6 Family Friendly Hotels in Sonoma County

Struggling to keep the whole crew content? These hotels take the fuss out of your family vacation.

Aerial view of the pool.
Aerial view of the pool.

Family Vacation
Family Vacation

When my husband and I were first married, taking off for a spur of the moment weekend trip wasn’t a problem – we just went. But then we had kids, and things got complicated.

Now, I know couples who have no issue taking their newborn with them wherever they go; smiling through the constant diaper changes and feedings – but my husband and I were never those kind of parents…not even close.

Fortunately, there are plenty of hotels in Sonoma County that understand that it can be a struggle to keep the whole crew content, and they’re more than happy to help out. Here are 6 local hotels that have the kind of family-friendly amenities that will make a trip with the kids a rousing success – or, at the very least, a lot less stressful: 

The Inn at the Tides – Bodega Bay

The Inn at the Tides.
The Inn at the Tides in Bodega Bay. (Photo courtesy of The Inn at the Tides)

This is a great hotel for a sea-loving family. When you’re done building castles in the sand and running around on the beach, there’s an arcade game room to entertain older kids and an outdoor pool for everyone. I like that this hotel is an easy 13 mile drive from the Korbel Champagne Cellars, and my husband likes that it’s near Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve so he can take the boys hiking.

Deluxe room.
Deluxe room. (Photo courtesy of The Inn at the Tides)

The Inn at the Tides family friendly amenities include: an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, complimentary cribs or infant beds in the room, and laundry facilities (any parent with younger kids knows that the laundry facilities are like a golden ticket).

Aerial view of the pool.
Aerial view of the pool at The Inn at the Tides. (Photo courtesy of The Inn at the Tides)

Even the most sullen teenager will crack a smile when they get a load of this pool, and the view beyond.

Reserve your family-friendly room: The Inn at the Tides 800 Coast Hwy One, Bodega Bay, Ca 94923, 800-916-4339, innatthetides.com

Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa – Santa Rosa

Flamingo Hotel
The Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa. (Photo courtesy of Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa)

It may be the mid-century modern architecture, or the large obelisk with neon signs, but The Flamingo Hotel always makes me think of old Las Vegas. This resort-style hotel is located close to downtown Santa Rosa, and within easy driving distance to all sorts of family fun, like the Charles Schultz museum, Howarth Park, and the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County.

Room at the Flamingo.
Room at the Flamingo in Santa Rosa. (Photo courtesy of Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa)

The Flamingo’s family-friendly amenities include: Outdoor pools, children’s pool free Wi-Fi, outdoor tennis courts, laundry facilities, babysitting or childcare, refrigerator in room, and a microwave (on request). It may seem like a simple thing, but the microwave is a big deal if you have kids who snack (all the time, every day) making it possible for you to reheat leftovers at 10 p.m., instead of calling room service, again.

Pool at the Flamingo.
Pool at the Flamingo Hotel. (Photo courtesy of Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa)

It doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of October, Sonoma County is still warm enough to justify an afternoon dip in the pool. There’s plenty of space to lounge by the pool at the Flamnigo while watching the kids swim, or fit in some exercise by doing a couple of laps.

Reserve your family-friendly room: 2777 4th St, Santa Rosa, CA 95405, (707) 545-8530. www.flamingoresort.com

Inn at Sonoma, A Four Sisters Inn – Sonoma

Inn at Sonoma, A Four Sisters Inn
Inn at Sonoma, A Four Sisters Inn. (Photo courtesy of Inn at Sonoma, a Four Sisters Inn)

The Inn at Sonoma is one of the more upscale family getaways in Sonoma County, and they’ll welcome you and your brood with open arms. I appreciate the proximity to Sonoma Plaza (only two blocks away) and that the hotel has bikes for riding around downtown or on the mile-long bike path by the hotel.

Room at Inn of Sonoma
Inn at Sonoma guest room. (Photo courtesy of Inn at Sonoma)

The Inn at Sonoma, A Four Sisters Inn’s family-friendly amenities include: High-speed Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast as well as a complimentary manager’s reception, a library, coffee, tea and cookies in a common area – and plenty of bottled water (if there’s a chance to stow some water bottles in my bag, I always do – the boys run wild wherever we go, and one of them will inevitably claim that they’re absolutely parched).

