(Photography by Sarah Chorey)

Sausalito Staycation: Luxe wellness amenities round out recent renovations at beloved Casa Madrona

21 February 2019

Sarah Chorey

Self-care has moved from trendy buzzword to way of living, especially in health-conscious Bay Area where we've gone all in on Korean skincare routines, cryotherapy, weekly masks, and more. But what happens when you leave home—do you have to dump the oh-so-nice self-care routine?

Nope. Among the crop of hotels expanding its offering to really consider wellness as an amenity, Sausalito's beloved boutique hotel Casa Madrona has undergone a recent sprucing up that includes a new spa and set of wellness rooms all kitted out with everything you need to stay fit, hydrated, pampered, and rested.

Rooms at Casa Madrona are stocked with self-care amenities.(Sarah Chorey)

A Sausalito landmark for over a century, the hillside Casa Madrona has transformed over the years from private home to mansion hotel (in 1906); since the 1970s, environmental factors (one monumental landslide) and modern times have necessitated slow and steady upgrades, expanding the property from its original 16 cottages to what is now a collection of 64 rooms including drop-dead gorgeous luxury suites, a private dining room, and the intertwined Italian restaurant, Poggio.

In early 2019, Casa Madrona put the finishing touches on an update of another kind, this time with wellness in mind: The most recent multi-million dollar renovation, led by Salt + Bones design studio, channels elements of the sea.

Upon entering Casa Madrona's remodeled foyer, you'll pass through a giant archway into a room filled with white and cool blue fixtures, a 20-foot stone artwork, and sofas—the overall vibe both elegant and reserved, subliminally putting your mind at ease. Expect a quick and easy check-in before being whisked away to one of nine new wellness rooms—this will be your snug, personal oasis dug into the Sausalito slope.

All amenities here are designed with your health in mind: Sleep-tracking smart beds will report the quality of your slumber each morning; meditation headbands will help get you in the right frame of mind; wireless workout headphones with a built-in AI trainer will guide you through your cardio; and snacks from Urban Remedy are around to help you refuel.

Take your wellness streak to the next level by booking a massage at the 3,000-square-foot spa, where cozy fire pits on the courtyard are tucked away from windy drafts. You can also break out the yoga equipment for a quick bendy sesh on the outdoor patio, which is complete with 82-inch TV to help guide you through your practice, or hop on the Peloton bike for the ultimate virtual burn.

Find your way to 801 Bridgeway in Sausalito, the home of Casa Madrona.
▲

Natural light and soothing shades set a calming tone in the entry.
▲

The wellness rooms each have different layouts, some oceanside and others tucked back in the mountain. This room has a cozy lounge area, with the bedroom and bathroom nested in a loft above.
▲

Prior to your arrival, you'll chat with the staff to select your ideal Urban Remedy drink and snack bar. Expect a night cap round as well, featuring another drink of your choice and a packet of Dream Dust from Moon Juice (a blend of herbs and chamomile flower for better sleep) to help you effortless nod off.
▲

Luxury to us = any bathroom the size of bedroom in a San Francisco apartment.
▲

This mini iPad may be your portal to better sleep, connected directly to your Eight Sleep smart bed. Select your temperature (customizable for each side of the bed) and set a timer for how long you'd like the warmth to last (from a few minutes to hours). You can also choose a background ambiance (we're all about ocean waves), and tuck yourself in. When you wake up refreshed, simply ask Alexa for your sleep report to confirm the bliss you experienced. She'll tell you how many hours you got, how much of it was deep sleep, and give you a sleep quality score.
▲

Hopefully you snagged an early check-in or late check-out so you can spend some time reading (or meditating) on the patio.
▲

Spa time! Upgrades include three new treatment rooms. Choose from facials, herbal massage, or a body wrap—we like the Vitamin Sea brightening facial. Prices range from $185 to $235 depending on treatment and length.
▲

Hopefully you decided to get a work out in before your spa treatment—the Peloton bike is the latest high-tech workout to try with virtual classes to coach you through your exercise. Outside the mirrored double doors, you'll find a new patio with a large TV offering Fitness On Demand for an outdoor workout that'll also get you a dose of vitamin D.
▲

Gyms not your thing? Grab the Vi Personal Trainer headphones and head out for a jog along the waterfront. Connect your head set with a Vi phone app to activate the special AI trainer whole coach you through your work out.
▲

Take a few moments to disconnect and practice mindfulness. Download and boot up the Muse phone app to guide you through meditation exercises, enhanced by Muse 2 headbands supplied in your room that monitor your mental activity, heartbeat, breathing and the lightest of your movements. Expect results that capture how much "active," "neutral," and "calm" time you achieved after each session.
▲

// Casa Madrona, 809 Bridgeway (Sausalito); rates for wellness rooms begin at $409/night; make reservations at casamadrona.com.

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles