Hi
Traveling to wine country in late July. Our choices for lodging are as followed...
Farmhouse Inn...forestville
Honor Mansion/Madrona Manor..Yountville
Duchamp..Healdsburg
Mac Arthur Place..Sonoma
Gaige House inn..Glen Ellen
Hotel Healdsburg
Vintage or Villagio Inn

We are leaning towards Farmhouse Inn because it has wonderful amenities (sunken tub, pool on site, spa and breakfast). We do however like the sound of the town of Healdsburg. We want a more modern/Pottery Barn atmosphere (vs. traditional Victorian) and we want as many amenities as we can get for under $300 per night! Please help with any recommendations, we would love to hear from anyone who has stayed at any of the hotels recently.

THANKS in advance!

Well, the last thing you need is more choices but had to chime in to say, if you are considering Healdsburg (which is wonderful), then consider the HEaldsburg Inn. ITs charming, victorian, right on the square. I had my wedding shower there and was dying to stay there as well. AT least give it a look online! www.healdsburginn.com

One of the most relaxing, best vacations I have ever been to was a visit to California Wine Region up in the Sonoma County. We stayed in Guerneville at a B&B called the Santa Nella House within walking distance of the Korbel Champagne Cellars. A beautiful, relaxing, quiet Victorian house, wrap-around veranda and all. Check it out at http://www.santanellahouse.com/. It was also within walking distance of the Russian River, surrounded by a Redwood forest. Tons of wineries within close driving distance, tons of things to do.

Honor Mansion and Madrona Manor are in Healdsburg(and more victorian than pottery barn). If you are looking for modern I'd say check out Hotel Healdsburg and DuChamp. The hotel is right on the square(which is a plus IMO) and has a variety of amenities including a spa. You are right downtown in caste that matters to you one way or another. You also can walk to many great places in downtown Healdsburg for other eating possibilities. The design is modern..it's rather LA for those parts. I haaave heard very mixed and mostly non-plus reviews of Dry Creek Kitchen at the hotel. Duchamp is (at least from its website ..a trip)..you will be more removed from town. I have looked at this place several times with a birthday in mind...mid-week prices might be more in keeping with your price range. In Yountville..I'd say check out Villagio..you will get more spa facilities. The more I hear about the Farmhouse Inn..the more I want to stay there. Its dining room was just written up in the SF Chronicle as one of the top 100 restaurants of the Bay Area.Personally, I prefer either Sonoma or Healdsburg(including the RUssian River Valley) for wine tasting and immersion in the wine culture. Forestville will be part of this. Napa is IMO crowded,corporate and not filled with those small wineries you want to get a feel for perhaps. Healdsburg and Sonoma offer more possibilities for smaller venues with good tastings without feeling as if you are adrift among the masses.I also find the dining in SOnoma and HEaldsburg mighty fine without the huge crush of crowds. Dining in Napa will be really busy in the summertime. It's my least favorite time to try and get a table in that valley.(that would be Villagio)

Pam, Have you ever visited the Healdsburg area wineries during barrel tasting? Crowded but fun. You and I should do a wine tasting day sometime. We like the same things.

PamSF and G'hopper-What about starting a thread for wine and wine tasting on the "other topics" thread?

I'm pretty much a beginner but I'm def. willling to learn...and I'd finally do my homework! Like the fine Ravenswood Zin that got me thru the Kings ugly win last night!

I know we have some Ore and Wash Fodor Winos that can add some flavor to it too.
It think they may make wine elsewhere in the US too? ;-)

Kal

Kal-I'll drink to that and sorry about the Kings. I think a wine thread could be fun and I am always learning. We belong to a very loose but adventuresome wine group. We are doing either Pinots or Zins in May(again!) so I'll let you know what gems we tasted.

Grasshopper..let me know about the barrel tastings. I think it sounds like fun! We are heading up to Healdsburg mid June for more relaxation,eating and winetasting. I'll let you know if I find anything particularly delicious.

Brenda
From your description, I think you would enjoy the Villagio. It is relatively new, has large well furnished rooms, and has all of the amenities you mentioned, including a great spa and champange breakfast.

PamSF, Sounds good.
I'm into Zins ("7 Deadly Zins" was a good name and good wine!)and Pinot Noirs now.

And only Cakebreads and Rombauer Chardys will pass these lips...until I can find something mo' bettah?
Kal "Otis of Mayberry" Kahuna

ps... The Kings won...my head lost.

Oh oh oh Kal the Kavenswood Zin!!!! When we visited Ravenswood we tried all of the zins at once so we could discriminate between them. I never was a big red wine drinker (allergies) but the Ravenswood Amador Zin is just so good. Gotta go to Bev mo for that one. Bel Air only carries the california one.

Haha Kavenswood! I meant Ravenswood. LOL