Hotel Healdsburg

A superb hotel offering the best of gourmet hospitality in haute Healdsburg

Healdsburg is just 75 minutes north of San Francisco and is the epicentre of fine living in Northern Sonoma. A wine capital, it is sited at the confluence of 3 wine-producing regions - Russian River, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley - each with its own grape varietal. There are 30 different tasting rooms in town, as well as wonderful restaurants, designer shops, galleries and a farmer's market twice weekly in season.

Upscale Hotel Healdsburg is right on the historic town plaza, and has 55 modern classic rooms and suites with sleek spacious bathrooms. The hotel is spread out over 3 floors and has pretty big grounds, gardens, a heated pool and luxurious vine-wrapped spa. Fabulous flower displays grace the common areas, colours are warm olive and wood. Artwork is present but not overwhelming, so the overall effect is of tranquil, effortless chic. Celebrity chef (and co-owner) Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen restaurant brings the fruits of outstanding local produce to the table, perfectly paired with local appellation wines. After dinner, hang out in the Grand Fireside Lounge with a cocktail from the bar, listening to a jazz trio, before retiring to your supremely comfortable feather platform bed dressed in Frette linen. I slept 10 hours straight, which is unheard of!

Highs

• Excellent food and wine at the acclaimed Dry Creek Kitchen
• Full service hotel with lovely spa (great regionally inspired treatments include wine-and-honey wraps), heated 60' outdoor pool, fitness centre, valet parking and dedicated concierge
• Rooms and suites feel like private havens, with just the right amount of creature comforts, and not cluttered with gadgets and geegaws
• Ideal for couples, gourmands and groups of friends
• Good professional friendly service - this not a pretentious snooty place despite its posh attributes

Lows

• Front-facing rooms are likely to experience noise from the buzzy town plaza. If you're a light sleeper book a Courtyard-facing room or suite
• Bit pricey but you get a lot of bang for your buck
• Not ideal for families, although they are welcome (families may prefer to stay at sister hotel h2hotel
• Atmospheric (dim!) lighting at breakfast and in rooms may not suit everybody, although we didn't mind
• You'll need a car to get here and to explore the area although airport transfers are available