We are planning on visiting San Francisco next summer and thought we would spend a few days in Sonoma(we have visited Napa before). My question is regarding accomodations. I was looking at the Sonoma Mission Inn, but have heard both good and bad reviews about this place. Could I get some feedback about this place or possibly suggestions about alternatives? Thank you in advance for your input on this matter. Any other Sonoma info(i.e restaurants, sites, etc.) would also be helpful.

Can't say anything about the Sonoma Mission Inn, but I recommend the Belle de Jour Inn in Healdsburg--more privacy than a typical B&B (there are five cottages, although they are not completely private, free-standing buildings) and the hosts are great. Great web site at www.belledejourinn.com and see if the suits your budget and needs. The Terrace Room has a two-person in-room jacuzzi as well as a private terrace. Very romantic. The breakfasts are great. Tom Hearn, the co-owner, can also drive you around in a 1925 antique car around the Alexander Valley for a personalized winery tour--we thought it was fantastic.

Places to eat:
* Applewood Inn (in Guerneville)
* Chateau de Sourverain (a winery that serves lunch in a beautiful room)
* Madrona Manor

Coffeeaddict, what a lovely find! Belle de Jour looks so beautiful and peaceful. I haven't been to Madrona Manor for years, what is it like these days?

bodi, the food at Madrona Manor is perfectly fine--nothing outstanding, but since were at the Belle de Jour, it was just up the street. We went there last September, so it was great to sit at Madrona's porch for dinner. The service was excellent and gracious. I had a tasting menu for about $60, which isn't bad for wine country.

I couldn't say enough good things about Belle de Jour. The views are beautiful, and the hosts, Brenda and Tom, are very welcoming. They gave us plenty of good restaurant and winery recommendations as well. The only downside is that they don't serve breakfast in the rooms, which is too bad since the rooms are so great. One night we bought a pizza in town and brought it back to our room--we sat on the Adirondack chairs on our terrace, drank some of the champagne the inn had left for us, and watched the stars. Best meal of our trip!

Thank you for your reply. I looked at the Madrona website, and they have done alot of improvements! Hope I can get up there for dinner and a stay.
Bell de Jour looks like a fabulous Wildlife Habitat and a wonderful place to walk and photograph. Now I really want to plan a trip North! Thanks!

If you do decide to focus toward North-West Sonoma County (Healdsburg etc.)check out www.wineroad.com for lots of info. Should you stick with Sonoma-
for lodging check out the four sisters inns website-their Inn at Sonoma gets raves as does MacArthur Place and the Gaige House in Glenn Ellen. For eats, oh my goodness, let's see... Meritage, the General's Daughter,
the Swiss Hotel, the girl & the fig (but the one in Petaluma on the river is MUCH better!) Maya and della Santina
come to mind.... and you can always check out sonoma.com! Enjoy!
R5

The Sonoma Mission Inn has interesting history and nice public areas going for it. The rooms, however, are a big disppointment (I've been in 3 different categories of rooms there).
It's fine for a convention on someone else's tab. For a personal getaway, a disppointment IMO.

Thanks to one and all for your suggestions. This definitely gives me some "food for thought"!

I read through this thread and must aadd my input for the Sonoma Mission Inn. I adore this place!! We spent two days in Sonoma in April and one night at this beautiful Inn.
We were greeted with the valet parking, then went to check in. I was very impressed with this property. The lobby area is beautiful and I especially like the samples of the Apricots and Cream lotion all over the hotel. I have been ordering this from their website and love the stuff!!
We had a room over-looking the front of the property. Yes, the room was rather small but we weren't in it that much. The soaking tub in the bathroom was very nice and there also was a complimentary bottle of Kenwood Vintage White that was excellent.
We lounged around the beautiful swimming pool all afternoon and chatted with the other guests. The pool is mineral water and very soothing. That evening was a complimentary wine tasting in the lobby presented by the fire. It was very nice. We then went to the Generals' Daughter for a wonderful dinner.

When we returned the outdoor firepits were all going and we sat and talked outside for awhile. Just beautiful!! For breakfast we went to Sante and had a wonderful meal overlooking the pool area. Also, at night they put fountains on over the pool that was very pretty.

We had a swim and got some sun after breakfast and decided to tour the spa. I did not book any treatments here tho next time I definitely will. The pools, spa, etc. in this area are just gorgeous. I later found out chatting with a woman by the pool that all of their treatments are first-class. She was from Canada and her friend had paid for a week at the spa for her and five other ladies. She was
totally impressed.

We only had one night here but I will definitely return as we need to travel to this area every year for business. I very much enjoyed my stay at this wonderful place and will return again.

I am looking forward to trying some spa treatments at the spa in the future and will report back on those in the spring. ***kim***