Lodge at Marconi, an upscale coastal retreat managed by Oliver Hospitality, perched atop forested hills overlooking the picturesque Tomales Bay, is now open and welcoming guests after a multi-million-dollar, 17-month-long renovation. Formerly Marconi Conference Center, Lodge at Marconi sits on 62 sprawling acres off Highway Route 1 within the Marconi State Historic Park, affording visitors direct access to West Marin County’s unparalleled natural beauty, modern hotel accommodations, refreshed and unique event spaces, and beautified grounds – all with magical views of rolling green hills and the shimmering seashore.
“We are so proud to unveil the transformed – and transformative – Lodge at Marconi,” said Bryon Parsons, General Manager of Lodge at Marconi. “We look forward to welcoming groups, families, couples, and individuals to unwind and reconnect in this woodland oasis. We took great care to create a top-notch guest experience, with thoughtful and personalized service, a comfortable and welcoming environment, and an assortment of modern amenities and services that cater to today’s travelers, all amidst acres of lush nature overlooking the Bay.”
Ethan Orley, Managing Partner of Oliver Hospitality, also remarked, “Lodge at Marconi falls perfectly within our sweet spot at Oliver Hospitality. We love this property for its storied history, stunning setting amid nature, and discoverability for a range of travelers from around the world. We hope to make an impact within this region and among the local community and those who visit by honoring this exceptional land and elevating it for generations to come.”
Modern Lodging
Lodge at Marconi’s 45 new accommodations offer a variety of comfortable guestrooms and suites to suit a range of travelers’ desires. Rooms, which are situated in a collection of freestanding buildings, range from the Deluxe Double Queen Loft with two queen beds and an upper twin loft room that is ideal for families, groups, or travelers seeking an innovative and functional space, to the King Suite, a haven for discerning travelers with a king bed, twin bed, and ample common space to spread out, and many options in-between. In-room amenities include plush linens, pillow-top mattresses, luxe waffle bathrobes, plant-based Born Bathing bath products, dedicated workspaces, refrigerators, coffee machines, tea, Path Water, and more. In line with its commitment to providing a tranquil and rejuvenating environment, Lodge at Marconi does not offer televisions. The team encourages guests to fully unwind, immerse themselves in the serene atmosphere, and embrace the opportunity to disconnect from digital distractions.
Representing its first Northern California project, the interior design, spearheaded by New York-based design studio Home Studios, is a master lesson in architectural style Third Bay Tradition. With modern touches inspired by the inventive spirit of Guglielmo Marconi, the studio’s attention to detail and diversity of expression make an impressive impact. Custom furnishings, organic materials, a saturated color scheme, and wall cube art inspired by the style of Stuart Arends – painted in colors pulled from the local landscape and labeled with handwritten Latin plant names and dates, akin to field notes – seek to maintain a natural connection to coastal Northern California’s rugged environment. Ample natural woods and textiles throughout each room render a cohesive feel, with an overall palette informed by the surrounding nature. Cedar paneling, artful Bay-area made Heath Ceramics tiles, and ample millwork further define this ethos. While the exterior facades of the buildings were refinished as a part of the makeover, the overall modern architecture was untouched to preserve the site’s history and character.
Distinctive Arrivals & Artful Lounging
Upon arrival into the newly opened Reception Lounge, guests are welcomed into an intimate lobby with a check-in desk, which also conveniently moonlights as a coffee and espresso bar, serving beverages, handmade pastries from beloved establishments such as Route One in Tomales and Stellina Pronto in Petaluma, and Double 8 Dairy buffalo milk gelato. Across, a grab-and-go market boasts additional local provisions, such as beer, wine, and artisanal fare from West Marin Culture Shop and Lunchette. A kitchenette offers a microwave and toaster station for guests’ convenience. A small retail area features a curated selection of books from nearby indie gem Point Reyes Books along with Lodge at Marconi branded merchandise.
Home Studios sought to create an authentic, camp-esque environment, with a unique layout of a collection of rooms – opposed to a formal hotel lobby – in order to evoke a residential environment and encourage connection between guests. Curated art and décor include collaborations with talented artisans, such as a custom wall tapestry by Lookout & Wonderland, a tall teapot by Linda Fahe of San Francisco’s Yonder shop, and a custom ceramic sconce from Blanc Studio. Each communal space is intended to welcome activity through all points of the day, whether it’s sitting in a nook enjoying a cup of coffee and a good read, tackling emails within the workspace, or gathering with friends over a bottle of wine. Cozy lounge seating and banquettes are centered around a focal fireplace, while towering banks of windows let in the forest and Bay views and ample natural light.
