Albion River Inn

Albion River Inn on The Mendocino Coast

It’s hard to describe the beauty of Mendocino and its neighbor to the south, Anderson Valley. This is a part of the country you must see to believe. Massive coastal redwood trees, the endless Pacific Ocean, and dramatic rocky cliffs surround historic Highway 1. Depending on the time of day and the time of year you visit, the coast could be covered in an ethereal fog, or you may be met with bright blue skies. Both provide picturesque scenery for some unforgettable photo opportunities along the way.

If you’re doing a south to north road trip up Highway 1, you will cross over the Albion River Bridge as you make your way to the Albion River Inn. In 2017, the Albion River Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places because it is the last wood bridge on the entire 655-mile length of Highway 1. 

Alternatively, you could travel through Anderson Valley, stop at a few wineries, and then make your way up Highway 128 to the inn. Either way, the scenery is spectacular.

The Accommodations

Check-in at the inn was a breeze. There was ample parking in front of the check-in office, and each suite had its own designated space, so you don’t need to worry about hauling your luggage too far.

The Albion River Inn has 22 rooms, all of which are suites. Walking into these units is like walking into a home. Picture this: as soon as you open the door, you see the beautiful cliffs and ocean views. There is a very cozy fireplace with plenty of wood stocked outside your door.

It wasn’t just our room that had this stunning view and fireplace. Each and every room, regardless of size, has a warm fireplace and ocean scenery. 

Room Amenities

If you find yourself considering a stay at the Albion River Inn, there’s a good chance you’ve driven a while to get here. The Albion has a solution for that: Soaking Tub and Spa Tub rooms.

The oversized tubs are situated right in front of a large tub-to-ceiling window, so you can take in the ocean as you unwind. Binoculars are even available upon request.

The rooms at the Albion River Inn are designed for relaxation and for connecting with your traveling companion. For this reason, the hotel does not have televisions in their rooms. We don’t think this will be a sticking point for many travelers with a view like the one you have from your personal patio. 

Other notable room amenities we enjoyed included the super cozy hotel robes, organic bath products, and locally roasted coffee.

The Albion River Inn Restaurant & Bar

The views from the inn are the first thing you will notice when you stay at the Albion, but that’s not the only part of the hotel that garners attention. The Albion River Inn restaurant and bar have made quite an impression among food and wine critics. 

Zagat described the restaurant as “Million-dollar views, a fireplace, and piano music make for magical evenings at this Californian refuge overlooking the misty cliffs of Albion, where superior food and unrushed service delight diners.” 

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. The restaurant serves coastal cuisine, which means fresh seafood and fish caught off of the Mendocino coast and meat and produce sourced from local farms.

Just as you would expect from a luxury boutique hotel near Anderson Valley wine country, the hotel bar has an excellent wine list. And, it’s no wonder sommelier Mark Bowery, who helped cultivate the wine list at former Michelin-star restaurant Masa in San Francisco, oversees the beverage program. 

The wine list is 28 pages long and was built to have a bottle for every palate, which we appreciate. Over 450 wines comprise the list, and the offerings are updated weekly. 

If you’re not in the mood for wine, the Albion River Inn bar has a strong whiskey program (over 275 whiskeys available!). Mark has created a whiskey flight experience, similar to a wine tasting, where connoisseurs compare and contrast regions and styles. The cool and occasionally foggy Mendocino weather is perfect for an artisan whiskey flight.    

Complimentary Breakfast

There is one more thing we would like to note. You won’t find many upscale hotels in the US that offer a complimentary breakfast these days, even one as simple as a continental breakfast with pastries and some fresh fruit. So when we see this thoughtful touch at a hotel, it’s always appreciated. The Albion River Inn restaurant takes this perk one step further and serves breakfast in its ocean-front dining room. Not a bad way to start the day!

Final Thoughts

The Albion River Inn is a must-stay hotel, and it’s safe to say we will return. The location is convenient for trips to the beach to experience the gorgeous coastline, sightseeing through Mendocino and Anderson Valley, art galleries, and of course, wine tasting.