Wineries with a View

There is nothing better than enjoying a glass of wine overlooking a gorgeous vineyard this time of year. In every trip we have taken to Sonoma and Napa we try to balance the trip with some fantastic wines, along with wineries that have beautiful views. Here are a few of our favorite wineries for their views and ambiance.

Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros has one of my favorite views and ambiance in Napa and Sonoma. It is on CA-121 N , the road leading into Napa from San Francisco. We typically stop here on our first day as it is on the way into wine country. The winery itself is beautiful and looks like a french chateau. The views of the rolling vineyards surrounding the tasting room are even more breathtaking. They are open daily from 10 am- 5:30 pm and they do require reservations. We always make reservations for the terrace to enjoy the wine, fresh air and landscape. You will have table service. My advice is to plan to spend some time here and definitely snap a few pictures (or more). We first visited their winery back in 2013 and have been back numerous times. They are known for their sparkling wines and pinot noir. These are not typically my favorite varietals but they do such a good job with them and the experience is worth the stop.

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

This winery has not only gorgeous views, but a beautiful pool, cinema, dining, numerous tasting experiences and more. It’s worth a visit if you are looking for a non-conventional winery or just one with some additional flare. They allow short self-guided walks through the vineyard to explore and enjoy the views. The tasting room in Geyersville is open 11 AM to 6 PM daily.

Petroni Vineyards

We were lucky enough to visit this winery on one of our wine tours through Sonoma. The Estate is located at the top of a hill and has unbelievable views over the Valley of the Moon. It truly does remind you of an italian hillside with vines growing up the hills in all directions. Their tastings now take place in a wine cave. Petroni is open from 10 AM to 4 PM, but reservations are required. The drive to the top of the mountain is windy and narrow, but worth the trip. In addition to the ambiance they have some big bold red wines, Proprietors Reserve was my favorite.

Ferrari- Carano Vineyards and Winery

This winery is picturesque and very well groomed. The grounds are kept in pristine condition and it is a great place to stop and enjoy a glass of wine. There are two tasting rooms, one on the main floor and another in the underground cellar. Limited release wines are served in the cellar. In addition there is a terrace that overlooks the gardens and grounds, if it’s a nice day that is where I would be. Ferrari- Carano is open 10 AM to 5 PM daily. If you stay at Vintner’s Inn mentioned in my previous post about where to stay in Sonoma and Napa, you will receive a free tasting.

Viansa Sonoma Winery & Tasting Room

Viansa has a great view and terrace. Plan to stop here on your way into Sonoma and Napa or on your way out. They have an expansive terrace with several tables to enjoy the views and even some areas reserved for private tastings. In addition they have two large bars on each end of the tasting room. In the middle they have a large selection of souvenirs and wine paraphernalia. They also have a marketplace where you can buy food, cheese and charcuterie boards to enjoy a picnic inside or outside on the terrace. My favorite wines are their Reserves. They are located on CA-121 N which you can take in from Sausalito or San Francisco. They are open 10 AM to 5 PM. This is another great place to snap some beautiful pictures. There are several rows of vines where you can get pictures of the grapes up close or just a good look at them. We first visited this winery in 2012 and almost every trip we have made back to wine country we have stopped back in.

Paradise Ridge Winery

This winery has two tasting rooms. One is in Kenwood and the other is in Russian River Valley. Unfortunately the tasting room in Russian River Valley was burned by the terrible fires in 2017. They are currently rebuilding the tasting room and are slated to have it open in November 2019. When they re-open this location it is definitely a winery and view I would not miss. The views from the terrace are breathtaking over the vineyards and you can even see the ocean in the distance. The experience of sitting on their terrace overlooking the vineyards is not one I will soon forget. There is also a large steel sculpture of the word LOVE that is located below the winery, which is another great photo opportunity. We have been to both locations over the years and their wine is fantastic if you like that big bold delicious red. In the meantime stop by their Kenwood location open from 11 am-6 pm, their wine is well worth it. We love their Rockpile Cabernet.

Ridge Vineyards

This winery was recommended on our last trip to wine country. We were staying in Healdsburg and asked the concierge for suggestions of nearby wineries known for their reds. They had suggested Ridge Vineyards, which is located in Healdsburg. They have a nice tasting room with a covered outdoor terrace that overlooks their vines. The view is gorgeous! Be prepared to enjoy some good reds, beautiful views and definitely snap a picture or two too! They are known for their Monte Bello, which was made famous from the Judgement of Paris. We enjoyed their Zinfandels. Ridge is open 11 AM-4 PM (Monday-Thursday) and 11 AM-5 PM (Friday-Sunday). They also have a location in the Santa Cruz Mountains, their Monte Bello Estate.

