Which B&Bs do you recommend in Healdsburg for a nice 10th anniversary weekend?

Where is Healdsburg?

Healdsburg is a town in the Sonoma wine country just North of San Fran.

I'm planning a trip there in late May. Grasshopper can probably recommend a real nice one since he is very familiar with the area. Do a search on his name, sonoma, or Healdsburg in the search block and you should come up with some good recommendations. I've perused some of the sites -- There are some real nice places in that area.

Hi Anne,
There are a couple to choose from. I always stay at Camellia Inn. It is an old house which was at one time the home of the town's only physician. It is nicely done and very comfortable. The breakfasts are hearty and good. The inn is located in easy walking distance to the town square which will be of benefit to you. Many of the restuarants in the immediate area are very good(and within walking distance). The inn has a lovely pool and off street parking. The innkeeper is a winemaker himself and has nightly tastings. The folks at Camellia are also great sources of information regarding wineries to visit. We have stayed at Camellia Inn many times over the years(just made our reservations for late June). Any room is nice. Even the very small room with its own bathroom down the hall is lovely. Other posters have mentioned The Grape Leaf Inn. To my memory this is also within walking distance to the square just a bit longer and further back into the residential neighborhoods. Belle du Jour has be written up as well however by the map it is out of town. We so like the Camellia we have only ever stayed there over the years. They have a website. Strolling in the evening around town is lovely. The town itself has many antique stores, upscale gift/furniture stores and some holdouts from the early days of Healdsburg including two good and independent bookstores. Good places to eat in town include Bistro Ralph and Ravenous. You will need reservations for most restaurants especially on a weekend. Mike is right. Grasshopper does seem to have some good information including the link to the wine country map/site. If you like wines...this is a great area for Zinfandels and Pinot Noirs. Tasting room abound! Happy Anniversary!

Thanks for your advice. There are so many good inns to choose from! I'm looking at the Camellia Inn, Belle de Jour, Honor Mansion, Grape Leaf Inn. Which of these four is the best? My criteria is 1) nicely decorated (not contemporary or mismatched but in a romantic traditional style), 2) comfortable and well-maintained (not full of delicate, worn-down antiques), 3) somewhat luxurious (four-star), 4) room I will stay in will cost no more than $300 a night. Thanks!

My brother lives in Healdsburg and he told me about a new hotel which opened last year. It's on the town square and has a restaurant by chef Charlie Palmer (of Aureole fame, NYC and Las Vegas). Web site is: http://www.hotelhealdsburg.com
Be sure and stop to see the "goats" next to the vineyard with the red barn at the corner of Dry Creek Road and Lambert Bridge Road (that's my brother's place). If you want winery recommendations send me e-mail.

Anne, I can only tell you about the furnishings at Camellia House which all seem to be in good repair. It is not fussy or precious either. I will tell you only Camellia and Grape Leaf Inn are "in town" that is within walking distance to the town square and Camellia is the closest. I think Honor Mansion is out of town a ways near Seghesio and Belle Du Jour is out of town (via Healdsburg Avenue but not within walking distance to the center of town.) As to the stars it's a hard call...I've stayed mostly in three star places in Europe and some 4&5 star places in the States and Canada. I'd say Camellia is probably in the neighborhood of 3 to 4 stars. They do have rooms (check out the Tower Room) which might be what you have in mind..and I think the two upper end "suites" are less than or = $300/night. While I find the Camellia Inn to be one of the nicest B&Bs I've stayed in over the years(and we have stayed in many all over the US and Canada) I wouldn't call it luxurious.I think they are the only one mentioned that has a pool. It is great to come home after a day of winetasting and take a dip before dinner or to simply devour some good novel poolside. The hotel referred to in this thread is the Healdsburg Hotel and might be something to consider, It is right on the town square, is very modern, has a spa and the restaurant referred to is "The Dry Creek Kitchen". I've heard mixed reviews and know that the hotel is generally not looked on with great favor by alot of the locals(innkeepers included). It seems very "LA"(no doubt I'll take heat for this)meaning contemporary and more. I think you can get discounted rooms however at the hotel. Have you looked at Madrona Manor at all? This is also outside of town but might be in keeping with what you have described as wanting.

Anne, I just looked at Honor Mansion's website and in comparison to the Camellai Inn it looks more luxurious..I find Camellia very comfortable. I did also see a pool at Honor Mansion. All in all, you might really take a look at Madrona. It seems like the most luxurious of them all.

I'll suggest three; Calderwood Inn (www.calderwoodinn.com), The Inn on the Plaza, and the Madrona Manor (www.madronamanor.com). All three are charming, comfortable and memorable. At the very least, have dinner at the Madrona Manor. The price fixe dinner with wine parings is so good!

Pam, did you really like Bistro Ralph? I took a boyfriend there and he nearly died. It was just a little too nouvelle cusine for him. The caesar salad was a head of romaine washed, doused in dressing and then reassembled as a head of romaine with a huge cruton on top. I thought he would choke to death when he blew wine out his nose upon first seeing it! (that relationship didn't last too long)

I have a travel journal on igougo (http://www.igougo.com/planning/journ...JournalID=9312) if you're interested in more things to do in the area.

The interactive map is at: http://www.wineroad.com/maps/

Happy Anniversary!

My personal favorite place to eat is Ravenous. I've also had good food at Santi. Bistro Ralph is a place friends seem to like...haven't heard about the salads nor about some guy at the next table who could blow wine out of his nose

Thanks for the tips, guys. I will definitely look into restaurants after I select our B&B. Bistro Ralph and Madrona Manor are on our list. I heard Ravenous is good, too.

As far as Madrona Manor for lodging, I've read somewhere that, while the building and public rooms are lovely, the bedrooms are not well-decorated--mismatched furniture and some even motel-like. I'm picky about decor and ambiance--that's what I pay money in a B&B for.

Here's a site I stumbled upon for reviews of restaurants in Healdsburg: http://www.sallys-place.com/food/dining_directory/north_america/healdsburg.htm

Ravenous sounds nice.