Stay Steps Away from World Class Wineries and Dining

Healdsburg’s reputation precedes it – the town is famous for world class wine, incredible dining and an undeniable small-town charm. There are many ways to experience the best of California’s wine country here. Whether your visit is a romantic escape, a family vacation, a girlfriend’s getaway or an outdoor adventure, you are bound to find the perfect place to stay among the town’s diverse hotels, inns and suites.

The Healdsburg Plaza is the center of activity, lined with restaurants, tasting rooms and one-of-a-kind shops. Finding a place to stay in the middle of it all is easy given the number of properties just a short walk – or right on – the Plaza.

The Camellia Inn is just two blocks from the plaza making it an ideal home base for your visit. The 1869 Victorian home blends old world charm with modern amenities. The nine rooms and suites include whirlpool tubs, in-room fireplaces, luxury linens and iPads to read the daily news. In the afternoon, guests can enjoy wine and cheese in the parlor or outside by the pool.

Diane and Ken Wilson started their first winery in 1993 and have since expanded their portfolio of wines as well as their involvement in the local community. With Grape Leaf Inn, they’ve created a 13-room luxury property inside a 1905 Queen Anne style-home, just a short walk from the Plaza. All the rooms have antique furnishings, Italian linens, free wi-fi and en-suite bathrooms. The Inn is also home to The Speakeasy, a 1920’s bar tucked away behind a secret bookcase where guests can enjoy portfolio tastings and three course dinners prepared by the chef. Due to COVID, The Speakeasy is temporarily closed. The family’s Calderwood Inn is known on the California and Sonoma County Landmarks Registry as The John Miller House. Built in 1902, the Inn retains many of the original features – hand silk-screened wallpaper, wainscoting and built-in cabinets and benches. The Inn’s landscape, designed by Luther Burbank, boasts beautiful grounds to wander, with a number of spots to stop, sip and enjoy the tranquility.

The Wilsons also run Rockhouse Suites, two gorgeous options that allow guests to get away from it all right in downtown. The Cloud Suite boasts a California king bed and fireplace with a sitting room and kitchenette. The patio off the bedroom is a dreamy place to sip morning coffee or unwind with an evening glass of wine. The Garden Suite has a private courtyard, an outdoor firepit and cozy furnishings while the interior is outfitted with beautiful tilework and sumptuous linens.

The Healdsburg Cottage is another choice in the historic downtown area. Its idyllic garden setting is ideal for guests who are looking for privacy but want to stay close to the action of downtown. The cottage sleeps up to four people and has an open living area, kitchen and comfortable bedroom with a queen bed. An easy walk to shopping and dining, the cottage is the perfect wine country retreat.

For a decidedly 21st Century feel, h2hotel is designed with a modern and sustainable sensibility. Bamboo floors, ergonomic chairs and natural bath products all lend to the eco-chic feel. The hotel has a variety of rooms from studios to suites so there are options for couples and families alike. The hotel’s solar heated pool is located just off the lobby, which doubles as a hip gathering place. Connected by a private walkway is the Harmon Guest House, which opened in late 2018. Relax around the firepit on the hotel’s rooftop terrace and take in the panoramic views of Fitch Mountain, the Sonoma hills and downtown Healdsburg. Harmon Guest House has earned the LEED Gold Certification through its commitment to water and energy efficiency and use of construction materials that minimize airborne emissions.

Established in 1952, the L&M Motel is a classic Mid-Century motor lodge. L&M is owned and operated by the fourth generation of innkeepers and is just three blocks from the Plaza. The motel rooms all have an outdoor patio, include daily breakfast and are pet friendly. L&M just completed a full remodel of their pool area – taking an older indoor pool outside, with more room to lounge and relax. The Fairview Inn & Suites, less than a mile from the Plaza, has a variety of room types to choose from, including suites that make it an ideal choice for families or small groups. The outdoor pool is open year-round and parking is free.

Not far from the bustle of downtown, but far enough to feel like a private retreat, the River Belle Inn sits along the Russian River just a mile from the Plaza. It’s an ideal location for guests who want to enjoy town but also have easy access to bike routes and river activities. The Inn’s famous “Triple Dubs Breakfast” includes farm-to-table options that change daily. They also host a complimentary “Happiest Hour” every evening.

One mile in the other direction, Honor Mansion, A Wine Country Resort offers the highest levels of service and hospitality. The 13 rooms and suites are outfitted for luxury – fine linen, feather beds and imported toiletries to name a few. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and boast a regulation croquet lawn, PGA-designed putting green and bocce ball, tennis and basketball courts, a 40-foot lap pool and a relaxing menu of spa services. Hotel staff can help guests create bespoke itineraries to make the most out of their wine country getaway – but just be sure to be back in time for evening sherry! Honor Mansion is in the midst of a major renovation but will reopen next spring with new and updated amenities.

No matter what your travel style, you’ll find the perfect match in Healdsburg. Visit our stories on Healdsburg’s bed and breakfasts and the area’s most romantic properties for more travel inspiration and to book your stay.