MacCallum House Review: Like Coming Home to a Grand Mendocino House

All the gentle charm of a small-town Mendocino is embodied in MacCallum House. Perched on a hillside with views of the ocean, cliffs and the property’s beautiful gardens, MacCallum House is a microcosm of the specialness of this Northern California coastal village.

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As I stopped in front of the house, I felt like I had a house, and a big one at that, right in the city. Everything I wanted to do in and around town, including walking the headlands and going down to the beach, I could easily do on foot. And when I returned to my temporary residence on the hill, this hotel would again draw me into its elegant and spacious rooms and treat me to a delicious meal.

Things to know about the MacCallum house

Guests can choose from 19 rooms on the main property and another 10 on the nearby suite property. Claw-foot tubs and unique decor highlight the building’s history, although accommodations are modern and stylish.

• When the fog rolls in, cozy up in the wood-paneled dining room, but when the sun shines, the wraparound porch is the perfect place to enjoy both the restaurant’s delicious fare and the sea air.
• A delicious, free, cooked-to-order breakfast awaits you each morning at MacCallum House. This might be my favorite part of my stay!
• Speaking of fabulous food, the restaurant’s farm-to-table menu is unparalleled in Mendocino and the surrounding areas. The chef has been both chef and owner for over twenty years and has certainly kept up with food trends while taking advantage of the abundant resources of the nearby agricultural countryside.
• Calm and chic, MacCallum House is also warm and welcoming. The staff is friendly and generous with their time and attention, and it really feels like coming home after your outings.
• Most visitors come to Mendocino to browse the galleries and boutiques and soak up the stunning coastal views; All of these options are just steps from the front porch of MacCallum House. The Headlands trails are accessible just two blocks from the inn, and local restaurants, shops, and galleries are right outside the front door.

What families need to know

Small families will love the cozy nature of the main property, and larger families can enjoy the suites and vacation home that make up MacCallum House’s accommodation options. With in-room coffee, you can start your day slowly, but for those eager to get started, the generous breakfast included at the main property will energize you for your day. The large side lawn, perfect for weddings, is an ideal place for children to play while parents enjoy a drink or rest the afternoon, and the inn’s ideal and idyllic location means that guests older children can go out on their own while still being just a stone’s throw away. of the property.

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Most bedrooms in the main house are better suited to couples, but bedroom six has two beds and internal doors for privacy and generational separation. In the chalets on the main property, families can have either two queen beds with a sitting area and a veranda with jacuzzi (room 11), or spread out in the three-story water tower room with bathroom complete and sauna. There are several bedrooms with two queens in the suite property, and most families will find that both vacation home offerings will feel like their home away from home. All outbuildings accept pets.

What couples need to know

Mendocino and MacCallum House are ideal for couples. Particularly out of season, it is a quiet town with galleries and shops, numerous and well-equipped restaurants and where you go to bed early. There’s perhaps no better way to spend a weekend as a couple: long mornings with a delicious breakfast, tucked-away accommodations, and panoramic views from every angle.

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For more privacy, look for one of the rooms in the outbuildings; these self-catering accommodations offer you the comfort of a hotel room and the privacy of a vacation rental. Most of the tables around the glass-enclosed porch near the bar and outside are for two, and there is a romantic silence throughout the property.

Review of MacCallum House

MacCallum House is rated 8.8 out of 10 on Kayak and 4 out of 5 on TripAdvisor. Reviewers praise the views and location, the charm and delicious meals, and the quality amenities in the rooms, including mattresses and bedding. My personal experience reflected a higher rating than those garnered by these sites.

Important Details About the MacCallum House

Location

Many go to Mendocino because of its remote feeling; perched on the bluffs of Mendocino County, the main way to get there is by car, either along the coast (quite slowly) or through the wine-producing and charming Anderson Valley. Take your time coming from the San Francisco Bay Area (SFO or OAK are just over a three-hour drive without traffic), even planning short detours to the wineries of Napa or Sonoma County along the way. road and stop in Boonville before reaching the coast.

Mendocino’s expansive headlands make for a wonderful stroll into town, and a short drive will take you to Russian Gulch or the beaches of the Big River State. A little further, but worth the trip, are Glass Beach, Point Arena Lighthouse, and Hendy Woods State Park. Families might really like the famous Mendocino Skunk Train and, for the more adventurous, the Pudding Creek Rail Bikes.

The property

MacCallum House is centered around the main Victorian house and extends to several other off-property sites. An expansive lawn lies to the east of the house while a winding path around the west side of the house leads guests to the chalet’s bedrooms. The first floor of the inn includes the bar, the restaurant with a magnificent fireplace and a wrap-around porch, and the reception is on the second floor, next to several rooms. Note that if anyone in your party has accessibility issues, you will need to call ahead to ensure your accommodation meets your needs. Guests may enter and exit through the front or rear entrance of the main property.

Rooms

While the MacCallum House itself has only six bedrooms, its surrounding cottages and neighboring barn and suites offer many more options. Most rooms in the outbuildings include a private hot tub, and some have a private enclosed porch. With queen and king bed options, garden and ocean views, showers, and clawfoot tubs, you’ll find choices ranging from $150 to around $300 per night in the off-season. All include luxurious bathrobes, a Keurig, refrigerator, free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, electric vehicle charging, and Samsung smart TVs. All rooms except those in the house are pet-friendly and require a two-night minimum if your stay includes a Saturday.

Activities

If you’re heading to Mendocino for a short or extended stay, chances are you’re looking to slow down. That said, whatever your plans, innkeepers will be happy to provide pre-arrival concierge services, including restaurant reservations, and can recommend local attractions and special events. MacCallum House also offers the option of forest bathing (and may be just what you need as part of your escape).

Dining

MacCallum House’s restaurant is reason enough to spend the weekend, and locals and visitors fill the dining room for breakfast and dinner. With produce sourced from abundant local farms and a commitment to sourcing from neighbors, MacCallum House’s offerings are incredibly fresh and seasonal. With an evolving menu that changes with the seasons and a chef deeply attached to the place, guests should definitely dine at least one evening during their stay.

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