Stanford Inn & Resort on the Mendocino Coast

Decent Stay, But Not for Families We were really excited to book the Stanford Inn for a 3-night stay with our family of four. The room itself was cute and cozy, but unfortunately, the beds and pillows were incredibly uncomfortable. None of us slept well during the stay, and by the end, we felt like we needed a vacation to recover from our vacation. For the price, we definitely expected a better level of comfort. We were placed on the first floor, and the noise from the room above us—lots of loud footsteps and what felt like stomping throughout the night—made sleep even more difficult. It wasn’t what we expected from a resort experience. The vibe of the place seems better suited to an older crowd—retirees and their dogs—rather than families with kids. While the restaurant staff was very kind and accommodating, the food itself was just okay. On a positive note, the pool was very nice and we did enjoy using it a few times. The fitness room, however, was tiny and not well maintained. The floor was dirty, and there were no fitness mats provided—I had to use towels to get through my workout, which wasn’t ideal. The location was peaceful and scenic, which we appreciated, but overall, the stay didn’t meet our expectations. For the cost, we expected a higher level of comfort and amenities. Would we return? Probably not. It’s simply too expensive for what’s offered.

My partner and I stayed at Stanford by the Sea for two nights. This amazing resort more than lived up to its reputation! The room was spacious, well appointed, and extremely comfortable. The amenities were diverse and easily accessible. I'm not a vegan, but every meal we ate at Ravens was terrific. Yes, it's pricy to stay there, but it's well worth it if you plan ahead.

This was such a great experience with my dog. The restaurant is delicious, the grounds are lovely. The rooms are super comfy and the donkeys are so sweet. But, the solarium with the pool, sauna, and hot tub is the absolute best part. I like that they have cast on the TV so you can play directly from your phone.

We had a wonderful wedding experience at the Stanford Inn in Mendocino, and we're still dreaming about that gorgeous weekend! The service was top-notch, and the team went above and beyond to make our special day truly unforgettable. We especially love the ceremony Jeff created. His warmth, kindness, and professionalism made us feel at ease, and we're so grateful for having him marry us. The Stanford Inn itself is a charming gem in Mendocino. The scenery, ambiance, and hospitality all combined to create a truly magical atmosphere for our celebration. It was an absolute joy!

We loved our week’s stay at this magical beautiful place. The staff is friendly and helpful, the food at Raven’s was excellent (team was amazing but a shout out to Miriam who made us feel especially welcomed). I enjoyed a lovely massage, yoga classes and we enjoyed an inspiring educational gardening workshop with Camilla. The play workshop with Joan Stanford was cathartic for me as I heal from a difficult year. The hikes in nature seeing all the spring blooms were relaxing; I cannot wait to return! ||As vegans it was wonderful not to have to explain our lifestyle

This place cannot be beat. Good red beets and golden beets are on the menu. The food is great. This is an ideal place to chill. We keep kosher so we brought our own wine and paid for the corking fee. Everything is super relaxed. Everything is just the way you would want it. There are a number of reasons that brought me to take a moment to leave a five star review.

I loved the retreat package! From the moment I got to the inn with my friends, the staff made us feel right at home. Daily tea time was a great way to enjoy the beautiful view from the lodge after a dip in the solarium pool. The grilled tofu, waffles and banana split were our favorites from the extensive menu. We made a habit of post-meal walks through the enchanting gardens to visit the rescue donkeys and llamas. Jeff, the owner, let us feed them when we ran into him. He clearly cares a lot about the property. Our cooking classes with Sid were so delicious and fun that I couldn’t help but learn a few things. We also rented a paddle boat on the property to check out the seals on the Big River. My favorite part was riding the included rental bike past the small village nearby to soak up the views of the seaside. I had a great time on my girl’s trip here and would love to come back with my family or a romantic getaway with my partner!

This was a beautiful place to stay. They really have the pet friendly component nailed, with sensible rules, etc. The Ravens restaurant was tasty and afternoon tea was a nice, pleasant service with an enjoyable selection of tea. The lobby is lovely. All staff came across as friendly. I just have two issues worth mentioning - the coffee supplier is not good. Between the Nespresso, coffee, and espresso it always tasted burnt. The second thing is we left two items in our room (that aren't cheap) and we were in the area for hours after checking out. It was completely our fault for missing the items, but if we got a call or even an email there's a chance we could have recovered them. I've stayed at far less "nice" places and been contacted for stranded items before. In spite of these things, I would still recommend a stay here.

My husband and I enjoyed our 3 night honeymoon at Stanford Inn. We loved the plant-based food for breakfast and dinner. Pro tip: book your meal time in advance as they reach capacity often. The Inn is immaculately clean and we felt very comfortable and relaxed. Our room included a fireplace with wood, porch overlooking the gardens (with chairs & a small table), mini fridge and microwave. Joan & Jeff left a touching hand-written card in our room congratulating us on our wedding. My husband was able to surprise me with bubbly, flowers, chocolate covered strawberries and cookies in our room upon arrival. We loved the pool, hot tub and sauna as well as the complimentary happy hour snacks & tea. The land has rescued donkeys, llamas, and horses. You have a great view of Big River from the edge of the property. It's a 1/2 mile drive into Mendocino proper (not safe to walk as there aren't any sidewalks across the bridge). We enjoyed the Skunk Train (we opted to hike back 3 miles to the starting point as opposed to riding or taking the rail bikes) and the Mendocino County Botanical Garden (gorgeous ocean views and masterfully landscaped with nice walking trails and picnic spots). Side note: For plant-based eating in Mendocino we love Fog Eater Cafe (though sadly closed during our visit). We tried Good Life Cafe & Bakery. This place was amazing and will be a must-eat anytime we visit Mendocino. Thank you Stanford Inn staff for making our honeymoon so memorable. We usually get an Airbnb for a few nights and cook ourselves so this getaway felt SO luxurious!! Sincerely & gratefully, Shana & Aaron

Stanford Inn was great. For a dog-friendly hotel, the room was amazingly clean. When we checked in, the lady checking us in was a bit cold and didn't really give us a lot of information (including the wifi password), but every day after, the front desk was really nice and friendly. The restaurant and included breakfast was not bad - I'm not normally a vegan, so maybe it wasn't to my taste. We had an issue where our refrigerator was not working, but they addressed it right away and swapped it out. The room had a wood burning fireplace which was a really nice touch, but we didn't use it because the weather was warm. Will definitely stay there again.

