Mendocino is one of those little gem destinations that all Americans probably know but foreign tourists just chance upon. And the MacCallum Inn is the icing on the Mendocino cake. Located picturesquely right on the edge of the ocean Mendocino's few streets are a combination of artsy shops and excellent cafés - it has a relaxed, untouristy feel that is missing from many NorCal Coastal resorts. The Mendocino Inn sits right in the middle of all this, an upmarket but very relaxed inn that sprawls over a large plot facing the sea. The main house has rooms, restaurant and reception but is surrounded by various buildings housing other individually-designed rooms. We had a downstairs room in the barn, a good size and very well appointed including a spa bath. The rooms are quiet, stylish without being too 'look we're being stylish' and comfortable. The reception greeting felt a bit formulaic, pleasant but a bit rushed, but that would be the only minor criticism. The spa bath is a fun addition but beware the use of soap or shower gel - soap and air jets do not mix well.... We ate in the restaurant in the main house (your tariff includes a $14 discount there, a clever idea). Roaring fires and mood lighting create a lovely, intimate feel especially on a cold, foggy night. We had a table in the covered porch area and enjoyed an extremely good meal. There is...Mendocino is one of those little gem destinations that all Americans probably know but foreign tourists just chance upon. And the MacCallum Inn is the icing on the Mendocino cake. Located picturesquely right on the edge of the ocean Mendocino's few streets are a combination of artsy shops and excellent cafés - it has a relaxed, untouristy feel that is missing from many NorCal Coastal resorts. The Mendocino Inn sits right in the middle of all this, an upmarket but very relaxed inn that sprawls over a large plot facing the sea. The main house has rooms, restaurant and reception but is surrounded by various buildings housing other individually-designed rooms. We had a downstairs room in the barn, a good size and very well appointed including a spa bath. The rooms are quiet, stylish without being too 'look we're being stylish' and comfortable. The reception greeting felt a bit formulaic, pleasant but a bit rushed, but that would be the only minor criticism. The spa bath is a fun addition but beware the use of soap or shower gel - soap and air jets do not mix well.... We ate in the restaurant in the main house (your tariff includes a $14 discount there, a clever idea). Roaring fires and mood lighting create a lovely, intimate feel especially on a cold, foggy night. We had a table in the covered porch area and enjoyed an extremely good meal. There is a big emphasis on sustainable, locally sourced and individually prepared dining - whether it explains the tasty food I can't say but it was very good. Breakfast was similarly good, with a long service period for lazy risers, although we felt the automatic 18% service charge on breakfast struck a rare dumb note at the MacCallum Inn.It is a small amount but feels like a rip off - gratuity, by definition, is optional. The staff were uniformly excellent but it should be a decision to reward that. That said, a price that includes breakfast and a dinner discount is overall A Good Thing. We left the MacCallum Inn feeling relaxed and that we had experienced some roper homespun American hospitality. Highly recommended. And thank you.More
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