Do I really want to expose this hidden gem? The Glen Ellen Inn 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 read more

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All you need to know is that I don't want anyone to know about this cozy little place. Karen is lovely and we always feel welcomed here. read more

The martini bar is great. Very eclectic atmosphere. The drinks are GOOD! We ordered the whiskey sour and float like a butterfly (butterfly ice cube was PERFECT!) read more

Glen Ellen Inn - Whiskey sour & float like a butterfly - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

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This former restaurant, closed for many years, has re-emerged as an adorable Martini bar. There are several comfy conversation areas as you walk in, plus a large room further into the bar, that anyone would find charming. The Martini menu is clever. It's fun to try the kitschy named drinks like "I'll Have What She's Having". Even the names will make you smile and the drinks are yummy. There are also other cocktails offered, not only Martinis Karen the owner and bartender keeps smiling and making friendly conversation as she takes excellent care of her patrons. Additionally the Inn part of the name represents the 7 charming rentable cottages behind the Martini Bar. I find it refreshing that there's a new place opened in the area that is a classy destination to meet with friends and enjoy a unique and fun drink. read more

Glen Ellen Inn - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

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Glen Ellen Inn Martini bar - the best ever! I love a spicy drink and the spicy martini is THE BEST!! Karen made us the best drinks and the perfect spiciest martini! read more

Cute, cozy, detailed, bespoke, tranquil, peaceful, scenic little cottage that's perfect for a couple's weekend retreat. Of all the rooms the wife and I have stayed at over the years, this is our favorite for its simplicity, giving you the things you need and nothing more. Coffee? Check. Fridge? Check. No microwave, and I understand why not. With all of the cute rugs and blankets and curtains and linens, they don't really want the smells of cooking food to permeate into everything for future guests to have to smell. If you need a microwave that bad, every Motel 6 comes with one, just saying. The jacuzzi tub is was a fun addition, the jets weren't ferociously strong but they were good enough to relax my back and shoulders. The shower is high and the water pressure is good, the shower floor is tiled but feels like river stone on your feet, and I enjoyed that. The view out the window is gorgeous, and there are multiple benches and chairs on the front deck of each cottage for guests to enjoy the sounds of nature with their morning coffee. Met the owners and enjoyed their martinis in the lounge, they were a gracious and lovely couple who made us feel like guests in their home instead of just customers who found their hotel through Expedia. 10/10, would definitely return read more

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A wonderful experience. The cottages (we booked three of them for the group) were cozy, with common amenities like indoor jacuzzis, gas fireplaces, and small refrigerators, but there were also personalized, eclectic differences in choices of decor that made each room a pleasant discovery. The grounds were lovely and peaceful, with a rustic aspect, but well kept. We will go back. read more

Lovely grounds, clean & comfortable rooms, friendly staff, walking distance to great restaurants - just go!!! read more

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Outstanding! I've been a patron for 20 years and I have to say the service, ambiance and food are consistently fantastic. I love sitting at the outdoor patio on a warm summer evening; the sound of the water cascading from the fountain is relaxing and instantly I feel the stress of the day melt away. The restaurant boasts a full liquor bar and has an extensive menu of house creations along with outstanding renditions of the classics. On my last experience, my dining partner and I ordered the special of the evening and wow, was it an amazing choice. The swordfish was cooked to perfection and was served with the most delicious arrangement of greens. It was a true tastebud treat. I'm still dreaming about that dish and it's been a week. This restaurant is the perfect treat for an intimate dinner for a special occasion but equally perfect for an evening with foodie friends. read more

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Loved it! Perfect for my work trip! I had not slept that well in months. Adored the porch area. Refills on snacks were a huge plus. Hosts/owners were so kind. Will definitely stay there again read more

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Amazing place. At the risk of this place getting even more popular, I'd have to say this place is truly a gem. Service is incredible! Karen and her staff are impeccable. The entire campus borders on shabby chic with vintage tradition. Loved all the detail! Stayed in cottage six. I highly recommend it!! Can't say anything bad about it. Stellar performance!! We'll be back for sure!! read more

