We were so excited when our friends invited us out for dinner at The French Laundry, a 3- Star Michelin restaurant in Yountville, CA near Napa Valley. We ultimately decided on spending more time in Northern California to explore the Wine Country has to offer, which is what led us to the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn.
Located in Sonoma proper, this gorgeous hotel is only 30 minutes away from the lush vineyards of Napa Valley. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I love Fairmont hotels, which is why choosing to stay at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn was a no-brainer. Fairmont’s super pet-friendly policies make traveling with our little dog Maple so enjoyable, and their impeccable services make every stay a memorable experience.
Brief History
Extending over 13-acres of California sun, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is a gorgeous Spanish Colonial Revival that has plenty to offer. With beautiful gardens, world-class restaurants, and the smells of fresh flowers from the lush garden, it is clear why I felt so rejuvenated after my lovely stay. But something this hotel also boasts is a fascinating history. Built to be an accurate replica of a Spanish mission, the resort itself dates back to the early 1900s, even though the property’s actual history goes back much further. This special place was once an outpost for the Mexican military in the 19th century before it was absorbed by the United States after the Mexican-American War. It later witnessed the Gold Rush, the Great Depression, the construction of the original Boyes Hot Springs Hotel, the hotel’s tragic demise, and finally the grand opening of the beautiful estate we see today.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa resides within the neighborhood of Boyes Hot Springs, (however, more on that in just a few). In 1928, the Sonoma Mission Inn founded its golf club, which stands today as a modern relic of golf architecture. It is timeless club, pristine course, and immaculate grounds extend across 177 acres of freshly trimmed green.
Covid Protocols
As with most people traveling today, COVID-19 protocols were a big factor for us when choosing where to stay. Although I have full confidence in Fairmount to provide a perfect (& safe) stay, I did my research and was amazed by how far and beyond the resort’s team went to ensure our safety. Wherever we went, physical distancing and facemasks were strictly enforced, and we were given a full screening upon our arrival. Our rooms were cleaned regularly with EPA-registered disinfectant chemicals and all of our soft-goods underwent a “resting period” of 48 hours to ensure zero COVID-19 contamination. Whenever service could be contactless, such as room service or paying the bill at dinner, the resort’s staff provided the safest, socially distanced experience without compromising on hospitality. Lastly, as a nice touch, the staff provided us with a wellness kit in our room that included masks, gloves, sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes.
Our Vineyard King Suite
When we checked-in to our beautiful Vineyard Suite Room, we were warmly greeted by a bottle of sparkling wine. Our suite was adorned with a cozy fireplace, work desk, and sitting area with a plush sofa bed. It also included a bathroom featuring a jacuzzi tub for two and a separate shower. My personal favorite feature in the whole suite was our small outdoor patio that leads to the hotel’s lush gardens. Maple was so happy running in and out of the patio, and I loved smelling the estate’s fresh garden smells in the morning.
The Amazing Spa at Willow Stream Spa
As I previously mentioned, I cannot write a review on the Sonoma Mission Inn without discussing its natural geothermal mineral waters. This Fairmont gem is one of the only resorts in the county with its own source of geothermal mineral water, which proved to work wonders on our aches and pains. As many of you might know, we were in a major car accident on our drive up to Napa Valley, so a day at the hotel’s spa couldn’t have come at a better time. The waters from the Boyes Hot Springs soothed our sore body and brought forth a sense of pure bliss. I spent my time hopping from pool to pool and feeling the varying temperatures treat my achy joints. There are several theories surrounding these waters’ abilities to heal the body, but what I do know for certain is that they come with a special energy. I believe it is Mother Nature doing her magic work! It wouldn’t be a great stay at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn without treating yourself to an unforgettable spa day and taking advantage of all the other treatments the facility has to offer.
Daycation Offering
If you are only able to spend one day in California’s Wine Country but want to get the most out of what it has to offer, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn offers guests daycation packages that will do just the trick. The hotel’s standard daycation cabana comes at only $200 and offers guests access to the outdoor geo-thermal pools, poolside food & drink service, towels, WIFI, and even self-parking. If you are looking to upgrade to an even more luxurious stay, the daycation Spa Pool cabana listed at $300 comes with a premium shaded cabana for up to 6 guests and includes a ceiling fan, personal safe, big screen TV, and refrigerator with complimentary water. You get the same access to the outdoor geothermal pools and other complementary services that come with the standard cabana as well.
Daily Free Wine Tasting
Now, anyone visiting Wine Country must sample some of the local vineyards. Luckily for us, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn brought the vineyard experience to us during our stay. The hotel offers its guests daily free wine tasting (yes, you heard correctly). It was such a treat getting to sample some of the hundreds of local vineyards from the comfort of the hotel’s lobby. If you are a wine lover like I am, make your way to the hotel’s lobby every day from 4:30-5:30 for this wonderful tasting.
Dining
Last but certainly not least, I must mention the hotel’s amazing selection of dining options. For starters, I am a huge fan of breakfast and love getting my day off to a great start. Due to COVID indoor dining restrictions, we had to enjoy most of our delicious breakfasts either in our room or poolside, but that did not detract from our stay. Enjoying a warm cup of coffee with a view of the estate’s gardens was so therapeutic and felt like a spa treatment of its own. But that is just scratching the surface when it comes to dining at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. The hotel is also home to Santé, a AAA Four Diamond Award and Michelin star winning restaurant that boasts the title of being one of the best restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area. Santé serves the culinary magic of Napa Valley ranging from local produce, meat, seafood, and of course: wine! After our delicious meal, we wandered over to 38 North Wine Bar for a post-dinner drink. My attention was immediately focused on the bar’s beautiful mixture of minimalist aesthetics and rustic Spanish Colonial accents. The wine list was fantastic with a wide selection of both local and imported bottles. Few things compare to unwinding with your loved one over a glass of delicious wine and an incredible meal.
After the most perfect and rejuvenating stay, we will definitely be visiting the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn again. The service was absolutely impeccable and the staff couldn’t have been more attentive. Something about the hotel’s architecture and decor makes the entire experience feel like you are at home but with all the amenities of a true spa getaway. The common spaces and our room were immaculately cleaned, and I never once felt unsafe during my stay. Overall, this hotel is a true wellness oasis situated amongst towering trees and lush gardens. Next time we are thinking of flying instead, which is convenient because the hotel is only a short distance from both San Francisco and Oakland airports. Come experience the beauties of Napa and Sonoma Valley from the comfort of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. I promise you; it is the California dream you currently need. I, for one, cannot wait to see myself enjoying the geothermal pools and a glass of California Sparkling wine sometime soon.
1 Comment
Marjorie Renner
April 1, 2021 at 11:00 pmThat place is very inviting. It seems that it offers a lot of luxury services. I’m on for the daily free wine tasting. Are the neighborhood vineyards open for visiting?