillside property.
- The original Marconi Hotel, which you’ll see as you walk up the hill toward what is now the Lodge at Marconi, is an empty, cool, and a little spooky building. This is not part of the current lodge.
- The Lodge is a popular location for weekends and weddings, giving it a festive atmosphere.
- Breakfast options are a little thin on the ground. You can grab coffee drinks and grab-and-go items in the lobby, but if you want a larger breakfast, you’ll need to head to Point Reyes Station or head north to Bodega Bay (at approximately 35 minutes).
- The concierge can suggest interesting activities including horse riding, Point Reyes safaris and kayaking.
- The service was very relaxed. It wasn’t an experience beyond luxurious, but it was friendly and knowledgeable.
Details about Lodge in Marconi
Location
The hotel is about a 20-minute drive north of Point Reyes Station. Situated on a forested hillside, the property offers partial views of Tomales Bay towards Point Reyes. It’s a good place to start if you’re looking for a weekend getaway that mixes the activities of Point Reyes with a bit of coastal Sonoma (a half-hour drive north) for more variety.
The property
The lodge and state park are located on 62 acres of forested hillside along Tomales Bay. While I was there I hiked many trails and saw deer and birds along the way. Among the lodge’s well-maintained buildings are a few historic homes that are now used for events such as weddings and conferences. At the top of the property is a hill that has great views and is available as a wedding ceremony site (there was a wedding party going back down the hill as I went up to get a view of the sunset). There is also a large meadow where you can picnic, play volleyball or borrow equipment for other activities such as pétanque. A fire pit and Adirondack chairs create a gathering place in the center of the main group of buildings. And a detached A-frame home offers a more private vacation rental experience.
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The Lodge has done a good job of making the lobby feel like a comfortable, welcoming living room, complete with interesting books and a roaring fire. Vintage radios line the walls, and a small pantry offers snacks, wine, and drinks.
Rooms
The Lodge’s 45 rooms are spread around the property, but most are just steps from the lobby, arranged in a circle around the foyer and nestled among the trees. This is where I stayed, in a Standard King Loft, which has a King bed on the ground floor and twin beds tucked away in a small loft above. There is a mix of room types, sleeping between two and five people.
My room was cozy, coastal, and full of delightful details like local artwork, high-end bath products, handmade chairs, antique telephones, elegant glassware, a gooseneck kettle for the brewed tea and coffee.
Dining
The Lodge’s restaurant, Mable’s, is reason to visit in itself. Looking at the photos before I arrived, I was a little worried that the dining room, with its tiled floors and Scandinavian furniture, would be cold, but instead it was warm, welcoming and rich in the aromas of good food . The mid-century modern dining room is lined with windows on two sides that, during the day, overlook a large deck with picnic tables and, beyond, the bay.
Local, seasonal ingredients play a starring role in the prix fixe tasting menu and a la carte menu. I tried the “Mable Experience,” a parade of fun appetizers like roasted vegetables, toasted homemade bread topped with goat cheese, and canned fish. Other items on the a la carte menu, like local charcuterie and cheese boards, salads and local fish stews, are meant to be shared.
The deliciousness extends to dessert with options like seasonal fruit pavlovas (when I was there, it was a mix of gooseberries, pomegranate and early winter persimmons, which has become a treat that I prepare at home) and homemade ice cream.
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