Luxury in the Valley of the Moon: the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

The cozy lobby bar at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. Photo by Andrew Collins.

I spent a night not long ago at one of the most historic and esteemed properties in Sonoma County, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, which is situated in the small village of Boyes Hot Springs, which is just a couple of miles north of Sonoma and about 5 miles south of Glen Ellen. The hotel comprises several a series of terra-cotta-hued buildings built in the style of California’s Spanish Colonial missions. The hotel’s earliest structures date to 1927, although some major additions and expansions, including the creation of the renowned spa and health club, came along in the ’80s and ’90s (still in the original “mission” style).

The spa is both impressive in scope, offering a dazzling variety of treatments (the Sonoma Lavender Kur is oft-requested), and it’s also historic significance – it’s set on natural thermal springs that have healed visitors to this site for centuries. The hotel is also home to one of the region’s most revered dining rooms, Santé Restaurant, where diners order from a 500-vintage wine list and can sample decidedly artful contemporary cuisine (note the Kurobuta pork cheeks with cheddar polenta, wilted nettles, and crispy parsnips). I’m happy simply relaxing in the hotel’s grand yet rustic lobby, with its tile floors, beamed ceiling, and soft lighting – toward the back, a similarly inviting and cozy bar made for a perfect ending (with a glass of Pinot Noir) to my recent evening there.

As for the rooms, they’re in keeping with the resort’s historic aesthetic, but also with some welcome modern features – junior and full suites have roomy Jacuzzi tubs in them, and all rooms have mini-bar refrigerators, full climate control, and high-speed Internet (it’s free if you sign up for Fairmont’s free President’s Club frequent guest program). I strongly advocate opting for a room with a fireplace – they’re wood-burning here. Many rooms have private patios or balconies, too. This is a pretty perfect nest if you’re seeking opulence and romance without fussiness or pretention – the staff here manage a perfectly helpful yet relaxed demeanor.