Little River Mendocino, California
Renovated
2013
Price
$$$
Rated for
Heritage Luxe ResortOutside the door
Cliffside farmhouse inn
A nineteenth-century coastal homestead expanded along thirty-seven oceanfront acres, where walking trails trace the bluffs above Smugglers' Cove.
What it’s good at
Listed
Thirty-seven cliffside acres of oceanfront walking trails winding towards Smugglers' Cove.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
rare indeed is the hotel with oceanfront property in Mendocino, but Heritage House Resort occupies fully 37 acres of unspoiled cliffside on the coast.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Mendocino Village sits five minutes north. Down the road, Van Damme State Park has trails leading through coastal redwoods.
The rooms
Each room opens onto a private patio. Most include fireplaces and deep soaking tubs for chilly coastal evenings.
The spa
Three treatment rooms sit beneath exposed wooden rafters, offering massage therapy and body rituals overlooking the Pacific.
The gym
Floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto coastal trees, and weekend morning yoga gathers in the Steeple Room.
Bar
5200 Lounge
The wooden bar looks through arched windows to the coastline, pouring Anderson Valley wines and herb-infused cocktails.
At the table
The main dining room looks over the ocean terrace through tall windows, serving locally sourced breakfast each morning.
How it began
Lauren Dennen turned the 1877 farmhouse into an inn in 1949, later hosting the film Same Time, Next Year.
The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.