We booked this secret cottage on Priceline.com but there was no place to leave a review on that website. I must leave a review because I searched for weeks for something with a jacuzzi in the room. Being an anniversary trip, we wanted something romantic yet affordable. This inn, was perfect! The gas fireplace at the foot of the bed. The skylight. The jacuzzi steps away from the bed. The gorgeous property nestled beside a babbling brook. The special personalized touches like the paper with my name on it with important reminders about our stay, the scrabble message on the table, the candy dish, snack dish and coffee/tea. The Glenn Ellen mugs. The wine glasses. The brochures and magazines about the area. The soaps and abundance of towels they have in the room for you. Even down to makeup remover in bathroom. The list goes on. They are generous, thoughtful and affordable. This place is magical to say the least with the soft lighting ambiance of night they have outside in the trees and fountains. This is an ideal romantic getaway for a couple. We starting missing it before we even left. We will return. Probably going to be an anniversary tradition. Nichole and Harper read more

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We are so glad they are open after the fire damage - it's as wonderful as always. They have updated the decor in the front room while the dining areas remain the same - which we love. We had excellent service and wonderful food - both of which we always have when we come here. The dishes we had were: Crispy fried oysters Pan Seared Salmon Sauteed Prawns Mussels and Fries (my fav) and shared a yummy creme brulee for dessert. Everything was wonderful. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful place nearby - check them out! read more

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Cutest and best stay ever!! So easy checking in via text and checking out dropping off the key. It was so serene and quiet! The views were beautiful and the cottage itself SO cute!! Management (Karen) is so kind and we will definitely be coming back! read more

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What a shit show! The place may be somewhat clean as prior reviews state but I came home with my "house shoes" filthy! There is way too much crap in the room, no space to put our stuff and everything is in need of repair. The sink is gross, towels are for "little people" and the toilet doesn't flush anything down! You have to manually push your toilet paper to the "hole". I'm sure at one time it was a charming place but needs MANY upgrades including not turning your head sideways to see the TV that was behind the couch. Won't be back at $400.00 per night!. Our traveling companions TV didn't work at all! read more

What a beautiful weekend for my birthday. We stayed in cottage 6 which had a jacuzzi tub inside the bedroom. A four post bed and a fireplace made this the perfect spot. Walking distance to Talisman wine tasting, The Fig Cafe, and Glen Ellen Star. I can't wait to return to this Inn. It made for a very special weekend. read more

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I have four words: order the pot pie! I did and it was delish! The meat inside was prepared amazingly. The top was flaky and warm, light and airy. I just wish it surrounded with it. Otherwise it was awesome and not so filling that you walked away in a food coma. We ordered the oyster sampler too and it too was great. The oysters were really fresh and the Bloody Mary vinaigrette they use as well as the horseradish was a good compliment. I prefer raw horseradish and this was creamy. It was good though. As you can imagine, given where the restaurant is located, the wine list is excellent. There is something for everyone. They are also known for their martinis and they didn't disappoint. I had my usual, slightly dirty with blue cheese stuffed olives. My lovely lady had a lavender vodka lemon drop and she thoroughly enjoyed it. Finally, the service was very good also. Our server was very attentive and pleasant. Overall a great dinner. Not overdone or pretentious at all. Go see them when you're in the area. read more

Glen Ellen Inn - Oyster sampler... very good! - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

This has become one of our favorite go-to restaurants. The service and food is consistently great. We usually like to pop in the bar for some snacks, but also had an anniversary dinner here recently. It was such a great experience all around! We were even brought a special little dessert at the end to celebrate. It was super sweet of them. The standout menu items for me? "Dirty Dozen" oysters and the sautéed prawns. The oysters come with these stellar sauces... chipotle, horseradish cream, and a Bloody Mary sauce. The Bloody Mary is SO great with the oysters! The sautéed prawns are so sweet with the coconut rice and papaya - totally gives me Hawaiian vibes. Definitely don't miss out on this place! The ambiance and decor are amazing as well. read more

