32 Best Hotels in Napa and Sonoma, California

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The fanciest accommodations are concentrated in the Napa Valley towns of Yountville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga; Sonoma County's poshest lodgings are in Healdsburg. The spas, amenities, and exclusivity of high-end properties attract travelers with the means and desire for luxury living. The cities of Napa and Santa Rosa are the best bets for budget hotels and inns.

THE BEST HOTEL IN NAPA AND SONOMA

Bann at Oak Knoll Napa

$$$ | 2188 Oak Knoll Ave., Napa, CA, 94558, USA
Fodor's Choice

FODOR’S EXPERT REVIEW

Every room has a vineyard view at this self-described resort-style bed-and-breakfast whose glittering fusion of Thai luxury and Wine Country chic distinguishes it from its Napa Valley peers. Best known for Osha Thai on San Francisco's Embarcadero and that restaurant's local outpost, chef Lalita Souksamlane expands guests' horizons with sumptuously decorated rooms and suites (466–738 square feet), each based on a different region of her native land. Expect plush bedding, spacious showers, stand-alone tubs, and all the western technical mod cons. The hot tub and outdoor saltwater pool share the same vineyard views as the rooms, and there's a sauna. Phenomenal three-course breakfasts begin with seasonal local fruit, followed by croissants and various breads and a pan-Pacific main event that might include Thai eggs, shrimp congee, chicken pho, waffles, and pancakes. 

Pros

  • Considerate staff
  • Phenomenal three-course breakfasts
  • Individually decorated rooms on Thai themes

Cons

  • Social butterflies may find pace too relaxed
  • Late checkout costly
  • Extra fee for children
2188 Oak Knoll Ave., Napa, CA, 94558, USA
707-266–8229
Hotel Details
5 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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The Farmhouse Inn

$$$$ | 7871 River Rd., Forestville, CA, 95436, USA Fodor's Choice
The Farmhouse Inn, Russian River Valley
Courtesy The Farmhouse Inn and Restaurant

With a farmhouse-meets-modern-loft aesthetic, this low-key but upscale getaway with a pale-yellow exterior contains spacious rooms filled with king-size four-poster beds, whirlpool tubs, and hillside-view terraces. Larger rooms toward the back of the property are among the inn's most romantic, with an open floor plan and, in some cases, private patios or decks accessed through wide French doors. Several rooms have double-sided fireplaces facing both the room and patio. The smoothly efficient service, concierges to help guests with touring and wine tasting, and dining options—The Restaurant at Farmhouse Inn (prix-fixe dinner-only tasting menus) and Farmstand (casual lunch and dinner)—qualify the inn for top-tier status among Sonoma County luxury properties. But this place offers something extra the others can't match: the deep sense of the county and its rhythms that sister-and-brother part-owners Catherine and Joe Bartolomei share as fifth-generation residents. Although their inn deserves its many press and online plaudits, the sublime experience most guests describe comes not from Farmhouse living up to the hype (though it largely does) but from the unstudied elegance and the staff's attention to detail.

Pros

  • On-site Farmhouse Inn Restaurant (fine dining) and Farmstand (casual)
  • Luxury bath products
  • Full-service spa

Cons

  • Far from nightlife
  • Least-expensive rooms are small (if nicely appointed) and don’t have patios
  • Pricey, especially during high season
7871 River Rd., Forestville, CA, 95436, USA
707-887–3300
Hotel Details
25 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Brannan Cottage Inn

$$$ | 109 Wappo Ave., Calistoga, CA, 94515, USA Fodor's Choice

The owner of two distinctive lodgings—the six-room Brannan Cottage Inn, whose centerpiece is an 1860s cottage from Calistoga's original spa era, and five lofts two blocks away—operates them jointly as the Brannan Hotels. Although the stained-oak floors, wainscoting, and retro bathroom fixtures of the inn’s guest rooms recall Victorian times, contemporary comfort is the goal: the beds have plush mattresses and high-thread-count sheets, and rooms are equipped with large flat-screen TVs, electronics charging stations, and espresso machines. Eco-friendly touches abound, most visibly in the LED lighting throughout the property. A tall palm, even taller twin cypresses, and an elm tree thought to be 300 years old shade the inn.

