We just came back from Joan's guest house, after spending a great little weekend there hiking with…read moreour rescue pup Kirby. We stayed in The Cottage, which we found to be cozy yet comfortable. We were provided everything that we needed for our 2 night stay and didn't feel like anything was lacking. It's located in a private and secluded property so for us it was super quiet and peaceful. The weather was perfect as well, so we didn't need to use the AC at all (though we did turn on the heater in the mornings as it can get chilly - the heater warms up quickly!). As another reviewer stated, Joan really is the shining star of this guest house. She's got 2 sweet rescues and they got along well with our dog. Joan even bought us organic produce to stock the refrigerator, which I really appreciated. She's really friendly and can give you advice on anything in the area should you need to. Joan really made us feel welcomed, and I'd be very happy to stay here again. There are some great restaurants and markets nearby, not to mention the Jack London state park which we took full advantage of. It was great spending a day out hiking and coming back to a very comfortable shower and bed. Thank you Joan!

My wife and I stayed here for our 18th anniversary and we just loved it. All the rooms are…read morefantastic, the house is beautiful and the grounds are very nice. It was super quiet during the evening hours. The location is fantastic in regards to entertainment (winery). Your 5 mins from TONS of wineries and some good eatieries. Your about 10 mins from City of Sonoma, 5 Mins to Glen Ellen 2 mins to downtown Kenwood. Breakfast was wonderful but JOAN is what makes this place ROCK. Very personable but not pushy. She leaves you to yourself but is around when you need her. Couldn't have been happier to have stayed here and look forward to going back again and again and again. I can write and you can read all day long but trust me JUST GO, and experience it for yourselves, you won't be disappointed.

Do I really want to expose this hidden gem? The Glen Ellen…read moreInn Secret Cottages in Sonoma County, California WAS the best kept secret until now. Located down a winding two lane road, the place is tranquility at its finest. Self check in, 21 and over, private cottages either in the courtyard or on the river front. Our cottage room welcomed us with a generous space, each with its own unique style, a 2 person jacuzzi tub, a steam shower, fully air conditioned, stocked snack bar and a sun roof to watch the warm colors of the sunset turn to a magical dark sky filled with stars. This place is EPIC! But PLEASE... don't tell anyone. Our secret

Amazing and creative drinks :) if you're eating or staying in the area come here first, you wont…read moreregret it!!

Sunch a waste of time and money!! The most under-equipped…read moreand under-maintained facility ever! ~90 degrees Fahrenheit, no cooler, just one refrigerator in the whole ranch for all guests, out of order swimming pool. False advertisement about swimming pool, sulphur spring (not even accessible!). Very old beddings: fade colors, wrinkly,... All shades were broken. Every where in the dining and entertainment rooms were so dusty. Two stars just for acceptable breakfast and clean bathrooms. You can easily entertain kids with ranch animals somewhere else!

It's your choice, your money and this is NOT A BAD REVIEW only know that when you arrive at…read moreMountain Home Ranch you are meant to disconnect and be off the grid and you will have the BEST TIME EVER! A family, friendly owned and operated property that takes you back to the 70s literally. It's like stepping back in time, where everything is exactly as it was in the 1970s from the decor to the dilapidated park benches, what's left of the tennis court, the '2nd' BIG empty pool or the overgrown grassy volleyball court and don't get me started on the rickety lovers overlook that literally caused your heart to skip a beat for fear of tumbling down over the side. The curtains/blinds leave no privacy for changing your clothes, keeping the sun out or possible other guests peering in - OH MY! If you just remember you're in a cabin that's a step above camping with a wonderfully home cooked breakfast to greet you every morning, then you've found your getaway. There's 200+ beautiful acreage, that you can hike, explore while finding their hidden gem of redwood groves and natural outdoor hot spring tub to soak in and you can bring fido (our doggies had a blast) or fish the small lake while you use one of their paddle boats and HEY the 1st pool that's closest to the main lodge is heated, clean and well maintained plus you can always grab a carrot or two to take out to the horse, donkeys and goats to have them nibble right out of your hand. The road to get here is much to be desired (long, windy and no lights at night) but if you're looking to get away from the city and disconnect from everything you have definitely found your spot. FYI you'll still need to have a dinner and lunch because neither are served or offered here, they had dinner one night, Friday night, but no other night, we stayed until Sunday day. But for the cost we opted to go to Calistoga it was BBQ chicken and Tri-tip, grilled veggies and garlic bread for $30 per adult/$16 per child, no drinks included. Bring an ice chest to keep water and drinks plus bring snacks and stuff (napkins, plates, etc) you'll thank me later. You may want to get a mud bath, massge or spa treatment and/or wine tasting or shop not a problem it's literally down the hill - you can still disconnect and have Napa/Calistoga too. I will part with what I started this review with - it's your choice, your money and this is NOT A BAD REVIEW only know that when you arrive at Mountain Home Ranch you are meant to disconnect and be off the grid and you will have the BEST TIME EVER!

Wonderful bed and breakfast too! Dennis snd Marjorie are…read morewonderful hosts! It is like visiting your favorite relatives. We love staying at this delightful Inn!