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Everything was perfect for my Grandparent's 65th anniversary late lunch/early dinner. The deck outdoor patio was decorated nicely & although it was 93 degrees outside, the heat was bearable with the high ceiling fans circulating air. Our party of 23 fit comfortably outside but I wouldn't try to pack more than 30 people. The food was amazing! The dishes came out promptly with no long lags between being seated, appetizers, entrees and desserts. Our waters were always filled and service was extremely fast. The main server, Steve was exceptional! He was very friendly upon arrival and all through service. My only suggestion would be to ask preferences for how we wanted out filets cooked... it seemed so odd that they didn't ask. I specifically requested Medium Rare and my Mom asked for Medium well. But all entrees came out the same time and our steaks were a bit off... still delicious though!! Thank you Glen Ellen Inn for hosting our family and making my Grandparent's Day special!! read more

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The inn is a charming, little place located around a few other establishments like a marketplace and saloon. The inn is lovely at night, with its twinkling lights, small bar and limited interior capacity. My party had booked a reservation earlier in the morning for dinner and was promptly at our reserved time. Our table had a great view overlooking the patio and courtyard which looked so pretty with the string of lights. To start, a bread basket for the table with butter. The scones were a hit at the table and the onion/herb dinner roll was very light. Yum! Since I had a small appetite, I ordered the bowl of Potato Leek soup. Absolutely delicious! Super creamy, flavorful and warming for the cool night. It came with fried strips of leek which gave it more texture and a stronger leek flavor. The bowl was definitely more than enough for one person and I was satisfied. I tried a bite of the Curry Spaghetti with Lamb Meat balls and it was delicious as well, a bit out of place one would think, but the inn carried it out very well. The curry was not too overpowering and on the sweeter side, I would say it's between a traditional Japanese curry and Indian curry in terms of flavor. The service was great, we were provided with water refills and checked on periodically. The food was really good and received high remarks from all in our party. Also major thumbs up to our waitress for consulting the kitchen on dish ingredients, since a few in the party have allergies to gluten, soy and nuts. Price point is about right, considering how good the food tasted, the quality of ingredients and service. read more

Glen Ellen Inn - Potato & Leek Soup (Bowl) - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

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Great service and ambiance. Tiny tiny bar has a martini to seat ratio of 3:1. Well drinks not especially strong nor weak ( a stronger pour would push it to 5 stars). The dining room overlooks a patio strung with wedding lights. Do I think it was pretty? I do. Bread to start was so good that we had some of the scone crust for dessert. Wish I got the lamb meatballs and curry spaghetti or the burger, but I tried to lighten things up and got the mahi mahi. It was meh meh. Though the salmon was perfect, the mahi mahi was overly salty and a little mushy, the only reason I finished it was because it was over $20. (It's kinda like following through with an escort you paid for even if she's overly salty and a little mushy, I guess.) But I would definitely return. The place is charming af. read more

Glen Ellen Inn - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

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At the end of May we had dinner at the Glen Ellen Inn and we loved it. We returned to the restaurant to have dinner last night. The restaurant is very romantic, cozy, and eclectic. After we were seated our server brought us warm rolls to nibble on as we made selections. The restaurant has a varied menu but specializes in seafood. It has quite an extensive wine list and a large selection of delicious Martini's. We ordered the Potsticker and the Warm Potato and Garlic Soup. We also had the Alaskan Halibut. The soup along with the potsticker looked amazing. These dishes were freshly prepared and were served warm. The Alaskan Halibut was perfectly cooked with a light lemon/butter sauce, it was served with fingerling potatoes and roasted cauliflower and green beans. This dish was delicious! To complete our meals we ordered and shared the Meyer Lemon Soufflé. This dessert was a scrumptious way to end a wonderful romantic evening. As usual, the restaurant staff was very friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. This restaurant is very reasonably priced and is a real "gem" because of its location, decor, service, price and, of course, the outstanding food. read more

