Cottages at Point Reyes Seashore

First time staying here. Attending a wedding at point Reyes Station, the drive to and from is difficult to make more than once a day and there’s not much close by in way of food/​pharmacy. So if you need food, buy it before checking in.
The wifi is very, very sub-​par especially given that there is absolutely no cell service.
They do no warn you about how thin the walls are. A group near our room was up until 3:30am talking and then a family with small kids was outside playing at 8:30am (a time earlier than the pool is considered «open» to accommodate other residents). I really didn’t sleep much as a result.

Great spot for a quick getaway! I love the comfortable atmosphere at cottage 2 and it was great to be able to bring the dog along. Having a kitchenette was good for an overnight stay, but it could do with some major upgrading. I loved the tall windows and skylight, until 5:45am when the inescapable light woke us up. Not a problem, but sleeping in a little later would’ve been nice. FYI for the lovers, the bed/​headboard is horribly noisey.

We stayed at Cottages at Point Reyes for our 1 year anniversary weekend and had a really pleasant stay! My husband insisted on taking our 3 dogs (yes, 3. And I know, very romantic ;) and the Cottages were very accommodating. I love that they have designated cottages just for guests with dogs and also provide clean dog beds, towels, doggie bags and sheets should you need it. There is a dedicated dog run at the far side of the property (you walk past the cottages and proprietor’s residence — it’s past the basketball courts) It’s nothing fancy, but nice to let your dogs do their business off leash and I like that they’ve clearly thought about the needs of dog parents in addition to guests traveling without dogs.
The cottages are also nice, but rustic as can be expected. We stayed in the Quail Cottage that had a Queen bed and a little day couch, fireplace, kitchenette and bathroom. It also had a skylight and huge ceiling window — which was very pleasant to see the Magnolia Tree outside, but also means you get a very early wake up from the sun :)
We didn’t end up using the pool or hot tub as we can’t leave the dogs in the room unattended, but the grounds are really nice and they’ve thought of everything from outdoor chairs and tables for every cottage, a shed with tons of board games, puzzles, books, Bocce Ball, basketballs, etc for guests to use and a great binder with recommendations on local things to see and do.
As other guests noted, the walls are very thin so we heard our neighbors and I’m sure vice versa. You can also hear people when they are out in the parking lot. One last (minor) thing to note, they provide shampoo and body wash, but no conditioner! So my hair was a little fluffy after my shower, but certainly not a big deal.
We really enjoyed our stay and would absolutely come again — with or without pups!

We’ve stayed at a few places on the Inverness side of Tomales Bay, and this is my favorite.
I understand chill hosts Andy & Susan purchased the «inverness Valley Inn» in 2013, refurbished and renamed it «Cottages at Point Reyes Seashore», and most importantly they are interested in hosting, not taking all your money.
We were in the oversized for the two of us #19, with free TV, WiFi, small fridge, microwave, coffee, tea, 2-​burner electric stove, teapot, and other basic kitchen stuff. Comfy queen bed in the main room; two twins in another doored bedroom. No chemically hidden odors… naturally sweet smelling place. Clean. Seemed newish furniture of sturdy and simple design.
Pet friendly. They even provide dog beds, dog beach towel, and a centrally located dog waste small metal can. Great dog-​walking grounds.
Great info binder in the room: restaurants, gas, ATM, store locations & phone numbers, map, local points of interest and history, etc.
Nearly at sea-​level, it is an easy flat walk or ride to Tomales Bay. Trees all around, in a little flat valley, with a small creek.
About half their electricity is produced on-​site by solar panels, which gives me warm fuzzies, gives them lower overhead, and gives Inverness a slightly more robust local electric grid. It may not seem important, but it’s the kind of behind-​the-​scenes goodness Andy & Susan are engaged in.
I would have preferred more effective door mats, though the doggie towel served well. The best mats I’ve found are the awful plastic ½ inch fake grass pokey ones: most others can’t reach all the nooks and crannies in my shoes.
Like another reviewer, I couldn’t give 5-​stars, because it’s not a fancy ass hotel, just very comfortable and very well hosted.

I’d give them a five star but let’s face it, that really needs to reserved for like The Four Seasons or something! But this is an absolutely charming place and I am a Ritz Carlton kind of girl so this was quite a deviation from my norm. This is Point Reyes, though, and «wonky» is sort of the theme of the whole area. The grounds are beautiful, the cottages (while dated) are spotless and perfectly comfortable. The pool (not heated but I’m sure it’s great in the summer!) is well maintained and the hot tub was a nice treat. They allow dogs-​bonus! And the property is so large that there is plenty of room to take your pup on a nice walk without even leaving the property. The very nice couple who owns The Cottages purchased the business recently and are making lots of improvements and updates so I expect it will get even better. We plan to go back! And Point Reyes, in general, was amazing-​such nice people, stunning beaches, some really yummy food, just a great little get away!

