When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Details here.

Home » Stays » Hotels & Resorts

Where to Stay in Sonoma: Inn at Sonoma and Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn

Kim Orlando

Updated

January 25, 2026

Colorful views of the hills and vineyard at Lasseter Family Winery, Sonoma, CA. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Facebook6 Tweet Pin LinkedInShares6

Choosing where to stay in Sonoma shapes how your trip feels. On a girls’ getaway, we were hosted back-to-back at the Inn at Sonoma and the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa: one walkable and in town, the other a geothermal hot-spring resort. Here’s how they compare, and how to choose the right stay for your travel style.

Highlights

Split-stay strategy: Start in town for tasting rooms and shopping, then end your trip soaking in hot springs and slowing down resort-style.
Inn at Sonoma: Walkable boutique stay two blocks from Sonoma Plaza with complimentary breakfast, daily wine tastings, bikes, and an easy, park-once location.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn: Full-service resort experience featuring natural geothermal mineral pools, a destination spa, Michelin-recognized dining, and shuttle service.

Editor’s Note: The writer was hosted.

Inn at Sonoma

Why Stay Here

Best for: Walkability, cozy stays, in-town convenience
Location: Two blocks from Sonoma Plaza

We stayed at the Inn at Sonoma first. We were able to park once and walk everywhere. It’s two blocks from the Plaza and close to so many of the fun things to do in Sonoma: tasting rooms, the Mission, cafés, shops, galleries, and casual dinner options. The hotel is part of Four Sisters Inns, a group known for small-scale boutique properties that feel personal without being fussy.

SheBuysTravel Tip: For ideas for wineries, food stops, hands-on classes, hikes, and more, you’ll find those in our 3-day itinerary.

Are you ready to explore more? Let us inspire you with our newsletter!

Ledson Winery tasting at the Inn at Sonoma in Sonoma CA. — Ledson Winery tasting at the Inn at Sonoma, Sonoma, CA. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Overall Vibe

Friendly and comfortable. The hotel blends modern amenities with cozy bed-and-breakfast warmth (breakfast and snacks are complimentary — be sure to try the cookies!), a hot tub, free bike rentals and a welcoming staff. It works well for a girls’ weekend because it feels homey but not too quiet or formal.

Rooms

King room with fireplace and balcony at Inn at Sonoma in Sonoma CA. — King room with fireplace and balcony at Inn at Sonoma, Sonoma, CA. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Our room was elegantly designed with clean lines, neutral tones and luxurious simplicity. The gas fireplace made me want to hang out and read a book. But there was too much to see!

Standout Features

Homemade artichoke omelet with potatoes and fruit at Inn at Sonoma in Sonoma CA. — Artichoke omelet with potatoes and fruit. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Within easy walking distance of the Plaza (shopping, wine tasting rooms, restaurants)
A genuine boutique feel without boutique pricing
Outstanding complimentary breakfast
Complementary wine tasting daily
Bikes available for guests
Hot tub

Choose Inn at Sonoma if you want:

Easy access to Sonoma Plaza
A boutique feel with friendly service
A casual, walkable base for wine tasting and exploring the town
A good value

SheBuysTravel Tip: Buy a day pass to the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa for access to the geothermal pools. Includes robe, slippers, and three hours of parking.

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn

Why Stay Here

Best for: Spa time, resort amenities, relaxing retreats
Location: 8-minute drive from the Plaza, shuttle available

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is different from the Inn at Sonoma in all the right ways. This is a full-service resort built around natural geothermal mineral springs. It is classic Wine Country luxury without feeling over-the-top. The property is leafy and quiet, with multiple pools, a lively lobby and peaceful courtyards.

The Farimont Spa and mineral-spring-fed pools are two of the reasons so many people stay here. The water is restorative; it’s a unique Sonoma experience.

Mineral pool at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa CA — Mineral pool at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, CA. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Highlights

Multiple natural mineral-spring-fed pools that are central to the experience
Private geothermal whirlpools to rent
Farimont Spa
Leafy grounds and peaceful courtyards
Pet-friendly amenities & special menu
Complimentary shuttle to Sonoma Plaza
Bikes

Rooms

Double queen room at the Fairmont Mission Inn and Spa. Sonoma CA. — Double queen room at the Fairmont Mission Inn and Spa. Sonoma, CA. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Our double queen room was the right kind of practical luxury for a girls’ trip: spacious, polished, and close to the lobby. Rooms are calm and refined with soft neutrals and plush bedding that was great for our girls’ trip: spacious, polished and a large bathroom. We were originally booked in a king room with a fireplace and spa tub (perfect for couples), but switched to a double queen.

King suite with fireplace at Fairmont Mission Inn and Spa in Sonoma CA. — King suite with fireplace at Fairmont Mission Inn and Spa. Sonoma, CA. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Dining + On-Site Amenities

Popcorn topped pineapple cake at Sante Fairmont Mission Inn and Spa. — Popcorn-topped pineapple cake at Sante, Fairmont Mission Inn and Spa. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

We ate a delicious dinner at the Michelin-recognized Sante. I loved the seared sole with a delicious brown sauce and my friend devoured the prime rib, which she said was one of the best she’s ever eaten. Our waiter knew exactly which wines to pair with our courses, including Dolce to accompany our dessert: popcorn-topped pineapple cake. The popcorn was such an inventive touch, adding a tiny bit of salt and a lot of fun to the dish. This is a definite recommend.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Make a reservation in advance. The restaurant was packed when we were there.

