The 7 Best Hotels in Sonoma Valley, California

Fresh off a multimillion-dollar renovation, this former family estate is earning accolades for infusing next-generation vibes into a wine country classic. Just look to the contemporary guest suites (many with private outdoor patios), the sophisticated Mediterranean plates at Layla (the on-site restaurant), and the thoughtful details incorporated throughout the guest experience, like warm chocolate chip cookies at turndown, spa treatments utilizing herbs from the on-site garden, and grab-and-go bites at the coffee shop/marketplace. MacArthur also earns bonus points for its near-adjacency to Sonoma Plaza, which you can reach by complimentary resort bikes.

Don’t let the fact that the Farmhouse Inn is family-owned fool you—this is the epitome of a luxury boutique hotel. Between the Michelin-starred restaurant, the full-service all-natural spa, and the picturesque gardens spread across 10 private acres, this 25-room stunner is renowned for its laid-back yet elevated charms. After checking into your barn-, cottage-, or farmhouse-style suite (complete with a gas fireplace and wine fridge), throwing on a cozy robe, and opening up a few bottles of California Cab, you might never want to leave.

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Conveniently situated on a 92-acre working vineyard, this aptly named boutique hotel has all the prerequisites needed for a wine country escape—including private guest suites, an outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and on-site tastings. For those travelers who prefer to drink from the extensive wine list and not even bother with Uber, both on-site restaurants—upscale John Ash & Co and local favorite River Vine Café—source ingredients from the inn’s own culinary garden.

Stepping onto the 105 picturesque acres of Beltane Ranch—a six-generation family-owned estate that's equal parts vineyard, agricultural preserve, olive oil producer, heirloom ranch, and bee apiary—is like entering a paradisiacal homestead. That bucolic vibe extends to its guest quarters, which are set in an 1800s-era farmhouse and kitted out with antique furniture and modern fixtures. During your stay, take advantage of the extensive guest programming, which includes picnic lunches, alfresco dinners, and even wine club social events.

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Travelers who want to experience the rural vibes of wine country but still crave a little downtown buzz will find their home away from home in El Dorado. The 27-room boutique hotel is situated smack dab on Sonoma Square, which allows guests to balance their itinerary between vineyard hopping excursions and chilled-out days exploring town. Everything you need is within walking distance of your comfy, modern digs—don’t miss a meal across the street at The Girl and the Fig—but it's worth staying put for at least one hearty dinner at El Dorado Kitchen. If you do, go for the local Petaluma chicken breast or house-made fettuccine carbonara.

Drive 20 minutes north of downtown Sonoma and you’ll arrive at this dreamy, 29-room enclave. The place oozes Mediterranean romance thanks to quiet Tuscan-style gardens and flagstone pathways, so we suggest leaving the kids at home. Kickstart the day with coffee on your private terrace followed by winery visits through mid-afternoon, when you can return to sip more wine beside the fire pit followed by a late-night soak in one of two outdoor hot tubs.

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Checking into this 23-room hotel, tucked into the tiny town of Glen Ellen, will feel like you’ve been transported to Kyoto. Just don’t expect any kitschy Asian décor. Instead, thoughtfully restrained guest rooms come in a soothing palette of gray, black, and sage, with nature-themed artwork and large windows that look out onto private zen gardens. Add in the bubbling sounds of adjacent Calabazas Creek and self-guided forest bathing spa treatments and you’ve got a wholly unique and surprisingly refreshing getaway in the heart of wine country.