I recently had the chance to stay at The Lodge at Bodega Bay, which was voted the #1 hotel in the world by the 2024 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. With modern, top-tier amenities and surreal views of the ocean, it’s easily among one of the top five hotels I’ve ever visited, right up alongside the Gaylord Palms hotel in Florida and the Mountain View Grand in New Hampshire. Here’s everything that made The Lodge special, and why you should consider visiting the next time you’re feeling stressed.
What makes The Lodge special?
To me, nothing is more relaxing than a seaside escape, where you can just sit for hours and watch the sea and sky. There are many alcoves on campus where you can hide away and take in the view, but most rooms also have private patios. My husband, Gladston, and I particularly loved the outdoor fire pits, where we toasted our hands in the chill spring air.
The grounds were meticulously kept, complete with local flora and foliage that enhanced the hotel’s authenticity. Guests can enjoy Bocce ball, an infinity edge hot tub, a heated pool, and a sauna. They also have a full fitness center with yoga and Pilates classes. If you can’t get enough of the outdoors, the lobby has first-come, first-served bicycles and beach passes to Doran Beach. They also offer an assortment of beach toys and equipment suitable for all ages, along with guided nature walks.
For those more inclined towards introverted pursuits, I highly recommend the library. This room features a curated selection of books, along with an adjoining sitting room perfect for curling up with a favorite read.
A daily coffee and tea service, as well as an afternoon beverage service, is available every morning in the den, located off the main lobby. They also host select wine partner tastings and events, as well as wine receptions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons. For those with a sweet tooth, you won’t want to miss S’mores Nights, which take place from Sunday to Wednesday.
Best of all, they have an on-site spa which offers several different massage varieties, including an aromatherapy massage, where they use essential oils from flowers, herbs, and trees to help you relax and find your center. Their facials are also popular, ranging from classic enzymes to CBD. For the men looking for a deep cleanse and a restful face massage, try The Gentleman’s Facial. They also have Four Elements Body Treatments, which include everything from body wraps to scrubs to hydrate skin and leave you feeling smooth. If you want to try more than one thing, look into some of their special offers for a great deal.
A peek into the guest rooms and suites
The Lodge at Bodega Bay has many room and suite options to suit your needs, from the 6-guest Captain’s Quarters to the ADA-compliant Accessible Guestrooms. In addition to private balconies, most rooms have fireplaces, which come with a Duraflame fireplace log that you just light with a match. This was such an amazing mood-enhancing touch, and it was so easy to light and pull the metal curtain closed.
We stayed in the Whirlpool Room, which is most commonly booked by couples due to the two-person whirlpool bathtub, complete with a Lavender Bath Fizz. This room was carefully designed with neutrals, complete with ambient lighting for those romantic evenings.
Our sleep was the best it’s been in a long while, thanks to the king-sized bed with its soft sheets and fluffy pillows. Our room also came with a Bose Soundlink. We were able to connect our phones and play our favorite tunes while hanging out in the room, but they also double as a sound machine.
The guest rooms also come with a beverage cooler, complimentary WiFi, plush bathrobes and slippers, and binoculars.
Drake’s Sonoma Coast Restaurant
When you visit, you won’t want to eat anywhere other than Drake’s Sonoma Coast Restaurant, which is right on the hotel’s campus. The menu rotates frequently to accommodate seasonal flavors and support sustainable local farms, wineries, and seafood, which means that you’ll always have the freshest cuisine here. The experience is golden no matter where you sit, but it’s even better if you can snag a coveted table by the bay windows.
We arrived right before sunset, and while it was too misty to see any sunset colors, the view was absolutely spectacular. As the darkness fell, the outdoor lighting came on, and we didn’t want to leave. The food was just as good, from the first bite of clam chowder to the last bite of carrot cake.
Overall, our experience at The Lodge at Bodega Bay was the perfect blend between modern luxury and the great outdoors. We will definitely be returning. Thanks to all of the staff for making our stay special.