We rented the entire facility with friends & families to celebrate some big, round birthdays. The owners were in the process of renovating all the cabins and were concerned that they wouldn’t be finished in time, but we’re a pretty chill bunch and were thrilled to find a place that could accommodate our the range of family sizes and pets.
The place was incredible. We had the chance to see a number of cabins and all guests were really pleased with the cabins. The owners provided great insights in the best places to set up games, dinners, etc, and even hooked us up with some local talent to help with the party and to move the picnic tables around.
The kids loved having the run of the place and all the amenities, and there were lots of day trips to various beaches, into town, etc.
We can’t wait to do it again!

My family and I have stayed here multiple times and really enjoyed ourselves but will likely not return after our most recent experience.
My partner and I arrived late on Saturday night — some time around 9:30pm — and after taking two steps into the room realized we had disrupted a very large trail of ants. They quickly scattered and started crawling up the curtains. We both love the outdoors and are used to bugs so neither of us cared very much at all and were ready to brush it off.
We unpacked our stuff and while I was brushing my teeth I noticed a little pile of dead ants next to the sink in the «kitchen.» I started looking around and found a few more dead ants on the table next to the microwave. I was still ready to brush it all off, at this point. But then, upon pulling back the sheets to the bed, I saw more dead ants. 7 total. Time to let the owners know. (I decided to wait to talk to them until the morning since it was already so late and I didn’t want to disturb them.)
Around 9:00am, I walked into the office and spoke to Susan. I started off by saying «My family and I have stayed here multiple times and really enjoy this place…» because I didn’t want her to get the wrong impression from me, and after my saying «I just don’t feel like we got what we paid for» she very kindly responded with, «I’m sorry about that. We’ll credit you a night’s stay for the future. Should I send it to this email address?» Wow! A night’s stay?! I was very pleasantly surprised. I thanked her, headed back to our cottage, and then we checked out a couple of hours later.
By the time we arrived home that evening, we still hadn’t received the credit, so we emailed Susan/​Andy a gentle reminder. Their response came with… a $ 40 gift certificate. (??) We were very confused. She originally offered us a «night’s stay» and now was giving us something quite inferior. So, I called her. It’s a waste of time and energy to get into the specifics of the conversation but here is the take-​away: Susan was very defensive and said «No, I would never say that. I would never offer someone a full night’s stay because of an ant problem.» Wow. Extremely poor customer service. There were myriad ways she could have handled that conversation without giving me a full night’s stay and still keep a loyal customer, but today she lost one.

This place was a great little surprise for a few travels during an impromptu, unplanned escape from the City.
After checking out the Point Reyes lighthouse mid Saturday, my Brother and Sister-​in-​law and I just weren’t quite ready to head back to San Francisco. Heading back from the Point Reyes House we stopped inhere to the cottages and had a quick a friendly chat with Andy, the owner (I presume). he showed a couple of rooms and we opted for the bigger spot, with the fireplace and second room. We got settled and Andy gave us a great run down of nearby restaurants to eat, and listed his favorites.
After a nice dinner at point Reyes Station, we returned to mellow out the rest of the night in the peaceful environment, with the fireplace going and a few bottles of wine.
This place is relatively no frills but very accommodating, and the check in and process was easy, if not all but non existent. All in all this was a great no hassle addition to our spontaneous weekend, and I’d be happy to return.

Near Tomales Bay, this is a peaceful and relaxing place. The new owners have been fixing it up bit by bit since they bought it in early 2013. They’re doing a great job! My husband and I found our kitchenette cottage super cozy, very clean, fresh, comfortable, sporting some new appliances as well as new bed linens and towels, and supplied with all we needed. Also, the grounds/​gardens seem tended well. Loved it!

Stayed here for the second year in a row to celebrate our anniversary. It’s a no frills kind of place but comfortable, clean, and relaxing — which is perfect for us. Hassle free check in and out is great. I never had to hand over my credit card again for incidentals, or sign any forms — you just get handed the key and off you go.
We enjoy all the natural light with the skylights and floor to ceiling windows, the gas fireplace in the room, beam vaulted ceilings, front porch, the fact that there is a twin bed in the room since we have a toddler, and the kitchenette is very convenient. The location is perfect if wishing to go out to the Point Reyes beaches or lighthouse, go on day trips up or down HWY 1, or spend a day at Point Reyes Station. We also really like that they have an activities shed full of games or sporting equipment for their onsite tennis and basketball courts.
The reason why I knocked off one star is because I found a spider in the room (somewhat expected in that kind of environment though) and there is room for some improvement in regards to updating the rooms (our room had some tears in the carpet and some of the blinds were broken, for example).