Please note, I did not receive any compensation, gifts or royalties from these vineyards to write this post. As always these reviews are based on my own unbiased opinion.

The Best of Sausalito

Oh Sausalito, you steal my heart every time I visit.  It is truly a picturesque city on the bay and similar to the beautiful villages on the rugged coastline of Italy.  Whether staying in the city for a few nights or visiting for the day here are some of our favorite things to do.

1.) Eat or have a drink at The Barrel House– Our absolute favorite place to grab a bite to eat in Sausalito.  Put your name in for a table outside even if there is a long wait, it will not disappoint.  My favorite spot is at the bar outside that overlooks the bay and the San Francisco skyline.  I could sit here for hours with one of their delicious cocktails or entrees and just take in the gorgeous views.

Barrel House
Barrel House

Barrel House- View from seats on outside deck
Barrel House- View from seats on outside deck

2.) Stay at Inn Above the Tides- Splurge for a truly serene and unparalleled experience.  Book a room with a balcony and enjoy every moment as you sit above the bay and enjoy the amazing views.  We have stayed here twice in the same room, Queen with a balcony.  

Inn Above the Tides
Inn Above the Tides

Inn Above the Tides- View of Sausalito from balcony
Inn Above the Tides- View of Sausalito from balcony

3.) Take a walk along the waterfront– Take a stroll along the water and enjoy the cool bay breeze hitting your face, the vast views of the bay and rolling hills with homes scattered across.  There are several benches along the way you can stop at to enjoy the picturesque village and water views.

Relaxing on a bench in Sausalito
Relaxing on a bench in Sausalito

Walking path in Sausalito and view
Walking path in Sausalito and view

4.) Go for a run! One of our favorite runs was to Moore Rd Pier. The views here are just spectacular and the run itself had several pretty vantage points.  We are avid runners and having a chance to experience new and beautiful scenery when running is a runners dream.  On a clear day grab a selfie on Moore Rd Pier, you won’t regret it.  We have had the picture taken here on display for two years.

Golden Gate Bridge Vista
Golden Gate Bridge Vista

Golden Gate Bridge Vista
Golden Gate Bridge Vista

5.) Get lost in the shopping– Whether you are looking for a shirt or souvenir that says Sausalito, shopping for boutique clothing or art, or even shopping for children’s clothes there is a shop for in this quaint city for you.  There is even a Christmas store, called The Holiday Shoppe if you collect ornaments from all the places you visit like I do.  Jewelry by the Bay is a great store to pick up some jewelry, or other unique accessories.  I bought a hair clip here that I have received compliments on every time I wear it.  If you are looking for some cute baby clothing, look no further than Cha Cha Cha.  I am expecting a little girl and on the last trip to Sausalito I really found some great deals and adorable clothes here.

6.) Take a picture with the Golden Gate. There are a few options from the Sausalito side of the bridge to get great photos at.  Our favorite spots are Battery Spencer and the Golden Gate Bridge View next to the Lonely Sailor Statue.  The view at Fort Baker is a great vantage point as you are level with the Golden Gate.  The view by the statue is below the Golden Gate, but still beautiful.  I would try going when the skies are clear, but if you are on limited time it is still worth going no matter the weather.

7.) Visit the Avenue of the Giants– Muir Woods is only a short drive away.  If you have time, I would not miss these big beautiful trees.  There is nothing like staring up those huge trunks in awe of how big and old they are.

Muir Woods
Muir Woods

8.) Take the Ferry across the bay to San Francisco.  When else are you going to have the opportunity to cross the Bay, passing Alcatraz while enjoying views of the Golden Gate?  If you are not staying in San Francisco at all on your trip this is also a great way to travel into the city to spend the day or a few hours.  You can not only miss the traffic but the headache of the Golden Gate Toll.

Ferry to San Francisco
Ferry to San Francisco

9.) Visit wine country!  Downtown Sonoma is about 50 minutes and  Downtown Napa is about an hour.  There are so many amazing wineries to visit that you will most likely want to add a separate leg to your stay to experience them.  If commuting from Sausalito, be sure to take a tour, hire a driver or use a ride share so your commute will be safe after the wine tastings.

These are just a few of the many things you can do in Sausalito, but this quaint city is definitely worth a stop on your Northern California trip!

Hotel Gem in Mill Valley

Enjoy the hustle and bustle of San Francisco, but truly desire the tranquility of the Sausalito area with views of the bay?  Consider Mill Valley, just a short drive away.

In the 8 trips we have taken to Northern California it is always a debate on where to stay.  While some trips we have stayed in both San Francisco and Sausalito there are trips where you want to combine both of the cities into one segment so you can see other parts of beautiful California.

We have stayed in Sausalito a few times and have loved our time there, but not the price tag of the location.  There are few hotel options here, which helps drive the price tag up.  As an alternative there are many places that are a short drive from Sausalito, one being Mill Valley.