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3.5 stars Glen Ellen is a cute town with a population of less than a 1000. Needless to say, their downtown is small and stretches for only 3 blocks. There aren't very many restaurant choices near the winery we were going to, so we thought we'd give this a try since they have a martini bar and oysters on the half shell. Is it a crime to drink a martini before noon? okay fine. So I kept it on the fruitier side and got the Mandarin Orange martini which hit the spot. The oyster sampler came in a pretty presentation complete with three accompaniments: bloody mary mignonette, horseradish sauce and a classic shallot preparation. The oysters were fresh and free of grit. We shared a grilled calamari app with fresh mango salsa. A nice light app since the bf ordered a burger for his entree. A Kobe burger with thick cuts of brie cheese, chipotle aioli and garlic fries. It was a bad idea to get this with brie because the cheese made the burger just more greasier and I remember the garlic fries were just gross! I don't mind stuffing myself with fried food, but when you give these potatoes a squeeze, the oil just oozes out. I tried the special of the day, a crab cake salad with generous slices of avocado, tomatoes, bell peppers and spinach in a balsamic vinaigrette. Good crunch from the fried crab cake and no fillers either. Although, you're only given one cake. Sad. Our server was really chipper and friendly, something I appreciated very much since it was pouring rain outside when we dined here. A bright attitude goes a long way and earns the extra half star. Glen Ellen Inn & Restaurant also has cottages (with jaccuzzi sized tubs) that rent out between $180-$300 a night, consider this as an alternative to busy Napa Valley. read more

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The tiny town of Glenn Ellen was convenient to our Airbnb rental and our attempt to dine at the other to remain nameless restaurant (there are only 2) was met with a curt, uncaring reception, so we moved our party here. We are sooo glad we did - this place is great! The space offers indoor, covered porch, deck and garden dining choices, all of which are comfortable, rustic, and appealing. Trees, plants, gardens and vines transport you to tranquility. The wine list is extensive and reasonably priced with old and new CA offerings, and corkage is reasonable (they must open your bottle on premises, so no prior decanting!) Service was friendly, prompt and knowledgable, could not have been better. The menu was short, but the kitchen is small, so best to deliver less great stuff, no? We lived our apps, and three of is ordered the braised lamb shank which was nothing short of fantastic! The dessert list is killer and our party of four shared a couple of the day's offerings, including a cheesecake with huckleberries and meyer lemon drizzle - damn it was good. Simply terrific! read more

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Delicious petite filet and shrimp entree and great service with nice ambiance. Our desserts were comped too! We had the chocolate mousse and butterscotch coconut ice cream. We made last minute reservations for two on Wednesday night and got a nice table right away. The place was busy all night. This place is known for their martinis so we split one since we had spent hours in wine country earlier. We came here since someone who worked at jacuzzi winery recommended this place and it was by our bed and breakfast. read more

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Start with this great little town that is in the middle of everything it seems. Add a few wines tasting, a swim in a beautiful pool and you end up here. This is a great place that is walkable from where we stayed which was such a plus in a little town like this. They have a nice bar area, quiet and yet small and cozy. The restaurant is quaint and peaceful and the patio is awesome. Now we made the mistake of staying in the bar, which really wasn't a mistake it's just the patio looks incredible. The bar area was great and the service was perfect. The bartender Raoul looked after us and his cocktail skills were fantastic, waiter skills were every bit as good and he was simply charming as can be. The food was perfect! I had the wild boar which I thought twice about but was glad I got it. It tasted very braised rib like, not at all gamey and tender as can be. My GF had the filet with shrimp, always chooses the better option. The shrimp was very flavorful, cooked perfect but the real treat was the steak. It was done exactly as ordered and was one of the most tender steaks I have had in a very long time (yes, I was allowed to try some)! I would go back just for the steak, a cut of meat that is something to write home about (or write about on Yelp). It melted in your mouth like butter if butter came from a cow, well you know what I mean. This is the sort of town that seems to be filled with great little places to eat, you could stay for a week and try a different place every night if you wanted. I though would be very inclined to come back here many times. Maybe just for a great cocktail to finish the night and some fresh churned ice cream but would be hard pressed not to make it the dinner plan. Oh yeah, try the Haut Chocolate martini and don't sweat the bill when it comes, the place is surprisingly priced for the quality and the setting, such a find! KT read more

