Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

“Can I get you a glass of sparkling wine? It’s from Gloria Ferrer just down the road.”  Max at reception smiles, the reception area is small, but they deftly get everyone though. My teenage daughters looks over at me. “And for you, he says looking at my girls, we have sparkling apple juice”.

We’re at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in Northern California, and I’m here to relax and enjoy wine country. Our bags taken care of, we sit in the airy lobby to just enjoy being in the heart of Sonoma County. We’re actually in Sonoma proper, a city of about 10,000 which has a colourful Mexican colonial past.

Max is right, we had just passed Gloria Ferrer and I was very tempted to stop by, but we were running late and I wanted to check into the hotel. I wondered for a minute if Max had read my mind. Then he told me that every afternoon a local winery stops by and hosts a wine tasting for adult guests. The girls are busy browsing the activity schedule and look very grown up with their sparkling juice which looks like champagne mum. Yes, I think I’m going to like it here.

They quickly go to check out the main pool (It’s a natural hot spring mum!). My husband and I begin to relax, which turns out to be the theme of our stay.

Before we head to our room, I talk with Debra the concierge about our plans for the week. My husband and I had booked a “date night” later on in the week at the girl and the fig on the historic Sonoma Square, but for tonight we wanted something causal for the family. Debra pointed us in the direction of La Hacienda, a brightly decorated traditional Mexican restaurant. Also key they serve several kinds of margaritas!

I also decide that I can’t come to a top Spa and NOT book a treatment. Kids need to wait until they turn 18 to use the spa, but it had my name all over it and I booked a 90-minute session. The resort is built above an ancient thermal mineral spring that flows from 335 metres below. The naturally hot artesian water has more than 25 minerals, and it is pumped into all 3 of the resorts swimming pools. Native Americans heralded it for its healing power. 

Next, we are off to check out our rooms, which were done up in the 5* style that I would expect from the Fairmont. I know the brand well, having worked at the San Jose hotel whilst at University, and we have stayed at several including the Fairmont, Kea Lani in Maui.

We have 2 very comfortable queen beds and French doors lead to a bathroom with plush terry robes and sandals. I was so pleased to see my favourite Le Labo cosmetics, Rose 31 eau de parfum, which features 31 ingredients which is made with rose cumin, cedar and amber and smells heavenly. There’s a Keurig coffee maker, specialty teas and a bottle of Trinity Oaks Cabernet.

The hotel has bundled several popular amenities and activities into one “resort fee”. It includes basic wifi (if you join the Accor loyalty club you can upgrade for no charge). The  fee also covers complimentary use of the resort’s bicycles. We borrowed them one morning before it heated up and rode into town to check out its famous historical town square. Another highlight is the free daily docent-led hikes. We signed up and got up early one morning and took the resort shuttle bus to Jack London State Historic Park. Our guide was very knowledgeable and we hiked for about 2 hours amongst redwoods. There are also daily complimentary yoga classes – we had good intentions with slept though these! You can also take the resort shuttle into town. We took full advantage of this on our “date night” to eat at the girl and the fig. Our driver even came to pick us up when we were finished.

Below are some pics from our stay. We had a great time and I can’t wait to go back!

My 16-year-old’s perspective

I really enjoyed riding bikes into town to the Sonoma Plaza passing the pretty landscapes and surrounding area. We borrowed bicycles from the valet people and set off, riding through roads, paths and fields. We also stopped for a picnic lunch.

My 13-year-old’s perspective

The pool at the Sonoma Mission Inn was the favourite part of our stay! The water is from a natural hot spring and full of minerals and very good for you. It’s a big pool and the water was warm like bath water which was AMAZING!

 

My 14-year-old’s perspective

We joined the daily hike to Jack London State Historic Park. First we drove 15 minutes from the hotel and had a quick safety briefing. The actual hike was an hour and was very scenic and everyone was nice. We stopped frequently to learn about Jack London and the redwoods. It was good for all ages (ever my mum who is a really slow walker).

IF YOU GO

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa 100 Boyes Blvd, Sonoma, CA 95476 +1  (707) 938-9000 https://www.fairmont.com/sonoma

Willow Stream Spa 100 Boyes Blvd, Sonoma, CA 95476 +1  (707) 938-9000 https://www.fairmont.com/sonoma/willow-stream

Sonoma Tuesday Night Market in the Plaza http://www.sonomaplazamarket.org

Larson Family Winery 23355 Millerick Rd, Sonoma, CA 95476 +1 (707) 938-3031 http://www.larsonfamilywinery.com

Nicholson Ranch Winery 4200 Napa Rd, Sonoma, CA 95476 +1 (707) 938-8822 http://nicholsonranch.com

The girl and the fig 110 W Spain St, Sonoma, CA 95476 + (707) 938-3634 https://www.thegirlandthefig.com

Taqueria La Hacienda 17960 Sonoma Hwy, Sonoma, CA 95476 + (707) 939-8226 http://www.lahaciendasonoma1.com

El Molino Central 11 Central Ave, Sonoma, CA 95476, USA +1 707-939-1010 http://www.elmolinocentral.com

Jack London State Historic Park 2400 London Ranch Rd, Glen Ellen, CA 95442, USA +1 707-938-5216 http://www.jacklondonpark.com