This review is long overdue. My (now) husband and I took over the Inverness Valley Inn last year when we got married in Petaluma. Most of our guests stayed the weekend here, and it was perfect: a beautiful and relaxing place to get the whole family & many friends together, not to mention the most affordable accommodations in the area (and we looked far and wide). I can’t remember the exact details anymore, but I recall they made us a pretty good deal, even though there may have been an extra unit or something left over in the end.
Also, I was really grateful that they didn’t hear «wedding» and immediately start nickel-​and-​diming me. If you are trying to plan a wedding in this area, you know what I mean. These guys were honest and straightforward, and frankly, they really don’t want to be all up in the details of your event. They want you to pay them their rental fee, have a nice time, and leave them alone. Of course, being that they are not in the «wedding industry» (yes, that exists – try to avoid it, even if you are getting married… ESPECIALLY if you are getting married), they are not going to plan everything for you. This is a DIY kind of place, and there were some logistical hurdles and minor frustrations. BUT, they did help organize my many family members/​friends who were trying to bunk up, and they dealt with my beloved but overbearing grandfather, both of which were a huge headache for them.
For people complaining that it is too rustic, maybe they have since renovated? I found the whole place very clean and comfortable; even my grandparents liked it. It is not a fancypants hotel, but then, you are not in Miami, you are in Point Reyes. It is very peaceful for a romantic getaway, if that’s what you’re looking for.
One more thing: we also considered just having our wedding here to save on the rental fee for a separate venue. We ultimately decided against that because we were worried that the traffic on the road would be distracting, but honestly, looking back, we could have totally pulled that off and saved thousands of dollars (gasp). I love the place we did choose, though, the Chileno Valley Ranch.

Great rooms on a beautiful piece of property, had a great time. Owners were friendly and helpful, with great suggestions for hikes and birdwatching.

Too be honest: my favorite place on Earth!
Whenever I have to escape the Silicon Valley I drive here and spend time w/​doing nothing. «Doing nothing» means BBQ and wine/​beer.
The room are great and the hosts are prefect!
Give it a try!!!

11−11−12 Four of us recently descended on one of the family rooms (4 beds and a kitchen!) at the Inverness Valley Inn. We used the room as a base when we hiked and went out to dinner. Very comfortable and very quiet — the insulation is superb — we only heard the group next door when we were outside.
Extra bonuses include hiking trails on the property, a hot pool for soaking (and looking at the stars), animals (goats, sheep, llama, alpaca) and a very lovely host and hostess.

This review is limited to the current owner, Linda. We’ve stayed at this inn several times over the past two years and our family loves it. The location is ideal, the rooms clean and comfortable, and we love the eco-​friendly attitude. During one of our stays, our daughter befriended the llama they had on their farm. All the animals are well cared for, and HAPPY (well, as happy as animals can look). To me, this is a sign that the owners are good people. Obviously, this is not the typical commercial hotel. It is a well-​loved and cared for business, simple in its appeal. The key points are that this hotel has
1. Comfortable bedding
2. Clean, well-​kept rooms
3. Good customer service

What a disappointment!!! This is the first Unilocal review I have ever written, and I am doing it because I don’t want other people to feel the way that I do-​yuck!!! There is nothing remotely cute, quaint, eco-​farmish, even rustic about this place. The buildings are like outdated apartments and the rooms are dirty, not well maintained and not nicely furnished. The animals are kept in dog house like makeshift accommodations. The saltwater pool is not heated, and had a hose with running water attached to a tap hanging in to it. Oh, and everything is so overgrown, there is no access even to the creek that I could see. I should have guessed they don’t make it their business to please their customers, as I got no response from my online inquiry before booking. My advice to you– find a different spot!!!

Beautiful!
I stayed there on a Tuesday night, and it was the perfect one day getaway from the City. We spent a couple of hours soaking in the hottub, we took in the freshest air in the Bay Area, and enjoyed the peaceful setting, and a trip in to Point Reyes the next day. Another pleasant surprise was that they have sheep and even Llamas — and let our kids feed them. After we’d checked out, the owners were friendly enough to let us stick around and use the picnic and barbecue area.
If you’re looking for a snobby getaway with the ultimate in contemporary design, this might not be the place for you… but if you want a great place to escape the stress of city life — even with kids-​, and easy access to some beautiful places, I highly recommend it.

Alden took me and my wife in after a journey on a harley. Found out that the german restaurant didn’t take cash down the street. He got the tab and kindly added it to our bill at inverness inn. He even brought us fresh eggs from his chickens the next morning even though its not a bed and brekfast. Eat at vladamirs down the street for dinner. Bring cash only if you eat there unless alden is there to take care of you. Awsome place without paying big price. What an adventure it has been cruising the california coast!

The Inverness Valley Inn has past its glory days. Unless Sonny Bono comes back from the dead and re-​joins Cher on tour this place has no hope at revival.
Our room was musty, the furniture was old and worn (and I don’t mean antique old – I mean old, like throw away old) the grounds were overgrown and in need of much refurbishing. We walked around the place and I felt like I was a trespasser in somebody’s backyard. Did not use the pool or spa because it was as other guests indicated – uninviting and out dated.
There are nicer places to stay if you are going to venture to the Point Reyes Seashore area.

The website looks great but it is misleading. It’s not that pretty and clean. The rooms are tacky and smelly. The pool and hot tub are uninviting. I suppose if you play tennis, this would be great, since the 2 tennis courts were always unoccupied and looked like they were in pretty good shape. One plus for us is being able to bring our dog. The property is in the woods, but the hotel and surroundings felt like the Bates hotel. Sort of creepy.
Many years ago, I remember coming to this place and termites flew out from the roof. It was scary. I didn’t know it was this place, or I wouldn’t have stayed this time. Sure looked different from the website.
Also, they advertised internet access in every room. Not true. I had to go outside near the office to get access.
Not worth what they charged for sure.