Pros

  • Tree-shaded setting
  • Easy access to downtown restaurants and shopping
  • On-site Sam’s General Store for coffee and light meals

Cons

  • Showers but no bathtubs in some rooms
  • Must book through property for free breakfast
  • Lacks pool and other amenities of larger lodgings
109 Wappo Ave., Calistoga, CA, 94515, USA
707-942–4200
Hotel Details
6 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

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Recommended Fodor's Video

The Cottages of Napa Valley

$$$ | 1012 Darms La., Napa, CA, 94558, USA Fodor's Choice

Although most of the accommodations here date from the 1920s—when they rented for $5 a month (imagine that)—contemporary design touches and amenities, plush new furnishings, up-to-date bathrooms, and attentive service ensure a cozy 21st-century experience. Back in the day, Hollywood legends Clark Gable and Carole Lombard reportedly canoodled in one of the cottages, which form an oval around a courtyard shaded by oaks and other tall trees. The hum of traffic along nearby Highway 29 periodically breaks the spell outdoors, and occasionally indoors, but the aesthetic and service more than compensate. Perks include private porches and patios, kitchens stocked with utensils, a complimentary bottle of Chardonnay in each room, and a basket of pastries from Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery set on the doorstep each morning. If you're looking for a secluded unpretentious getaway with a dash of country glamour, you'll love this place.

Pros

  • Private porches and patios
  • Basket of Bouchon pastries each morning
  • Kitchen with utensils in each cottage

Cons

  • Hum of highway traffic
  • Drive required to restaurants
  • Weekend minimum-stay requirement
1012 Darms La., Napa, CA, 94558, USA
707-252–7810
Hotel Details
9 cottages
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Embrace Calistoga

$$$ | 1139 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, CA, 94515, USA Fodor's Choice

Extravagant hospitality defines the Napa Valley's luxury properties, but Embrace Calistoga takes the prize in the "small lodging" category. Every night there's a wine-and-cheese event on the expansive wraparound porch of this 1873 Victorian. (Heaters and blankets keep patrons toasty on cold days.) Guest rooms are immaculately maintained, each furnished with a tastefully casual mix of new and antique furnishings. Come morning, the brunch-style breakfasts are marvelous affairs. The attentive service includes matching guests with the right wine-tasting options.

Pros

  • Attentive service
  • Brunch-style breakfasts
  • Restaurants, tasting rooms, and shopping within walking distance

Cons

  • Light hum of street traffic
  • No pool or spa
  • Two-night minimum some weekends
1139 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, CA, 94515, USA
707-942–9797
Hotel Details
5 rooms
Free Breakfast

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The Francis House

$$$$ | 1403 Myrtle St., Calistoga, CA, 94515, USA Fodor's Choice

Built in 1886 of locally quarried tufa, then abandoned for half a century but gloriously restored, the Second Empire–style Francis House is now a luxury inn that evokes the past but feels utterly contemporary. Second-floor rooms have higher ceilings than the third-floor ones, though at nine feet the latter hardly feel claustrophobic. In one of many clever touches throughout the inn, the architect angled the third floor's interior walls to mimic the mansard style outside, lending the rooms the feel of a Parisian atelier. Although their marble bathrooms are similar, each guest room is decorated individually with elegant simplicity.

Pros

  • Ultra-chic style
  • Extraordinary breakfasts
  • Pool and lawn area in back

Cons

  • Pricey, if less costly than the plushest nearby resorts
  • More for romantic getaways (no children under 16)
  • Rooms are small (198–207 square feet)
1403 Myrtle St., Calistoga, CA, 94515, USA
707-341–3536
Hotel Details
7 rooms
Free Breakfast

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The Gables Wine Country Inn

$$ | 4257 Petaluma Hill Rd., Santa Rosa, CA, 95404, USA Fodor's Choice

Guests at this circa-1887 Gothic Victorian inn set on 3½ acres slip back in time inside high-ceilinged, period-decorated pastel-painted rooms, some with four-poster beds and all with comfortable mattresses and high-quality sheets. Owners Pam and Larry Willis are renowned for three-course gourmet breakfasts that will power you for a full day of wine touring—made less expensive with Wine Passports good for free or discount tastings. The Gables has a countryside feel, but it's less than 4 miles from downtown Santa Rosa's Railroad Square Historic District.

