Sonoma Mission Inn
 

Some friends and I are planning a trip to the California wine country in August. We have reservations at the Sonoma Mission Inn, but have recently heard that the hotel is not really near anything to do (ie., restaurants outside the resort, shopping, wineries, other spas, etc.) Any feedback on this comment??

My friend and I, who do a girls getaway trip every year went to Sonoma Mission Inn two years ago. We would NEVER return. It was very expensive which is fine except that the room we were given was in the "older" section, the alarm clock went off at 3 AM and 5 AM (our room at 3 AM, the room next door at 5 AM for 45 minutes since nobody was in that room) with no way to turn it off and no apologies from the staff. The staff is not very friendly and at that time, the spa was less than what I've experienced elsewhere (although I understand they've renovated it). As far as not really near anything to do, there are restaurants and Sonoma itself within driving distance from the inn. The inn itself has a huge (nice) swimming pool and tennis courts right on the premises. <BR> <BR>You'll love Sonoma though - wonderful and IMHO a hundred percent better than Napa! Enjoy.

I really don't think you can blame an alarm clock on the hotel in all fairness. It's the fault of the thoughtless guest who stayed there before you in not making sure it was shut off. It's happened to us it a lot of other properties. I am sorry to hear about the Sonoma Mission Inn because 5 years or so ago it was tops. I'd like to hear more from folks who have stayed the past few years. The property is beautiful. You will need a car at any rate to see the wineries from whatever hotel you choose to stay in and will most likely want to drive to a couple restaurants for dinner. The last hotel we stayed at in the Sonoma wine country was Madronna Manor in Healdsburg and I would have happily never left except to taste wine! It's not a spa, however. It would be a bit of a walk, but you could walk from Madronna Manor into the pretty little town of Healdsburg. Maybe that would be a better choice if you don't need the spa part.

for what it's worth, I would return in a heartbeat. My one visit there (1998) was very romantic and very pleasant!

Try Westerbeke Ranch(Sonoma) for a different kind of experience. They have a more casual atmosphere, less expensive, great food,(communal meals, and some alternative spa trestments. Just walked through SMI last Sat. It was very nice, very quiet, very upscale. It's not right for everyone. I don't think I would be comfortable there.

I stayed in the SMI last October and loved it. We stayed in a huge suite (in the newer section) with a jacuzzi tub and the room had french doors that opened onto a terrace with a fountain. The spa center is great and one of the best around. This whole trip was paid by my husband's company and i'm sure was expensive, so I don't know if I'd pay myself. <BR><BR>If you decide to stay somewhere else in Sonoma I woulc suggest to make a reservation for a spa treatment there which allows you to use the spa center and spend as much time as you want in the natural spring water pool (outside) and the jacuzzi tubs etc.