I could feel my shoulders unwind the moment I arrived. The staff is friendly and warm. The room was quiet and beautiful. Sitting on the terrace to watch the sunset, spectacular! Even my friend's dog loved the nearby beaches, bluffs, and the beautiful grounds. A walk through the expansive organic garden was accompanied by birds. The in-house Ravens restaurant breakfast offers multiple delicious choices. I hope to return soon!

Super dog friendly, amazing property, breakfast included, not your typical breakfast either. Yummy planted based menu, the granola is so yummy. Everyone here is beyond friendly. Both my pup and I will return.

Wonderful views from the second floor, an indoor pool, very comfortable rooms, the vegan dining was delicious and the staff are helpful and gracious. And of course, Mendecino is magical. Don't miss it!

The Stanford Inn has been on my list since hearing about it being an all vegan resort. At this price point, I was expecting more of a luxury experience. This is definitely more of a rustic vibe, with fewer amenities than predicted. 3.75 stars. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, don't get me wrong. We loved the enthusiastic and helpful front desk staff (especially when our fridge which we had specifically requested, was broken). The food at Ravens was delicious (see other review for that). The pool and hot tub area was really nice. The rooms however, were a bit underwhelming. They were small but quaint, with a working fireplace and plenty of wood. Everything was very clean, and the view from the balcony was gorgeous. The bed was a less than pleasant experience, saggy and quite uncomfortable mattress. I was also surprised that the happy hour was just discounted drinks, not included. Surprising at this price point, since I've stayed at many hotels that do a free wine happy hour for guests. Our highlight was the vegan cheese and sauce cooking class with Sid Garza-Hillman. Even as a solid vegan home cook, I learned a lot from Sid, who is a chef, nutrition expert, philosopher, and prolific author. We will definitely be back to Mendocino, but likely try another B&B, though will stop by for dinner again.

Stayed here for a night which also came with complimentary breakfast (vegan options only). The hotel has a very homey vibe with a fireplace and wood for you to light. The wood aesthetic makes it feel like you're in a cozy cabin. The back porch leads to a small garden and pens where they have donkeys, lamas, and horses. The breakfast has vegan options only. I got the portabello benedict, orange juice, and a coffee with oatmilk creamer.

This is gonna be lengthy, but I have a lot to say! I am in agreement with the reviewer with the ailing dog... I don't understand some of the negative reviews, including the one from the person/couple WHO DID NOT EVEN STAY THERE and left a poor review based on their personal disagreement of ethics. I found the Stanford Inn from the Dog Trekker app. I did some searches on Yelp and Google for "dog friendly hotels" in the area, but for some reason, Stanford Inn did not come up in results. Thank goodness for Dog Trekker. We loved our stay. LOVED. We (my husband and I) stayed for one night (Saturday). We are not vegan and we are not rich. (I say this based on the comments saying don't come if you aren't vegan or snobby). We booked our stay only three days before by calling. We spoke to a lovely person named Jill who fully explained everything we needed to know about the hotel, its property, and its policies. We knew the restaurant was vegan, but we chose to come based on how lovely the property looked on the website and fully so after speaking with Jill. We both needed and wanted the weekend getaway (with our dog in tow) and this seemed like the place. Yes, it was $500 for one night. It's not something we can do all the time, but we fully considered what we were "getting ourselves into." Check in is at 4pm, but we requested early check in if possible. We understood if it was not available, but when we got there around 1:30pm on Saturday, our room was ready. We got the Executive King on the top floor with a view of the gardens and the ocean in the distance. The room itself is not huge, but it was plenty of room for my husband, our dog, and me. We loved the fireplace and relaxing on the couch. The room is not fancy. It is simple with wood walls and simple décor, truly reminded me of a cabin. I would not call it dated like other reviews said. The gardens are unreal. It is beautiful and inviting, colorful and lush, and truly makes for a lovely stroll. There are chairs carefully placed in and around the garden, so you can sit, relax, read a book, or truly do nothing if you wanted. Our pup is a 7 pound Pomeranian with a heart murmur. We are very careful with him. He is truly happy as long as he is with us. We were happy, so he was happy. Dogs are allowed everywhere on the property with the exception of the pool area. It discloses on the website that there have been too many instances with dogs jumping in the pool. (Read before complaining!) We took full advantage of allowing our little guy to explore and sniff everywhere. The horses and llamas are a calming site. Keep walking all the way down that road and you will find yourself at the edge of Big River where you can rent a canoe or a bike. All the staff we came across was kind and helpful. We were told our room would come ready with items for our dog such as a dog bowl, dog treats, and "dog sheets" to lay across the furniture so that our fur family could rest comfortably on the furniture with us. It wasn't in our room, but it was not a big deal to us. Pup and I walked down to the front office, they checked that our reservation included a dog, they apologized, and we went our merry way. Before we did that, we checked out the books and local goodies (wine, food, handmade mittens & hats). You better believe we walked out of there with snacks, coffee beans, and fingerless mittens. Lastly, our stay included breakfast. The menu at The Ravens had plenty of options for us omnivores. We were allowed to have pup with us while we ate. This makes all the difference in the world for us! We didn't have to worry about having to take our food to go and sit outside or in our room to eat. I'd keep going, but I know you didn't come for the novel. Thank you, Stanford Inn. Your hospitality is unmatched.

