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California has been known for its golden beaches and idyllic coastlines for over a century. However, over the past 50 years, California has entered the world stage on a new front and has become world-renowned for its numerous wine country destinations.
In fact, behind Italy, France, and Spain, California is the fourth largest wine producer in the world. As such, it is no surprise that the entire state is considered a wine region and features 147 nationally recognized American Viticultural Areas, each boasting its unique wine country of varying tastes and vintages.
Still, while fantastic wine is to be found in every region of California, the term Wine Country is commonly used to describe the state’s three most famous wine destinations — Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, and Russian River Valley.
From luxurious resorts to budget-friendly accommodations, these are the best wine country hotels in California to consider when deciding where to stay.
The 9 Best Wine Country Hotels in California
- Auberge du Soleil
- Solage
- Napa Winery Inn
- Montage Healdsburg
- El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen
- Sonoma Creek Inn
- Hotel Les Mars
- Vintners Resort
- Hotel La rose
Wine Country Hotels – Region Guide to California’s Wine Country
- Where is wine country: California features 147 nationally recognized wine regions. However, the term Wine Country is commonly used to refer to the region north of San Francisco that is home to the state’s most recognizable distributors of wine in the world — Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley, and Russian River Valley.
- Why Visit Napa Valley: The most recognizable of California’s wine regions, Napa Valley is famous for more than just its delicious varietals. Boasting over 400 vineyards and 90 urban tasting rooms, Napa Valley is the perfect destination for those that want to sample world-class wine while enjoying year-round near-perfect weather conditions in the idyllic countryside.
- Why Visit Sonoma Valley: A close second to the state’s top wine region, Sonoma County offers its own fantastic variety of local wines while retaining the natural beauty and optimal weather conditions of northern California. Hosting far fewer tourists than Napa Valley, Sonoma Valley is perfect for visitors looking to experience the merriment of Wine Country without the crowds.
- Why Visit Russian River Valley: While home to many of the state’s top vineyards, the Russian River Valley also features a rugged landscape with its eponymous river at its focal point. Combining California’s wine country with outdoor adventure sports, the Russian River Valley is the ideal destination for visitors who want a taste of everything the state offers.
Best Wine Country Hotels in Napa Valley
If you are looking for the epitome of California’s Wine Country, then seek no further than the breathtakingly beautiful countryside of Napa Valley. Boasting miles of world-famous vineyards, Napa Valley is the peak tourist destination in the region and features plenty of accommodation options for visitors. These are the three best hotels in the wine country’s Napa Valley for visitors of all budgets.
1. Auberge du Soleil — $$$
Perched atop an idyllic hillside surrounded by 33 acres of heritage olive and oak trees, the Auberge du Soleil is as opulent as it gets when it comes to California Wine Country’s luxurious accommodation options.
This larger-than-life resort was inspired by the south of France and is renowned for blending the famous European flavors with the natural majesty and breathtaking beauty of Napa Valley.
Originally opened as the region’s first fine-dining restaurant in 1981, the Auberge du Soleil quickly grew into the wine country’s premier resort and offers its eclectic tastes over a variety of delectable cuisine dishes and local varietals.
Beyond its fine dining and wine-tasting facilities, the Auberge du Soleil enjoys a central location in Napa Valley. As a result, it puts guests in a convenient situation to explore every corner of the region, from engaging in nearby outdoor explorations to excursions through the boutique shopping centers of the nearby communities.
The resort offers a series of preplanned three-day itineraries for guests seeking a guided journey through the region’s many wonders. Whatever their interests, the Auberge du Soleil offers an experience perfect for each of their guests.
And when they are done exploring everything the idyllic region offers, visitors can return to the resort to enjoy the full amenities of their private quarters.
Featuring over 50 guest rooms and suites, each accommodation option at the Auberge du Soleil features luxurious designs and offers some of the best panoramic views in all of Napa Valley.
2. Solage — $$
Operated by the Auberge Resorts Collection, the Solage is an excellent mid-range resort for visitors to California’s Napa Valley that want to enjoy the region’s opulent full-service resort experience without having to fork over thousands of dollars a night.
Located in the beautiful community of Calistoga, renowned for its idyllic hot springs, the Solage resort is popular amongst the region’s wine lovers, foodies, and wellness seekers. While offering access to the region’s numerous wineries, the resort also boasts a relaxing ambiance and is the ideal setting for a yoga retreat.
