 Cavallo Point - The Lodge at the Golden Gate Hotel Review: A former military outpost may at first seem an unlikely candidate for a pristine health- and wellness-minded lodge and spa, but when that outpost occupies land at the foot of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and is surrounded by national park lands, the concept starts to make more sense. The 142-room property, opened in 2008, sits on the grounds of Fort Baker, a U.S. Army site that dates back to 1866. Across the bridge from San Francisco and about one mile from Sausalito, the lodge actually consists of a series of buildings arranged in a campus-like setting replete with trails and postcard-worthy Bay views. About half of the rooms (68 to be exact) are located in thirteen historic buildings once used as officers’ quarters, while the remaining 74 occupy newly constructed, two-story buildings on the property’s coastal hillside. A variety of room types are available, but all accommodations offer upscale amenities such as organic cotton robes, nightly turndown service and flat-screen LCD televisions. An 11,000-square-foot spa treats guests to the usual array of massage and skin therapies, but also offers health and wellness programs focused on meditation, nutrition and outdoor recreation. Murray Circle restaurant and Farley Bar satisfy visitors’ appetites with seasonal Northern California cuisine, wine and spirits. Pets are welcome in some first-floor rooms. The Bay Area Discovery Museum, located next door, is a great place to bring young kids. |