Unfortunately I didn't have a great experience here. Wanted to love it, and did love how dog-friendly it is as well as the eco-vibe of the whole place. However, our bed was terribly uncomfortable - cramped, with polyester bedding and the kind of pillow that cooks your head at night. Rooms are tightly packed together, and we heard the stomps and shouts of other guests continually. The staff was congenial but unpolished; I had the feeling that they were improvising every time I asked a question. I was excited to try the vegan restaurant but the food was so bland and uninteresting we skipped the complimentary breakfast on our last day. No matter what the staff says, the ravioli isn't very good. The pool area, the fireplaces, and the grounds are nice, but not nice enough to justify over $500/night room charge -- especially when I hardly slept during my whole stay and left feeling exhausted! Even for an expensive area (Mendocino) I thought it was very overpriced.

Love this place and will always be coming back. The 2 times we have been to Mendocino we have stayed here because we have a lqrge dog. They are very dog friendly, the dog can join you in the restaurant while you eat. The rooms are GORGEOUS and they left nice treats for our dog. The outdoor space is beautiful and lots of grass to take your dog, stations with poop bag and trash as well. We took our dog on the canoe each time as well. This is such a magical and friendly place. Love coming here with our dog

The Stanford Inn is an amazing, beautiful place to stay. My husband and I stayed for a week on vacation and were treated very well by all the staff we had the pleasure of meeting. We had a nurtition and cooking session with Sid Garza-Hillman, and art time with the owner, Joan. We enjoyed our time with both of them. We also spoke with Jeff, Joan's husband as we'd run into him around the property. He too was such a pleasure to speak with. The Inn has a family feel to it. Everyone is super friendly and accomodating. We also enjoyed the Ravens Restaurant and the all vegan offerings. All of the dishes we tried were delicious, and the staff were super amazing. We fully enjoyed interacting with Josie, Shawn, and Mariam, and several of our other servers. The grounds and the rooms are beautifully kept. There is a peace on the property that truly stands out. We saw the horses, the donkeys, and the llamas, one of which allowed us to pet it. It is nice lodging and dining with other guests with their dogs, and to see the super sweet cats on the property - Zelda, Lady Jane Grey, and Morris. And our final accounting of our stay was organized and detailed. I really appreciate the office staff for doing such a great job. I cannot write enough good things about this property. I am definitely recommending it to others, and looking forward to future stays.

Stayed here for 2 nights in a quick Mendacino trip with my partner. Thie property is gorgeous, the staff attentive and our room was amazing. I loved having both a deck and a fireplace. I loved that it was a vegan place, as I knew I could eat anything I wanted. Everything we ate at Ravenswood was delicious. The grounds were gorgeous, loved the garden, the cats in the lobby and getting to see llamas! Highly recommend, and can't wait to come back.

I started my round of N Cal retreats. Dropped by here. Some pros and cons: Pros - service was overall good. - pet friendly - all rooms come with a fireplace -location is good. Close to some state parks and view was good - massage was really good. Definitely should try - swimming pool is cute - cooking lesson is okay. - complimentary breakfast Cons - rooms are very dated. Restroom should really be updated. There are some nails on top of my bed, missing some decorations. - I don't know how I feel about the restaurant here. It is definitely vegan. But for me, I feel it might be over priced for what you are paying for.

My husband and I brought our border collie to stay at The Stanford Inn & Resort By The Sea for four glorious days the last week of May 2024. We stayed in room 253 which was a cottage, the Canoe Suite at Big River Bridge, and we just fell in love with the place. We did want to leave this exquisite family home and organic farm where the Stanfords have created an award-winning eco-resort that is big on luxury and creature comforts. This is a very dog friendly Inn. Our border collie was so happy there. They had two big bowls waiting for her and a blanket and treats! We had no problem taking her out for potty breaks, and for long morning and evening walks around the gorgeous property. The staff is simply lovely here, especially Shannon. They are so nice and helpful and considerate! We arrived and they had left a note wishing me a happy birthday and my husband and I a happy anniversary. They had chilled champagne and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us, and these really yummy cookies! We loved every fine detail. The bed was so comfortable; the pillows were perfect which is rare for me to experience and finally a resort that has enough pillows and blankets for me! We loved the robes they provided. The whole cottage was cozy and nourishing, and we loved the shower! From the morning sun streaming into our bedroom, to the smell of fresh ocean air, from the view of the river out our window as we soaked it all in, to the warmth of the wood burning fire in the large fireplace that was all prepared for us, to the blanket of stars above at night, to the mouthwatering breakfasts that are included in your stay in the morning, there is so much to write about and love about the Stanford Inn! We loved the Stanford Herbed Polenta and could have had that everyday for breakfast! We also loved the Portobello Benedict. I am craving their breakfasts as I write this, and the coffee is so good! The breakfasts are hearty, nourishing and substantial whether you are a vegan or not. It is comfort food! In the afternoons, they serve organic teas and really good coffee up in the dining area with scrumptious homemade tea cakes and these delightful cucumber sandwiches. The lobby and dining area are beautiful! I loved the lighting and how tastefully it was decorated. There was a soothing fire going in the fireplace and the whole ambience is such a joy to experience! I love all the plants and the decor! You will want to spend time there, and peruse their book selection. There is a happy hour and also dinner served as you watch the sunset. The ocean air was invigorating! You will want to walk all around this beautiful Inn, and take in the exquisite flowers and trees and all the organic fruits and vegetables grown on the property. It is a cornucopia of delight for the senses. I thoroughly enjoyed the solarium where there is an indoor saltwater pool that is just the right temperature and perfect for doing laps. Your skin will feel super soft! They have a wonderful large jacuzzi that is surrounded with potted plants and orchids in these lovely dragon motif ceramic pots. You feel like you are in someone's really cool home because you are! There is an incredible sauna and a shower and a changing room. I would love to be there one rainy evening. The whole place exudes charm. I felt renewed after spending a leisure morning there reading amongst all the plants, taking it all in before my spa appointment. I loved the spa. It is nestled in the forest and is beautiful. I had the best facial ever. It was a 90 minute cell renewal facial given to me by the gifted Cristelle Hein. She took so much time with me and gave me such loving care. She is superb! Truly, this was the best facial I have ever had. My husband was blown away by how youthful I looked afterwards! I felt like a new woman, like Cristelle worked magic and reversed the clock on my skin. I was glowing afterwards. I would say getting a facial by Cristelle is a must. She is simply the best. I could go on and on about the magic and beauty the Stanfords have created here. They are walking the talk by the sustainable way they live and are sharing it with us, and inspiring all of us. They are doing good and nourishing all beings along the way. There is so much to do at this luxury resort, including going canoeing and cycling. The Standford Inn has something for everyone! No wonder Condé Nast Traveler gave The Standford Inn & Resort By The Sea the awards for Excellence for 2023 and 2024; this is an experience you will want to have time and time again!

