h2hotel

Rooms

The 36 rooms are spread out over 4 floors and all share a spare, fresh aesthetic that doesn't stint on comfort. Highlight colours are lime green and orange; bamboo floors have a warm grain that also adds visual texture to the room.

We loved the details: keycards inserted upon entry turn on lights, heat and air-conditioning; sliding doors with leather hand pulls maximise space. Beds wear soft organic Coyuchi cotton sheets and are backed by padded green headboards. White louvered doors open either to a funky wrought-iron balcony or patio screened by bamboo. Whimsical prints of native tree species inspired by 19th-century botanic illustrations hang in all rooms.

Eco-King rooms make up the majority of accommodations and have walk-in showers in the all-white tiled bathrooms (sinks are a little splashy). Eco-Studios have a Japanese-inspired soaking tub, too. Both categories can be made up as twins.

The Eco-Suites have two rooms each with its own balcony - the front one overlooks the town, the other to the rear and pool - and the bed cannot be converted to a twin. Instead, two bedrooms can be created as the living room has a double sofabed and separate toilet. The large bathroom has a plunge tub as well as double walk-in shower.

Toiletries are of natural ingredients, custom-made for the hotel and in refillable containers (natch). Every room has an ergonomic desk and chair, contemporary furniture is made of reclaimed wood and there are large built in cupboards. You get a glass carafe and glasses to refill at the water bar (located on every floor, with a choice of still or sparkling H20). Note you shouldn't experience street noise or restaurant chatter as all windows are double-glazed to strive to be as environmentally sound as possible; however side and street-facing rooms may get some on busy weekends.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

You eat breakfast in the light-filled Receptobar between 6-10am, or you can take it up to your room. Get there early to make sure you find a full selection and choose from homemade granola, an assortment of yummy pastries and muffins, hard boiled eggs and fruit, juices and local Flying Goat coffee and tea.

Contemporary spoonbar restaurant takes up the rest of the ground floor space; in keeping with the sustainable ethos, its tables are made of reclaimed acacia wood. The menu is modern Mediterranean regional fare and, naturally, changes regularly according to season. Executive Chef Rudy Mihal is passionate about sourcing local ingredients and prides himself on his good relations with local farmers.

We started with the small bites. I had never had deep fried stuffed olives before - a real burst of concentrated flavour - and I loved the spicy lamb meatballs.

Appetizer choices included pork belly with winter squash puree, crab salad with grapefruit, and duck liver pate with local date jam. There's also a seafood selection of local oysters and scallops if you're in a romantic mood. Mains are either grains and pasta (think couscous with aubergine or toasted faro with wild mushrooms) or larger plates such as Moorish style chicken or sea bass with champagne vinaigrette. All dishes are presented simply without pomp, this is a place of relaxed good cheer not formal dining.

You can't stay here without sampling master mixologist Scott Beattie's artisanal cocktails. He fervently believes that 'great cocktails must be made entirely from great ingredients', and regional, organic and sustainable ones to boot - the few spirits from further afield available were considered special enough to import. I spent nearly an hour just reading the absolutely fascinating cocktail menu, which delves into the history of certain potions, and explores both heritage spirits and the newer craft-distilled local spirits. He runs popular cocktail making classes too.

Eating out is an easy alternative with such choice in Healdsburg. Barndiva, which specialises in farm-to-restaurant cuisine, is across a parking lot opposite. The locals like dining at Scopa; Bistro Ralph's is one of the original eateries around the plaza. Sakeo serves sushi.

Features include:

• Bar
• Coffee maker
• Kids' meals
• Organic produce
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• At the Hotel: chill out poolside, or in the colourful lobby over a tea, coffee or snack from the Receptobar
  
  
• Bicycle Bliss: the hotel has Public Bikes to borrow, or you can BYOB (bring your own bike) as h2 has secure bike parking. Explore the town, and nearby wineries; the hotel has 4 suggested bike trails which take you through scenic vineyards
  
  
• Take a Hike: Armstrong Woods State Park outside Guerneville has wonderful redwoods and a range of topography worth a good walk, and you can also see the park on horseback; Sonoma Vineyard Walks arrange 1-3 day walks through vineyards with personal guides that gain you access to private vineyards and winemakers
  
  
• Up, Up and Away: There are rival hot air balloon operators at Sonoma County Airport
  
  
• Gently Down the Stream: Russian River is lovely for kayaking/canoeing and very popular in the summer
  
  
• Spa Moment: Book in advance to get in to The Spa at Hotel Healdsburg just a block away, which has an excellent menu of treatments and soothing massages
  
  
• Shop until you Drop: Healdsburg is renowned for its upscale shopping and galleries showcasing both art and arts and crafts, the hotel can provide you with a list of places to check out, or simply wander up a block up to the main plaza
  
  
• Gourmet Gluttony: No better place to indulge in fine wine and grub than Healdsburg. There are 30 tasting rooms within a stroll of the front door, and almost as many restaurants. Ask if one of Scott Beattie's acclaimed cocktail-making classes is on when you plan to visit

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Hot air ballooning
• Kayaking
• Museums / galleries
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming
• Wine tasting

Kids

Children are very welcome at h2hotel which has a relaxed 'can do' attitude. It's fun, vibrant and in a great location; the only downside is that when we visited, staff weren't as 'full service' as they could have been. We trust that will have improved!

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

The best overall are the Eco Suites, which have a double bedroom and a lounge with double sofa bed. There's plenty of space and they have a bathtub and shower.

Cots Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 20 minutes
• Hospital: 5 minutes
• Closest supermarket: 5 minutes' walk

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

h2hotel centrally located one block from the main town plaza of Healdsburg, one of Northern California's wine capitals, found in Sonoma County, under 2 hours north of San Francisco.

By Air:
International and most domestic travellers will fly either to San Francisco International Airport or Oakland International Airport. Click on the links below for a list of airlines which serve these airports. There are also smaller airports in Sacramento and Santa Rosa (it's about 2 hours from the former and 30 minutes from the latter by car).

By Car
Most guests prefer to hire a car in order to explore NorCal and the Bay Area. See our car rental recommendations. Alternatively, the hotel can arrange a transfer, see Rates.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to California and getting around