Albion River Inn

I spent a lot of time researching places in the area, and at the end of the day I wanted an amazing ocean view room above anything else.
That’s exactly what you get here. I would be lying to say that the décor in the rooms are modern and swanky, because they really are not… but if you plan on spending most of your time gazing out your window or sitting on the deck reading a book, this is the place to be.
We also stayed 1 evening at the Brewery Gulch Inn, which is at least $ 100 more per night. Very different experience between the two places. Brewery Gulch has better (amazing) food and dinner + breakfast included… but they simply do not have the views that the Albion River has.
If only you could combine the views here and the food at Brewery Gulch, but if/​when we return I think I would go back to the Albion River just for the memorable ocean views.

After having stopped earlier in the year for happy hour at the restaurant (thumbs up), we came back for a long stay at the inn over the Thanksgiving weekend. We were in the Bay room, which is one of the two lowest priced rooms, but very peaceful and comfortable. It had lots of windows, a killer view from the room, a beautiful deck with two adirondacks, a gas stove, small fridge and a fairly decent bed with nice linens. It is not 5 star luxury, but clean, quite and comfortable. Walls are a tad thin but it did not detract from our stay. It is very private and relaxing! Breakfast is included — they have a selection of about 5 or 6 entrees plus a special of the day, so not need to worry about getting bored if you are staying for more than a couple of days. We had good service, hot, tasty food and fantastic views of the Hwy 1 bridge, the ocean, the cliffs, the waves, ab divers, hummingbirds and the sun. Eggs benedict on tomato with basil sauce was excellent, as was the potato-​sausage-​pepper dish. They also went out of their way to do some specialization on items for my wife. This may be our new go-​to spot for a north coast getaway!

The goat cheese salad was a wonderful starter… a beautiful combination of local goat cheese, spiced walnuts, some apple slivers and grapes, lightly dressed and topped with fried leeks. The steamed seafood in a brandy lemon cream sauce was quite a letdown, the ingredients surprisingly were not a great combination, actually dull (maybe they left out the salt?), and the bread not very good for dipping. Dessert was the chocolate and raspberry cake, a large and complex confection that made up for the lack-​lustre seafood.
The service was a bit nauseating. The waitress used an artificial «waitress voice,» a sycophantic cooing that was probably meant to make consumers feel pampered but made my skin crawl. It was impersonal and cold, although surely well intentioned. I’m sure that her «real» self would be much more pleasant.

Amazing sunset views. Good service.
Ginger ale tasted weird.
Good Caesar salad. Lackluster mushroom pasta. Hubby enjoyed his cod special 3 course. Raspberry chocolate cake was just ok.
Wish I could give 3.5 stars!

For a small intimate dinner with some of the most gorgeous ocean views the Albion is the place to be! The menu has a lot of seafood on it as to be expected but there is always at least one vegetarian option. If you are celebrating something special call ahead and reserve a table by the window – it makes a world of a difference! The service is always excellent. After you eat be sure to take a stroll out by the water – there are pathways and places to sit if it’s not to cold!

Hubby and I have stayed here twice, both times to celebrate something. I give five stars for the rooms, and three for the restaurant food. The rooms are spacious, but they vary quite a bit be clear on what you are getting for the money. The place is famous for all rooms having a deck and an ocean view, and no question about it, that is great. And there is a half bottle of wine waiting for you, so get there before the sunset and sip your wine on the deck.
As for the food, I give it three stars. The first time we were there, early in 2015, the food was much much better. Everything was great. This time it was bland and uninteresting, a big disappointment. That applies to both dinners and the full breakfast that is included in the price of the room. We were really looking forward to having wonderful food again there, and were pretty disappointed. Especially given the prices. I am wondering if they had a change in chefs.
Everyone on staff that we have met is gracious and friendly. We fell in love with the adorable Sunny, a waitress we had at breakfast. I wanted to adopt her!

Albion Rive Inn has spectacular views from every room, five star
décor, a lovely staff and a gourmet breakfast included in the
room price. It’s doesn’t get better than this.

**LGBT-​friendly fancy restaurant!!!** Yayyy!!!
A delicious restaurant for a nice occasion where you can feel welcome as a same sex couple. Albion River Inn blew us away. Not only did my girlfriend and I receive cheerful, gracious service on our special occasion, we also thoroughly enjoyed the food.
The risotto and cioppino make a nice pair of entrees if you’re into sharing. The scallops in the cioppino were so flavorful, and the broth managed to be light and spicy at the same time. I preferred it to the more tomato-​heavy broth served at some North Beach restaurants. The broth on the mushroom risotto was so creamy and rich. The crème brûlée had a very thick crust that we really enjoyed, they could kick it up a notch with an unusual flavoring in the custard if they want. They also made us some really nice champagne cocktails with fresh blackberries on top. One of the nicest meals we’ve had on the California coast.

We were in Mendocino for a wedding in Navarro. We wanted to stay on the coast and picked the Inn based on location and reviews. We arrived late after the rehearsal dinner so had no idea of the location. When we pulled the drapes back on the morning, it took us a while to get our jaws off the floor. The view out over the cliffs was breathtaking. There were sea otters playing in the cove below us and ospreys soaring overhead.
The room was great though the bathroom was a bit dated and my wife would have liked better light when getting her party dress on.
Breakfast in the restaurant was very good with great staff. Plenty of tables by the windows to look at the flowers and hummingbirds in the foreground and the cove in the background.
Be prepared to be off the grid. Wifi was spotty and cell service was non-​existent. We knew this going in and were fine, but a couple of guests seemed surprised.