DATE: My wife and I stayed 2 weekdays in March, 2024; stayed in the cabin by the llamas. PREMISES: Magical. The views are beautiful, the gardens are wonderful, the viney walkway and wooded everything is just magical. Llamas, horses, donkeys, ravens, geese ... frogs, plants, stars, trees, ocean ... ahhhhh ROOMS: We stayed in the little house at the bottom that has been split into two units. it was well appointed, good but not great mattress, rustic, refrig and stove and great coffee maker (Nespresso with plenty of pods) and microwave and fireplace (Ben Franklin stove) with wood, 2 TVS, umbrella, robes, all top notch, but not new or fancy (esp the bathroom), just solid. My only complaint with the spot was that it wasn't that far away from the 1 freeway. We could hear cars going by. I think the rest of the resort isn't the same because those rooms are several hundred yards further away. STAFF: Sincerely nice and helpful across the board. Those working in the gardens that answered our questions, the wait staff at the Raven, the reception area ... everyone. So nice. Could not have been better. The lady working in the garden stopped and talked to us and took us to the gentleman who takes care of the llamas who sneaked us a couple cookies to feed to the llamas. GYM: Solid. Not as much the afterthought as most places. Small but good equipment: 2 treadmills, 2 spin bikes, dumbells (those adjustable weight rack config) and a cable station, with towels and water and good airflow. POOL: The surprise standout. Usually indoor pools are so-so, but his salt water pool with accompanying hot tub and sauna and showers was a plant-filled terrarium paradise. It was great. PARKING: Solid, plenty, not an issue. THE RESTAURANT: (The Raven) Okay, so this is where it gets interesting. First, no, this shouldn't be a separated review and here's why. This place is the only vegan resort in the entire US. Guest come here for this reason. My wife and I were so excited to not only not have to worry about the food but to be excited about the food. Imagine that as a vegan! (We are used to the blank stares we get when we ask servers if something is vegan ... I think so .... you eat butter, right?) The staff is wonderful, the actual location is beautiful with a wow view and great fireplace and cozy, but our first night's dinner there was a 3 out 10, generously. The Caesar salads were maybe 5's. I've had many better and can't recall any worse, but they were fine. The meals: I had ravioli. The noodles were soggy and the filling was bland, the in-house marinara was so bland and the kale was half-cooked an unseasoned. But my meal was good compared to my wife's. She had a pineapple pork rice dish. It was so salty. I couldn't believe it. And they overdid the liquid smoke. I'm so irritated that we didn't send it back, but we had been dreaming of this place for years and we just got there after a 5 hour drive from Carmel, and I think we were just in a bit of shock. We got desert. It was a subpar carrot cake and some other unmemorable thing. 1 drink, a sparkling juice. With tip ($25) and tax the meal cost $145. Now everything is relative to price. But $145 is one of the most expensive vegan meals we've ever had, including NY and LA and Seattle, Portland. Oh man! However, the good news was that the "free" breakfasts were solid. Not great, but good. We had the pancakes and waffle and burrito over the two breakfasts. And, we went into Mendocino and bought dinner for the next night but we came back and had the banana splt. $22 and very good. Subtle but nice. I'm so disappointed. We paid $450 a night. We never would have come had we known the vegan food was between bad and average. I presumed the food would be great. Now, if you are reading this, please look at newer reviews, because I can't imagine a place of this caliber isn't going to take care of this problem. We live in LA and there are 10 vegan restaurants within 10 miles that are delicious and healthy and cost half as much. I'm sure there are chefs available! (I'd say maybe it was an off night, but I've read the other reviews of the restaurant and our opinions are not anomalies.) CONCLUSION: I so badly wanted this to be our destination spot where we were willing to spend $600 a day for room and dinner and drive to this hard-to-get-to magical forested beachside resort, especially for vegans, but the truth is you can't have a vegan resort with bad-to-average vegan food. We wouldn't consider returning unless we were 100% positive the food situation had radically changed for the better. The food should have been the highlight, not the lowlight. And yes, it is a nice resort, but everything is relative to price, and we stayed at the most inexpensive room and it was $450. That's a lot of dough for us average folk.

This place was amazing! My husband and I came up on a recommendation for the weekend. We were celebrating our anniversary and so we bought the "Fall in Love with Life" package which includes two dinners, two classes, and canoeing/biking. Everything was really great! They put together a nice itinerary where we had plenty of time to get everything in! We loved the food, the canoe ride up the river, and the classes. Now we have come back for a second time and we just stayed for two nights without any package and it was equally great! I love all the nice touches like fresh baked cookies in the room and Irish music playing in the room when we arrived. The pool and spa were also open this time and it was so nice in the pool/spa room which is like walking into a tropical paradise. I would highly recommend!! The food is AMAZING!!!

Stayed here for 3 days and we loved it. Perched across the river, overlooking the coast, the Stanford Inn is not any ordinary hotel, it is like a retreat center. The rooms have a classy rustic feeling and are well equipped with all the amenities including an amazing fireplace. The views from each room, overlooking the garden and the coast, add freshness to the stay. The pool and sauna in the solarium is a delight and makes you relaxed immediately. The staff, the owners, and all the lovely animals and pets on the property make it a rejuvenating experience. We took cooking classes with Sid and the art playshop with Joan and were impressed by their presentation leading us to both learning and fun. I can't recommend this place enough. We are already planning another trip here in a few months!