Private whirlpool cabana at Fairmont Mission Inn and Spa in Sonoma CA. — Private whirlpool cabana at Fairmont Mission Inn and Spa. Sonoma, CA. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

We were too busy to hang out at 38° North, the lively lobby bar, and the pool lounges were closed. There are on-site activities such as daily complimentary wine tastings from local wineries and docent-led hikes (weather permitting) through nearby parks.

Poolside cabana with plenty of seating tv and fan at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa in CA. — Poolside cabana with plenty of seating, TV and fan at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, CA. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

Pet-Friendly Perks at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn

Chardonnay is Director of Pet Relations at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa in CA. — Chardonnay, Director of Pet Relations, at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, CA. Photo credit: Kim Orlando

The Fairmont is genuinely pet-friendly , not just pet-allowed.

Pet-friendly rooms are available; request bowls and a pet bed in advance or at check-in.
Pet dining options are offered through Santé and in-room dining, with a dedicated dog menu: Chicken Chow and Dog Day Afternoon.
Biodegradable waste bags are complimentary and available at the Front Desk.
On-site pet portraits can be arranged with local artist Brenda McNeill (advance notice recommended).
Chardonnay Fairmont, the resort’s Canine Ambassador, and the world’s most relaxed pooch (IMHO) is hanging out on site.
Grounds are walkable and well-suited for morning and evening dog walks.

Choose Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn if you want:

Spa amenities and natural mineral hot springs
Multiple pools and on-site activities
A retreat-style stay where you slow down
Michelin-rated restaurant

Best of Both Worlds

If you have the time, splitting your stay (like we did) gives you two different Wine Country experiences:

Start at Inn at Sonoma for exploring
End at the Fairmont for decompressing

It’s a great rhythm for a girls’ getaway, mother-daughter trip or any long weekend.

FAQs

Is the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn family-friendly?

Yes, but I think it is best enjoyed by couples, friends, and travelers who want a spa-focused stay.

Is the Inn at Sonoma walkable?

Yes, it’s two blocks from Sonoma Plaza, making it one of the most walkable hotel locations in town.

Does the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn have hot springs?

Yes. The Fairmont sits on Boyes Hot Springs, a natural geothermal mineral spring, and the spa pools are fed by them.

Which Sonoma hotel is better for a girls’ trip?

Inn at Sonoma is great for exploring; Fairmont is better for pampering.

Kim Orlando

Kim Orlando, founder of SheBuysTravel, is a lifelong traveler, an entrepreneur and a sought-after social media and marketing consultant. She has made hundreds of appearances on TV and in digital and print media, sharing advice and tips built on decades of travel experiences. Hailing from the hills of Kentucky and taking her story to New York, Los Angeles, and beyond, Kim built an online platform, the original TravelingMom, that has reached millions of moms and empowered them to explore the world with their families. Today, TravelingMom has evolved into SheBuysTravel. Kim has been featured on “News Nation,” “Today,” “Good Morning America” and on numerous satellite media tours. She has contributed travel guidance to outlets including The Washington Post, Good Housekeeping, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal and more. (Read more about Kim’s media appearances here) Her travel mantra is simple: All travel counts. “You don’t have to go far. Leaving your home is travel,” Kim says. “Wherever you go, even just to the next town over, you can learn something new, see someone and something you haven’t seen before. “It’s good for the brain and good for the soul.” An epiphany in early parenthood started Kim on the journey that led to SheBuysTravel. She’d been a fan of a newsletter for women travelers, and she saw an opportunity. “I thought something like that for moms could be extraordinarily helpful,” she said. “I was traveling for work, traveling for fun, and I was looking for support.” That seed grew into the award-winning website TravelingMom, created as a resource for traveling families of all stripes. Today, TravelingMom has evolved into SheBuysTravel, with an expanded mission to serve women travelers at any stage of life. Millions of readers have visited the site for trip planning help, travel secrets, destination information and gear recommendations. What sets SheBuysTravel’s content apart, Kim says, is its foundation in real-world experience. “Our writers and editors have actually gone out there and done this stuff,” she says. “They’ve booked the flights, tried the tour, tested travel clothing, visited that new hot spot to see if it’s worth the hype. It’s all real.” Memorable Adventures A 2022 tour Kim guided to Bhutan was a particularly standout experience. “Bhutan sounds so exotic, of course,” she said. “But the part where my heart just glows and warms is thinking of the people we met – amazing women doing amazing things in Bhutan.” Their ranks included a former police officer whose ventures into food science helped mitigate food insecurity for residents of Bhutan’s highlands. Top Tips Planning for travel can be daunting, Kim acknowledges. “I always say: Go anyway. No trip is going to be perfect. There’s always going to be something you didn’t expect, something that doesn’t go the way you pictured or planned it. And that something is what’s going to make it a great trip.” And on a practical note: “Go early! Getting to the airport or hitting the road just an hour earlier relieves so much stress.” Kim’s Background Kim, a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, holds degrees in finance and entrepreneurship and has deep experience in developing and running businesses. Her previous work includes developing and running communications workshops and overseeing document management for corporations. SheBuysTravel hits a sweet spot where Kim’s two loves of travel and entrepreneurship meet. “The longer I work in this field, I only want to do more,” she says. “I find the travel world so exciting – not just the trips, but the whole online world of travel. There are still so many opportunities.” The World Awaits “The ‘best trip ever’ probably won’t be the same for an empty-nester or mom of three versus a single woman celebrating a bachelorette party with her friends,” Kim says. “We want to keep it real for traveling women, no matter what their age, life stage, where they came from or where they’re going. “We want to inspire women to travel in any shape or form.” In her free time, Kim enjoys visiting her adult kids, creating trips and traveling with her BFFs to explore the world. Her most recent adventures can be found on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Read full bio