Pros

  • Victorian style and hospitality
  • Three-course gourmet breakfasts
  • Country vibe just 4 miles from downtown

Cons

  • Period look may not work for all guests
  • Slightly off the beaten path
  • Weekend minimum-stay requirement April–mid-November
4257 Petaluma Hill Rd., Santa Rosa, CA, 95404, USA
707-585–7777
Hotel Details
8 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Kenwood Inn & Spa

$$$ | 10400 Sonoma Hwy./Hwy. 12, Kenwood, CA, 95452, USA Fodor's Choice

Fluffy feather beds, custom Italian furnishings, and French doors in most cases opening onto terraces or balconies lend this inn's uncommonly spacious guest rooms a romantic air—more than a few guests are celebrating honeymoons or anniversaries. All the rooms have separate entrances, espresso makers, and refrigerators. Each of several room types has its appeal, from price to views to lavish layout. The inn has a few pet-friendly rooms (dogs only); it's wise to book one as far ahead as possible. With its mature fruit trees and buildings resembling a Mediterranean-style villa, the inn seems as though it's been here a century, but it was completed in 1990.

Pros

  • Large rooms
  • Lavish furnishings
  • Romantic setting

Cons

  • Far from nightlife
  • Expensive in high season
  • Geared more to couples than families with children
10400 Sonoma Hwy./Hwy. 12, Kenwood, CA, 95452, USA
707-833–1293
Hotel Details
29 rooms
Free Breakfast

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Lavender Inn

$$$$ | 2020 Webber Ave., Yountville, CA, 94599, USA Fodor's Choice

Travelers looking for personalized service from innkeepers who take the trouble to learn guests' names and preferences will enjoy this intimate inn just off Yountville's main drag. Two rooms are in the historic main house, built in the 1850s and moved to this site in the 1860s. The upstairs room is spacious, and the downstairs one, though smaller, has a private, shielded outdoor hot tub. Six courtyard rooms in newer buildings each have private patio entrances; two of these rooms also have private jetted outdoor tubs. An old barn on the property was converted into a loft suite. Each room has a private sitting area, and during summer the outdoor lavender courtyard that gives the inn its name provides a tranquil escape. Lavender, a Four Sisters Inns property, bills itself as a French country inn. Though you may not feel transported to Provence or Bordeaux, the palette of soft rich yellows and the rustic furnishings provide sufficiently Gallic echoes.

Pros

  • On-site free bikes
  • Use of pool at nearby sister property
  • Personalized service

Cons

  • Hard to book in high season
  • Lacks amenities of larger properties
  • Not sceney enough for some guests
2020 Webber Ave., Yountville, CA, 94599, USA
707-944–1388
Hotel Details
9 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Ledson Hotel

$$$ | 480 1st St. E, Sonoma, CA, 95476, USA Fodor's Choice

With just six rooms, the Ledson feels intimate, and the furnishings and amenities—down beds, mood lighting, gas fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and balconies for enjoying breakfast or a glass of wine—stack up well against Wine Country rooms costing more, especially in high season. Toss in a caring staff and the ground-floor tasting lounge, and this really is one of downtown Sonoma’s best lodging options.

Pros

  • Convenient Sonoma Plaza location
  • Spacious, individually decorated rooms
  • Whirlpool tub in all rooms

Cons

  • Two people maximum occupancy in all rooms
  • Children under 12 are not allowed
  • Front rooms have plaza views but pick up some street noise
480 1st St. E, Sonoma, CA, 95476, USA
707-996–9779
Hotel Details
6 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

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Milliken Creek Inn

$$$$ | 1815 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA, 94558, USA Fodor's Choice

Perfect for a couple's weekend or midweek frolic, this secluded getaway with luxurious rooms is only a mile from the Oxbow Public Market and the Culinary Institute of America's CIA at Copia campus, and 1½ miles from downtown Napa's dining, shopping, and nightlife. The guest rooms' chic decor of muted grays, ivory, and browns puts the focus on the verdant natural setting, viewed in most cases through double doors that open onto patios with decks. Most rooms have river views, gas-burning fireplaces, and sitting areas, and all have custom art, Nespresso coffeemakers, refrigerators, and comfortable beds dressed in high-quality linens. Other perks include a cooked-to-order breakfast delivered to your room or elsewhere on the grounds, afternoon wine hour, freshly baked cookies and late-night cordials in the lobby, and evening s'mores kits.

