About Ian & Kim
The owners of the Sea Gull Inn, Kim and Ian Roth, have spent their lives traveling around the world as often as they could, yet always going back regularly to the Northern California Mendocino Coast to relax and re-balance. They lived in the Bay Area for over 25 years, and then moved north to Mendocino County in 2011, which allowed them to visit and spend more time on the coast. After their two sons went off to college, they decided to place their pool house “Cabana” on Airbnb and become hosts. This was the beginning of a special journey. They enjoyed sharing and opening their home to guests; they met many interesting, kind, positive people from all over the bay area, California, the United States, and the world. They were bit by the hospitality bug. Sharing and meeting new people brought them happiness. It did not take long for them to write down their dream and make it happen — “Find an Inn for sale, and spend more time on the coast, in the redwoods, on the beaches, in a small community with a positive outlook.”
On an early January weekend getaway to Mendocino, Kim and Ian happened upon the Sea Gull Inn in Mendocino and learned it was for sale. The seed of opportunity began to grow. Kim and Ian, both working full time in their careers, quickly began their adventure, researching, learning and working to make their dream become a reality. After long nights, weekends and months of working three jobs (two paid jobs, and the other was planning for life change – their dream job) it all came to be. Ian and Kim became the new owners of the Sea Gull Inn. They trained and learned everything from Alya and Jim, the previous owners, as well as from the amazing staff that all helped out to make the transition smooth.
Ian and Kim have a new energy that they bring to the Sea Gull, and are full of excitement to own and operate the Inn. They are keeping all the best aspects of the Inn, including the amazing breakfasts, and the pinnacle of hospitality, and bringing a few new changes to the Inn. Because success is all about relationships, they are reaching out to the local merchants to create win-win opportunities. They have partnered with Lynne Prentice, a local artist and owner of the Prentice Gallery on Main Street, to showcase a local artist and their work in each room. Lynne is providing artwork and Ian and Kim are purchasing the frames to decorate each guest room with a local Mendocino artist that will showcase local artists, and brighten up the Inn. These pieces of art will include water color and photographs of the area by artists such as Janice Porter, Sunshine Taylor, Rita Crane, Jeff Trouette, Lynne Prentice, and more!
In addition, they are boosting the WiFi, painting rooms, and adding a few personal touches, and adding extra services such as birthday and anniversary packages, bikes to borrow, and concierge services including coordinating massages, facials, and excursions. With the love and respect for the historical building, gardens, and reputation, they will work hard to keep the Inn in its best condition.
Ian and Kim want to thank their wonderful staff for all their hard work and dedication to the guests; thank Ayla and Jim Douglas for their dedication to making the Sea Gull Inn a loved and successful bed and breakfast; and finally, for the encouragement from their family and friends in supporting them to search out and live their dreams, they are grateful.
And most of all, Ian and Kim are grateful to their many fine guests. They are what make innkeeping fun and rewarding.
“Kim and Ian have their heart and soul into the Inn, they are so helpful, fun, kind and hard working, I am so impressed! “ –Anne, Santa Rosa, CA