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Sausalito's Inn Above Tide
Then Inn Above Tide Review

Enjoy Mediterranean-Style Luxuries at the Inn Above Tide

by Rona W. Gilbert

If you can tear yourself away from the spectacular views, cozy rooms and luxury amenities, this boutique hotel located directly on the San Francisco Bay is the perfect base for exploring all the area has to offer.

I surveyed the surroundings from my balcony – clear blue sky, shimmering blue water and homes built precariously into the hillside – and I had to remind myself that I was in California, not the Mediterranean.

Fantastic View

Ideally located just across the Golden Gate Bridge, a few miles fromSan Francisco, the small waterfront town of Sausalito has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a rancho in1838. Now home to an eclectic population of almost 7,500 people ranging from bohemian artists to well-to-do business tycoons, Sausalito has a distinct Mediterranean style and charm, surrounded with picturesque views at every turn.

For a truly unique vantage point in Sausalito, nothing comes close to the Inn Above Tide. Tucked away, yet in the heart of the village, the Inn Above Tide sits perched over the San Francisco Bay like a cruise ship in port. An elegant combination of a luxury inn and a seaside retreat, it is a sophisticated, yet comfortable, 29-room boutique inn with bragging rights as the only Bay area hotel located directly on the water. Every room looks out over the San Francisco Bay and comes with stunning panoramic views of Angel Island, San Francisco and Alcatraz.

The comfortable rooms feature luxury linens and a subtly nautical décor of bright but soothing colors of cream, pale yellow and light blue. Our queen deluxe room was small, but amply appointed with a fluffy bed and two overstuffed chairs facing a gas fireplace. Inside the armoire we found a CD player, cozy robes, wine glasses and a wine bottle opener. Our large bathroom was equipped with spa quality toiletries and an oversized whirlpool tub big enough for two. Complimentary binoculars thoughtfully placed in the room were the perfect accompaniment to the jaw-dropping view.

But the best feature of the room was our private terrace, perched over the water and decorated with potted plants and custom teak furnishings. Watching the seagulls and sailboats float aimlessly by, we felt like we were sitting on the balcony of a cruise ship.

Luxury Rooms

After an afternoon spent exploring the numerous art galleries, shops and restaurants that line the Sausalito waterfront, we headed back to the Inn just in time to sample the complimentary wine and cheese. While the parlor where the wine is served is lovely, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Bay and the bustling ferry next door, we opted to take our wine and small plates piled high with cheese, fruit, bread and crackers to the large second floor deck. Flooded with sunshine, we claimed two padded lounge chairs among the potted foliage and settled in for some serious relaxation.

When the sunshine and the wine disappeared, we retreated to our room and were greeted by yet more amazing views - downtown San Francisco lit up at dusk and the fog rolling in. As we stood on our balcony we watched the fog slide over the top of homes perched on the Sausalito hillside and ooze down toward the Bay. In one constant motion we watched it snake around the horizon directly in front of us and disappear behind Angel Island. Who knew fog could be so beautiful?

We awoke the next morning to a clear blue sky and were glad we opted to have our breakfast delivered to our room (breakfast is served complimentary in the parlor or for a nominal fee can be delivered to your room.) Within minutes our breakfast had arrived, complete with a carafe of steaming hot coffee, juice, fresh fruit and heaping bowls of granola. Still in our robes, and determined to soak up every minute of that view, we ate on the balcony.

Private Terrace

Exploring the diverse activities nearby filled the rest of our weekend. With the ferry just steps from the Inn Above Tide, a quick trip to San Francisco was a breeze. We escaped beyond the tourist-laden Fisherman’s Wharf and enjoyed a day exploring the Golden Gate Park, sampling delicious dim sum and exploring some of San Francisco’s greatest neighborhoods including Haight-Ashbury and the Mission District.

We made an easy day trip out of a visit to wine country’s Sonoma, less than a one-hour drive from the Inn Above Tide. Overshadowed by the more popular Napa Valley, Sonoma is quieter with a small-town, laid-back charm. We tasted wines, sampled world-renown food and admired the rolling hills and lush vineyards before returning to our room at the Inn. We retired to our balcony, opened a bottle of wine purchased directly from the vintner just hours earlier and as the city of San Francisco lit up in front of us, we toasted to a perfect weekend.

IF YOU GO

The Inn Above Tide
30 El Portal, Sausalito, California 94965
Phone: 1-800-893-8433
Fax: 415-332-6714
E-mail: stay@innabovetide.com
www.innabovetide.com

Room rates from $255 for a Superior Room (no deck) to $795 for the Penthouse Suite. It’s worth the additional $40 a night for the Queen Deluxe Room. While all rooms are well-appointed with a private bath, oversized tub, spectacular bay view, TV, DVD, stereo with CD player, binoculars, high speed wireless internet, plush robes, luxury linens, French Hermes toiletries, complimentary breakfast and evening wine and hors d'oeuvres, the Queen Deluxe and higher category rooms also come with private decks with teak furniture and most come with gas fireplaces (be sure to request a fireplace when making your reservation.)

Sausalito Chamber of Commerce - www.sausalito.org
San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau - www.sfvisitor.org
Fisherman’s Wharf - www.fishermanswharf.org