Pros

  • Countryside feeling but near downtown
  • Larger Brookwood category rooms with stand-alone soaking tubs, fireplaces, and private decks with firepits
  • Breakfast delivered to your room or elsewhere on the grounds

Cons

  • Expensive in-season
  • Road noise audible in outdoor areas
  • No pool, fitness center, or bar
1815 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA, 94558, USA
707-255–1197
Hotel Details
11 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Mine + Farm | The Inn at Guerneville, CA

$$ | 12850 River Rd., Guerneville, CA, 95446, USA Fodor's Choice

San Franciscans involved in the maker movement moved seamlessly into hospitality with this 3-acre cannabis-friendly bed-and-breakfast, whose novel concept and sustainable practices landed it a slot on Time’s 2024 The World’s Greatest Places list. The multilevel main building, a renovated 1906 farmhouse, contains six guest rooms (two smallish), a large-windowed living room–like space, and a communal dining room where the hosts serve a full breakfast with a hot entrée. A carriage house steps away holds three larger pet-friendly rooms. All the accommodations, furnished in a simple contemporary style that complements the forest setting, have high-speed Wi-Fi, smart TVs, and updated bathrooms; some rooms have fireplaces. Guests have access to a designated refrigerator in the kitchen. The outdoor areas, which include picnic spots, places to smoke, and a farm that supplies some of the breakfast’s produce, heighten this forward-thinking operation’s appeal.

Pros

  • Filling organic breakfast included in rate
  • Forward-thinking agricultural and social perspective
  • Outdoor areas

Cons

  • Weekend minimum-stay requirement
  • Only three rooms dog-friendly
  • Per website, the inn "welcomes adults ages 21+"
12850 River Rd., Guerneville, CA, 95446, USA
707-869–4466
Hotel Details
9 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Poetry Inn

$$$$ | 6380 Silverado Trail, Yountville, CA, 94558, USA Fodor's Choice

All the rooms at this splurge-worthy hillside retreat have broad lower Napa Valley vistas from their westward-facing balconies; indoors the comfortably chic decor and amenities that include a private spa add to the pleasure of a stay at this exclusive hideaway. The rooms have deluxe beds and linens and bathrooms with heated floors, soaking tubs, and steam showers. Customers return year after year for low-key pampering that starts at sunrise with pastries from Bouchon Bakery in Yountville, followed by a three-course gourmet breakfast cooked by the on-staff chef who, with notice, will prepare lunch or dinner as well.

Pros

  • Valley views
  • Discreet service
  • Gourmet breakfasts by on-staff chef

Cons

  • Expensive pretty much year-round
  • Party types might find atmosphere too low-key
  • Shops and restaurants 3 miles away
6380 Silverado Trail, Yountville, CA, 94558, USA
707-944–0646
Hotel Details
5 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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SingleThread Farm Inn

$$$$ | 131 North St., Healdsburg, CA, 95448, USA Fodor's Choice

A remarkable Relais & Châteaux property a block north of Healdsburg Plaza, SingleThread is the creation of husband-and-wife team Kyle and Katina Connaughton, who operate the ground-floor destination restaurant and the four guest rooms and a suite above it. Influencing the couple's approach at both is the Japanese concept of omotenashi, often translated as "selfless hospitality." All the accommodations have gas fireplaces, 14-foot exposed redwood-beamed ceilings, and wet bars with European coffeemakers and tea kettles. Heated tile floors, roomy rain showers, marble-trimmed deep soaking tubs (except in one room), and automated Japanese toilets (heated seat, of course) count among the luxurious touches in the spacious bathrooms, done mostly in calming whites and off-whites. Room rates include a thoughtfully conceived multicourse breakfast.

