Marin Lodge
1735 Lincoln Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901-1218
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Avg. $111 /night, 3/23 - 3/24
$156
per night
$134
per night
$111
per night
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Reflects recent average nightly prices reported by our partners, and may not include estimated taxes or fees. Price at checkout may differ.
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About
#1 of 1 motel in San Rafael
Location
4.4
Rooms
4.2
Value
4.5
Cleanliness
4.4
Service
4.4
Sleep Quality
4.4
See why so many travelers make Marin Lodge their motel of choice when visiting San Rafael. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers a quaint setting with an array of amenities designed for travelers like you.
Close to Bartolini gallery, Marin Center (1.3 mi), a popular San Rafael landmark, Colonial Hotel is a great destination for tourists.
Free wifi is offered to guests, and rooms at Colonial Hotel offer a flat screen TV, a refrigerator, and air conditioning.
For travelers arriving by car, free parking is available.
While visiting San Rafael, you may want to try some shrimp at one of the nearby restaurants, such as Sol Food Puerto Rican Cuisine, Terrapin Crossroads, or Il Davide Restaurant.
If you’re looking for something to do, China Camp State Park (1.1 mi), Marin County Civic Center (1.0 mi), and Mission San Rafael Arcangel (0.7 mi) are a nice way to spend some time, and they are all within walking distance of Colonial Hotel.
At Marin Lodge, your comfort and satisfaction come first, and they look forward to welcoming you to San Rafael.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Non-smoking hotel
Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Seating area
Telephone
Coffee / tea maker
Microwave
Flatscreen TV
Hair dryer
Iron
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Business
Green
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish, Filipino and 3 more
Location
1735 Lincoln Ave, San Rafael, CA 94901-1218
Getting there
Metropolitan Oakland Intl Airport
24.7 mi•
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San Francisco Intl Airport
26.4 mi•
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Rental Cars
445 Restaurants
within 5 miles
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 251
- 137
- 22
- 4
- 9
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Detailed Reviews
Hotel's Favorite
Incredible value and service. Safe free parking and extremely clean and thoughtfully designed and comfortable rooms. Super friendly owner-operator went out of their way to extend my reservation twice. Originally was going to relocate to SF but this was just too good to let go. Save the hassle and worry of crime and having your car ruined in downtown or paying $80+ tax/nt to park. Thank me later 😏
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Desk closes at 9pm
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fantastic value! The room is clean, bed and pillows are very comfortable. The room was light and airy. The room was quiet even though the motel is close to the road; landscaping, trees plus wall construction all help to reduce noise. The owners / staff are very accommodating allowing early check in. They offer a nice continental breakfast. Restaurants are nearby, 5 minute drive. I would definitely recommend the Marin Lodge, but been sure to reserve a room asap since there are only 20 rooms.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
One of my favorite places I've stayed in a long time. I'm not a big fan of hotels. For the prices they charge, they tend to have noisy halls, room refrigerators and A/Cs running too loudly, and other patrons walking around like buffaloes above us (a long with other noisy activities).
This place is a gem! One story, freeway close, and super-reasonably priced! I was treated so well when I called for the reservation, and the same last greeted my wife and me at check-in. Sodas, water, coffee, tea, fruit, and other snacks are available in the office, and included in the price. Additionally, a variety of packaged pastries and nutrition bars are available for breakfast.
Our room was pristine. The motel is close to a busy street, but soundproofing was pretty darned good. The heater worked really well, to. We cranked it to 68 degrees while we were out for dinner, then turned it off at bedtime. We stayed perfectly comfortable throughout the night.
The grounds are beautiful, too. Well-maintained plants and decor throughout. I'm really looking forward to our next visit.
This place is a gem! One story, freeway close, and super-reasonably priced! I was treated so well when I called for the reservation, and the same last greeted my wife and me at check-in. Sodas, water, coffee, tea, fruit, and other snacks are available in the office, and included in the price. Additionally, a variety of packaged pastries and nutrition bars are available for breakfast.
Our room was pristine. The motel is close to a busy street, but soundproofing was pretty darned good. The heater worked really well, to. We cranked it to 68 degrees while we were out for dinner, then turned it off at bedtime. We stayed perfectly comfortable throughout the night.
The grounds are beautiful, too. Well-maintained plants and decor throughout. I'm really looking forward to our next visit.
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Date of stay: April 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were at Marin Lodge for a week, and it was very comfortable. We were happy with our bed, the coffee machine and the brand of coffee, the bathroom, toiletries. It was a home away from home. We didn't partake of the breakfast pastries but throughout the day, we could take fruit, coffee, tea... The heater worked well too (this is a cold rainy winter). The highway is close by, but you don't notice the noise much. A tree outside our window made it almost bucolic! It was worth the price.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: There is no sit-down breakfast area.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a darling, quaint and quiet motel that has been redone and is extremely clean and comfortable. The staff are very welcoming and helpful. It is one-story, which makes it very easy for those who have mobility challenges, and parking is right outside the door, which makes it even easier.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked our stay here based on reviews from the past. It has also been sold out on other trips so we never had a chance to stay until now.
Negatives first: I would give 5 stars BUT the entrace doors to the rooms need to be replaced. It sounds like your door is completely open and you are on the highway. Nobody seems to have mentioned this in their reviews and it is something I wanted to bring up. The bathroom had an odd funky smell, maybe mold. Towels are soft but smell from laundry detergent (and bedding) which I didn't care for. Could use some shelf space in the shower and bathroom in general. Nowhere to put anything!
