No road trip through northern California is complete without spending a few days exploring gorgeous Mendocino County. Much of the village of Mendocino just happens to be a National Historic Preservation District, and many of the town’s historic 19th-century Victorian buildings have been reimagined as charming inns and businesses.
Spend some time getting to know this area, and you can while away the days exploring the seaside bluffs of Mendocino Headlands State Park, hiking in Russian Gulch State Park, going wine tasting in Anderson Valley, riding a historic train through redwood forests, or simply shopping, wining, and dining in downtown Mendocino.
With so much to see and do, you’ll want a nice hotel room to rest up in at the end of a long day. But with so many places to stay in Mendocino, you might have a hard time choosing the perfect hotel. So we’ve created a list of the 10 best boutique hotels in Mendocino to help you plan your perfect getaway!
- Short on time and don’t want to read the whole article? Here are our top 3 picks!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).
Where to Stay in Mendocino
Located right next to the naturally beautiful Mendocino Headlands State Park, downtown Mendocino is where most visitors tend to base themselves. This is where you’ll find some of the very best hotels in Mendocino. Not to mention, you’ll be able to walk to all of the restaurants, shops, and galleries that line the streets of this adorable village.
You’ll also find some of the most popular places to stay in Mendocino clustered around the town of Little River, just 3 miles south of downtown Mendocino. This is a quaint town of roughly 500 residents, so you won’t have all the amenities offered by downtown Mendocino, but the quaint hotels here offer the perfect reprieve if you’re looking for a tranquil escape.
You’ll also find quite a few hotels, inns, and B&Bs lining the coast of Mendocino County.
The 10 Best Boutique Hotels in Mendocino, CA
1. Brewery Gulch Inn & Spa
Recognized as one of the top 100 hotels in the world by “Travel + Leisure” and “Conde Nast,” it’s safe to say that Brewery Gulch Inn & Spa is one of the best hotels in Mendocino.
Perched on a bluff overlooking Mendocino Bay, this spectacular Arts and Crafts-style property is made out of eco-salvaged redwood and boasts 10 ocean-view guest rooms and one non-ocean-view suite. No matter which you choose, you’ll love the gas fireplace, plush bed with Sferra fine linens, flat-screen TV with a built-in DVD player and Direct TV, and luxury Le Labo Hinoki bath products.
Head down to the dining room in the morning, and you’ll be lavished with an organic, locally sourced breakfast, cooked-to-order by the executive chef. And once you return at the end of the day, don’t miss out on the Evening Wine Hour with gourmet appetizers prepared by the chef.
2. SCP Mendocino Inn and Farm
Located in Little River, just 5 minutes from downtown Mendocino, SCP Mendocino Inn and Farm is one of the most unique Mendocino luxury hotels, perfect if you just want to get away from it all. You’ll find 31 individually appointed rooms scattered across seven buildings, most of which offer wood-burning fireplaces and ocean views.
You’ll love having your seasonal breakfast basket delivered to your room every morning. Think fresh juice, fruit, muffins, and egg soufflés! After breakfast, you can explore SCP’s 15-acre farm and garden, get pampered at the spa, or take a hike in the adjacent Van Damme State Park.
This B&B also puts on wine happy hours with local wines. And if you want to pick up a bottle of your own, be sure to visit the wine shop in the lodge!
3. Inn at Schoolhouse Creek
Another quaint hotel in Little River, Inn at Schoolhouse Creek is the perfect pick if you’re in need of a relaxing reprieve. Plus, this place is very pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friend along!
Choose from 17 totally unique rooms and cottages, and you might get amenities like four-poster beds, private terraces overlooking the forest or ocean, full kitchens, private yards, and two-person jetted tubs.
4. Heritage House Resort & Spa
Set on 37 acres of land right on the Mendocino coast, Heritage House Resort & Spa is one of the very best hotels in Mendocino if you’re looking for something special.