I recently made a visit to the Stanford Inn as I wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area. And the Inn did not disappoint as it truly is exquisitely nestled into the area of Mendocino's hillside to look upon the sea. When I got out of my car, I just knew as I felt the peace. I really don't comprehend some of the reviews as the Inn is clear on its practices as all you have to do is read. Whether it's COVID safety (just click on where you see it on the website), what to eat or what to do, the website is comprehensive (more than what I've seen at other places really) and there's a newsletter in the lobby (again comprehensive) if you need more information besides the people at the front desk or even the nice man at the garden I bumped into. It was pretty easy for me to figure it out, but I was there just to chill anyways. They go above and beyond even for my furry baby. It was my first long trip with him in tow so I was un-nerved doing to it as he's old. They were very considerate for him and they made feel at ease so I don't get the snobbish comments. I felt really good doing my first long trip visit with my senior ailing dog in tow and how nice it was to have an easily accessible water bowl for him as I look down and there he is enjoying some water. The place looks exactly like it's pictures which is serene, peaceful and lovely to take some time for yourself. I really enjoyed walking the Chinese Gardens as they showed me sustainability at its best as I meandered. What thrilled me to no end was the bookstore! Yes a quality bookstore in the Inn! I love books so that touched me to see that besides all the other offerings for guests that I'll have to check out another time (massages, yoga, bikes you can use, Chinese medicine, play activity). I liked how Raven's is setup as I had my own area to do what I wanted with a great view. Again peaceful and my dog could be near me without me worry about getting near or bothering anyone else as he was learning to be inside a nice place. I found it enjoyable but if someone else doesn't I didn't get why they just didn't find another place in the area to eat as there are tons literally to try (I reviewed one I went to earlier). I wanted to add my comments as I had a divine time where time well spent is my goal. I received it at the Stanford Inn. The place was lovely in all ways from all I saw as I loved the wood look and have no idea what the heck the comments were on shabby as I didn't see shabby. I saw all heart and dedication put into the place which includes the gardener I ran into on the grounds who was so kind to someone who just landed and had no idea what she was doing with her rickety doggie who later was rejuvenated.

I had a LOVELY time at the Stanford Inn. All the employees were very kind and helpful. I especially loved meeting BK. The grounds are beautiful and relaxing. Great place to relax by yourself or with a friend. Their vegan restaurant is FABULOUS!!! DELICIOUS meals. Wish I could live there. I eat a whole food, plant-based diet and own a sweet rescue dog Ella. So this was a dream come true. A place to sit inside with my dog AND they serve healthy vegan food. I highly recommend this retreat. My favorite place to visit while there was the botanical gardens in Fort Bragg. About 10 minutes North. Want to relax and see the beautiful coast? This is the place. Can't wait to go back!

The Stanford Inn in Mendocino is a wonderful get a way. It is in a beautiful location near beaches, trails and the town of Mendocino. The Inn sits on a lovely piece of land on a hill with a view of the ocean. There is an indoor pool and sauna as well as lovely gardens to explore. The rooms are very well appointed, comfortable and charming, supplying one with what you would expect from a nice hotel. You can even rent bikes and canoes or kayaks to explore the beautiful river next to the Inn. The best part of our stay at the Stanford Inn is their restaurant called "The Ravens". It is a gourmet plant-based restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner. Whether you are a plant-based eater or not you will surely enjoy the food and the beautiful presentation. The owners of the Inn and staff are so hospitable, kind and considerate. They have thought of everything. The atmosphere is relaxing, with a sustainable approach to what they do. We have enjoyed our many stays there over the last 30+ years!

This is a destination for those who love life! It is a glorious retreat center by the sea on a lush rolling green hill in the timeless village of Mendocino. The views are spectacular. Serenity and beauty abound. The staff is super friendly. The lobby with its fireplaces is so relaxing. Next to the lobby is the Ravens restaurant. Its ambience is glorious. The healthy food, mostly grown in the property's garden, is simply out of this world! The dinners are magical while the breakfasts are indescribably delicious! The entire experience is a dream-come-true vacation!

What an amazing place. Just gorgeous. Peaceful. Amazing staff, amenities, gardens. Highly recommend!!

Absolutely amazing Inn/resort. Every detail was amazing. The rooms, the staff, the amenities, the property, the extra mile the resort goes to make your trip perfect. Could not recommend any more!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this excellent inn. We were celebrating our 48/12th anniversary on leap year day and were treated with exceptional care, kindness and joyfully! It is such a relaxing atmosphere, I could feel myself slowing down and treasuring every moment. We went to Mendocino for lunch one day and then to the Point Cabrillo Light Station; even leaving for that short a time, to close-by places felt like a loss. I just wanted to spend every moment at the inn.The pool, hot tub and sauna were a definite plus allowing us to get a tad of exercise as well as additional relaxation during the rainy weather. A delicious breakfast is included and has many options. There's a reason they are rated Four Diamonds! It's just the very best place I've ever stayed. We've been telling our dear friends about it and know they will also have a wonderful time.

An absolutely AMAZING place to both stay and eat. We had planned to only enjoy a romantic dinner to celebrate our anniversary but ended up staying the night and the inn accommodations were exceptional. They were not only able to accommodate us but also our dog - they provided dog bowls, treats, bags and blankets - and a lovely room with such a cozy interior and fireplace! We woke up to birds chirping, waves lapping, and a gorgeous sunrise - not to mention a beautiful property with gardens galore and cute llamas and donkeys. The sustainable mission of the property combined with the above-and-beyond stay that we experienced - 10/10 recommend.

One star for awesome location- another for the great rooms. This place was such a disappointment! Vegan and vegetarian are two different things. This place is 100% vegan and they don't advertise it on their website. No dairy/eggs. Coffee sucks w/ soy and oat milk options, and breakfast is all tofu and vegetables. We are carnivores!!!! And paying customers. Would have been great to have at least dairy and egg options- or to have known this in advance. There should be a disclaimer. They charged us for breakfast and we did not get anything. Don't go here unless you are a VEGAN. Note to owners- update your language on your restaurant website and on this Yelp "about business" to VEGAN! Probably beneficial to post it on hotel site too. Note to vegans - not everyone shares your opinion- respect others choices.

