In the late 1800’s the area just north of downtown Sonoma was home to hot springs that drew visitors from far and wide. Towns like Aqua Caliente and Boyes Hot Springs were home to small hotels and resorts. In the early 1920’s the grandest of these was built ; the Sonoma Mission Inn with its signature water tower, beautiful grounds and extensive spa.
This was the era of great Inns such as the Desert Inn in downtown Palm Springs, unfortunately demolished in favor of shopping malls. I had family that lived and worked in old Palm Springs who told me about the place and the people and it clearly possessed a huge amount of charm that seems to have evaporated with the onslaught of swimming pools and lawn sprinklers.
The Sonoma Mission Inn has lost none of its charm and being owned by Fairmont it performs to those standards that you expect from a grand international hotel. I’ve noticed that my clients from there include a high percentage of internationals and New Yorkers.Fortunately I work in five languages and having grown up in New Jersey and lived in Manhattan I speak that particular dialect.
This is a also an important convention hotel although it is a resort to its core, the extensive meeting space only matched by the huge spa, two great restaurants and a morning café and of course a great gift shop. Technology does matter. After the 1906 earthquake the hot springs began recede. Eventually the locals who wanted to maintain springs drilled to the depth they needed to reach the healing water so the Inn’s swimming is fed by mineral water. SMI is a very busy place during the grape crush, when I pulled up to meet my clients the other day there were three black limos out of Napa in front of me meeting clients. I parked my silver Navigator at the back of the line and went inside. That welcoming courtyard says it all about the hotel, circular, welcoming, beautifully planted with sitting areas around a fire pit, and meandering pathways to the rooms and spa.
The Sonoma Mission Inn has a distinct place among the Fairmont chain, at least the last I heard. This is the only hotel building that Fairmont owns. Hotels operate but they lease the buildings from holding companies. Apparently the building was changing hands and the deal fell through and Fairmont stepped in and snatched it up a few years ago. They recognized a great place when they saw it.
Call 707-235-2648 for Tours, Books & Seminars Copyright Ralph & Lahni de Amicis 2011 All tasting fees, hours, wine lists, etc are subject to change.