Incentive Event Destination Planning: Spotlight on Sausalito, California

This alluring, bohemian village rises up a Marin County hillside to unfold expansive vistas of the San Francisco bay, city skyline and Angel Island. Protected by a natural ridge line, the area often remains warm and sunny when San Francisco’s notoriously chill summer fog rolls in. With San Francisco, the Marin Headlands and Napa Valley all close at hand, Sausalito is a gateway to a host of activities and dining that make it a rewarding and relaxing destination.

Shiloh Events recently visited two of Sausalito’s world-renown hotels, heralded for their luxury, peace and stunning views. Here’s what we found they have to offer as your next incentive event destination.

Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa

Casa Madrona Hotel and Spa lies in the heart of Sausalito’s charming downtown, an ideal location for groups that want a relaxing base location with easy ferry access to both San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza and Fisherman’s Wharf areas. Originally built in 1885, Casa Madrona was renovated in 2014. The result is a jewel of an incentive event destination that beautifully blends  romantic heritage with high-tech style.

Case Madrona’s entrance lies just steps from the Sausalito waterfront. Guest rooms rise up the hillside into a quiet retreat with views of the harbor, bay and beyond. In addition to traditional luxury guest rooms and suites, Case Madrona features a one-of-a-kind luxury residence for in its historic Mansion.

The Mansion offers an ideal space for groups in search of a luxury corporate retreat. Its lower level, known as the Alexandrite Suite, includes a 3,500 square foot master residence interior equipped with a deluxe chef’s kitchen and state-of-the-art nine panel media wall. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors slide away to open another 1500 square feet of outdoor living space complete with BBQ, fire pit and lounge seating. The Mansion encloses up to 11 separate guest rooms while additional guests can be housed in private hillside and bayside cottages close at hand. Did we mention the panoramic views?

Casa Madrona uniquely offers a popular “buy out” package making its Mansion an excellent selection for a group in search of a truly private retreat. Additionally, the staff are prepared to advise on a variety of add-on services to customize any event. From bringing in a private chef to arranging spa services or chartering an exclusive yacht excursion, Casa Madrona creates packages that make events special.

Cavallo Point

Cavallo Point sits just a short shuttle ride over the hill from Sausalito’s lively village center, and it’s setting alone justifies its place among the best resorts in the U.S. Dropping down into the quiet valley known as Horseshoe Cove transports visitors to another world. If it were not for the stunning views of San Francisco’s city skyline and Golden Gate bridge, you would never know how close you are to the bustling metropolis.

Built on the site of Fort Baker military base, Cavallo Point includes luxury lodgings and meeting spaces perfect for an incentive event destination. The historic Fort Baker officer’s quarters form the bones of the lodge’s 68 historic rooms and suites, while newly constructed hillside lodgings add an additional 74 rooms. Located within the Golden Gate National Park, the grounds extend across sprawling lawns and stretch into wide bay views.

The meticulously restored historic residences include the 1175 square foot Frank House complete with kitchen, living room, fireplace, and enclosed sun porch to take in the views year-round. There are also suites and single rooms in a range of sizes, configurations and views, all comfortably outfitted with authentic vintage details.

Some of the most spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge can be found in the lodge’s contemporary rooms which include 578 square foot suites complete with fireplaces and sleek furnishings. Guests can enjoy the views out floor-to-ceiling glass windows or from private patios and decks. All together Cavallo Point represents142 diverse historic and contemporary guest rooms and suites along with meeting spaces that can accommodate groups from 10 to 300.

The resort serves up so much in addition to the luxury lodgings, it’s challenging to list it all. A Michelin Star restaurant with over 2,000 wine selections tops the on-site dining options. The Cavallo Point Cooking School ranks among the top hotel culinary schools in the U.S. and conducts a variety of classes built around local organic bounty.  An ever-changing art gallery showcases collections of work by talented local artists curated around themes of nature, nurture, culture and adventure. The Healing Arts Center and Spa supplies both world class spa treatments and an Integrative medicine program with retreats and seminars given by the resident physician to encourage healing and positive life change.

If your group craves the tranquility and rejuvenation of nature supported by low-key luxury then Cavallo Point should be on your short list of destinations to consider.

Cavallo Point photography by Kodiak Greenwood

Sausalito Activities

As any great incentive event destination should, Sausalito encourages guests to unwind with its laid-back environment. The easy access to world-class entertainment, dining, culture and activities of the diverse San Francisco Bay area only adds to its broad appeal. Whether your guests enjoy golf, water sports, hiking, shopping, museums or just a stroll along the bay, Sausalito is a destination that delivers on incentive event expectations.

What is your favorite U.S. incentive event destination?

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