This place is very charming I love the grounds with all the beautiful flowers and they grow their own vegetables. Our room was nice and big and comfortable and that includes the bathroom and shower area. I definitely would recommend someone staying here. We have a nice balcony but it's been a little chilly these days. I believe each room does have a balcony and you have a nice view of the grounds. It's just outside of town so it's easy drive to get anything you want in Mendocino. Nice fireplace and we used it and it kept us nice and toasty. Be sure to take advantage of the the wineries that offer free tasting. We went to Meyer and it was perfect good Pinot and Syrah,.

One of my favorite places on earth. This is the most peaceful place I know with such attentive and caring staff. The rooms are lovely and food is beyond divine. Sitting on the deck with the fire going, the ravens flying, there's nothing better. Take advantage of this hidden retreat.

My partner and I had our first and only (so far) visit to Stanford Inn during the fall of the 2020 pandemic. Despite various restrictions and reduced activities, it was a lovely and relaxing time. For those who need to get away and are in driving distance, I would definitely recommend a visit now more than ever. The first time we heard about the Inn we were super intrigued by an all vegan resort being so close (to the Bay Area) but never seemed to be able to fit it into amidst our busy travel schedule. But with the pandemic, all of a sudden the resort seemed like the only thing we could do to get away from the city. The drive up north from SF isn't too long, though it gets a little weary as you go through 30 minutes of hairpin turns. As you get close, you start seeing the beautiful views of the coast that will be at your fingertips your entire stay. On-site, the contactless check-in was a breeze and they provided all the necessary details about the delivered-to-your-door dinner (and food) service. This was the thing we were most looking forward to, even if we couldn't eat inside at Ravens. The food ordering system went mostly smooth and everything we had was quite excellent. For dinner, my favorites were the Caesar salad and Thai dish. For breakfast, the muffins were perfect. Other things you could do on-site were you use the pool (reservation only, which fill up fast) as well as use the complimentary mountain bikes or paid canoeing (both through a separate company that operates on-site). We opted for the mountain bikes and enjoyed a nice 22 mile round trip trail that was right around the corner from the resort. Also nice about the resort is its proximity to Fort Bragg, where we spent an afternoon getting lunch and exploring. There are some cute vintage and antique shops, plus the famous Glass beach. Bonus: it was around Halloween and they had really awesome decorations in their front lobby (and an actual black cat hanging around!) Definitely hope we can get back here again soon, but after the pandemic, so that we can experience some more of the normal on-site benefits.

We really wanted to enjoy our stay given the reviews but we most likely will not be back. First, when we arrived in our room, there was a strong smell like rotten cabbage. It took us some time to figure out it was coming from the toilet. When you close the door to the toilet, the room was alright. Second, the value of the room was not balanced. The inn sure charges a lot but expect rustic -not the Ritz. The fireplace was great to have a cabin feel. However, the noise between and above your room can be quite disturbing. Third, the place is vegan. Breakfast was disappointing when you realize you can't even get eggs and butter. Be prepared to go vegan if you plan to be there.

I had a great experience at the standard inn. All the employees are super friendly and helpful! They went above and beyond to assist us. The environment is super tranquil and nice! We stayed at the cottage and we get to see the cute llamas all the time! I love their attention to detail in the room setup and decor. We def feel super at home, so was our little doggie Yoshi. She loves the place too. My only little feedback would be the food. I love how fresh and good quality the food ingredients are, but the style of the cooking might not be what I am used to. I am sure some guests loved it though:) overall, we enjoyed the stay :) the hotel def care about their customers and employees! That says a lot!

When I stayed there, I was served a cup of tea so hot that it caused the inside of my lip to be burned with blisters and it burned my gums so bad it looked like they were disintegrated. It ruined the rest of my vacation, as it was painful, I couldn't brush my teeth with a toothbrush and it hurt to eat. It's still not completely healed after two weeks. I sent the inn a message about it, but no one cared to respond.

Omg, I did not want to leave! I took my cat and my mom for some girl time and early mom bday. The staff is incredibly kind, helpful, knowledgeable, and just perfection. Honestly pampered. The place is clean, cozy, gorgeous and welcoming. We had so much fun swimming in the pool, listening to some music (we bought a speaker and no one else was there) while in the hot tub. The solarium is a beautiful. I am vegan and a cat mom so this place is heaven but you don't have to be to fall in love with the Stanford Inn. Views are incredible, there are beautiful rescue animals to kindly visit, canoeing and biking, gardens, a great shop with books, snacks, jewelry,ect... and a place for great food and drinks a f that's without leaving the resort ! Honestly, every should experience the magic of this place!!! My Cat's first vacation and she is now hooked. She did not want to leave either. We will return.

What a great find! Will definitely be returning. One of the best Dog Friendly hotels we've ever stayed at and Mendocino in general was very dog friendly. The grounds of this hotel are gorgeous, check-in and parking was super convenient (lots of EV chargers as well). We had a ground floor, double bed with a beautiful view of the lush gardens. The room was super clean and had everything we could possibly need; microwave, refrigerator, fireplace with plenty of wood, super comfortable beds and bedding, books, dog covers, blankets, towels, food and water bowls, even a little dog treat (sweet potato - okay for food allergies) as well as cookies and refillable water bottles for guests with filling station right outside the rooms. You can walk your dog anywhere on the grounds which were so quiet and peaceful - we never heard anyone and it felt very secluded and private. The gardens were such a treat to walk through and the llamas, donkeys, and horses were wonderful to visit on our morning and evening walks. The staff were friendly, welcoming and extremely helpful - I highly recommend a stay here and look forward to returning again soon!