I loved the Albion River Inn. It is quiet and romantic, if you’re into that kind of thing. The view from room 3 was amazing, though I’m sure all the rooms have a great view. The balcony was private. We couldn’t see anyone, nor could be seen by anyone. Bring binoculars if you wish. The hawks and wildlife are amazing. The small bottle of wine was nice to see when we arrived. The room was a great size, and the king bed was clean & comfortable. The part of the bathroom with sink & tub were large and nice. The part of the bathroom with the toilet and shower was too small. The only negative was that the toilet was small and the shower cramped. Finally, the fireplace was great with well stocked wood and fire starters. I loved it. The restaurant is great for dinner, and the included breakfast was delicious. Overall, I felt the Inn was excellent for the price. I can’t wait to return.

Great service great food. It’s a wonderful place to eat. It does have price to it but worth it. Been there twice and will go back.
Ace

We saw this place while driving up here for our honey moon. I didn’t see it on any of the hotel websites so I didn’t know it was up here, since I’m not from around here. We were so surprised that they found us a room last minute .
Everything about this inn and the grounds are amazing, I can’t even stress this enough. They even have a restaurant. We stayed in room 11 one night and it’s cute a cute upstairs room with beautiful views and a gas fireplace. We got to keep the windows open all night and hear the sounds of the ocean to send you to sleep .
The next night we stayed on room 7. This room was greaT too, but for some reason the wood burning fire place made the room smell a little like campfire while we were burning the fire .
Every morning you stay here you get a free great breakfast that you can either eat at the restaurant or take back to your room.
The dinners at the restaurant and very good and super convenient.

Great food. Wonderful service. Phenomenal views. Romntic live piano in the background. I would come back 100 times.

I’ve both dined in the restaurant and stayed at the hotel. I can safely say that both deserve a solid 5 stars, in my opinion.
My family and I have made the ARI our place to stay on the Mendocino coast. The views are unparalleled. The rooms are cozy and very cute. Nicely appointed without being too stuffy. I love that they give you a half-​bottle of wine in your room; I really enjoy watching the sunset while drinking. Last time, they gave us a Handley Chardonnay that was excellent! I never have any problem falling asleep here.
The restaurant is equally excellent. The entrees are all well prepared and display a delicate attention to detail. The desserts are particularly excellent, with the cheesecake and crème brûlée standing out in my mind.
Seriously, there’s very little reason to not stay here unless you absolutely have to be in the center of town.

Very fine table. Food impeccably prepared. Great clifftop location on the Pacific. Crème Brulé was excellent. Local Salmon was fresh and perfect. Recommended.

We stayed at room 7, with ocean view private deck and fire place. Love the view, the fee included breakfast and half bottle wine, the Restaurant onsite is one of the best in Mendocino area, great wine selection too.

Great views and great food. We had the halibut and cioppino both were flawlessly prepared. The views were breathtaking, esp at sunset. The only fault were the clueless interns used to offset the wait staff, at one point they gave us 3 spoons and 4 forks on a 30“x30″ table. But hey we all have to learn sometime.

My wife and I enjoyed this great spot for dinner along Highway 1, south of Mendocino.
The view is spectacular, the food is tasty, and the feel is homey. I can’t speak for the Inn itself — but there are a lot of great B&Bs nearby. Eat here at least once during your stay in the area!
(I would request a window table if possible. We didn’t know and wish we had.)

My husband and I enjoyed a relaxing, wonderful stay this weekend at the Albion River Inn. We had never been to the Mendocino area, but came for a friend’s wedding at ARI. The views were truly special and beautiful. The ceremony on the lawn and reception in the restaurant were lovely and the ARI staff was so attentive.
We stayed in room 12, but might have preferred a king room with the bed facing «west» so we could’ve enjoyed the ocean view upon waking in the morning. Not having TV in room, spotty cell service and slow wi-​fi did not prove to be an issue… we enjoyed a glass of wine and great conversation sitting on the deck or in front if the fireplace. I will say that I agree with other reviewers that the rooms are in definite need of updating. Our carpet was clean but threadbare and the furniture and bedding are «goodwill chic». We did appreciated the in-​room coffee/​tea, complimentary wine, and the inclusion of binoculars in our room. The full breakfast offered in the restaurant each morning was delicious and hearty.
Except for the need to update the décor, our stay at ARI was an enjoyable experience.

So fortunate that my fiancé treated me for dinner here for my bday weekend, with a special request to be seated by the window. The view is phenomenal — had to pinch myself to make sure I was not dreaming.
While we waited to be seated, we sat outside in one of the benches, with a drink in hand. Made friends with a married couple celebrating their anniversary and chit chatted. Thankfully they recommended the halibut.
I was not disappointed with the halibut. The halibut was fresh and so decadent. The service was attentive and I was given a sweet treat for my birthday. It was a wonderful experience and hopefully in the future we can stay at the inn.