Glen Ellen Inn - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

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I thought this place was good but nothing super outstanding. The martini list is quite impressive which is always a plus. I liked their covered patio it was kind of a mix of in-door/out-door seating. I went with their version of a Bloody Mary in martini form and it was quite tasty, I would order it again. The corn soup they were showcasing was also good and served chilled. My friends ordered oysters on the half shell and there was one or two in there that looked pretty sketchy and probably should not have been sent out. I had the sirloin burger for my meal and it was okay, nothing spectacular or something I would order again. Good option to grab a drink and maybe an app! read more

Glen Ellen Inn - Corn soup. - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

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We stayed in the Secret cottages for a one night quick getaway from Sacramento. When I tell you the room was way above what I expected, that's an understatement! The cottages themselves were so cute from the outside. There's a creek right next to the rooms. There's a porch with two lounge chairs on either side. Too bad it was raining, otherwise we would've loved to hang out outside. Inside the cottage it was super clean and looked like it was updated recently. I was expecting a more "vintage" (aka OLD) feel, NOPE! It was very modern! The jacuzzi tub was heaven! And there was an unexpected treat, a steam shower! Yaaasssss! We definitely got our steam and soak on! Everything is in walking distance (and I'm lazy, so I mean a real walking distance not 2+ miles); restaurants, bars, grocery, convenient store. We will definitely be back again when the weather is warmer. We loved our stay! read more

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I've eaten at the Glen Ellen Inn restaurant twice in the past year. Not recently. Here's my thumbnail assessment: * This is the nicest looking dining room in Glen Ellen. Has the finest decor and appointments. It's fancy looking. I'm comfortable in the main dining room during winter months when I dress more formally. In summer when I'm wearing a Hawaiian shirt & denim jeans, I feel under dressed here. The ambience does not encourage casual dress nor demeanor. I feel like I need to behave nicely when I'm here. * The menu is loaded with fancy items. They are all overpriced. Dinner for 2 people who order 3 courses & 2 glasses of wine will spend at least $200. * My meals here have been good, not great. I read all the previous YELP reviews before writing this summary. Looks like the Glen Ellen Inn has some quality control issues. Real hit & miss food prep. Sounds like there's a talented chef and another not so talented one. I HATE crap shoot inconsistent quality in a $200 level restaurant. * The restaurant caters to wine tourists with big wallets. People who spend $400 per night for a bed & breakfast room. Working class locals do not eat at the Glen Ellen Inn. Locals eat at the Fig Cafe, Bluegrass, Yeti Nepal, The Glen Ellen Market picnic tables, Olive & Vine. read more

We had our wedding reception dinner here and the staff here blew our expectations out of the water! It was truly amazing! We had come here for dinner after getting engaged and fell in love with the place. Great food and a killer bar! When I started planning my wedding weekend, I didn't immediately start here because I thought it would be too expensive. Many other places heard wedding and the cost doubled. Not here! It was super reasonable, easy to plan and easy to add little things. We reserved the outdoor area and it was gorgeous. The lighting is incredible and such a romantic spot! We were treated by name when we arrived and while our large group only had two servers, it was smooth and flawless. The water area was a great distraction for the little ones that joined us. The food was perfect in every way, which is not easy with a large group. I really can't say enough about the dinner here. Definitely consider it for an event or just for two. (We didn't get a ton of photos because everybody was having such a good time! Here's one of my with my godkids to give you an idea of the lighting and background.) read more

