SONOMA, CA—Though the City of Sonoma is a small town, it has an impressive selection of luxury hotels. Most are small to medium-sized with 4-80 rooms, but some larger area properties offer resort-style amenities.

At 182 rooms, cottages, and suites, The Lodge At Sonoma is one of the area’s few large resorts. But, of course, “large” in the town of Sonoma always means provincial and intimate. This hotel is one of my “preferred hotels” on www.CaliforniaFineWineries.com which means that I’ve walked around the grounds, probably made a pest of myself, and checked out the rooms on numerous occasions over the years. My most recent visit was just last week. Here’s my mini-report.

Grand amenities: The Lodge boasts a well-regarded, on-site spa, The Raindance Spa, a full service restaurant, Carneros Bistro Wine Bar, (which has a solid history of good food; their new Executive Chef, Peter Smith, just started 2 weeks ago. A good guy and talented chef. Keep an eye on him!!!) plus an outdoor pool and hot tub.

The Lodge At Sonoma has earned the AAA Four Diamond Award which means it’s a high-end joint with up-to-date, refined and stylish accommodations. Four Diamond hotels are also known for top-notch service and attention to detail.

To my taste, hotels with impressive yet comfortable lobbies are the basis for great holidays. The Lodge has one of the nicest lobbies in the town of Sonoma. (The strange fuzzy white blemish in the foreground to the right is actually the top of a flocked Christmas tree I climbed to get this photo.)

In winter, a lobby fireplace like this makes you want to cozy up on the sofa with a glass of local Syrah. It’s a great place to meet and compare notes with other travelers.

I had a look at this upper floor “pool view” room. It was very nice. Soft bed, attractive decor…

… good interior lighting, a 32” flat screen TV, and writing desk…

… a view of the bathtub from the bed. Modesty screen plantation shutters are included!

Richly appointed bathroom with fancy fixtures. The rooms are beautiful here!

And a really nice pool area. Though December isn’t the best time for relaxing outside on the chaise lounge, once summer comes around this will be the place to be.

A pool large enough for laps.

Yes, the hot tub is your perfect winter soak. My recommendation is to immerse yourself right before bed for a good night sleep so that you’ll have the strength to continue wine tasting and touring in the a.m.

In the near future I’ll take a tour their Raindance Spa. I’ll post my full report right here!