Built in 1927, the Sonoma Mission Inn is a renowned resort in the heart of Sonoma County. Fairmont took over the 11-acre property in 2004, adding its own special touches and giving the resort a complete renovation in 2014. One of the few resort complexes in Sonoma County, the expansive property is meant to feel like home with a living room-style lobby, fire pits for gatherings (and S'mores!), and special events to gather guests together, such as complimentary wine tastings each night. The property focuses its attention of its Sonoma location with wine pairings, wine in the rooms, and wine events, as well as the beautiful temperate weather that calls for outdoor activities. Complimentary guided hikes, bicycling tours, and a host of outdoor activities – including a swimming pool — are available for families to enjoy the Californian sun year-round.
Starting at 368 square feet, these rooms feature two queen beds to sleep four. Some of these rooms offer fireplaces and all of the rooms feature garden views.
Offering 550 square feet of space, these studio suites provide a king bed and a sitting area with a sofa bed. The suites have garden views and a fireplace, as well as a patio or balcony with French doors.
Providing a separate bedroom with a king bed and a living room with a sleeper sofa, fireplace and dining table, these suites are 600 square feet in size. The suites overlook the gardens and some have patios or balconies.
Cribs and rollaway beds are available; fees apply for rollaway beds.
Stayed here on a Thursday and Friday for a getaway with my partner. The grounds are lovely. We enjoyed Sante (their restaurant) and the spa and both were superb. Our room was clean, but the water pressure and frankly the amenities for the price point were off (even in wine country). In addition we reported a few things to the front desk who thanked us but never got back to us, nor fixed them. For $500+ a night, the entire experience should be special. There are other great wine country options and I'd recommend looking around a bit more if you've got the time.
My husband had a conference here so I tagged along and made it a vacation. The property is beautiful and the staff were very helpful. We paid $39 to use the spa facilities for the day which we thoroughly enjoyed. We would definitely go back!
The resort's main pool is the heart of the action at the Fairmont, with many children found playing with inflatable toys. Cabanas are available to rent by the day and come with fans, TVs, and a small refrigerator stocked with bottled water and soda. There is also an adults-only pool.
Families may enjoy the resort's bicycles, which include infant seats and kid sizes. An 11-mile morning bike tour is offered on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and weekends, from 8 to 10 a.m. The rides include water and teens ages 16 and up are welcome to join. Reservations must be made in advance.
Complimentary guided hikes are available daily, but space is limited and reservations must be made in advance. Hikes include transportation to and from trailheads. Kids must be 10 or older to participate. Private and custom hikes are available by request.
Two tennis courts at the Sonoma Golf Club are reserved for guests of the Fairmont between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. There is a court fee based on an hour of play, and rackets and balls are available to rent. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Fairmont adjoins the Sonoma Golf Club, which offers 177 acres of golfing terrain. The resort offers golf packages, and golf clubs are available to rent.
Kids 5 and under eat free off the kids' menus, while kids age 6 to 11 eat half price off of the regular menu. The Fairmont's Lifestyle Cuisine healthy menu extends to the children's menu, providing healthy twists to help kids meet their daily recommended nutritional needs.
Named for the latitude of the 38th parallel in which Sonoma County lies, this evening-only restaurant is the property's upscale steakhouse. As this is Sonoma, wine pairings and an extensive wine list are found here. The modern restaurant uses iPad menus for interactive ordering and service. Dinner is served nightly between 4 and 10 p.m.
Located in the property's golf club, this all-day restaurant provides breakfast, lunch, dinner and light fare. Breakfast is offered between 7 and 11 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner from 3 to 6 p.m.
Just off of the main pool and next to the hotel's iconic water tower, this is the hotspot on the property. A full-service bar, it offers sandwiches, salads and fruit smoothies for poolside and al fresco dining. The bar is open, weather permitting, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
The resort's Michelin-rated restaurant requires reservations and is best-suited for adults and older children when dining for dinner. Open from 6 to 9 p.m. nightly, the dining room uses local and fresh foods and seafood and remains on "Best of" lists year after year. The restaurant features Winemaker dinner events each month. A seven-course wine pairing dinner is available. The dining room is also open from breakfast daily, between 7 and 11 a.m., providing an a la carte menu outside near the pool.
The resort charges a daily resort fee of $25. This fee provides guests with internet access, self-parking, shuttle service, and the free activities and amenities.
The property is pet-friendly, with two pets allowed per guestroom ($50 each for the stay). Pet bowls and water and food dishes are available.
The hotel can provide nanny or babysitting recommendations through its partner networks, Nanny on Call and All About Kids.
Summer is peak season at the Sonoma Inn, with September and October also crowded due to crush/harvest season for the winemakers. The best time to visit for the best rates are November through early December, and again in the spring months.
The closest international airport to the property is San Francisco International Airport. Oakland International Airport is another option.
The resort offers free shuttle service to Sonoma Place and Sonoma Golf Club. It also provides complimentary limo service in a Cadillac within a 5-mile radius. Self- and valet parking are available, with a fee for valet service.
The Willow Stream Spa features mineral hot springs and has been ranked one of the best spas in the country; don't miss it! The spa is 40,000 square feet with 30 full spa treatments and a fitness center. Children under 18 are not allowed in the spa.