Stevenswood is located in Little River California less than two miles south of the famous quaint Victorian Village of Mendocino, this young resort has quickly risen from obscurity to the kind of international prominence enjoyed by only a few properties of distinction. Contemporary and secluded, this tranquil inn offers a gracious respite from the daily grind. Nestled in a forest by the sea, the intimate lodge echoes the natural beauty of its rural setting. The resort guests are pampered with comfort, privacy, and peace, and indulged in gracious service and superlative cuisine. Stevenswood Resort & Spa already has climbed onto top resorts lists for many well-known travel publications.

Of course there is no need to wait until Christmas – any other special occasion will do. But the experience at the Indigo Eco-Spa – and, for many of us it makes this one of those spa vacations you’ll want to carefully plan, fondly anticipate and then thoroughly savor every hour that you are a guest. If you're the type who routinely visits spa resorts, you won't find better pampering than at the Indigo.

Stevenswood Spa | Treatment Menu | 

The arts community of Mendocino is one of those places where just driving through town is a scenic tour all by itself. For your enjoyment Stevenswood Resort & Spa has its own art gallery and is open to the public.

The staff of this small boutique resort hotel is put through a two-day training seminar that focuses just on service – and we noticed the results immediately upon arrival. We were greeted cordially by the valet staff, then guided personally into the lobby area where we were introduced to our own hotel representative, who in turn took us immediately to our suite. We were in our suite luxuriating – enjoying a complimentary bottle of chilled champagne and gazing out over the Pacific Ocean — roughly 10 minutes from the time we pulled into the driveway.

Finding your way to Stevenswood | Mapquest

Our suite was a treasure trove of special touches and it seemed as if we were making little discoveries from the time we checked in until the time we checked out. For example, how many hotels have you stayed in where the hotel has a catalogue for you to order take-home towels, linens, robes and even mattresses just like the ones you just used during your stay? Or how about the famous handmade Mendo Mushrooms on display throughout the botanical gardens. Which can be hand harvested by you, what a delightful experience. They are perfect for small indoor pots, or to make an entire “mini-forest of beautiful bright colors. You’ll also discover the Hermes Grande Gift Set. Or how about their signature line of exclusive Hermes ensuite amenites, or share the experience with someone you care about! They maintain a beautiful line of jewelry displayed throughout the lobby." The list goes on.

 

Rooms &  Rates | Last Minute Specials

The rooms are done in muted colors – ours had a kind of key lime green and white trim motif – and walls are abundantly adorned with artwork from local artisans. All the guest rooms are Completed with nicely appointed finest imported Italian micro-fibre furnishings, rich leathers, designer colors, imported cork flooring from Portugal, Venician glass bowl vanities, Tempur-pedic premium grade sleep systems, wood-burning fireplaces, and much more. As one would expect, the king bed, the 400-threadcount bed linens, the goose down pillows – well, frankly, everything in the room — were of the highest quality. The bathrooms featured imported stone flooring, with glass bathtub and walk- in showers. Awaiting the new guest were an array of toiletries, oils, soaps and even candles to light while soaking in the bathtub.

All of that is well and good, but one of the biggest reasons this resort is worth the trip is the dazzling, panoramic forest, meadow and water views. The properties wooden decks are larger than most hotel rooms and offered a secluded sitting area with out- door fireplace and relax on cushioned wooden furniture and enjoy the views. Just below our suite was the spa pools where guests were basking in the coastal sun while sipping drinks brought to their lounges. Nearby trails to explore deep forests, beautiful beaches, open headlands and one of the few unspoiled estuaries left in California, Big River. At Stevenswood you are surrounded on three sides by the vast 2,400 acre forest of Van Damme State Park, with trails that begin at your back door.  You can hike through lush Fern Canyon. Jog down to beaches. Bike across Mendocino’s wind-swept headlands. Canoe Big River, go ocean-kayaking, whale watching or scuba or abalone free diving. You’ll find plenty here to fill your days and fulfill your dreams.

If you're looking for the best in California Redwood forests and beaches, look no farther.

In essence, Stevenswood Resort & Spa is creating a new type of stylish boutique hotel. This kind of total luxury demands that the resort include—in addition to fine accommodations—two other major items: gourmet cuisine that seems to go beyond the cooking of mere mortals, and a Spa to help you at least feel healthy about consuming all of those extra calories. RESERVATIONS

 Dining at Stevenswood | Breakfast | Dinner | Catering

A perfect compliment to the four diamond, five star resort is the legendary and award winning world class five star Restaurant at Stevenswood. The intimate and scenic dining room has a glowing fireplace and plush comfortable chairs.  Sit back and get ready for sumptuous gastronomical delights."  

"This critically acclaimed, award winning Mendocino restaurant has earned it's reputation with diners world-wide as the destination of choice along the Northern California coast. Open 7 days a week, with reservations starting at 6:00 PM there is no reason not to include this fabulous experience in your travel plans.
The posh supper club where Executive Chef Patrick Meany (patrickjmeany@yahoo.com ) plies his trade. Patrick creates his own Mediterranean culinary dishes. So we took a magical tour through several courses. And we found out he has learned his art well, and he weaves a colorful tapestry of dinner surprises based on fish, beef and pork and unbelievable salads and sauces' using the freshest of organic vegetables chosen by hand at the Stevenswood ranch and farm. The emphasis is on roasted cuisine expertly prepared on a wood-burning stove. The restaurant already has been embraced by local residents and diners now are about 50/50 resort guests and local residents.

The Spa is a cut above many spa resorts. It's not your garden-variety spa but rather a retreat-within-a-retreat where guests can select from water therapies, seaweed mineral baths, muds and clays and other treatments all administered by trained spa therapists. Also included: a full beauty salon, spa pools and, of course, the breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and forests. From personal experience, we can tell you that the massage therapists know what they’re doing, and you’ll want to consider one of these  sessions while you’re enjoying your resort fantasy.

It’s all quite a package: boutique resort hotel, charming arts community, picture-perfect postcard scenery. Just the perfect Christmas gift – that is, if you can wait that long. www.stevenswood.com