Ideally situated for a quick ride into the city and easy access to Muir Woods and Stinson Beach, Acqua Hotel is perched on a spit of land just south of the town of Mill Valley and alongside Highway 101. Many rooms feature gas fireplaces but all are quiet — they face Pickleweed Inlet with views of migrating birds, kayakers and each day’s sunset over the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and nearby Mount Tamalpais. A complimentary American breakfast is included with every reservation and free mountain bike rentals are a bonus in the county where mountain biking was invented and is revered. Within steps of the hotel are two restaurants: Piatti for farm-to-table Italian and Robata Grill & Sushi.