Back in the 1960s, William “Bill” McDevitt, an entrepreneur and bon vivant who counted then–Sausalito mayor Sally Stanford among his circle of good friends, had a feeling the town was changing from working class to world-class.

At that time, the waterfront was home to budding rock legends and characters like the aforementioned Stanford, famously a former madam and businesswoman who held court on her favorite barstool at her Sausalito restaurant Valhalla. Seizing the opportunity, McDevitt purchased a local garage/storage facility and built a high-end apartment complex. Later, heading into his seventh decade, he had the idea to turn the apartments into a luxury boutique hotel, The Inn Above Tide, which opened in 1995.

For the opening, McDevitt brought on a young hotelier, Mark Flaherty, who remembers seeing the same qualities in his new boss that he respected in his dad: “He and my father were nearly the same age, and they shared similar interests in music, wine, spirits, food and an appreciation for hard work.” Today there is still a nightly wine and cheese reception at the hotel, complete with views of the Sausalito ferry, and 20 years later Flaherty is still at the helm. “The constant challenges involved in improving the property and enhancing our guests’ experience of Sausalito have kept the job exciting,” he says.

The property has undergone three major remodels, the latest completed in 2013. Each of the 26 guest rooms has a water view, and there are five additional great room–style suites for larger groups (or longer stays). Flaherty’s favorite room? “You simply cannot go wrong with the penthouse and its bathtub overlooking the bay and San Francisco’s skyline,” he says.

Flaherty works with McDevitt’s children Kass, Mike and Willie, who now own the hotel and love carrying on their father’s legacy. “My dad was such a big part of The Inn Above Tide that working with my brothers and Mark and his staff on the hotel makes me feel like he is with me still,” Kass says. “His vision permeates throughout the hotel, especially in the attention to detail, from the perfect morning fruit and delicious orange juice to the scrumptious beds and the decor in each room.” As an added perk for guests, she has created detailed maps that include nearby landmarks and attractions such as the secret steps. Even longtime locals might learn a thing or two on one of her Sausalito walking tours.

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