Thanks to our other coast reporter Kathy Leong for this great article about Hotel Healdsburg.
photo courtesy of Hotel Healdsburg
Want to polish your bicycling skills with a champion cyclist? Or lace up your boots on a wildflower hike led by a health coach? Hotel Healdsburg delivers these, plus additional adventures capitalizing on Northern California’s natural wonders and renowned experts. At the Healdsburg, Calif. hotel, you can also reserve the Immersive Farm and Floral Design Experience. After a luncheon with fresh-picked ingredients, make and take home a floral arrangement. On another day, embark on a historical architectural tour given by the Healdsburg Museum director.
photo courtesy of Hotel Healdsburg
In trendy downtown Healdsburg, amid art galleries, wine rooms, and restaurants aplenty, the five-star Hotel Healdsburg shines among others in offering exploration opportunities, comfort, style, and amenities. Décor-wise, consider this launching pad a spot where French country meets mid-century modern. Come warm yourself in front of the giant brooding fireplace in the lobby which features silver-gray couches and high-back tufted chairs on sleek cement floors. The entry is generously sized as it integrates a cocktail lounge, registration area, and living room. A large dining room is available for guests to partake in a complimentary continental breakfast.
The 56-room property exudes calming eye candy. Ethereal landscape paintings hang in public spaces and guestrooms. The exterior is clad with ivy and vines. Patio and fountain spaces offer solitude among lush plantings.
photo courtesy of Hotel Healdsburg
Activities are close at hand. The hotel spa features a slate of treatments with therapists who morph stiff muscles into melted butter. The swimming pool is lengthy, so you can torch off significant calories with a butterfly stroke or two. You also have access to the indoor hot tub, a guest favorite. Complimentary wine tasting occurs Thursday to Saturday at 3 – 5 p.m. Yoga classes are conducted on Sundays.
photo courtesy of Hotel Healdsburg
When you want to go off-site, you can borrow hotel bicycles. Healdsburg is a bike-friendly community with little traffic to bog you down. There’s something very carefree about riding past rolling vineyards and ponds. And, of course, the hotel offers at least eight outdoor experiences with local guides which can take your Healdsburg to stay to a whole new level.
Garden pool – photo courtesy of Hotel Healdsburg
Given that the inn is on the main drag, you are in the middle of the action, steps from boutiques, eateries, wine rooms, and theaters. Here’s another benefit: the proprietors of Hotel Healdsburg also own the h2 and Harmon House, located up the street. When you want to dine or have a drink at the sister sites, put the charge on your tab and pay for everything later when you checkout at the end of your stay. You can hang out in the various lobby living rooms since you are a guest, and you can also go on a wine-tasting spree at the different properties.
Junior Suite – photo courtesy of Hotel Healdsburg
We spent a night in the Hotel Healdsburg premium king room, complete with a decadent deep soaking tub. When you want pampering, this is the room to snag. Every space at the Hotel Healdsburg comes with a fridge and free goodies, too. Complimentary kettle potato chips and mixed nuts, purified water, and Izzy sodas? No complaints here!
photo courtesy of Hotel Healdsburg
The Bose sound system is small but mighty, so you can pair your iPhone and crank out your best tunes. Imagine listening to your playlist as you steep in the tub. You get out and wrap yourself in that thick white robe and tuck your feet into a pair of white slippers. Then you make yourself a Nespresso coffee poured into a ceramic mug by artist Jered Nelson which can be purchased during your visit.
Dinner or lunch at pizzando? photo courtesy of Hotel Healdsburg
Looking for a recommendation for dinner? Up the street is Spoonbar where the menu is seasonal and alive with California meats, seafood, and pasta. This winter, it was wonderful to indulge in the thick, juicy pork chop and house-made cioppino. These standouts came right after the dangerously delicious burrata and prosciutto appetizer. Not willing to pass up dessert, I must add that the chocolate torte with passionfruit gelato sorbet was an absolute palate-pleaser.
Have dinner at Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen. Photo courtesy of Hotel Healdsburg
The bottom line is this is for those of you who want a place to stay where you can walk to shops and restaurants. Hotel Healdsburg accommodates tourists craving action as well as the traveler requiring stillness. Here you have an inn that’s elegant, peaceful, and casual. You can exercise and swim, get a spa treatment, or go bicycling and partake in gourmet eats. Let this place be your guilty pleasure when you sneak away for a well-deserved weekend, and perhaps you can be the envy of all your friends with a bouquet you crafted all by yourself.
photo courtesy of Hotel Healdsburg
- Learn more or book yourself a getaway at: Hotel Healdsburg
