Fodor's Expert Review Inn at Occidental

Quilts, folk art, and original paintings and photographs fill this colorful and friendly inn up the hill from the shops and restaurants of tiny Occidental. Although run more like a trad bed-and-breakfast than many of its Sonoma County counterparts—especially in the main 1880s Victorian building it feels you're staying in someone's home—guests have plenty of privacy, and the breakfasts rival the elaborate repasts of the old-school B&B's late-20th-century heyday.

YOU SHOULD KNOW According to the inn's website, "Children 10 and younger as well as well-behaved pets are welcome in the cottage."

room

Rooms are divided between ones in the main Victorian home and ones in a newer chocolate-brown board-and-batten structure behind it. Some rooms—such as the Cirque du Sonoma Room, with a bright yellow-and-red color scheme—brim with personality, and others are more sedate; all are comfortable and have fireplaces. Most rooms are spacious and more than half come with private decks or balconies.

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.

bathroom

All eight of the newer rooms have bathrooms with jetted whirlpool tubs, as do both of the bedrooms in the cottage and three of the eight rooms in the main house (some of which aren't as elaborate). ProNature bath products are laid out on the vanities, which are well lit for shaving and applying makeup.

lobby

Redwoods and other tall trees shade the open-air courtyard between the parking lot and entrance. An air of relaxed refinement prevails amid the whimsical antiques and fine Asian rugs in the ground-floor living room, where guests gather for evening hors d'oeuvres and wine. Check-in takes place at the back of the living room. On the other side of the room, French doors open up to the wide veranda that wraps back around to the front door.

dining

The inn's many repeat customers cite the full gourmet breakfasts as a major reason for their loyalty. The meal unfolds in the atmospheric wine cellar, which despite its name and position under the house has many windows looking out on the grounds. The first course consists of pastries, fruit, yogurt, two types of house-made granola, and juices and coffee served buffet style. Following this, a warm entrée is served, sometimes a sweet one like brioche French toast, at other times a savory item like Sunday's eggs Benedict.

drinking

Wine and cheese are served every evening in the lobby, but there is no bar.