We are honeymooning in Wine Country in October. WE are looking for something romantic....hoping to avoid tourist traps and crowds, if possible. We hear Healdsburg is more romantic and less crowded. Any feedback?? Are there better towns to stay in?

Also, we are looking at the following hotels: Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza; Hotel Healdsburg; Honor Mansion. Any feedback on any or all of these places would be much appreciated. Thanks!!!

Stayed last OCt. at Calderwood B&B; walking distance downtown Healdsburg, very pleasant accomodations, reasonable price. Would recommend you look at it. Wherever you stay, get a reservation for Dry Creek Kitchen]...fabulous!

The Hotel Healdsburg is very nice and very contemporary in decor. Our room was very nice, hardwood floors, balcony, featherbed and 6' soaking tub with nice bath amenities. There is a nice pool area and jacuzzi and the Dry Creek Kitchen is right there,our room included a tasting dinner for 2. Check their website for packages that include dinner if you want to dine at the DCK. There is also a very nice breakfast buffet at the HH and a nice lounge area with cozy fireplace. Congrats and have a great trip! ***kim***

There really aren't that many tourist traps in the Sonoma Co wine country (compared to Fisherman's Wharf, for example, in SF). Healdsburg would be my choice in the Sonoma wine country, if you want less crowded (compared to Napa Valley).

I would stay at the Madrona Manor or the Healdsburg Inn/Hotel (there are two Healdsburg Inns/Hotels - one is a B&B & the other is a posh spa/hotel/restaurant). I can't remembeer which is which.

The Madrona Manor is an 1890s large Victorian Manor, on very pretty grounds just a 5 min drive from downtown Healdsburg. It's a very romantic place - lots of wedding receptions there.

The Healdsburg Inn/Hotel is on the downtown square, and is a modern place. We've never stayed there.

Cyrus restaurant next to the Healdsburg Inn/Hotel is considered one of the top 5 restaurants in the Bay Area.

Stu Dudley

Hotel Healdsburg has lovely rooms, but be sure to request a room NOT on the side near the bar - very noisy! Also, we had more than 6 months of ridiculous billing problems with them. For such a high-end place, I certainly hope they've worked that out by now.

I am staying at the Honor Mansion next month. I have heard and read wonderful things about this Inn.

My info is very dated but I had to chime in as we spent part of our honeymoon (in 1991!) in Healdsburg. Stayed at a romantic little inn called Belle du Jour. Not in town. Across from Simi winery. Have no idea if it's still nice but I think I've seen that it's still there.

Loved Sonoma area much more than Napa. We also went up to Mendocino.

Lovely memories. Be sure to bring back some wine to celebrate on your 1st anniversary. We kept ours until our 10th and it was lousy! Favorite vineyard was Geyser Peak.

If you do decide on Healdsburg, make reservations for Cyrus. We dined there last night and had loved everything about our experience there. ***kim***