Pros

  • Multicourse breakfast
  • Spacious bathrooms with luxurious touches
  • Rooftop garden

Cons

  • Expensive year-round
  • No pool or fitness center
  • No spa
131 North St., Healdsburg, CA, 95448, USA
707-723–4646
Hotel Details
5 rooms
Free Breakfast

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AutoCamp Russian River

$$$ | 14120 Old Cazadero Rd., Guerneville, CA, 95446, USA

Guests at this spot along the Russian River camp (well, sort of) in luxury under the redwoods in cute-as-a-button Airstream trailers decked out with top-notch beds, linens, and bath products, with smaller "Happier Camper" and tent options (not year-round) only for two. The cleverly modified Airstreams have all the mod cons and remarkably roomy bathrooms with walk-in showers. Ten luxury tents, a relative bargain, are set up during the summer. They don't have showers, but guests use the facilities in the mid-century modern–inspired clubhouse.

Pros

  • Some Airstreams have private hot tubs outside
  • Comfortable down beds
  • Campfire and barbecue pit for each Airstream

Cons

  • Lacks room service and other hotel amenities
  • Fee for housekeeping
  • Tents late spring–mid-fall only, with two-guest maximum including children
14120 Old Cazadero Rd., Guerneville, CA, 95446, USA
888-405–7553
Hotel Details
34 rooms
No Meals

Quick Facts

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Beltane Ranch

$$$ | 11775 Sonoma Hwy./Hwy. 12, Glen Ellen, CA, 95442, USA

On a slope of the Mayacamas range with gorgeous Sonoma Valley views, this working ranch, vineyard, winery, and lodging feels totally off the grid despite its location 2½ miles north of downtown Glen Ellen. From the decor and setting to the relaxed hospitality, nothing at the 105-acre property seems calculated or overly manicured. A stay at this spot owned by the same family for six generations provides a rare chance to experience the Wine Country lifestyle that predates the era of luxury inns and haute cuisine.

Pros

  • Bountiful breakfasts
  • Relaxed hospitality
  • Ranch setting

Cons

  • Downstairs rooms get some noise from upstairs rooms
  • Rates rise in summer and early fall
  • Working-ranch aspect may not work for luxury-oriented guests
11775 Sonoma Hwy./Hwy. 12, Glen Ellen, CA, 95442, USA
707-833–4233
Hotel Details
5 rooms
Free Breakfast

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Brannan Lofts

$$ | 1440 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, CA, 94515, USA

On the second floor of a refurbished 1920s building, these light-filled lofts that debuted in 2024 position guests in the middle of downtown Calistoga’s retail, dining, and wine-tasting action. As with the affiliated Brannan Cottage Inn two blocks away (the properties are run jointly as the Brannan Hotels), upscale comfort is the goal, achieved here via custom contemporary furnishings, up-to-the-moment electronics, flat-screen smart TVs, espresso machines, and bathrooms with rain showers and heated floors and toilets. Four lofts have kitchenettes with induction cooktops. With contactless check-in, keyless rooms, and no front desk, the experience resembles an Airbnb more than a boutique hotel, though the GM and other staffers are nearby at the inn, whose café provides a complimentary breakfast for patrons booking directly through the website or by phone.

Pros

  • Four lofts have kitchenettes with induction cooktops
  • Spacious, upscale accommodations
  • Contactless check-in, keyless rooms (think Airbnb
  • There’s no front desk)

Cons

  • No elevator (and stairs are somewhat steep)
  • Must walk two blocks for breakfast, not included for bookings through third-party sites
  • Early- to mid-evening noise (sometimes live music) from nearby restaurants and bars
1440 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, CA, 94515, USA
707-942–4200
Hotel Details
5 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Cottage Grove Inn

$$$ | 1711 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, CA, 94515, USA

A long driveway lined with freestanding, elm-shaded cottages with rocking chairs on their porches looks like Main Street USA, but inside each skylighted building you'll find all the perks necessary for a romantic weekend getaway. Each cottage has its own variation on the comfy-rustic look, with overstuffed chairs in front of the fireplaces and wicker furniture on the front porches the constant. Bright whites, high-quality bedding and linens, and colorful throws and pillows add a touch of style. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, safes, coffee machines, and picnic backpacks for winery lunches. Spas and restaurants are within walking distance.