While we have considered staying in Mill Valley a few times, we always decided we didn’t want the extra hassle of driving into Sausalito.  If only we knew what we had been missing out on!  This trip we made the decision to stay at the Acqua Hotel in Mill Valley and it is not to be missed!  We booked the first two days of our vacation here and loved it so much that we returned for the last night of our trip.  Who wouldn’t love this view, right?

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from balcony
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from balcony

Acqua Hotel

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Front of hotel
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Front of hotel

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Lobby
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Lobby

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Lobby
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Lobby

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Back of hotel
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Back of hotel

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- View of hotel rooms
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- View of hotel rooms

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Outside
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Outside

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Enclosed space with firepits
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Enclosed space with fire pits

The view from the back of the hotel was just beautiful and so serene.

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Outside
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Outside patio view

Complimentary Breakfast

The hotel provides complimentary breakfast and everyone in our party agreed it was the best we had on our trip.  Each of the 3 hotels we stayed at offered a complimentary breakfast.  The breakfast was served on the second floor.  You could sit at one of the many tables inside, or you could bring your breakfast on the patio outside on the first or second level.  There was also an all glass enclosed area on the 2nd floor that had gas fireplaces. You could enjoy the beautiful views while staying warm when the wind picks up, which we all know that bay breeze can be chilly!

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Scrambled eggs, sausages and veggie frittata)
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Scrambled eggs, sausages and veggie frittata)

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Bagels, breads, pastries)
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Bagels, breads, pastries)

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Cereals)
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Cereals)

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Waffle maker)
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Waffle maker)

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (hard boiled eggs and yogurts)
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (hard boiled eggs and yogurts)

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Toppings for oatmeal)
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast (Toppings for oatmeal)

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary breakfast

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Breakfast Area
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Breakfast Area

Complimentary Wine and Cheese

There was wine and cheese served at 5 pm which was looked forward to every day.  One wine they served I am told was truly amazing and rivaled if not beat the taste of several wineries we visited this trip.

We were lucky to have stayed during some beautiful weather and one night we enjoyed the wine, crackers and cheese on the patio outside.  The other nights we enjoyed them in the glass enclosed area on the second floor, with the fireplaces turned on.  We were able to watch the sunset and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful water views from here.  Surprisingly the heat retention in the enclosed area was great!

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary wine and cheese reception
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary wine and cheese reception

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from tables outside at wine and cheese hour
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from tables outside at wine and cheese hour

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Wine and cheese hour by the firepits
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Wine and cheese hour by the firepits

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from enclosed space with firepits
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from enclosed space with firepits

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from 2nd level of hotel
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from 2nd level of hotel

Complimentary Fresh Baked Cookies

At 7 pm warm cookies were served in the lobby, which were delicious and something we always looked forward to.

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary cookies in evening
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Complimentary cookies in evening

Junior Suite Fireplace

We reserved a Junior Suite Fireplace which is located on the 3rd floor.  The king bed was very comfortable.  There was a small living area in the room which we used to store our luggage.

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from room
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from room

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from balcony
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- View from balcony

The bathroom was spacious and had a tub and a separate walk-in shower.  There were dispensers in the shower containing shampoo, conditioner and body wash.  I enjoyed this as you didn’t have to try to squeeze out the last bits of shampoo from the small bottles typically provided, but you could use as much as you wanted.

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite

Aqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite
Acqua Hotel Mill Valley- Junior fireplace suite

Sausalito is less than a 10 minute drive from the hotel.  You can easily enjoy either the beautiful seaside town or take the ferry across to San Francisco.  You are also only about a 20-30 minute drive to Muir Woods.

Both Guadalupe and Judy, the sales manager provided amazing customer service and made our stay absolutely perfect!  This stay was part of our anniversary trip and they sure went out of their way to make it special with a bottle of wine and some  delicious chocolates.

We would definitely return and we are  sad we didn’t find this gem sooner!

 

First class service in San Diego

Where to stay in sunny San Diego?  There are so many beautiful areas to see and so many things to do.  We have been to San Diego twice and both times we have stayed in the Gas Lamp Quarter.  The first time it was an easy decision since we were travelling for a conference and it was at the Hard Rock Hotel where we had a negotiated rate.

The second trip was for pleasure and this was a much harder decision.  I did a lot of research on where to stay.  We were ultimately very torn between staying in downtown San Diego and La Jolla.  When we had visited last time our favorite place was La Jolla and we were in awe of it’s beauty.