Hot tub.
Hot tub at The Inn at Sonoma. (Photo courtesy of The Inn at Sonoma)

There’s no pool at the Inn at Sonoma, but there is an outdoor, uncovered hot tub on the second floor of the main inn building. This is definitely a much appreciated adult-only amenity.

Reserve your family-friendly room: Inn at Sonoma, A Four Sisters Inn, 630 Broadway, Sonoma, CA 95476, (707) 939-1340. www.innatsonoma.com

Holiday Inn Express Windsor Sonoma Wine Country – Windsor

Holiday Inn Express Windsor Sonoma Wine Country
Holiday Inn Express Windsor Sonoma Wine Country. (Photo courtesy of Holiday Inn Express Windsor Sonoma Wine Country)

In my experience, Holiday Inn can be hit-or-miss. But their services have improved considerably, and they remain a family-friendly hotel chain. The Holiday Inn Express in Windsor is an affordable wine country option, within close proximity to hundreds of wineries, and to Santa Rosa and Healdsburg.

Room at the Holiday Inn Express Windsor Sonoma Wine Country.
Room at the Holiday Inn Express Windsor Sonoma Wine Country.

The Holiday Inn Express Windsor Sonoma Wine Country’s family-friendly amenities include: Outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, refrigerator, and microwave. The rooms are basic – but they have what you need to recharge for a day of new adventures.

Pool at the Holiday Inn Express Windsor Sonoma Wine Country.
Pool at the Holiday Inn Express Windsor Sonoma Wine Country.

If your kids want to take a break from exploring the surrounding area, this pool is the perfect place to spend a balmy afternoon.

Reserve your family-friendly room: Holiday Inn Express Windsor Sonoma Wine Country. 8865 Conde Ln, Windsor, CA 95492, (707) 837-0808. www.ihg.com

Fountaingrove Inn Hotel & Conference Center – Santa Rosa

Fountaingrove Inn Hotel & Conference Center
Fountaingrove Inn Hotel & Conference Center in Santa Rosa. (Photo courtesy of Fountaingrove Inn Hotel & Conference Center)

The architecture at the Fountaingrove Inn will add an eclectic element to your family holiday. While located only 5 miles from downtown Santa Rosa, this hotel feels a world away from anything everyday.

Fountaingrove Inn Hotel & Conference Center
Fountaingrove Inn Hotel & Conference Center

The Fountaingrove Inn Hotel & Conference Center’s family-friendly amenities include: free Wi-Fi, in-room childcare (there is a surcharge for this), in-room refrigerator, and complimentary cribs or infant beds. The infant bed is a fantastic addition if you aren’t a fan of co-sleeping (although, when we go somewhere new, my kids always crawl into bed with us to feel safe).

Bar at the Fountaingrove Inn Hotel & Conference Center
Bar at the Fountaingrove Inn Hotel & Conference Center

The in-room childcare comes in handy when you want to spend some time at the Fountaingrove Inn bar lounge.

Reserve your family-friendly room: Fountaingrove Inn Hotel & Conference Center, 101 Fountaingrove Pkwy, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. (707) 578-6101. www.fountaingroveinn.com

Hotel Healdsburg – Healdsburg

Hotel Healdsburg.
Hotel Healdsburg. (Photo courtesy of Hotel Healdsburg)

Hotel Healdsburg is hands-down the fanciest hotel on this list, but if you’re headed to Healdsburg you may as well stay in style. The hotel has a full-service spa, complimentary bikes available to use around town, gourmet breakfast, and a craft cocktail bar. Sure, the kids will have fun, but it’s the adults who will be the big winners on this vacation.

Room at the Hotel Healdsburg.
Room at the Hotel Healdsburg.

The Hotel Healdsburg’s family-friendly amenities include: an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, complimentary cribs or infant beds, and an in-room DVD player. The rooms have a sleek modern design, and the Premier King room is decorated with paintings by local artist Wade Hoefer.

Pool at the Healdsburg.
Pool at the Healdsburg Hotel.

This sixty-foot pool is surrounded by a landscaped garden, and the pool bar is open for drinks and dining service during the summer. Soak in the jacuzzi while the kids are swimming. Who said vacationing with children couldn’t be relaxing?

Reserve your family-friendly room: Hotel Healdsburg, 25 Matheson St, Healdsburg, CA 95448, (707) 431-2800. www.hotelhealdsburg.com

Looking for some family-friendly things to do in Sonoma County? Click here!