True to its name, Sausalito’s The Inn Above Tide perches directly over San Francisco Bay waters. All 33 of its guestrooms and suites feature panoramic views that on any given day may include the presence of kayakers, paddleboarders, sailboats, ferries, sea lions, and flocks of pelicans softly gliding by. The inn provides a veritable front row seat to varied seafaring activity. A stay here—Northern California’s only luxury, waterfront, boutique hotel—also offers one of the most picturesque vistas of San Francisco’s rolling landscape. The effect is particularly lovely at dusk, when the City by the Bay illuminates from afar. It’s the perfect setting in which to rediscover romance, aided by the Inn’s Empty-Nestermoon Getaway itinerary.
Overseen for nearly 30 years by the McDevitt family, The Inn Above Tide is considered a local treasure. Originally constructed by William ‘Bill’ McDevitt in 1961 as an apartment building, it was repurposed in 1995 as a luxury boutique hotel. For three decades, the McDevitt family has maintained the property with great care and attention to detail, updating and modernizing with the times, while upholding the Inn’s continuing prestige within the quaint seaside village that resembles those along the Mediterranean coastline.
With its sumptuously designed guestrooms and suites, many of which feature private, furnished terraces, the three-story, contemporary inn exudes ardor. Gas fireplaces ward-off the chill of the nearly ever present bay fog that ebbs and flows in dramatic fashion; artfully curated honor bars feature the most indulgent wines and spirits; luxe, San Francisco-made McRoskey mattresses are outfitted with Italian linens, and spacious bathrooms feature Bulgari toiletries. Binoculars are provided in every room, for spotting the myriad of sea life.
Included in every stay is a locally sourced continental breakfast served in-room or buffet-style in the lobby-adjacent Drawing Room, where fine wines and cheeses are served nightly from 5 to 7pm. Additional amenities include morning newspaper delivery, 24-hour complimentary coffee and tea service, and a fleet of bicycles for complimentary guest use. If ever there was the perfect place at which to rekindle one’s relationship, it’s The Inn Above Tide. The Empty-Nestermoon Getaway itinerary is simply “icing on the cake.”
This package includes a three-night stay featuring thoughtfully curated amenities and activities, such as personalized day trips to Muir Woods and the Marine Mammal Center, an artisanal wine tasting experience, and in-room couples massage.
Highlights include:
Day 1: Arrival and Playful Amenities
Enjoy a warm welcome that includes a bountiful basket of “playful” amenities, including the Inn Above Tide Coloring Book by local Sausalito artists, Inn Above Tide MadLibs book, Inn Above Tide TableTopic cards, and one of the inn’s Culinary Masters Mini Bar baskets featuring delights from top San Francisco and Bay Area chefs.
Day 2: Explore Muir Woods
The second day includes a personalized day trip to awe-inspiring Muir Woods, Marin County’s forest preserve featuring some of the tallest and oldest trees in the world. The visit includes a picnic lunch and a scenic hike.
Day 3: Marine Mammal Center Experience
On the third day, couples will immerse themselves in the wonders of marine life with a visit to the Marine Mammal Center, a unique facility that plays a critical role in the conservation and protection of marine wildlife along the California coast. Or, opt for a guided tour of Sausalito’s famed Heath Ceramics factory, known for its high-quality, handcrafted ceramic tableware and tiles.
Day 4: Artisanal and Culinary Delights
On the last full day, Inn Above Tide will arrange for couples to enjoy a reserve tasting experience at Hamel Family Wines in Sonoma (based on availability), known for their high-quality, small-lot wines with a focus on estate-grown fruit. Following the wine tasting, couples will enjoy a relaxing in-room couples massage. (Yoga mats are also provided for in-room couples yoga sessions.)
Dining Experiences:
The Inn Above Tide’s concierge staff can arrange evening dining reservations with some of Sausalito’s most highly rated restaurants, such as Sushi Ran, which offers exceptional sushi and creative Japanese cuisine, Copita, known for its Mediterranean-inspired dishes, tequila-focused spirits program, and vibrant atmosphere, and local favorite Poggio, where Chef Ben Balisteri crafts deliciously authentic Italian dishes. (Dining experiences are not included in the package.)
Whether booking on your own, or scheduling the Empty-Nestermoon package, a stay at The Inn Above Tide can’t help but encourage re-connection. The fog, the wine, the San Francisco views; it’s all so utterly romantic.
The Inn Above Tide Empty-Nestermoon three-night package starts at $1,265/night plus tax for two people. For more information or to book, please visit www.innabovetide.com or telephone 800-893-8433. Subject to room and dining reservation availability.
Photos courtesy of The Inn Above Tide