Pros

  • Spacious cottages
  • Hideaway feel
  • Huge bathtubs

Cons

  • No pool
  • Some rooms pick up street noise
  • Weekend minimum-stay requirement
1711 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, CA, 94515, USA
707-942–8400
Hotel Details
16 cottages
No Meals

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Cottage Inn & Spa

$$$ | 310 1st St. E, Sonoma, CA, 95476, USA

Delivering romance and relaxation is the raison d'être of this courtyard complex 1½ blocks north of Sonoma Plaza. Near restaurants, shops, and tasting rooms but quiet and seemingly off the beaten path, the Cottage Inn pleases sensitive travelers with serene style and graceful touches. Mexican-tile floors, leather furniture, and, in some rooms, brown wooden doors recall Sonoma’s 19th-century origins, but with the white walls and mostly pastel shades a mildly New Age sensibility prevails. Room types range from a spacious suite with a full kitchen to a small but not cramped courtyard room that's a bargain in high season.

Pros

  • Convenient to restaurants, shops, and tasting rooms
  • Quiet location
  • Four suites with double Jacuzzi tubs

Cons

  • Books up far ahead for summer weekends
  • Some bathrooms only have a shower
  • Lacks amenities such as room service, restaurant, pool, or gym
310 1st St. E, Sonoma, CA, 95476, USA
707-996–0719
Hotel Details
9 rooms
Free Breakfast

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Gaige House

$$$ | 13540 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen, CA, 95442, USA

There's no other place in Sonoma or Napa quite like the Gaige House, which blends the best elements of a traditional country inn, a boutique hotel, and a secluded hideaway. Black and white predominate in the individually decorated guest rooms, with muted grays and lightish-brown hues softening the effect. The main house, an 1890 Queen Anne, contains more than half the rooms, whose features vary. Two newer structures hold Zen Suites, all of which have private gardens and deep granite soaking tubs. Some Zen suites face Calabazas Creek (these are the most desirable); others have interior courtyard views. Magnolia, oak, and other trees shade the backyard and its swimming pool and hot tub area.

Pros

  • Short walk to Glen Ellen restaurants, shops, and tasting rooms
  • Swimming pool and hot tub area
  • Freshly baked cookies and afternoon wine hour

Cons

  • Sound carries in the main house
  • Least expensive rooms are on the small side
  • Oriented more toward couples than families with children
13540 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen, CA, 95442, USA
707-935–0237
Hotel Details
23 rooms
Free Breakfast

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The George

$$$ | 492 Randolph St., Napa, CA, 94559, USA

Tall palms tower over this restored three-story boutique inn, an elaborate 1891 Queen Anne–style structure once dubbed "the handsomest house in town.” The inn is decorated in a palette of soft whites, grays, and occasional browns, and the guest rooms contain custom-made beds with plush headboards outfitted with top-of-the-line mattresses and bedding. Each room enchants in its way. A second-floor corner room, for instance, has a rounded-bay-window sitting area, a marble-clad shower for two, and a generous spaciousness that makes it ideal for extended stays. A smaller third-floor accommodation in the middle of the house, its ceilings at artistically odd angles, is a cozy delight for one or two nights.

Pros

  • Period character with contemporary style
  • In a quiet neighborhood but only a few blocks from downtown
  • High ceilings add to feeling of spaciousness

Cons

  • First come, first served on-site parking (though ample street spaces in vicinity)
  • No elevator (but one ground-floor ADA room)
  • Per website, inn “is best suited for guests over 12"
492 Randolph St., Napa, CA, 94559, USA
707-596–5168
Hotel Details
9 rooms
Free Breakfast

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Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza

$$$ | 112 Matheson St., Healdsburg, CA, 95448, USA

A sensible choice if you'll be dining in town during your stay, this inn across from Healdsburg Plaza, part of the Four Sisters Collection of California lodgings, occupies a 19th-century former office building. The rooms, done in muted yellow shades, have high ceilings and electric or gas fireplaces and retain some original architectural elements. Wine and hors d'oeuvres are served each late afternoon, and guests take breakfast (included in the rate) in their lodgings or the second-floor sunroom.

