California and Oregon luxury hotels North of SFO
#2
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California luxury hotels North of SFO?
There are plenty of luxury hotels in SAN, LAX, SBA and SFO, and anywhere inbetween, but the further North one gets from SFO, the fewer luxury hotels there are.
Sure, there are some excellent option in both Napa and Sonoma, but both are merely an hour's drive from SFO.
Are there any luxury (or even upscale, boutique or just "nice") hotels going further North when doing a roadtrip to the Redwood National Park?
I found a few random properties (such as Carter House in Eureka) which seem nice enough, but that ~3.5* option almost seemed to be one of the "top" options. Any hidden gems I'm missing?
Sure, there are some excellent option in both Napa and Sonoma, but both are merely an hour's drive from SFO.
Are there any luxury (or even upscale, boutique or just "nice") hotels going further North when doing a roadtrip to the Redwood National Park?
I found a few random properties (such as Carter House in Eureka) which seem nice enough, but that ~3.5* option almost seemed to be one of the "top" options. Any hidden gems I'm missing?
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
Not luxury but a historic hoot on the Eel River, comfortable and fun, in Garberville near the Redwoods, for maximum comfort, go for higher-end rooms.
The Benbow Inn
http://www.benbowinn.com/
On Hwy 1 just north of Gualala in Mendocino County:
St. Orries
http://www.saintorres.com/
Again, not luxe but delightfully unusual, comfortable, and the restaurant is great. Book high-end rooms.
In Marshall on Hwy 1 on Tomales Bay (near Point Reyes National Seashore), Nick's Cove Cottages:
https://nickscove.com/
Boonville in the Anderson Valley -- Boonville Hotel, very hip, good food.
http://www.boonvillehotel.com
Again, I stress these are not luxury establishments but rate high on the delight scale.
The Benbow Inn
http://www.benbowinn.com/
On Hwy 1 just north of Gualala in Mendocino County:
St. Orries
http://www.saintorres.com/
Again, not luxe but delightfully unusual, comfortable, and the restaurant is great. Book high-end rooms.
In Marshall on Hwy 1 on Tomales Bay (near Point Reyes National Seashore), Nick's Cove Cottages:
https://nickscove.com/
Boonville in the Anderson Valley -- Boonville Hotel, very hip, good food.
http://www.boonvillehotel.com
Again, I stress these are not luxury establishments but rate high on the delight scale.
Last edited by KatW; Mar 22, 2017 at 12:42 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 700
We stayed at the relatively new Inn at Newport Ranch recently and loved it - overall it's more upscale B&B than luxury hotel, but they do have higher-end suites and even a 3-BR luxury home for rent, and the outdoor setting is as good as it gets with plenty of coastal and inland hiking and other activities:
http://theinnatnewportranch.com/
http://theinnatnewportranch.com/
#6
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
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Depending on how far one wants to drive, the single most fabulous place to stay when driving between SF and Seattle is the Tu Tu' Tun Lodge at Gold Beach, Oregon, which is not far from Eureka, CA.
http://tututun.com/
http://tututun.com/
#7
#8
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Thanks a lot for the recommendations!^
Seems like there are a handful of nice boutique hotels / upscale B&Bs heading North. I'm still slightly surprised there are no "true" luxury properties, at least using the standards commonly applied in this forum (except maybe for the "Heritage House" - which does look excellent). But several of the properties listed seem like very good choices for a 1- or 2-night stay. Thanks!^
Seems like there are a handful of nice boutique hotels / upscale B&Bs heading North. I'm still slightly surprised there are no "true" luxury properties, at least using the standards commonly applied in this forum (except maybe for the "Heritage House" - which does look excellent). But several of the properties listed seem like very good choices for a 1- or 2-night stay. Thanks!^
#9
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
Thanks a lot for the recommendations!^
Seems like there are a handful of nice boutique hotels / upscale B&Bs heading North. I'm still slightly surprised there are no "true" luxury properties, at least using the standards commonly applied in this forum (except maybe for the "Heritage House" - which does look excellent). But several of the properties listed seem like very good choices for a 1- or 2-night stay. Thanks!^
Seems like there are a handful of nice boutique hotels / upscale B&Bs heading North. I'm still slightly surprised there are no "true" luxury properties, at least using the standards commonly applied in this forum (except maybe for the "Heritage House" - which does look excellent). But several of the properties listed seem like very good choices for a 1- or 2-night stay. Thanks!^
Lack of luxe not uncommon on the west coast.
In all cases service will lag ... just not the norm in Northern California.
#10
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
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Posts: 26,543
#11
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Building on the above discussion: Which options would be best for seeing giant Redwood trees nearby (as in morning/afternoon drive, preferably not involving too much walking / minimal hiking)?
It's my understanding there are some Redwood forests closer to SFO than Redwood National Park, though I'm somewhat unsure what the best locations would be.
Thanks!
It's my understanding there are some Redwood forests closer to SFO than Redwood National Park, though I'm somewhat unsure what the best locations would be.
Thanks!
#12
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
Armstrong Redwoods State Preserve in Guerneville near the Russian River.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450
Stay in Jenner on the coast or Applewood Inn
http://www.applewoodinn.com/#sthash.HCkqjhnt.dpbs
Muir Woods, Marin County
https://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm
Stay at Pelican Inn
http://www.pelicaninn.com/
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=450
Stay in Jenner on the coast or Applewood Inn
http://www.applewoodinn.com/#sthash.HCkqjhnt.dpbs
Muir Woods, Marin County
https://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm
Stay at Pelican Inn
http://www.pelicaninn.com/
#13
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: United global services, BA gold,
Posts: 839
We stayed at the relatively new Inn at Newport Ranch recently and loved it - overall it's more upscale B&B than luxury hotel, but they do have higher-end suites and even a 3-BR luxury home for rent, and the outdoor setting is as good as it gets with plenty of coastal and inland hiking and other activities:
The Inn at Newport Ranch
The Inn at Newport Ranch
#14
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 700
Hello SFOactuary, we are thinking if a weekend at the Inn at Newport Ranch in April. Do you have any advice on the rooms? How is the food? I know it's a bit of a drive into Fort Bragg and another 30 min to Mendocino so I assume we would want to eat dinner there. I would appreciate any advice you might have on this Inn. Thank you!
We ended up eating dinner on-site 1 night (on our first night after driving up from San Francisco), and 1 night we ate an early dinner in town before coming back. I'd categorize the on-site dinner as a nice home-cooked meal but not necessarily restaurant quality, so it's a personal decision if it's worth the price. After a long drive it was nice to not have to worry about dinner that first night, so no regrets about deciding to eat there and it was a nice opportunity to mingle with some of the other guests.
Worth noting that they have an outdoor grill available by the fire pit that can be used by all guests, and if you book one of the aforementioned suites I believe they have full kitchen with grills available, if you decide to cook your own meal (which several of the guests did). I remember that one Bay Area couple who was on their 3rd stay had brought a cooler with steaks from their favorite butcher shop for the weekend which I'd probably do if I was to go again.
Highlight of the stay for us was hiking around the property - there's a great trail across the street that goes throughout the forest to the creek. You will have an amazing stay!
#15
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SF Bay Area
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You can book with FHR (Amex) and get the early check-in, room upgrade, breakfast, and late check out. I was told at the desk that they will match that offer if you call them before booking with Amex FHR.
In room welcome for anniversary
Living area
Room
Wine tasting lobby
Lobby
The Restuarant
Patio off front door to room