Summer Deals at Bodega Bay Inn and Rio Villa Beach Resort

Rio Villa Resort in the beach community of Monte Rio. Photo by Andrew Collins.

August is a busy season in Sonoma County, and with the region’s popularity come higher rates at hotels than other times of year. There are a few good deals to be had, however. Along a tranquil section of the Sonoma coast, the small and elegant Bodega Bay Inn presents guests with a “Passport to Fun.” This card comes with a variety of discounts on local activities, including bike and kayak rentals and purchases at area shops, and there’s also a two-for-one-entrée deal with a local restaurant. Bring your passport back to Bodega Bay Inn within 60 days of your visit, and you’ll receive 10% off your first night’s stay. Rates begin around $100 per night this time of year, depending on the day of the week.

Up in the Russian River area, the comfy Rio Villa Beach Resort, with its beautifully kept grounds and direct river access (including a private beach), offers two great ways to save on rooms and suites. Log on to this gay-popular resort’s webpage, and click on “Specials”, and then “Last Minute Specials”, and you’ll be shown a list of rooms with availability during the coming days. Depending on the room and the day, the price has been dropped by 10% to 20%. The other great deal available from Rio Villa Resort is a “Romance Package,” with prices starting at $529 (depending on the room) – this deal includes a room overlooking the river for two nights, a welcome wine-and-cheese basket, a bouquet of flowers, and massages for both guests in the resort’s on-site massage room.