Glen Ellen Inn - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

After a full day of wine tasting our party of 4 arrived at the restaurant 30 minutes earlier than our reservation time. We sat out on the sun deck with a great view of Glen Ellen but blocked from the wind. The atmosphere was nice and quaint with very courteous and attentive wait staff. Table bread in the form of warm, fresh and tasty scones. Our table had 3 baskets of bread and I was even thinking of getting another basket just to take home. Salad: Grilled Romaine Salad, with rustic Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts. Everybody in our party had this salad. The romaine lettuce leaves were slightly grilled giving the salad a unique and exquisite taste. First Course: Ginger Tempura Calamari with grilled pineapple salsa, lemon aioli. This was the best mixture of flavors to compliment fried calamari that I have ever had. Dinner: Fresh Pasta, Filet Mignon Tips, Shrimp & Shitakes, parmesan-garlic sauce. The sauce was buttery with a lemon base. The steak was cooked medium well and the prawns were very juicy and succulent. The overall flavor of the dish was similar to a beef stroganoff of a higher quality. Dessert: Frozen Chocolate Souffle with Warm Chocolate Hazelnut Sauce creamy, smooth, hot and cold- better than therapy! Definitely a good dessert for chocolate lovers, but not quite a soufflé since it was mostly chocolate ice cream. read more

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Here is what they did well - location, quaint. Looked like a place for the over 50 crowd - and that's not a bad thing..... the food was less than stellar however. The wine list and humor - AMAZING. I had never seen so many oldies but goodies - Opus, Grgich, .. and then the Williams Selyem list was off the charts amazing. And Kosta Browne. Uhm, needless to say - fabulous list. So go for the wine list and humor, not the food. read more

Great place to visit if you're in the Glen Ellen area. Outside sitting area on the porch is lovely & the complimentary scones are so delicious. For a martini bar, my family wasn't too impressed by their martinis but my old fashion was spot on! Everyone had a superb dinner & the waitstaff was attentive & friendly! Overall, I'd go back! read more

Glen Ellen Inn - Wild king salmon with veggie ratatouille - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

Don't blink or you might miss it and that would be a shame! The secret cottages at Glenn Ellen Inn are a delight. With non contact check in it makes the whole arrival process very simple. Our cottage was #6 with a queen size 4 poster bed, a jacuzzi tub, sofa, tv ( we never turned it on), and well furnished and equipped. Sweet touches such as a basket of treats, coffee maker with many choices, and a lovely outdoor porch. We were also lucky and got a reservation just next door at Fig Cafe, on the original site of Girl and the fig. Make sure to take a walk in the morning to Pasquale's bakery. C'est marvelous. read more

I have been here several times and it consistently delivers. It's a perfect place for a date. Romantic setting with string lights and cozy feeling any boy or girl would love that! *Food is always fresh and flavorful. I believe I have tried everything that does not contain meat and loved it. I usually go back to the sauteed prawns, the rice is delicious and the prawns are cooked to perfection. The Beet & Poached Pear Salad is amazing as well. *Bread is so good you better stop yourself from eating all of it. *Service is topnotch (classy without being snobby) *Great martini selection. *Highly recommend* *Make reservations! read more

Glen Ellen Inn - Petrole sole special, delish! - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

We came in for my birthday because in their IG it showed they were serving a lobster dish, I got there and apparently it was a Tuesday Special? It was Wednesday and it would have been nice to know that it wasn't part of the main menu now-- prior to me getting a babysitter and driving from Guerneville. Won't be going back unfortunately. The experiences we have had the last few times just keep going down hill. The waitress was nice so that was the only good thing this time. My husbands salad wasn't too good. read more

Glen Ellen Inn - Oysters - Vacation Rentals Near Me - Glen Ellen, California

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Nice inn and nice cottage. Very quiet and serene. We had a beautiful view of the creek and we loved the cottage. Only thing I give 4 stars instead of 5 is because the cottages are connected so there is a connecting door to adjacent cottages like in a hotel. So not as private as you'd quite expect. Nevertheless a very nice place and would definitely be back and recommend to friends and family. read more

We were staying just down the road and decided to walk down to grab an early dinner. They open at 5, and if you are going on a weekend without a reservation, come early. It was full by the time we left at 630pm. While the menu isn't big, there is enough choice. We didn't partake in an alcoholic beverage, as we had been wine tasting all day. The Chocolate mousse dessert was amazing. Service was friendly. Would eat here again. read more

