Historic Lodge At Marconi in Tomales Bay

Northern California’s Tomales Bay – a long, narrow inlet located along West Marin’s scenic coastline – has long been known for its natural beauty and abundance of outdoor pursuits, vineyards, creameries, and oyster farms. Lodge at Marconi, a historic fixture of the area for decades, is now open and welcoming guests after a multi-million-dollar renovation under the astute purview of Oliver Hospitality. The upscale, modern coastal retreat sits on 62 sprawling acres off Highway Route 1 within Marconi State Historic Park, offering visitors immersive access to the region’s intoxicating woodland setting.

Within the newly reopened retreat, an artful and lively Reception Lounge features an intimate lobby with a check-in desk that also serves as a coffee bar, serving beverages and pastries from establishments such as Route One in Tomales and Stellina Pronto in nearby Petaluma. A grab- and-go market boasts local provisions, such as beer, wine, and artisanal local fare. The interior design by New York-based Home Studios renders a residential environment with a camp-esque aesthetic, creating a unique layout of a collection of communal rooms rather than a formal hotel lobby. With cozy lounge seating and banquettes centered around a focal fireplace, guests are encouraged to use this space to work, lounge, and connect.

For those looking to stay awhile, Lodge at Marconi’s 45 accommodations offer a variety of comfortable guestrooms and suites. The room designs, also by Home Studios, are a master lesson in the Third Bay Tradition architectural style, with custom furnishings, organic materials, and a saturated color scheme that serves as a natural connection to the rugged coastal environment just outside. In-room amenities include plush linens, pillow-top mattresses, waffle bathrobes, plant-based Born Bathing bath products, workspaces, and more. But there’s nary a TV in sight, an intentional decision that was made in line with Lodge at Marconi’s commitment to providing a tranquil and rejuvenating environment.

The central hub of the property is an outdoor courtyard featuring a gas fire pit for guests to gather and socialize. This, along with the landscaping throughout, was designed by landscape architect Anooshey Rahim, Principal of Bay Area-based Dune Hai, who sought to honor the historic landscape and maintain much of the existing vegetation. The site also encompasses 3.5 miles of trails overlooking views of Tomales Bay, and a meadow ideal for fun and lawn games. There are eight versatile indoor and outdoor event venues on-site, including the reimagined Redwood Dining Hall, which portrays a mid-century cafeteria-style environment inclusive of a spacious indoor dining room, full bar, and a large wrap-around deck.

On top of the existing curated menu of local, educational activities for guests to book, which include a bioluminescence kayak tour, fungi ID hike, wildlife field tracking, and oyster farm tour and tasting, Lodge at Marconi will roll out additional amenities as a part of its next phases, including an elevated spa and wellness center.

Lodge at Marconi is poised to become an anchor of this uniquely unspoiled destination for generations to come.