Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [243]
Victorian Garden Inn A small picket fence, a wall of trees, and an acre of gardens enclose an adorable Victorian garden brimming with violets, roses, camellias, and peonies, all shaded under flowering fruit trees. It’s truly a marvelous sight in the springtime. The guest units—three in the century-old water tower and one in the main building (an 1870s Greek Revival farmhouse), as well as a cottage—continue the Victorian theme, with white wicker furniture, floral prints, padded armchairs, and claw-foot tubs. The most popular units are the Top o’ the Tower and the Woodcutter’s Cottage. Each has its own entrance and a garden view; the cottage boasts a sofa and armchairs set in front of the fireplace. After a hard day of wine tasting, spend the afternoon cooling off in the pool or on the shaded wraparound porch, enjoying a mellow merlot while soaking in the sweet garden smells. New parents, take note: The property recommends you leave young tots behind.
316 E. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476. www.victoriangardeninn.com. 800/543-5339 or 707/996-5339. Fax 707/996-1689. 4 units, 1 cottage. $159–$359 double. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Concierge; hot tub; free Internet access; outdoor pool. In room: A/C.
Inexpensive
El Pueblo Inn ★ Located on Sonoma’s main east-west street, 8 blocks from the center of town, this isn’t Sonoma’s fanciest hotel, but it is well cared for and offers some of the best-priced accommodations around. The rooms here are pleasant enough, with individual entrances, post-and-beam construction, exposed brick walls, light-wood furniture, down comforters, recliners, and geometric prints. A new addition in 2002 resulted in 20 new larger rooms with high ceilings, DVDs, and fireplaces in some rooms. They also recently made each room open to a courtyard with a fountain. Their new reception area doubles as a breakfast room for their continental breakfast and leads to a small meeting room. Reservations should be made at least a month in advance for the spring and summer months.
896 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476. www.elpuebloinn.com. 800/900-8844 or 707/996-3651. Fax 707/935-5988. 53 units. Apr–Nov $184–$299 double; Dec–Mar $109–$169 double. Corporate, AAA, and senior discounts available. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Amenities: Fitness room; Jacuzzi; seasonal heated outdoor pool. In room: A/C, TV, DVD (newer rooms only), fridge, hair dryer, free high-speed Internet access.
Sonoma Hotel ★ This cute little historic hotel on Sonoma’s tree-lined town plaza emphasizes 19th-century elegance and comfort. Built in 1880 by Swiss immigrant Henry Weyl, it has attractive guest rooms decorated in early California style, with French country furnishings, wood and iron beds, and pine armoires. In a bow to modern luxuries, recent additions include private bathrooms, cable TV, and (this is crucial) air-conditioning. Perks include fresh coffee and pastries in the morning and wine in the evening. Its lovely restaurant, the girl & the fig serves California-French cuisine. Tip: For a quieter stay, request a room that doesn’t front the street.
110 W. Spain St., Sonoma, CA 95476. www.sonomahotel.com. 800/468-6016 or 707/996-2996. Fax 707/996-7014. 16 units. Summer $110–$248 double; winter $99–$220 double. 2-night minimum required for summer weekends. Rates include continental breakfast and evening wine. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: Restaurant, the girl & the fig. In room: A/C, TV.
GLEN ELLEN
A 10- to 20-minute drive (traffic permitting) from downtown Sonoma provides a far more rural experience, with little more than a 1-block town, lush overgrown surroundings, and accommodations ranging from intimate to grand and budget to wallet-busting.
Best For: People seeking a heavy dose of country charm.
Drawbacks: You’ll have to get in the car to do pretty much