We loved staying here in their cottage with our two dogs. We are not vegan so we used the kitchenette and made simple meals or went to Mendocino and FT Bragg for dinner instead of using the dining room, but we loved the atmosphere and garden and animals. Also the cottage had a Keurig and pods, for coffee...very nice touch. Also they had plenty of sparkling clean wine glasses in the cabinet. We used the pool and jacuzzi, where they had plenty of clean towels...very nice. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and we LOVED being able to bring our two schnauzers. We wanted a break from Southern CA and Mendocino was perfect...62 degrees most days, such a neat little town. Totally recommend Patterson's in Mendocino for a night out. Mendocino also has a convenient little grocery store right downtown. We will definitely visit again, I earned brownie points with my husband for finding Stanford Inn, he loved it too.

Absolutely beautiful and relaxing! We stayed here for two nights. The rooms are beautiful. The indoor areas, including their lobby, replete with so many books, was cozy. We loved our stay here. A wonderful gem!

What can I say....The Stanford Inn by the Sea is truly a romantic and rustic getaway not to be passed by. From the beautiful gardens to the natural growth in and about the property, an ambience is created which is beyond expectations and brings the imagination to existence. The large greenhouse holds hidden treasures of not only plants and trees, but a full salt water pool, spa, and sauna. As we were there just after the new year, we gravitated to the warm and humid atmosphere of this tropical setting, none the wiser of the wind and rainstorm bearing down outside. Reading a book in a lounge chair while sitting at the pool, in winter time, is what we needed for our peaceful get-a-way. Beside the workout room, yoga and complimentary bike and canoe benefit, the five star restaurant, bar and library adjoin double wood burning, large hearths, where you can gather for warmth and relaxation in the main lodge. To experience these amenities one has to make it out of their quarters though. Each guest chamber has beautiful wood paneling and cozy fitments to make you feel at home. Not to mention the intimate, wood burning fireplace, and stacked kindling and fresh cut wood in the various alcoves along the walkway to each room. Sleeping by the flames as we dream made our stay enchanting. The service at the Stanford Inn by the Sea equals the setting with every interaction being one of pleasant conversations and service oriented design to place the clientele's needs at the utmost of the Inn's concerns. Let me finish here with this, although I am told of other accommodations in the Mendocino area where friends of ours have spent honeymoons or weekend jaunts, I am hard-pressed to stay anywhere else. When I am shown pictures of other places and hear the descriptions of what other places offer as intended to share the experience as they delight in their excitement, they all seem to loose color in comparison as I quietly scroll through my memories and know we cannot see ourselves staying anywhere else. -AP

Amazing! The location is perfect on the big river. It is easy to get to Harvest Market downtown Mendocino if you were in the Barn suite or in the Canoe suite and cooking your own food most of the time. Every afternoon at 3:30 they have an afternoon tea where they give you a dessert for free. The restaurant is vegan and they had a lot of gluten-free options and even gluten-free desserts for tea. The grounds are stunning. They grow a lot of their own vegetables for their restaurant and the staff is lovely and they do all they can to help you and meet your needs. I'm only sad I didn't discover this place earlier!!! The beds were great too. Wonderful linens and comfortable beds. I wish I owned this property! Canoe and bicycle rentals, yoga and much more. It's a relaxing get away . They also have a massage center. The grounds are governed in flowers and plants. We loved spending time watching the animals as they have a couple of donkeys some horses and some llamas and the caretaker Pedro was feeding the animals special "cookies" for us to make it more fun for my children.

My wife and I first stayed at The Stanford Inn in 2012 and have stayed there several times over the past 13 years. We just came back from a two-night stay and was a great experience. We always leave there feeling relaxed. What we love about this place: The rooms - clean, comfortable, and quiet. Great views! The pool - beautiful indoor pool with hot tub and sauna The grounds - amazing gardens, very relaxing The animals - you'll see raccoons, donkeys, and llamas, and other critters. Staying during the holidays - they do an excellent job with holiday decorations. It definitely puts you in the holiday spirit Highly recommend The Stanford Inn. ***Here's a (hopefully fair) critique about their restaurant, Ravens: When I first ate at Ravens, back in 2012, I was amazed. The food was delicious and the presentation was beautiful. As a non-vegan (who eats meat once or twice a week), I was more than pleasantly surprised by the vegan dishes. I didn't care that I was eating vegan food - in fact it was so great that it inspired me to cook more vegan and vegetarian recipes. Today, the restaurant is still pretty good, but the dishes they offer don't seem to hold up to the price point. You're paying a lot for vegan fare - which would be fine if the dishes are amazing. The dishes, in my opinion, aren't amazing. But they're far from bad. It's very good food (the sushi appetizer was delicious). But overall, not worth the high-end prices (well over $200 for a family of four). Bottom line: The Stanford Inn is awesome, peaceful, and they have excellent service - it's well worth visiting. We tell everyone we know about The Stanford Inn and recommend it highly. We will be back. We just hope that the next time we come, there will be new menu options at the restaurant.

Spent five days, very relaxing, quiet, with amazing grounds and gardens to walk in all the way down to the river by the ocean, rustic but intelligently designed and sited, gorgeous. Did not know it when booking it but it is vegan, with breakfast included. We've cut out red meat but are not full on vegan, still managed with excellent baked goods like scones or buckwheat & oatmeal pancakes with a side of fruit. The rooms were generous and had real wood burning fireplaces, a no-no nowadays in our home area near San Francisco, but a welcome nicety. The bathrooms could use updating showing wear, but everything you could ask for was there. We walked the vegetable gardens, then down to where the river meets the ocean and the Catch A Canoe dock. Nice walk and incredibly picturesque. Especially liked that during COVID they don't make the rooms up daily - we hate having to vacate everyday to allow this - this was a plus for us. Overall an excellent time and benefits from having the wonderful town of Mendocino a minute away. Had great meals at Café Beaujolais, Trillium, Little River Inn and Luna. Would definitely come back.

Super unique place. Great location, clean rooms, cool gardens. The vegan restaurant was surprisingly good for breakfasts. The mountain bikes are good quality for rentals and the shop pointed me to a great trail. That was just a short drive away. We went here on a whim and we're glad we did.