Three years later, we came back for a mini getaway. Although it was a relaxing vacation, I do have to say, the experience this time around didn't match up to the whimsy of our first visit here. Because we booked late, we got two different rooms for the 2 nights we stayed there, which was totally fine. This time we got to try out Cottage #7. Definitely the better of the two places we stayed out. #7 was spacious, a nice wine fridge to boot, and the wifi was consistent. Second night we were back at #3, which we stayed at last time. The bed situation there had not improved, but the large tub was definitely a redeeming factor. Finally, we had reservations for NYE at their restaurant, where they had a special menu for the evening. The scones again were a hit, soft and moist, with a hint of honey, and you could visibly see the dill. We tried a version of the Sonoma salad and the crab potstickers for appetizers. For me, the salad was lacking something, didn't come all together, it might have been the iceberg lettuce they used. And the crab potsticker (singular) was good, but the sauce they used was a little to mayo-y. Thankfully, our main courses were really good. The ahi tuna had a nice smoky sear, and the coconut rice and mango salsa was delicious. The filet mignon was perfectly seasoned and cooked, and the shrimp was good, but a little too overcooked, mashed potatoes were chunky, yet creamy. We also tried the apple crisp for dessert, which was not crispy at all (save for a few candied pecans). The apples were swimming in their own liquid, and the scoop of vanilla ice cream that it came with ended up melting into the liquid before we could fully enjoy it. Besides the entrees and the decent service, plus the extra scones we requested, the rest of the meal was pretty mediocre. We'd come back, the getaway itself was nice and relaxing, but I guess we'll just have to temper our expectations a bit more next time. read more

I try to avoid cliche phrases like "a real gem," "teachable moment," "fiery crash," or "hot enough for ya?" (Actually, I love "hot enough for ya?") But when I think about the secret cottages at Glen Ellen Inn, I keep coming back to "a real gem." I wanted to take my boyfriend somewhere as a surprise for his upcoming major birthday. I had first thought of a day kayaking on Tomales Bay followed by a night somewhere in Point Reyes, but couldn't find a consistently well-rated affordable place in Point Reyes that wasn't booked. In doing a search, I stumbled on Glen Ellen Inn, which received consistently rave reviews all over the internet, and planned a day riding the Sonoma bike trail and wine tasting, followed by a night at the Glen Ellen. I moved the plan up a week to snag one of the few unbooked nights...and then checked the weather. The peak of a heat wave was set to hit the day of our stay--high of 95 degrees in Sonoma. (Hot enough for ya?) So, I replaced bike riding and wine tasting with a picnic and dip in the mineral pools at Morton's Warm Springs up the road from the inn. Heat wave or not, I couldn't be more pleased with Glen Ellen Inn. "Secret cottages" is the perfect name for the seven cottage rooms behind the restaurant. They're tucked behind the Glen Ellen Restaurant, Oyster Grill, and Martini Bar in a shady, peaceful setting besides a creek and stone bridge. I was actually even glad it was a heat wave--this way, we didn't even feel guilty staying in our room from check-in until dinner enjoying the air conditioning. I couldn't believe what you get at Glen Ellen Inn for the extremely reasonable price. Our spacious cottage was elegantly appointed (sorry, another cliche) in wine-country colors and decor, with great high ceilings, a breakfast nook with a bay window that overlooked the creek, French doors, plenty of windows, wine refrigerator, a plasma tv, patio benches on the porch outside the door... and best of all, a fireplace, two-person jacuzzi tub (in the bedroom), and two-person sauna shower. The goodie basket of fruit, scones, and cookies was another nice touch, as were the chocolates on the pillows. There is no 24 hour concierge service; you check in at the restaurant and drop your key in a box on the way out. The cottages really do seem like a secret--but being left to one's own actually adds to the pleasure. The location is perfect. I've always liked Glen Ellen, which is right in center of wine country while at the same time far enough from the main drag to feel peaceful. I read one review (written by someone who didn't stay here) that complained about the "archaic" online booking system. Me, I'd rather choose this intimate "gem" of an inn over some mediocre corporate giant like the Hilton with an easy online booking system. In fact, I hope these cottages stay something of a secret, because I plan on returning... read more