Summer is in full swing and Sonoma County hotel properties are giving folks near and far a plethora of reasons to plan a trip to Wine Country. From renovations and re-openings, to pool parties and craft cocktails, here are nine options worth adding to your summer to-do list.
Small But Mighty
The Stavrand is the first and only Sonoma County hotel to be welcomed into the Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) portfolio. SLH is comprised of 570 independent hotels in over 90 countries; every property is visited, verified and vetted.
Dating back to the early 1920s, the Guerneville property includes the local landmark Belden House, a Mission Revival home designed by architect John Carl Warnecke as a country retreat for Guerneville banker Ralph “Rooster” Belden and his family. It was converted into a bed and breakfast in the early 1980s. The hotel features 21 renovated rooms in three buildings. 13555 Highway 116, Guerneville, 707-869-9093, thestavrand.com
Cheers to Curated Cocktails
Farmhouse Inn is shaking up summer with the introduction of a new craft cocktail program. Long known for its extensive wine list, the boutique hotel in Forestville never offered cocktails until now. A couple of our favorite current offerings include the Porch Swing with vodka and housemade lavender lemonade ($17) and Gin & Juice with gin, elderflower and Gewurztraminer grape juice ($17). Expect new things to sip as the seasons change, with herbs and flowers grown on property thrown into the mix. 7871 River Road, Forestville, 707-887-3300, farmhouseinn.com
Personalized, Epicurean Experiences
The list of reasons to head to Healdsburg for dinner just keeps getting longer. Studio Cellar DCK is the latest culinary creation from chef Charlie Palmer and Dry Creek Kitchen executive chef Shane McAnelly. Held in Hotel Healdsburg’s Wine Library, the private dining experience digs deep into the likes and dislikes of guests to create a personalized seven-course food and wine tasting menu.
Inspired by the season, menus will always vary, but think offerings the likes of a dayboat scallop served with parsnip, Preston Farm’s strawberry, vanilla bean and verjus, along with akamutsu crudo with cucumber, green coriander, radish and sea bean.
Pastry chef Taylor Kelley delivers a sweet ending with desserts like her Valrhona chocolate cheesecake with almond rocher, mascarpone mousse and cherry gel; wine director Jon Macklem pairs each course with a Sonoma County wine.
Studio Cellar DCK is available Wednesday through Saturday evenings for a minimum of six and a maximum of 10 guests. Cost is $295 per person, including the wine pairing. Tax and gratuity is extra. 317 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-431-0330, drycreekkitchen.com
Bienvenidos Arandas!
The former Chalkboard space inside Hotel Les Mars in Healdsburg has been re-imagined and reopened as Arandas, a Mexican-inspired eatery. Leading the kitchen is chef Adrien Nieto, perhaps best known for his appearances on “MasterChef” in 2011. Many of the dishes on the menu have a story; the recipe for Salsa de Alma comes from Nieto’s mother, while the Papas (seasoned potatoes) were inspired by a dish Nieto apparently tasted at a bar in Oaxaca.
We recommend opting for the Chef’s Tasting Menu. Ask for it. It wasn’t on the menu when we visited, but was offered word of mouth. It’s a tasty way to try a little bit of everything. 29 North St., Healdsburg, 707-473-8030, arandashealdsburg.com
Public Art Project
A temporary mural by local artist Maria de Los Angeles is set to be unveiled Aug. 23 at Harmon Guest House in Healdsburg. Raised in Santa Rosa, the artist is working with the public to create the mural; a series of workshops were held earlier this month during which community members learned new painting techniques and contributed ideas for the temporary work of art.
The mural and artwork from the community gatherings will be on view at Harmon Guest House through Nov. 15. 227 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, 707-922-5449, harmonguesthouse.com
Make a Splash
Every Sunday afternoon through the end of September, the Flamingo Resort & Spa is hosting DJ parties at its central pool. A different DJ will perform every week. Tickets (from $51.07) are available via Eventbrite. Don’t forget your swimsuit and a towel. 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-545-8530, flamingoresort.com
Celebrating 50 Years
The Sandman is turning 50. To mark the milestone, the Santa Rosa hotel, located just off Highway 101, is holding a 1970s-themed party on Saturday, Aug. 24. The public is welcome to attend for free with RSVP. 3421 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-293-2100, sandmansantarosa.com
Fresh New Look
Sonoma’s El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen is showing off its 27 redesigned guest rooms, and its takeout-only EDK Cantina is also back at it, serving a Mexican and Latin-inspired menu including quesabirria tacos, nachos and sopes. (Hotel guests can enjoy EDK Cantina’s menu poolside.)
Located steps off Sonoma Plaza, the refresh is the first of a two-phase renovation project. Come January, public spaces including the lobby, pool and El Dorado Kitchen will get a facelift.
Built in the mid-1800s, the El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen is a National Historic Landmark. The property was once the home of Salvador Vallejo, Gen. Mariano Vallejo’s brother, and among other things a college, before becoming a hotel. 405 First St. West, Sonoma, 707-996-3030, eldoradosonoma.com
New Glampground
The Russian River’s Wildhaven Sonoma has opened a second location, just under an hour’s drive (without traffic) from the Arch Rock Entrance to Yosemite National Park. The 36-acre property, located a mile from the national park gateway town of Mariposa, features 30 platform tents and a dozen cabins. With the feel of a tiny home, the cabin accommodations feature electricity, heat and air-conditioning, so they’ll be available to book year-round. Cabins also boast kitchenettes and bathrooms.
Starting rates for glamping tents is $99; cabin rates begin at $199. 4808 Highway 140, Mariposa, 209-966-4808, wildhavenyosemite.com