Positives: bed was very comfortable! Room was clean. Super cozy and welcoming. The decor was nice. Very thick walls and ceiling so even though you feel like you are on the highway with road noise, you cannot hear neighbors at all. Hence, please replace those doors with something thicker! It would be perfectly quiet if this was done and I couldn't complain at that point. Free takeaway breakfast, Starbucks coffee and easy parking.
Negatives first: I would give 5 stars BUT the entrace doors to the rooms need to be replaced. It sounds like your door is completely open and you are on the highway. Nobody seems to have mentioned this in their reviews and it is something I wanted to bring up. The bathroom had an odd funky smell, maybe mold. Towels are soft but smell from laundry detergent (and bedding) which I didn't care for. Could use some shelf space in the shower and bathroom in general. Nowhere to put anything!
Positives: bed was very comfortable! Room was clean. Super cozy and welcoming. The decor was nice. Very thick walls and ceiling so even though you feel like you are on the highway with road noise, you cannot hear neighbors at all. Hence, please replace those doors with something thicker! It would be perfectly quiet if this was done and I couldn't complain at that point. Free takeaway breakfast, Starbucks coffee and easy parking.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We arrived at the motel around 7:30 pm. Check in was quick. Upon entering the room we noticed the lay out of the two queen beds was a bit odd. Not next to each other like most room..but ok. The room looked clean. We wanted some ice for our water but noticed there was not an ice bucket. Went to the front desk and the young man handed me a small bag with ice in it...not a ziploc bag. So how am I supposed to keep the ice in the bag when I put it on the table?? The room had a microwave which was great for heating up our dinner left overs. I went to take a shower and proceeded to put my shampoo and things on the shelf in the shower but it was slanted so everything fell off. Turned on the shower and the water came out of the shower. Tried to adjust the shower head but it wouldn't move so now we have a flood in the bathroom. Closed the curtain which helped a bit. We had to ask for more towels to mop up the water. Lovely. We turned on the AC and it sounded like a jet engine was taking off in our room. So loud. The next morning I tried to make coffee but the coffee machine was broken. Went to grab some breakfast at the front desk and it was pre packaged danishes and muffins.
The plus is the beds are comfy, free parking, mini fridge
We might give this place another try in the future....maybe
The plus is the beds are comfy, free parking, mini fridge
We might give this place another try in the future....maybe
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Date of stay: August 2022
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We will be coming back! The bed is ridiculously comfy and the room is sound proof, this combined secured a restful night for both of us. Although the hotel is located on a busy street, we were unable to hear the noises.
The hotel is incredibly clean and the service is professional and kind. Our room had a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. I wish we could stay longer.
Also try out their recommended restaurant, La Toscana - their Sole Risoto is the best.
The hotel is incredibly clean and the service is professional and kind. Our room had a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. I wish we could stay longer.
Also try out their recommended restaurant, La Toscana - their Sole Risoto is the best.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Very simple to get to and just off the 101. The location is on a busy street, however the rooms...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This hotel was charming. So well maintained and cottage-y feeling. Friendly staff. They don’t offer breakfast during the pandemic, so just a heads up. We stayed in the larger corner room for our family and it was roomy with a desk and an eating area. The microwave was helpful. Loved our stay!
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you are staying in San Rafael for a few days this is a great spot to stay. It is close to downtown, the train station and the freeway. The rooms are small but clean and cozy. The front desk staff is very friendly, there is a small continental breakfast available plus non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day. Highly recommended and we'll return.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We went to a nearby laundromat.
Yes they have AC
Sorry but we don't have any safety deposit box in the rooms. You can always deposit your important items to the Manager.
Call Marin lad he and ask them. They are very nice there
Hopefully this works this time ... We parked at the Larkspur Ferry parking lot and rode the ferry over. What a wonderful idea the staff at the Main Lodge gave us! It was only $2 to park the car there if I remember right and saved us the hassle of traffic and finding parking in San Francisco. Once in town, we bought an all day pass for the public transportation there (got it at the cable car ticket counter) Hope this helps
"Very simple to get to and just off the 101. The location is on a busy street, however the rooms are sound proof."Read full review
"If you are sensitive to some essential oil scents, you may want to let th.kniw ahead of time because they do have some essential oil plug-in in the room."Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$111 - $144 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
colonial hotel san rafael, colonial motel san rafael
LOCATION
United StatesCaliforniaMarin CountySan Rafael
NUMBER OF ROOMS
16
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including any mandatory fees. Taxes not included. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Marin Lodge
Which popular attractions are close to Marin Lodge?
Nearby attractions include Marin County Farmers' Market--San Rafael (1.4 miles), Marin County Civic Center (1.0 miles), and China Camp State Park (1.1 miles).
Which room amenities are available at Marin Lodge?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What are some restaurants close to Marin Lodge?
Conveniently located restaurants include Sol Food Puerto Rican Cuisine, Il Davide Restaurant, and Fairfax Scoop.
Is Marin Lodge located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.8 miles away from the center of San Rafael.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Marin Lodge?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, and Filipino.
Are there any historical sites close to Marin Lodge?
Many travelers enjoy visiting American Legion Log Cabin (2.2 miles), Marin History Museum (0.7 miles), and Robson-Harrington House (2.4 miles).