In the know

Our favourite rooms: Although the hotel’s suites are, of course, larger and have added sitting rooms, for the price, we’re still more than happy with the Standard King rooms – these all feature six-foot bath tubs, similarly generous beds, French doors opening onto private balconies and oak floors covered with Tibetan rugs.
Packing tips: Pack the shades – it’s blindingly bright round here – but leave the perfume/aftershave at home – artificial scents hijack your palate when sampling wines. No lipstick either – it’s a nightmare to scrub off the tasting glasses.
Also: If you’re lucky enough to be staying in March, you can attend Charlie Palmer’s annual ‘Pigs and Pinot’ event, a celebration of fine wine and quality pork raising money for child hunger (ending it, that is).

Sonoma Hotels: Hotel Healdsburg, need to know

Current offers

Smith card offer: A complimentary bottle of Sonoma sparkling wine on arrival
Current special offer: 3 nights for the price of 2

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Hotel Healdsburg

Sonoma County, United States[view map]

Style: Cockle-warming wine retreat
Setting: Sonoma vineyard country

Not far north of San Francisco, Healdsburg is the heart of Sonoma wine country, and Charlie Palmer’s warm and modern Healdsburg Hotel is at the heart of the town in its turn. Its restaurant, the Dry Creek Kitchen, is a destination in itself, thanks to its tastebud-teasing Californian fusion food, and its wine cellar – as you’d expect in this vine-covered corner of America – holds a staggering range of tasty tipples.

Need to know

Rooms: 55.
Rates: US$260–US$820, including breakfast; excludes tax.
Check-out: Midday.
Facilities: Spa with six treatment rooms and a Jacuzzi, gym, free DVD library, free WiFi throughout, valet parking. In rooms: flatscreen TV, DVD/CD player, iPod dock, 500-thread-count Frette linen, bespoke organic toiletries.
Poolside: The hotel’s secluded garden pool is lined with extra-comfy loungers and surrounded by olive trees.
Also: There’s a two-night minimum stay during weekends between March and October. Small dogs are welcome for a US$150 fee including doggy bed, doggy bowl and doggy snacks.

Food & drink

Hotel restaurant: Light, glassy, airy, Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen is renowned for its progressive Californian fusion dishes, accompanied exclusively by Sonoma wines.
Dress code: Connoisseur casual.
Top table: At lunchtime, you’ll want to secure a spot outside to watch Healdsburg society drift by. In the evening, settle down on the banquette in the far corner of the restaurant for extra-plush comfort.
Last orders: Dinner is served until 9.30pm during the week, and 10pm at weekends. The bar’s open until 11.30pm – occasionally later if the guests.
Room service: The Dry Creek Kitchen’s dishes can all be served in room during restaurant opening hours.
Hotel bar: A relaxed woody nook of a fireside drinking den, Healdsburg’s lobby bar is an easygoing jazz-soundtracked joint. Its cocktails – all made with local, seasonal ingredients – are almost as impressive as the wine selection.

Also worth knowing

Children: Kids stay free, and extra beds can be provided for US$35 a night. The hotel can recommend babysitting services (about US$15 an hour) and its restaurant can prepare dishes for younger palates on request.

Smith Members offer

A complimentary bottle of Sonoma sparkling wine on arrival

If you're a member of Mr & Mrs Smith, you can get special privileges at every Smith hotel you book through us. Just show your Smith card at check-in to claim the offer featured on every hotel page (like the one above).

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