Pros

  • Central location
  • Late-afternoon wine hour and freshly baked cookies
  • Online deals when booking directly

Cons

  • Slightly impersonal feel for this type of inn
  • No dedicated parking
  • Minimum-stay requirement on weekends
112 Matheson St., Healdsburg, CA, 95448, USA
707-433–6991
Hotel Details
12 rooms
Free Breakfast

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The Highlands

$ | 14000 Woodland Dr., Guerneville, CA, 95446, USA

Two hoteliers with an eye for low-budget panache teamed up to rejuvenate the decades-old cabins at this redwood-studded hillside (TV-free) adult property near downtown and the main Russian River beach. One of the proprietors, Crista Luedtke, also operates the nearby Boon Hotel + Spa and Boon Eat + Drink restaurants. Retro touches like burlwood coffee tables, redwood paneling, Formica tables, and floral curtains evoke Guerneville's mid-century casual-resort era, while the LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere recalls the area's 1970s and 1980s heyday. Two accommodations are small (but good for solo travelers), and pets are only permitted in three rooms. The room rate includes a continental breakfast.

Pros

  • 11 glamping tents available mid-spring to mid-fall
  • Pool and pool lounge
  • LGBTQ-friendly

Cons

  • Weekend minimum-stay requirement
  • Some rooms small (but good for solo travelers) and only three pet-friendly
  • Per website all guests must be at least 18 years old
14000 Woodland Dr., Guerneville, CA, 95446, USA
707-869–0333
Hotel Details
15 cabins
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $

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The Inn at Occidental

$$ | 3657 Church St., Occidental, CA, 95465, USA

Quilts, folk art, and original paintings and photographs fill this colorful inn up the hill from Occidental's shops and restaurants. An air of relaxed refinement prevails amid the whimsical antiques and fine Asian rugs in the ground-floor living room. Rooms are divided between ones in the main Victorian home and newer courtyard ones occupying a chocolate-brown board-and-batten structure behind it. Some rooms—such as Cirque du Sonoma, with a bright yellow-and-red color scheme—brim with personality; others are more sedate. Most are spacious, with private decks and jetted tubs; all are comfortable and have fireplaces. Good for families and groups, the two-bedroom Sonoma Cottage, whose decor is more straightforward contemporary than the other accommodations, sits next to the main house. Pets are allowed in the cottage and a few designated rooms for an additional fee.

Pros

  • Filling breakfast with hot entrée
  • Most rooms have private decks
  • Quiet setting

Cons

  • Not for those with minimalist tastes
  • Not for kids
  • No pool
3657 Church St., Occidental, CA, 95465, USA
707-874–1047
Hotel Details
17 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Inn at Sonoma

$$ | 630 Broadway, Sonoma, CA, 95476, USA

Little luxuries delight at this well-run inn ¼ mile south of Sonoma Plaza whose guest rooms, softly lit and done in pastels, have comfortable beds topped with feather comforters and plenty of pillows. The rooms aren’t huge, but you'd be hard-pressed to find this much charm for the price elsewhere in town. Part of the Four Sisters Inns chain of small hotels in popular vacation destinations, this property has an exceptionally gracious staff. The inn isn’t the Sonoma Plaza area’s most intimate lodging, but it feels cozy, and a full breakfast is laid out every morning.

Pros

  • Direct-booking discount through inn’s website
  • Freshly baked cookies, afternoon wine hour
  • Good soundproofing blocks out Broadway street noise

Cons

  • On a busy street rather than right on the plaza
  • Pet-friendly rooms book up quickly
  • Some rooms on the small side
630 Broadway, Sonoma, CA, 95476, USA
707-939–1340
Hotel Details
27 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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The Inn on First

$$ | 1938 1st St., Napa, CA, 94559, USA

Guests gush over the hospitality at this inn, where the painstakingly restored 1905 mansion facing 1st Street contains five rooms, with five additional accommodations, all suites, in a building behind a secluded patio and garden. A welcome and romantic modern touch are the whirlpool tubs, two heart-shaped, with space for two. (With one exception, in the mansion, the tubs are in the main room, not the bathroom.) The rooms all have gas fireplaces as well.