Horrible experience with a cancellation that was within window of time that was originally offered.read more

We came to town for a wedding and were so pleasantly surprised by this charming hotel! It looks…read morerecently renovated, with a fresh, modern feel throughout. The bathrooms, in particular, were beautifully updated--stylish, spotless, and spacious. Check-in was quick and easy, and we appreciated the ample onsite parking. One of the highlights was the saloon-style restaurant right on the property, which served tasty food and excellent drinks in a fun. Our friends hosted their after-party there and we really got to see how big the location is and conveniently walk back to our room at the end of the night! The location couldn't be better--within easy walking distance to tasting rooms, cafes, and even a Michelin-starred restaurant. It's also just a short drive to several wineries and the stunning Jack London State Park. Although we didn't get a chance to use the pool, it looked lovely and peaceful, nestled alongside a river--definitely something we'll look forward to next time. The whole place had a warm, cozy, and inviting vibe. The town itself is incredibly charming, and we already can't wait to come back for another stay!

We went for a three day getaway during Spring break and a very relaxing and easy stay. It didn't…read morematter that it rained off/on. The room was clean, comfy and nicely decorated. Enjoyed our nights at the saloon with a drink or two. Stumbled upon Quuz night (2nd place), and a local band (bery chill). I'm looking forward to coming back.

This place is ethereal. My friends and I rented Riverstone Ranch this past weekend for a birthday…read moreand were completely blown away. The estate is located on the banks of Russian River and only a pleasant 20 minute walk away from Downtown Healdsburg. We arrived after dark to find our friends around the fire pit enjoying some incredible barbeque. I was pretty impressed even with my first walk through of the property in the dark! There are a series of elegantly themed cottages surrounding a main Queen Anne Style home. Whoever decorated this place is a genius. Every corner has a unique detail to discover! There is a rooster house with all kinds of adorable pieces and an Oak house with a tree through the kitchen! The spread out cottages allowed for privacy and serenity. I've never slept better! In the morning, I woke up surrounded by the electric colors of fall. I also noticed that the estate was surrounded by all kinds of colorful fruit trees and vegetation. None of us wanted to leave! Sweet sweet escape. It only took us an hour to get back to San Francisco! I can't wait to go back!

Not cheap, but spectacular! The owners have spared no expense in remodeling, and it shows; a great…read morelocation overlooking the river, with all the amenities. We had 19 of my extended family staying there for a wedding, but with multiple buildings, there was room to spread out so we weren't always in each other's hair. And with a heated pool, ping-pong table, (gas) fire pit, horseshoes, grill, patio+decks (plus frisbee golf in the works), there's something for everyone to do. Truly a wonderful getaway and special treat for my sister's wedding weekend. My two small tips for the owners: 1) buy a few pool toys like noodles and inner tubes, and 2) put a small fence around the frog pond so kids can't fall in.

My wife and I spent a few days at Windhaven Cottage for our honeymoon and we loved every single…read moreminute of it. The property is beautiful and well maintained with amazing views of the valley all the way around. Bob, Wendy, and Elizabeth were great hosts and very friendly and really made you feel like you were part of their family. They offered us many suggestions for wine tastings along with a few places to eat in Sonoma. The bikes were an added bonus and the map Bob provided was spot on and he really put thought into the bike routes into town. The Studio had everything we could have asked for and more. We cannot wait to go back to Windhaven and spend more time in the area.

I have stayed at the Straus Home Ranch twice now for teacher retreats and I cannot say enough…read morepositive things about it. The home is historic and full of love. The family history here is compelling and part of why we chose to stay here- it is a privilege to be part of the Straus family's world, and to see the land that Mrs. Straus fought to preserve. The home is comfortable and lends itself to so many great memories- we enjoy conversations in every nook and love retreating to our rooms for much needed rest. The views around the property are stunning. One of my stays was rainy and that was equally delicious - this natural invitation to hunker down and read and be present. Michael is a wonderful person and host and has always shown us such kindness and openness. It is great working with him to set up the place prior to our arrival, from extra requests to making a fire pit for s'mores. This place holds a special place in my heart and I would come back more often if I could afford to - it's a great treat. You will love it.

Have you ever worked with a vendor who was so wonderful you instantly wanted to be friends with…read morethem? That's Michael and Vivien Straus. They had our hearts within minutes of meeting them, and we quickly learned that their warmth was matched with deep event planning expertise, lightning fast responses to all manner of inquiries, and a general willingness to do absolutely everything within their power to make our wedding seamless. We can't say enough positive things about Vivien and Michael. We had heard planning a wedding would be stressful, but largely thanks to Vivien and Michael, we honestly never felt stressed. They regularly welcomed us to the ranch ahead of our wedding, helping us build a special bond to the land and to their family. They worked so effectively as a team, helping us find lodging, answering questions on behalf of our other vendors, thoughtfully navigating asks related to honoring recently passed family members, and so much more. During the wedding weekend, Michael bent over backwards to make sure everything ran smoothly, always beaming with a huge smile. His soft serve ice cream was such a big hit! It was always such a relief to see Michael, because we knew he was fixing something we didn't have to worry about, or making something work better, or just thinking 10 steps ahead to make a future moment run smoothly. He is exactly who you want at your wedding!! We had the wedding of our dreams and we can't imagine a better place or better hosts for this special moment in our lives. We plan to visit Straus Home Ranch regularly and will loudly sing the praises of Michael and Vivien everywhere we go, because we're convinced there is no better place on the planet to host a wedding.