We've been around for a while

Before there was a state of California, there was Mark West Lodge. A Sonoma County fixture since the 1840's, the Lodge has achieved landmark status and is renowned as the home of hospitality in the heart of the wine country.

William Marcus West, an early California pioneer of English descent, first used the spot as a trading post and stagecoach stop between San Francisco and points north.  He planted the now famous grapevines that still span the giant trellis across Mark West Springs Road.  In 1871, Judge Albert P. Overton bought and opened the Lodge as one of the first hot springs resorts in the area.  It quickly became very popular with the wealthy folks in San Francisco who could afford the $3.75 for the round trip stage coach ride which, after all, only took five and a half hours each way. By the turn of the century the Lodge was accomodating up to 200 people a night. The original hot springs still run year round on the lower portion of our property, down by Mark West Creek.

Mark West Lodge has enjoyed an eclectic social success for more than 100 years.  The property evolved into a family resort that boasted the most popular Western-style steak house in the area, often rumored to be a bawdy roadhouse (believe us, we've tried to verify those rumors!).  It operated as such through the first half of the century. after which it was purchased by Rene Pavel who turned the steakhouse into an elegant French restaurant which enjoyed a reputation as the finest eatery north of the Golden Gate for many years.  

The Lodge was completely destroyed by a tragic fire in 1979.  The only thing saved by the firemen's hoses were the famous grapevines.  Pavel's love of the property inspired him to rebuild, and the Lodge rose from the ashes more beautiful than ever, reopening its doors in 1981. However, because of growing competition from both Calistoga and Santa Rosa, Pavel's restuarant along with its successors were eventually destined to fade into Sonoma County history. 

The beautiful building and grounds sat idle, awaiting a better use. Happily, Jack Martin and Jeff Hoff purchased the property in 2002 and gave it a $1.2 million renovation to give it the look you see today - a celebration of the past with the amenities of the present. With the addition of Hummingbird Gardens in 2004, the Lodge now continues its 150 year history as a Sonoma County landmark, and an even more wonderful place to meet and celebrate.