Mendocino's Brewery Gulch Inn Offers 'Whale of a Deal' and more

Constructed in 2001 from 150-year old redwood reclaimed from the nearby Big River, this architectural masterpiece is located on an historic piece of land that was once home to Mendocino’s first brewery. The “red gold” that defines the lodging property encircles the lobby in a kalidescope of blond, burgundy, and deep cinnamon panels patinaed by age and the elements. The salvaged wood can be found throughout the Inn, from the outside façade and numerous observations decks, to the soaring windows framing guests’ views of the Pacific Ocean. And anchoring the 15-foot cathedral ceiling in the Great Room is a stunning, four-sided glass-and-steel fireplace kept stoked and burning year-round.

“The Inn was designed to be a continuing surprise and revelation,” states owner Guy Pacurar. “As guests move from the intimate lobby into the Great Room, the ceiling height rises dramatically and two sets of 13-foot glass and redwood French doors provide guests access to our ocean-view redwood deck.”

With three extraordinary acres of mature pines and redwoods, wooded glens, wetland ponds, gardens, and a plethora of blooming rhododendrons, the property overwhelms your senses with the sights, smells and sounds of nature. Hummingbirds buzz and birds chatter outside your window. Deer, turkeys and other wildlife roam the meadow outside the Inn. In the distance, the mighty waves of the Pacific crash along the shore as you drift off to sleep.

The 10 romantic rooms– many with deep, two-person tubs and private decks – all look out over picture-perfect views of Smuggler’s Cove; while the Meadowview Suite, overlooking the meadow and woods behind the Inn, is the perfect accommodation for visiting families. Each of the rooms boasts soothing earth tones, feather beds cloaked in Sferra linens, state-of-the-art flat panel televisions, DVD players and iPod docks. And in the bath, Molton Brown and Asprey products, Himalayan bath salts and thick Abyss towels let residents know this is not your grandmother’s b&b.

While your body and mind are being cosseted by the Inn and its surroundings, the property’s full-time executive chef will tempt your taste buds with an extensive array of culinary offerings. Included with each stay is an order-off-the-menu, cooked-to-order breakfast, as well as an innovative dinner buffet, both of which focus on locally-sourced, organic ingredients whenever possible. Recent offerings on the seasonally-changing breakfast menu have included North Coast Eggs Benedict featuring housemade English muffins and an adobo hollandaise; a bacon, arugula, avocado and heirloom tomato breakfast salad over a slice of brioche, dressed with a lemon-basil vinaigrette; and an always-present side, the inn’s signature dish, Millionaire’s Bacon.

Recent evening entrees have featured Moroccan-spiced lamb; herb-marinated, grilled flank steak; vadouvan-rubbed, braised chicken; and hoisin-crisped Maple Leaf duck breast. Each evening’s offering is accompanied by four regional wines. Chef Peg Davis, a Michigan transplant who has practiced her craft in award-winning kitchens across the country, loves to showcase the bounty of Mendocino. Guests will frequently see regional favorites such as locally foraged mushrooms, Dungeness crab, and olallieberries featured on Chef Davis’ menu.

For those who aren’t quite comfortable with being completely off the grid, Wi-Fi access, satellite television and a 600+DVD collection of contemporary, classic, and foreign titles are all included with each stay. An on-site concierge service and a staff ready to assist each guest in whatever way possible makes a visit to Brewery Gulch Inn a truly memorable travel experience.

For more information, visit the Inn’s website at www.brewerygulchinn.com or call 800.578.4454.