This mid-range resort option boasts all of a five-star hotel’s premier amenities and services, including an extensive pool area with loungers, numerous dining areas and bars, and even an award-winning 20,000-square-foot spa reflective of the region’s earliest days as a hot spring tourist destination.
From Calistoga’s esteemed wineries and hot springs to its diverse collection of celebrated restaurants, shopping centers, and beautiful hiking trails, the Solage resort offers one of the most engaging experiences with the local community while boasting the premier amenities of five-star accommodation.
3. Napa Winery Inn — $
Located directly in the city of Napa, the Napa Winery Inn is one of the top-value accommodation options in the valley. It combines a convenient location with exceptional services and amenities.
The pet-friendly hotel is only minutes from downtown Napa and the nearby community of Yountville and offers easy access to both destinations’ collections of local restaurants, boutique shopping centers, and tasting rooms. And, of course, the hotel also serves as a fantastic base for guests planning a visit to one or more of the region’s celebrated wineries and vineyards.
Offered within the hotel’s facilities are a wide array of services and amenities, including an onsite pool and hot tub, a complimentary continental breakfast, an extensive meeting and event space, and a selection of eight beautifully designed, pet-friendly hotel rooms available at budget-friendly rates.
Each hotel room has a series of base comforts, including high-speed internet, personal refrigerators, a wet bar, and flatscreen TVs. Additional amenities are available unique to each room, but each unit is guaranteed to provide a comfortable stay that accentuates the extravagance of the destination.
Rates at the Napa Winery Inn start as low as $125 per night for the hotel’s Standard King Bed unit.
Best Wine Country Hotels in Sonoma Valley
Known as the birthplace of wine in California, Sonoma Valley is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, Napa Valley.
Still, along with hosting some of the world’s most renowned vineyards, Sonoma Valley is an idyllic corner of the state that promises beautiful natural landscapes and an exploration of the historical development of California’s wine industry.
These are the best hotels for hosting your stay in this far less crowded corner of wine country.
4. Montage Healdsburg — $$$
Surrounded by 258 acres of rolling vineyards and sprawling oak tree groves, the Montage Healdsburg offers an idyllic pastoral setting for one of the most opulent, full-service resorts in California’s Wine Country.
Within the resort complex are some of the most lavish services and amenities offered anywhere, including a signature restaurant, a lobby bar, a poolside bar and grill, a country store, and both in-room and private dining spaces.
Also offered within the hotel is an 11,500-square-foot full-service spa and two pools, including the resort’s main zero-edge pool that provides some of the most striking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and vineyards.
While the hotel’s facilities are in a league of their own, guests will want to tour and sample some of the local vineyards when visiting wine country. Luckily, the Montage Healdsburg is conveniently located close to all of the region’s top wineries, and guests are free to peruse the 15 acres of the hotel’s own vines.
The Montage Healdsburg features a wide variety of room and suite options, all beautifully designed to accentuate the natural wonders of the surrounding landscape.
In each room, guests will find marble bathrooms, sitting areas with hardwood floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows providing breathtaking views throughout your stay.
5. El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen — $$
Located next to the historic Sonoma Plaza and just down the street from Sonoma State Historical Park, the El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen provides guests with a quant boutique hotel experience in the heart of one of the state’s oldest communities.
The Salvador Vallejo building that currently houses the hotel was initially built in 1843 for the brother of the city’s founder.
Open to both locals and hotel guests, the El Dorado Kitchen is one of the most popular restaurants in the community and serves award-winning cuisines curated using local, seasonal ingredients. The kitchen serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and features a dining room, a corner café, and a tree-lined outdoor patio.
While the restaurant is open to the public, the El Dorado features plenty of onsite facilities available only to hotel guests. These comfort amenities include a private fireplace lounge, a solar-heated swimming pool, and 27 rooms featuring a cozy, locally inspired design.
Every room at the hotel features complimentary bikes for rent, in-room espresso machines, Bluetooth audio systems, luxury linens, and private balconies overlooking the historic downtown region.
While the hotel’s facilities are excellent, the true merriment of the El Dorado is its proximity to the community’s historical attractions and excellent services. Within walking distance of the hotel are several boutique shopping centers and restaurants, while the region’s famous vineyards are only a short drive away.