My Fiance (now Wife) researched and selected the Stanford Inn for a private wedding/elopement in Mendocino. The Inn, the Staff, the Food, and the Facilities were all fabulous. Everything from start to finish exceeded our expectations. Jeff and Joan Stanford, the founders of the Stanford Inn, have created a paradise on the Mendocino coast. The grounds of the Stanford Inn include the main lobby and restaurant, two, two story buildings with guest rooms (many with ocean views), various other buildings, such as a pool house for the indoor pool, a few private residences, multiple, extensive gardens, green houses, stables, and a boathouse with outrigger canoes. The food in the restaurant is all vegan and much of it is grown right at the Stanford Inn. Non-vegans, don't despair, I'm not a vegan and was very happily surprised by the quality and taste of the sumptuous cuisine which included vegan butter and sauces that are absolutely divine. Every meal was delicious, including the wedding cake, that they made for us on premise. Who knew that vegan frosting could be so creamy? We started our first day on site with a private art experience hosted by Joan Stanford. Joan is an author and talented artist, and she has created an intimate art studio in the main building. I'm no artist, yet Joan was able to guide us through a wonderful, laughter filled hour of artistic creation. Jeff Stanford performed our private ceremony in one of the main gardens on the property. We were fortunate to have perfect weather for the day. Jeff's colleague, Sid, photographed the wedding and provided us with wonderful photos of the day. Jeff and Joan wrote beautiful vows. It was a lovely, private, magical ceremony. Exactly what we had hoped it would be. Whether you are simply seeking a getaway to a beautiful, romantic location, seeking to elope, or planning an intimate wedding, I highly recommend the Stanford Inn. Truly a wonderful experience hosted by the loveliest of people.

We recently returned to the Stanford Inn for a long weekend. I say 'returned' because we've been there so many times. I guess that statement alone shows how we feel about the Inn. We've travelled and stayed at lots of hotels in different places, but the Stanford Inn surpasses them all - the warm and friendly staff, the cozy and homey comfort of the rooms, the Ravens restaurant food and service, the Inn's own grounds, and the location (alongside the mouth of Big River and next to the town of Mendocino). Back at home we always have our ready-to-go-to-the-Inn bag, as we cannot imagine a better place to go to reset, refresh and recharge. Even the 2 to 3-hour drive from the Bay Area is a pleasure when we know we're driving to the Inn. What do we do while at the Inn? We sleep in late, we read books (lots of them - in the room, in the lobby, on the grounds, at the beach), we ride bikes (free at the Inn), rent an outrigger canoe at Catch-a-Canoe (entrance is on the property), get massages (shout out for Jennifer Reed), and eat delicious food. Summary: We can't wait to come back!

Average food. Prices were outrageous. I got to see the rooms that were 500 a night. I've stayed at better rooms for 100.

We had the pleasure of staying here for a few nights this past week. The very good: the grounds were even better than the pictures, with lovely flora and fauna. As garden enthusiasts, we enjoyed walking the grounds, finding them peaceful and interesting. We loved seeing and hearing all the birds (mornings and evenings)- particularly the Steller's jays. It felt very immersive. We enjoyed mornings on our porch with our pup watching the sun come up. As others have mentioned, there is road noise. However, we live in Los Angeles so we did not find it bothersome :) The inn is dog friendly and parking is easy. The wish it was better: for the price point, while the room was cozy, we found the finishes underwhelming and at a lower standard than we were expecting. The bathroom was cramped and lacked a fan (it had a very hot heat lamp) and the mattress felt in need of updating. Again, as others have mentioned, the restaurant is vegan only and requires reservations (all duly noted on their website and emails.) It would have been nice however, to have an early morning self serve area with some basic to-go food items and juices in lieu of waiting for after 8am in a sit down arrangement. We are early risers who like to head out for early hikes and walks. Again, we were aware of the set up, and had made plans to eat out or bring meals in. We loved the area and will have very fond memories of Mendocino.

We were considering a return visit, even though we felt the staff was snobbish. However the room was very clean and that has always been of utmost importance to us. After reading recent reviews regarding the vaccine passport requirement, to be in the dining room, we will not return. How does one worry about what they put in their body- regarding foods- yet vaccines that have no long term trials are supported. Sad indeed.

This inn has a restaurant that is excellent very good vegetarian food no animal ingredients are used. There is a Tesla charger outside and the staff are very friendly and helpful I enjoyed my visit.

Let me start by saying I was very excited about this property when I booked it. Mendocino, vegan food and a spa with my wife. Almost too good to be true. However, it would be hard for me to imagine a more rude and unhelpful staff than the people who work at this hotel. Couple things: * From repeatedly asking for proof of vaccinations, stating we had not previously shown it, when we had. This was annoying. The looking in the computer system like you were the CDC was comical. We showed it when asked, but you were annoying and only needed to ask once. * Acting very snooty, with zero sense of warmth or treating us like your guests. It was like you felt this shabby, dated property is the Bilmore or something in Beverly Hills. Why would any of you work in hospitality if you hate it this much? It is an old, and as I said very dated property. There is no concept of a holistic computer system managing guest requests for spa treatments or art classes, and the staff, apparently knowing this, take no responsibility for even helping with this, instead making catty comments about booking ahead, which of course isn't conveyed during the booking process. When walking through the front door after a three or four hour drive from SF, we were "greeted" by the most bitchy and condescending person I have ever experienced at a hotel check in. Seriously, I am sure as a young person your dream career was not working here, but try to act like it to help people spending $500/night for the 1980s. Seriously guys, this is a B minus property, more out of West Virginia than Northern Cali. A little humility like emphasized in the books you sell on Buddhism, might be a good start. Arrogant, overpriced, meh. I will give you two stars only cause my waiter was great. The hostess at the restaurant was hopeless, as was the young man and middle aged woman at the front desk.

We stayed two nights at Stanford Inn by the Sea and were not disappointed! In fact, it went above my expectations. The hotel staff and owners were lovely, the grounds spectacular and food delicious! The waitstaff in the restaurant were as attentive as any 4 star dining experience we've been too. If you ever get a chance to go, I highly recommend it! The pool was covered and we had it to ourselves! It's 10 acres so we walked and saw the animals and The Big River. We will return!