SAUSALITO – Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa in Sausalito, California, is pleased to announce it has been inducted into Historic Hotels of America®, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, dedicated to recognizing, celebrating and promoting the finest historic hotels in the United States.

Managed by HRI Lodging, Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa joins more than 300 hotels and resorts throughout the country that are recognized by Historic Hotels of America for preserving and maintaining their historic integrity, architecture and ambiance.

Historic Hotels of America is delighted to induct Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa, a multi-layered waterfront escape built in 1885. We commend Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa, Metwest Terra Hospitality, and leadership team for their careful historic preservation work, stewardship and vision that will allow future generations of travelers to experience this unique historic destination. Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Vice President of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide

To be selected for membership in Historic Hotels of America, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historic significance.

We are very excited to join the prestigious Historic Hotels of America program. This induction not only celebrates the legacy of our property but will allow us to share our story with a wider audience and we look forward to seeing how this honor will garner mutual success for years to come. Jim Gerney, General Manager of Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa and Regional Vice President of Metwest Terra Hospitality

Rich in history and architectural integrity, Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa was founded in 1885, when William Barrett (then Secretary-Treasurer for the San Francisco Gas and Electric Company) and his wife Clara built a lavish private residence on a hillside overlooking Sausalito. The mansion remained in the Barrett family until 1906, when Barrett sold his home to attorney John Patrick Gallagher. It was Gallagher who had the vision to convert the mansion into a bed & breakfast, which became the original Casa Madrona Hotel.

After World War II, the bed & breakfast fell into disrepair and it was not until the Deschamps family, French nationals who had immigrated to California in 1959, saw the site and recognized its remarkable beauty, prompting them to acquire the hotel. The family made extensive renovations, the most notable among them being the addition of the signature on property restaurant, Le Vivoir. The eatery instantly garnered critical and commercial praise, attracting celebrity clientele such as Dick Van Dyke, Carol Burnett, Warren Beatty and the rock band Pink Floyd. In fact, it was during Pink Floyd’s very first tour to the United States in 1967 that they stayed at the hotel and were photographed by famous photographer Baron Wolman in The Mansion. The iconic image taken in The Mansion was used to promote their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.

In 1973, Mother Nature dealt the hotel a series of unfortunate events that severely affected the hotel’s foundation. In 1976, Sausalito local John Mays stepped in to save the property, taking charge of the necessary renovations. It was during this renovation that the 16 hillside cottages were added to the facility and the hotel was revitalized.

In 1980, Casa Madrona was endorsed as a treasured landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.

In November 2003, more renovations were initiated which increased room capacity from 34 rooms to 63 rooms. This renovation also included a number of new spectacular spaces, including a 3,000-square-foot spa, boardroom, private dining room, three new function rooms and an Italian restaurant, Poggio Trattoria.

In 2010, MetWest Terra assumed ownership and management of Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa, completing another top-to-bottom renovation, blending its rich history with contemporary design and modern luxury. Enhancements were made to the spa, hillside cottages and the 1,700-square-foot Junto event space. The most significantrenovations were done to the historic Mansion, which restructured and redesigned its 11 rooms and the 5,000-square-foot Alexandrite Suite. Today, the Mansion and its offerings exemplify innovation, technology, luxury, service and style, all with a gracious nod to the hotel’s historic past.

About Historic Hotels of America

Historic Hotels of America® is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for recognizing, celebrating, and promoting the finest historic hotels in the United States of America. To be nominated and selected for membership in this prestigious program, a hotel must be at least 50 years old; designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark or listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; and recognized as having historical significance. Of the more than 300 historic hotels inducted into Historic Hotels of America from 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, all historic hotels faithfully preserve their sense of authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity. For more information, please visit HistoricHotels.org

Katherine Orr
Manager, Marketing Communications
+1 202 772 8337
Historic Hotels of America®