6. Sonoma Creek Inn — $
A fantastic option for visitors exploring California’s Wine Country on a budget, the Sonoma Creek Inn features affordable rates while providing plenty of comfort amenities and services guaranteed to make your trip to Sonoma Valley one to remember.
Conveniently located within the Sonoma community, the hotel is conveniently located near both the town’s famous attractions and the beautiful vineyards dotting the countryside. What the hotel lacks in onsite services, it makes up for by providing access to several nearby restaurants and shopping centers.
The Sonoma Creek Inn features 16 beautifully designed guestrooms featuring coffee makers, flatscreen TVs, and private balconies. Also available with every room is a complimentary winery map with discounted wine-tasting coupons.
Rates at the Sonoma Creek Inn start at $105 per night.
Best Wine Country Hotels in Russian River Valley
Wine Country’s least-touristed destination, the Russian River Valley, combines California’s vineyard destinations with the Russian River’s small mountain town charms and outdoor recreational activities to provide a taste of everything the state offers within a singular destination.
These are the best hotels for hosting any trip to this corner of paradise.
7. Hotel Les Mars — $$$
Situated amidst the rolling hills of the Russian River Valley, the hotel Les Mars is one of the most eclectic resorts in Wine Country and is styled with traditional 17th and 18th-century Parisian charms.
Located one block from the historic town square of Healdsburg, the hotel boasts one of the most advantageous locations. It provides easy access to the country’s many vineyards while remaining near the town’s services. Nearby activities include Michelin Star dining, wine tasting, and many outdoor adventure opportunities.
While the hotel’s surroundings are fantastic, the outstanding onsite amenities and services make the Hotel Les Mars one of the best accommodations in Wine Country. The hotel features a 24-hour front desk, antique furniture that provides a traditional ambiance, a complimentary breakfast, and an onsite restaurant that engages local seasonal ingredients.
Also featured within the hotel are 16 guest rooms that complement the hotel’s overall design, each with luxury amenities, including antique furnishings, fine Italian linens, ensuite bathrooms, and a fully equipped mini-bar.
8. Vintners Resort — $$
Vintners Resort is a mid-range hotel in the Russian River Valley that provides one of the best value accommodations for its overall cost.
Featured within the resort complex is a massive variety of services and amenities, including three restaurants and lounges, an onsite spa, and one of the best venues in the region for hosting weddings or any other special event.
Situated just north of Santa Rosa, Vintners Resort offers a convenient location to explore every corner of the Russian River Valley. And one of the best ways to experience everything the region has to offer is by signing up for one of the resort’s signature experiences that range from garden tours to hikes through the 55-acre vineyard.
When finished exploring the countryside, visitors are invited back to the comforts of their private rooms, where they can enjoy various amenities.
While certain comforts differ between rooms, every unit at the Vintners Resort features luxury additions that include electric fireplaces, a patio or balcony, and breathtaking views of the hotel’s gardens and property.
9. Hotel La Rose— $
The only hotel in Sonoma County to be registered in the National Trust of Historic Hotels in America, the Hotel La Rose offers fantastic budget-friendly accommodation in the heart of Santa Rosa’s historic railroad square.
First established in 1907, the Hotel La Rosa has been a staple of the Santa Rosa community for over a century. During that time, it has provided visitors with excellent lodging and convenient access to the region’s top attractions.
Only a short drive from many of the region’s top wineries, the Hotel La Rosa promises a stay entrenched in the region’s local culture while providing opportunities to escape the city to engage in a series of outdoor recreation in the picturesque countryside.
The hotel features 48 modernized rooms with traditional-styled designs. Each room features comfortable amenities, including high-speed internet, in-room coffee makers, and a private patio or balcony.
Rates at the Hotel La Rose start at $149 per night for the accommodations Deluxe Queen Room.
Wine Country Hotels in California – Conclusion
As one of the top tourist destinations in the country, the California Wine Country is home to a massive variety of fantastic accommodation options.
From extensive luxury resorts to affordable historic stays, these are the best hotels in Wine Country for every budget;
- Best Luxury Resort in Wine Country: Auberge du Soleil
- Best Mid-Range Hotel in Wine Country: Vintners Resort
- Best Budget Hotel in Wine Country: Hotel La Rose
