My husband and I did a Sonoma County weekend and wanted to spend a night on the coast. We enjoyed the Inn at the Tides for the location and the cape cod style architecture. We headed over to the Tides restaurant for happy hour and dinner. The next morning we had breakfast using our coupons, which are good for an abbreviated breakfast menu. The "real menu" looked a lot tastier, but ours was free and we were ok with that. We had a nice time. If the focus of our trip were to explore the coast, we would have chosen a different town/hotel, but for a quick jaunt over from wine country for a one night stay, the hotel fit the bill. The rooms are comfortable and the views are nice, but it is true what others say about the outdated styling, the Inn is ready for a makeover.

We should have paid a bit more attention to the ratings when 55% of the comments are average or below. The room needed updating and smelled of ant spray. The bath vanity is mismatched old plywood. Pretty location and good restaurant saved the day. However not much other than "The Bird's" film location which can be visited in twenty minutes at the Town of Bodega Bay. Unless really needing a place to stay I would pass the next time. A shame in that a few $ spent on updating would make this a great place to stay.

A friend gave us a gift certificate for the Inn at the Tides which was a nice surprise since we had never been to Bodega Bay. I was expecting a small B&B, but this is a large complex of about a dozen buildings circa 1985. The complex is built on the hillside so most room have an ocean view. All buildings seem to have two floors of four rooms each. The room are large (those on upper floors often have vaulted ceilings) with fireplaces and decent views. Large pool with big jacuzzi stays open late.

Our room felt a bit worn. Nothing terrible, but noticeably aging around the edges. Peeling wallpaper, sun-bleached poster art, dated furniture, old windows, mini fridge had been removed and its cabinet boarded up. The rooms are due for remodeling now and in a few more years they will look truly rundown. Bottom line: this is still an acceptable place to stay in an area with limited choices, but a good rate will help take the sting out of any disappointments.

Full breakfast was included at a huge, bland waterfront restaurant across the street run by the same company. It might be ok for families with young kids, but couples looking for a special dinner will want to look elsewhere (we recommend Terrapin Creek Cafe just up the road for pricey but fantastic food).

I blame the horrible part of our stay on this one girl employee of the morning reception shift. First, we arrived early, only one of us went in and asked if we could check in early. My friend came back to the car not knowing what to do for the next 3 hours (so the receptionist did not suggest anything??!!). then i went in, and the receptionist was loudly telling her co-worker "NO WAY SHE CAN CHECK-IN EARLY! NO WAY! SHE HAS TO COME BACK LATER!" ... well, i gave her a look and with that she realized I was in the same party as my friend. So i asked to verify my reservation had arrived. She did not want to look for it because the computer was down. So i had to ask her again to look it up and to do it manually. When she did she reiterated "check-in is not until 4!!! (could she be anymore negative and annoying??). So it was up to me to ask her to suggest what to do in that town! I've done around the world traveling, and I know how sometimes it's ok to check in early and if not, a good receptionist at least suggest where to go/what to do... but not this girl...!! Later that night, our room key did not work. the night shift figured it out: the morning girl had messed up the room numbers. At check-out it was her again behind the counter - so i told her about our key experience. She didn't even come close to an apology or admitting her mistake. She actually tried to blame ME!!! even as i showed her the key pouch were she wrote the room number!!!! OMG!! to finish this story with a "cherry on top": she asked me for my cc - I said you have it on record. She argued that I did not give it to her at check-in.... WHAT??!! uhmmm rule number one for check in: ask the guest for a cc for incidentals. She had it somewhere but would not look for it --- and with a quite annerving tone she said "well I don't see one in file so can't you give me one now". MR. MANAGER DO YOUR HOTEL A FAVOUR AND SACK THE RECEPTION GIRL. SHE IS HORRIBLE!!!!!