Pros

  • Full breakfasts
  • Gas fireplaces and whirlpool tubs in all rooms
  • Away from downtown but not too far

Cons

  • No TVs
  • Some noise between rooms
  • Lacks pool, fitness center, and other amenities of larger properties
1938 1st St., Napa, CA, 94559, USA
707-253–1331
Hotel Details
10 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Inn on Randolph

$$$ | 411 Randolph St., Napa, CA, 94559, USA

A few calm blocks from the downtown action on a nearly 1-acre lot with landscaped gardens, the Inn on Randolph—with a Gothic revival–style main house and its five guest rooms plus five historic cottages out back—is a sophisticated haven known for its gourmet gluten-free breakfasts and snacks. Well-placed splashes of color jazz up the earth tones of the plush accommodations. Seven rooms have a gas fireplace; in the main house's Hannah Moore room, named for a member of the family that owned the property for nearly a century, dark tile surrounding the fireplace spans floor to ceiling without a mantel, a striking effect. In keeping with the rest of the inn, the bathrooms, all with heated floors, are contemporary, stylish, and spick-and-span. All the cottages and two rooms in the main house have spa tubs.

Pros

  • Quiet residential neighborhood
  • Spa tubs in cottages and two main-house rooms
  • Romantic setting

Cons

  • A bit of a walk from downtown
  • Expensive in-season
  • Weekend minimum-stay requirement
411 Randolph St., Napa, CA, 94559, USA
707-257–2886
Hotel Details
10 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Inn St. Helena

$$$ | 1515 Main St., St. Helena, CA, 94574, USA

A large room at this spiffed-up downtown St. Helena inn is named for author Ambrose Bierce (The Devil's Dictionary), who lived in the main Victorian structure in the early 1900s, but sensitive hospitality and modern amenities are what make a stay worth writing home about. The main home, built in 1872, contains four rooms, a cottage house nearby holds three, and there's a large loft studio with a kitchen. Some rooms are painted in soft gray tones, others in rich yellow pastels. The decor acknowledges the period but with contemporary flair, and the owner and staff aim to please.

Pros

  • Aim-to-please staff and owner
  • Outdoor porch and swing
  • Convenient to shops, tasting rooms, and restaurants

Cons

  • No pool, gym, room service, or other typical amenities
  • Two-night minimum on weekends (three or four with Monday holiday)
  • No kids under 16
1515 Main St., St. Helena, CA, 94574, USA
707-963–3003
Hotel Details
8 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

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Maison Fleurie

$$ | 6529 Yount St., Yountville, CA, 94599, USA

A stay at this comfortable, reasonably priced inn, said to be the oldest hotel in the Napa Valley, places you within walking distance of Yountville's fine restaurants. Rooms at this Four Sisters Inns property are in three buildings: the main house, built as the Magnolia Hotel in 1873; the Bakery Building, thought to have housed the Magnolia's bakery for a time; and the Carriage House. These structures all share a French country style but vary dramatically in size and amenities. The most spacious rooms, in the Bakery Building and Carriage House, with private entrances, decks, and fireplaces, provide great value for their price. The five smallest ones, four Petite Queens (10x12 feet with no televisions) and the even smaller but ever-so-darling Garrett Queen (9x9 feet but with a TV), represent Yountville's best lodging bargains.

Pros

  • Smallest rooms a bargain
  • Outdoor hot tub and pool
  • Free bikes

Cons

  • Lacks amenities of a full-service hotel
  • Some rooms pick up noise from nearby Bouchon Bakery
  • Hard to book in high season
6529 Yount St., Yountville, CA, 94599, USA
707-944–2056
Hotel Details
13 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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Meadowlark Country House & Resort

$$ | 601 Petrified Forest Rd., Calistoga, CA, 94515, USA

A charming European gent runs this informal yet sophisticated inn on 20 wooded acres 1½ miles north of downtown. The accommodations range from rooms and suites to a spacious pool house. Decorated in an eclectic style in pastel shades with a wisp of Asian influence, the rooms, some of which have four-poster beds, fireplaces, or both, simultaneously feel "just like home" and special. Some rooms have outdoor decks or patios where you can enjoy the breezes, and most have whirlpool tubs large enough for two. The outdoor pool, hot tub, and sauna, open to all guests, are clothing-optional.

Pros

  • Social atmosphere during tasty full breakfasts
  • Many repeat customers
  • Serene setting

Cons

  • Clothing-optional pool policy isn't for everyone
  • Adults-only (18-plus) policy
  • Maximum occupancy in most rooms is two
601 Petrified Forest Rd., Calistoga, CA, 94515, USA
707-942–5651
Hotel Details
10 rooms
Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $$

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