Unforgettable Events
Eight versatile indoor and outdoor venues are primed to host breathtaking events including weddings, conferences, and meetings. Each space is unique and functional, ranging from conference buildings, pre-function spaces, indoor and outdoor breakout areas, and striking open air sites, all immersed in the forested surroundings and boasting spectacular views. Buck Hall (capacity 106) McCargo Cottage, Pine and Cypress Halls (capacity 45 each) are currently in final renovation stages and will be debuted in early 2024. Lodge at Marconi is also home to the Tower Hill, a hilltop outdoor meeting and activities space situated at the highest point of Marconi State Historic Park, and an outdoor amphitheater tucked into a magnificent grove of towering Monterey Pine. Event bookings are being accepted for winter 2023-onward.
Event hosts and attendees also have access to the reimagined Redwood Dining Hall as an event space, also designed by Home Studios, boasting a mid-century cafeteria-style environment, inclusive of a spacious indoor dining room, full bar, and a large wrap-around deck.
62 Unspoiled Acres
The Lodge at Marconi team exercises a deep commitment to sustainability and being stewards of the land. The site’s grounds encompass 3.5 miles of walking and hiking trails for unlimited opportunities to explore and discover the property’s serene environment and natural beauty, all overlooking views of Tomales Bay.
The central hub of Lodge at Marconi is an outdoor courtyard featuring a gas fire pit and custom lounge seating, benches, and natural boulders for guests to gather and socialize. This, along with the thoughtful landscaping throughout the property, was conceived and designed by landscape architect Anooshey Rahim, Principal of Bay Area-based Dune Hai. The landscape serves as the connection between the various buildings. The Dune Hai team was inspired to honor the historic landscape and maintain as much of the existing vegetation as possible, while creating more of a cohesive language, emphasizing the unique rugged location, and creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for guests. All plantings are native to the region and focus on seasonality; highlights include colored lupine, manzanitas, yarrow plants, silk tassel bushes, and blue spruces. Sustainability was of significant importance, with a focus on low water usage, utilizing local oyster shells as soil, crafting custom posts with upcycled wood from Bay Area Redwood, and contracting local installers to reduce the carbon footprint.
The meadow at Lodge at Marconi offers an open space for further exploration and fun, with lawn games such as croquet, giant Jenga, giant Dominos, bean bag toss, horseshoes, volleyball, frisbees, and more.
Immersive Programming & Amenities
The guest experience puts hospitality at the forefront and considers modern conveniences. This includes a highly trained front desk staff, porter for check-in, golf carts to roam the property’s expanse, and a dedicated concierge team to arrange a curated range of local, educational activities to further immerse oneself in the spirit of this dynamic region. This includes a Tour & Tasting at West Marin Culture Shop whereby guests can learn the art of fermenting, a Farm Tour & Tasting at the iconic Hog Island Oyster Co., a bioluminescence kayak tour of Tomales Bay with Blue Water Kayak, a dairy and cheesemaking tour and tasting at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., a fungi ID hike with Dream Farm Mushroom, wildlife field tracking at nearby Limantour Beach with Richard Vacha, an olive tour and tasting at McEvoy Ranch, and a historical walking tour of Downtown Pointe Reyes Station with renowned California historian Dewey Livingston.
As a first stage of Lodge at Marconi’s wellness offerings, guests can reap the benefits of a dry sauna, which is set amidst the forest with glass windows that overlook views of Tomales Bay. Nearby, a yoga platform was constructed for guests to practice guided or solo.
Storied History
Lodge at Marconi has a rich history as a landmark of the destination; the property was originally built in 1914 as a radio receiving station by Guglielmo Marconi, often credited as the “inventor of radio.” In the early 1960s, a rehabilitation facility known as Synanon took over the site, eventually becoming an infamous “alternative lifestyle community” that eventually dissolved. In 1972, renowned architect Ellis Kaplan designed several distinctive structures as timeless spaces that integrated with the natural surroundings. In recent years, it primarily served as a site for corporate retreats, conferences, and weddings.
Its location within Tomales Bay showcases the natural beauty of the West Marin coastline. The region is best known for its abundance of outdoor pursuits, vineyards, creameries, and oyster farms. It is conveniently located only an hour away from San Francisco and mere miles south of the extraordinary Point Reyes region.
A Vision for the Future
Many additional accommodations, facilities, and amenities will roll out in the coming months as a part of Lodge at Marconi’s next phases. This includes an elevated spa and wellness center including in-room treatment offerings, and the renovation and reopening of the site’s historic cottages. Immersive and educational programming and partnerships such as guided hikes, bird watching, beach bonfires, animal tracking, whale watching, Dungeness crab kayaking trips, wild plant harvesting, sunset sails, horseback riding, surf lessons, and wildlife photography lessons are being planned as well.
Current rates at Lodge at Marconi start at $245/night, reflecting the Beautification Rate in celebration of the property’s reopening. For more information or to place a reservation, call Lodge at Marconi at (415) 663-9020 or visit www.lodgeatmarconi.com.
Lodge at Marconi
18500 CA-1
Marshall, CA 94940
United States
+1 415-663-9020