There are a variety of rooms and suites to choose from, but it’s well worth it to book one of the “full ocean view” options, which have large decks with Adirondack chairs overlooking the Pacific. All rooms offer easy access to the property’s gorgeous gardens and a cliffside staircase that leads to the rocky beach below.
You can enjoy farm-to-fork breakfasts and dinners at the excellent on-site restaurant. And in the evenings, be sure to treat yourself to a seasonal “garden-to-glass” cocktail at the hotel’s lounge.
5. Headlands Inn Bed and Breakfast
If you’re looking for places to stay in Mendocino that put you right downtown, Headlands Inn Bed and Breakfast is a popular pick. The property is home to six guest rooms and a cottage, each outfitted with Victorian decor and some offering ocean views.
The breakfast is reason enough to stay at this charming B&B! Each day, you’ll get juice, coffee or tea, home-baked goods, fresh fruit, and a different gourmet entrée delivered directly to your room. And if you have any dietary requests, the friendly staff is happy to accommodate.
In the evenings, you’ll be able to walk to all of downtown Mendocino’s best restaurants, which is an added perk to staying in Mendocino proper.
6. Inns of Mendocino
You can’t go wrong by choosing one of the three “Inns of Mendocino,” especially if you’re looking for charm in the heart of town. The Packard House, JD House, and Blue Door Inn are all part of Four Sisters Inns, which aims to offer boutique amenities with the attention and charm of a traditional B&B.
Whichever option you go with, you’ll get a beautifully appointed guest room, a full breakfast delivered to your room every morning, afternoon wine and cheese socials, and more. Plus, you’ll be able to walk to all of the shops and restaurants of downtown Mendocino.
7. Nicholson House at Beaujolais
Another very highly-reviewed Mendocino hotel, the 19th-century Nicholson House at Beaujolais is the perfect combination of Victorian charm and art-deco style. With so many thoughtful amenities, this is another excellent option if you’re looking for Mendocino luxury hotels.
You’ll absolutely love the guest rooms here, which are all outfitted with custom hand-crafted beds, vintage furnishings, heated tile flooring, mini-fridges, coffee and tea bars, custom robes, and more.
You can enjoy a complimentary espresso drink and pastry at Beaujolais’ Waiting Room in the morning. You’ll also find an excellent pizza place in the garden and a fine dining restaurant at Café Beaujolais.
8. Seagull Inn Bed & Breakfast
Also located in the heart of Mendocino village, Seagull Inn Bed & Breakfast is another historic B&B dating all the way back to 1883. This B&B features 10 individually decorated guest rooms with either garden or ocean views.
But no matter which you choose, you’ll get an organic homemade breakfast delivered straight to your room. The selection changes daily but you can expect a range of items, from muffins and parfaits to crustless quiche and bread pudding.
9. Sweetwater Inn and Spa
Drive along Main Street, and you’ll know you’ve reached Sweetwater Inn and Spa when you see the adorable bright yellow Victorian. You’ll have nine very different accommodation options to choose from here, including three guest rooms in the Victorian home, four private pet-friendly cottages, and three multi-story Water Tower rooms.
One of the things that makes the 3-story Redwood Tower stand out from the rest is the spectacular private rooftop deck, which offers views of the village, ocean, and Big River!
This is one of the best Mendocino hotels if you’d like a little pampering because you’ll get complimentary access to the private redwood hot tubs and saunas at the adjacent Sweetwater Eco Spa. You’ll get discounted rates on massages, too.
10. Seafoam Lodge
Tucked away in Little River, Seafoam Lodge is another very highly-rated Mendocino hotel. This newly renovated lodge is very pet-friendly, too, so it’s perfect if you prefer to travel with your furry friends!
Set just off of Highway 1, the property boasts 21 beautifully decorated rooms with flat-screens with DirecTV, mini-fridges, microwaves, coffee makers, free Wi-Fi, and private porches. Most rooms also offer ocean views, which is always a perk. Guests also get complimentary parking and grab-and-go breakfasts.
