Lodge at Marconi, an upscale coastal retreat in West Marin County, is now open and welcoming guests. Less than a 90-minute drive from San Francisco and sitting on 62 sprawling acres of California’s Highway 1 overlooking Tomales Bay, the modern 45-room hotel feels like sleep-away camp for adults. Rest among the redwood trees, connect with family and friends in unique gathering spaces, and explore via activities that invite you to play in a region adored for its outdoor adventures, vineyards, oyster farms and peaceful Pacific Ocean-view corners, made for contemplation and meditation.
“We are so proud to unveil the transformed – and transformative – Lodge at Marconi”, said Bryon Parsons, General Manager of Lodge at Marconi. “We took great care to create a top-notch guest experience, with thoughtful and personalized service, a comfortable and welcoming environment, and an assortment of modern amenities and services that cater to today’s travelers, all amidst acres of lush nature overlooking the Bay”.
A laid-back lifestyle is imbued in all 45 rooms at Lodge at Marconi (Photo by Steven J Magner)
California Lifestyle & Comfort
Their’s nary a tent in site at the Lodge at Marconi, where brand new accommodations offer a choice of guest rooms and suites to suit a range of needs, from the Deluxe Double Queen Loft, with two queen beds and an upper twin loft room to the King Suite, and many in between. In-room amenities include plush linens, pillow-top mattresses, luxe waffle bathrobes, plant-based Born Bathing bath products, dedicated workspaces, refrigerators, coffee machines, tea, and more.
In line with its commitment to providing a tranquil escape to nature, Lodge at Marconi does not have televisions. Instead, guests are encouraged to fully unplug, unwind and immerse themselves in the serene atmosphere of one of California’s most beautiful settings.
The rustically elegant interior design comes from New York-based design studio Home Studios. whose attention to detail and diversity of expression make an impressive impact. Guests will find custom furnishings, organic materials and wall cube art inspired by the style of Stuart Arends – painted in colours pulled from the local landscape and labeled with handwritten Latin plant names and dates, akin to field notes – seek to maintain a natural connection to coastal Northern California’s rugged environment.
Ample natural woods and textiles throughout each room render a cohesive feel, with an overall palette informed by nature. Cedar paneling, artful tiles from Heath Ceramics, and ample millwork further define this ethos. While the exterior facades of the buildings were refinished as a part of the makeover, the overall modern architecture was untouched to preserve the site’s history and character.
Distinctive Arrivals & Artful Lounging
Upon arrival into the newly opened reception lounge, guests are welcomed into an intimate space with a check-in desk that also conveniently moonlights as a coffee and espresso bar, serving beverages, handmade pastries from beloved establishments such as Route One in Tomales and Stellina Pronto in Petaluma, and Double 8 Dairy buffalo milk gelato.
Across the lounge, a grab-and-go market boasts additional locally-sourced provisions, such as beer, wine, and artisanal fare from West Marin Culture Shop and Lunchette. A kitchenette offers a microwave and toaster station for guests’ convenience. A small retail area features a curated selection of books from nearby indie gem Point Reyes Books along with Lodge at Marconi branded merchandise.
Home Studios sought to create an authentic, camp-esque environment, with a unique layout of a collection of rooms – opposed to a formal hotel lobby – in order to evoke a residential environment and encourage connection between guests.
Curated art and décor include collaborations with talented artisans, such as a custom wall tapestry by Lookout & Wonderland, a tall teapot by Linda Fahe of San Francisco’s Yonder shop, and a custom ceramic sconce from Blanc Studio.
Each communal space is intended to welcome activity through all points of the day, whether it’s sitting in a nook enjoying a cup of coffee and a good read, tackling emails within the workspace, or gathering with friends over a bottle of wine. Cozy lounge seating and banquettes are centered around a focal fireplace, while towering banks of windows let in the forest and Bay views and ample natural light.
Less than 90-minutes from San Francisco, Lodge at Marconi sits on serene Tomales Bay in West Marin County
62 Unspoiled Acres
The Lodge at Marconi team exercises a deep commitment to sustainability and being stewards of the land. The site’s grounds encompass 3.5 miles of walking and hiking trails for unlimited opportunities to explore and discover the property’s serene environment and natural beauty, all overlooking views of Tomales Bay.
The central hub of Lodge at Marconi is an outdoor courtyard featuring a gas fire pit and custom lounge seating, benches, and natural boulders for guests to gather and socialize. This, along with the thoughtful landscaping throughout the property, was conceived and designed by landscape architect Anooshey Rahim, Principal of Bay Area-based Dune Hai.
The landscape serves as the connection between the various buildings. The Dune Hai team was inspired to honor the historic landscape and maintain as much of the existing vegetation as possible, while creating more of a cohesive language, emphasizing the unique rugged location, and creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for guests.
All plantings are native to the region and focus on seasonality. Highlights include coloured lupine, manzanitas, yarrow plants, silk tassel bushes, and blue spruces. Sustainability was of significant importance, with a focus on low water usage, utilizing local oyster shells as soil, crafting custom posts with upcycled wood from Bay Area Redwood, and contracting local installers to reduce the carbon footprint.
The meadow at Lodge at Marconi offers an open space for further exploration and fun, with lawn games such as croquet, giant Jenga, giant Dominos, bean bag toss, horseshoes, volleyball, frisbees, and more.
Immersive Programming & Amenities
The guest experience puts hospitality at the forefront and considers modern conveniences. This includes a highly trained front desk staff, porter for check-in, golf carts to roam the property’s expanse, and a dedicated concierge team to arrange a curated range of local, educational activities to further immerse oneself in the spirit of this dynamic region.
This includes a Tour & Tasting at West Marin Culture Shop whereby guests can learn the art of fermenting, a Farm Tour & Tasting at the iconic Hog Island Oyster Co., a bioluminescence kayak tour of Tomales Bay withBlue Water Kayak, a dairy and cheesemaking tour and tasting at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., a fungi ID hike with Dream Farm Mushroom, wildlife field tracking at nearby Limantour Beach with Richard Vacha, an olive tour and tasting at McEvoy Ranch, and a historical walking tour of Downtown Point Reyes Station with renowned California historian Dewey Livingston.
As a first stage of Lodge at Marconi’s wellness offerings, guests can reap the benefits of a dry sauna, which is set amidst the forest with glass windows that overlook Tomales Bay. Nearby, a yoga platform was constructed for guests to practice guided or solo.
A Vision for the Future
Many additional accommodations, facilities, and amenities will roll out in the coming months as a part of Lodge at Marconi’s next phases. This includes an elevated spa and wellness center including in-room treatment offerings, and the renovation and reopening of the site’s historic cottages.
Immersive and educational programming and partnerships such as guided hikes, bird watching, beach bonfires, animal tracking, whale watching, Dungeness crab kayaking trips, wild plant harvesting, sunset sails, horseback riding, surf lessons, and wildlife photography lessons are being planned as well.
We at BSY can hardly wait!
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Lodge at Marconi at +1 (415) 663-9020 or visit www.lodgeatmarconi.com
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Photos courtesy of Lodge at Marconi and Steven J Magner
