Cavallo Point Lodge

Beautiful National Park lodge, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, with views to die for, excellent cuisine and a spa

The National Parks have been dubbed 'America's Best Idea', and just over the Golden Gate Bridge, between Marin Headlands and Sausalito, lies Cavallo Point, part of the Golden Gate National Park. Once an army base, it was another excellent idea to turn the 17 red-roofed, colonial-style officers' residences, chapel and mess buildings into a luxury lodge. The visionary renovation took nearly 10 years, but the results are superb, and it has been awarded LEED Gold certification for its eco-principles and practices.

You would never guess, but there are 142 rooms and suites, spread between historic and contemporary buildings, which are scattered around the 12,500 sq.ft. property. Most overlook the former Parade Ground, with stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay area. Murray Circle, the popular Michelin-starred restaurant, showcases top-notch California ingredients and has an impressive wine cellar, while the bar serves great cocktails and small plates. Other on-site facilities include a wonderful Healing Arts Center (which has a garden with meditation pool, hot tubs and a firepit), and an acclaimed cooking school which runs near-daily courses.

Like its sister property Post Ranch Inn, this is one of California's best hotels. Families looking for space, service and adventure; friends on a fun weekend away; couples seeking romance and relaxation - all will love it here. We did.

Highs

• Hop over the Bridge to get to San Francisco, then return to be surrounded by eucalyptus and birdsong: this offers the best of both worlds
• Accommodating, friendly and informal staff, and excellent concierge services
• Lots to do, whether exploring Sausalito, the Golden Gate area or Marin, or staying put for complimentary yoga and nature walks
• It runs the full gamut of gastronomy, from the health-conscious Tea Bar in the spa to decadent dinners with wine pairing
• Contemporary rooms are huge, with stunning views to the Golden Gate bridge

Lows

• It's much larger than most i-escape hotels, but the buildings are widely dispersed so you never feel it is a big place
• It is expensive (and breakfast costs extra), but we felt it was all justified by the unique setting and set-up
• There's no pool, due to National Park restrictions, but the spa has an adults-only meditation pool
• The Bay's foghorn can be very loud but earplugs are supplied (amazingly you can only hear a background hum from Highway 101)
• Historic rooms are smaller (but not small), and have more passers by