Historic clifftop cottages and a 19th-century farmhouse overlooking a dramatic Mendocino cove.
The Heritage House Resort & Spa occupies 37 acres of rugged, cypress-studded cliffs in Little River, just south of Mendocino Village. The property began in 1877 as a New England-style farmhouse built by John Dennen. Decades later, in 1949, his grandson Lauren (Don) Dennen and his wife Hazel purchased the farmhouse and transformed it into a coastal inn. Hazel famously rang a bronze bell on the grounds to announce the dinner hour at five o'clock, a historical artifact that remains on display near the ivy-draped main lobby. The inn’s dramatic setting and cozy interiors inspired television writer Bernard Slade to draft his hit stage play, which was later adapted into the 1978 film Same Time, Next Year starring Alan Alda and Ellen Burstyn. Today, guests can still book the exact cottage featured in the movie, complete with a private deck, a fireplace, and sweeping views of the Pacific cove below.
The resort underwent a major multi-million dollar revitalization that merged its historic farmhouse bones with contemporary, Asian-inspired design. Renowned designer Jaya Pratomo Ibrahim, known for his work at The Setai in Miami, oversaw the interior transformation of the 48 guest rooms and suites. Ibrahim introduced clean lines, earth tones, and custom-designed furniture while preserving original architectural details like exposed wooden rafters. Accommodations feature deep soaking tubs, rainfall showers, and private outdoor decks that face the ocean. To combat the chilly Northern California evenings, each room is equipped with a cozy gas or wood-burning fireplace. The main lodge, marked by its signature bright red entry door, houses the reception area and a lounge where guests gather around a stone fireplace.
Outside the rooms, the property’s acreage is crisscrossed by oceanfront trails and manicured gardens where towering, purple-coned Tower of Jewels flowers bloom alongside native cypress and eucalyptus trees. A steep cliffside staircase leads down to a secluded, rocky beach area where the Pacific waves crash against the bluffs. The on-site restaurant serves a farm-to-fork menu focused on regional coastal ingredients, complemented by a selection of wines from the nearby Anderson Valley and Mendocino County. For relaxation, the resort’s full-service spa offers massage treatments and body rituals with views of the ocean. Guests can walk the coastal paths to spot migrating whales or enjoy a glass of local Pinot Noir on a private deck, experiencing a classic coastal sanctuary.
The steep cliffside staircase to the private rocky beach is a strenuous climb, but the tidepools and sunset views are worth the effort.
Where to Stay — Curated accommodations hand-picked by Basecamp West. Glamping, boutique hotels, historic lodges, and unique stays across the American West.