A few criteria we were looking for were: newer hotel, beachfront, rooftop pool/ bar and a convenient location to restaurants as we did not want to rent a car.  In searching for these amenities, I quickly learned we would not be able to have them all.  We decided on the Pendry, as this hotel had recently opened in 2017, among other features.  We are huge fans of new hotels, who isn’t?  Another feature we look for in a hotel room is a walk in shower.  The Pendry’s shower is very unique, having glass on three sides and situated in the center of the room. Now don’t worry if you plan to share the room with someone you would like privacy from while showering, there is a curtain you can pull around the entire shower.

Additional perks added to our stay

After booking the hotel, with my type A personality I wanted to double check to make sure we made a good decision in staying at the Pendry and shouldn’t consider another hotel.  While doing my due diligence I stumbled across a website/ travel agent that offered added benefits through Virtuoso when staying at the Pendry, all I had to do was email them.  I was skeptical as the benefits were amazing.  They included a $60 credit for breakfast (for two) and an additional $100 credit for the stay.  We were staying 3 nights so the benefit came to $280.  While I was told by the travel agent that there was no guarantee that the benefits would be applicable, depending on how we had booked the hotel, I thought I would give it a chance!  Sure enough the perks were added.  The only hiccup was when the reservation was amended the price changed, so I had to call the Pendry.  I explained the situation and they immediately apologized and fixed the price.  At that moment I knew we had made the right decision as the customer service and ease was amazing.  

Pendry San Diego- Exterior
Pendry San Diego- Exterior

Pendry San Diego- Lobby
Pendry San Diego- Lobby

Our stay at the Pendry was 5- star service all the way, starting from the moment we entered the hotel to the moment we left.   We had just recently found out we were pregnant and when the hotel asked if we were celebrating something special we told them about our “new addition”!  The first night they surprised us with a very thoughtful note and two delicious cupcakes, one pink and one blue (since we didn’t know if we were having a boy or girl yet).  They were the best cupcakes I have ever had.  

Pendry San Diego- Sweet surprise in room
Pendry San Diego- Sweet surprise in room

Pendry Hotel Room

The hotel room was not huge but it was done very well.  The colors in the room were very calming and the space was used efficiently.  Our favorite bed is typically the Ritz Carlton, but this bed seemed just as nice.  We slept wonderfully each night.  The shower was very spacious and had two different shower heads.  Only one worked at a time but it was great to switch between the two.  There were two additional doors around the shower, one kept the loo in it’s own room and there was a sliding door to keep the area where you left the shower, next to the sink private.

Pendry San Diego- King guestroom
Pendry San Diego- King guestroom

Pendry San Diego- King guestroom
Pendry San Diego- King guestroom

Pendry San Diego- King guestroom shower
Pendry San Diego- King guestroom shower

Pendry San Diego- King guestroom shower
Pendry San Diego- King guestroom shower

Pendry San Diego- King guestroom sink
Pendry San Diego- King guestroom sink

Pendry San Diego- Turn down service
Pendry San Diego- Turn down service

Pendry Pool

The pool is on level 3, along with the fitness center and the spa.  The chairs surrounding the pool are very comfortable and there is bar service at the pool.  While we were there they had a Chandon party which was fun, while I couldn’t partake in the champagne I drank sparkling water instead.  They had a DJ there, it was part of their Sunday pool parties.  The weekend we were there it was sponsored by Vivue Cliquot.  They had umbrellas, pillows, champagne glasses and of course tons of their champagne for sale.

Pendry San Diego- Pool
Pendry San Diego- Pool

Restaurants on site

There were 6 different restaurants on site.  We meant to try more than just two, but that’s all we had time for during our stay.  The credit for our breakfast was good for Provisional.  One of the best parts of our day was breakfast there.  For the $60 credit we would try to maximize it as much as possible.  We varied our meal each day for the most part but every day we did order the market berries and sliced avocado.   The market berries were amazing they tasted so fresh.  Each morning we would get a cup of the complimentary coffee provided by Provisional before sitting down, so there was $60 available for just food.  Let me just say we ate very, very well.  Our entrees rotated and we tried the Create Your Own Omelette, Bourbon Banana French Toast, Pendry Breakfast, Nutella roll and Pain A Chocolate which were all great.  We happened to take back the Nutella Roll and Pain A Chocolate back to our room each morning to enjoy as a snack later in the day.

For the $100 credit we ate at Provisional for dinner, since we enjoyed our breakfast so much.  The dinner was good, but breakfast was better.

Pendry San Diego- Breakfast at Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile
Pendry San Diego- Breakfast at Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile

Pendry San Diego- Complimentary coffee
Pendry San Diego- Complimentary coffee

Pendry San Diego- Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile
Pendry San Diego- Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile

Pendry San Diego- Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile
Pendry San Diego- Provisional Kitchen, Cafe & Mercantile

The hotel is located in the Gas Lamp District, which is a very happening area of San Diego.  You can walk to tons of restaurants, stores and even Petco Park, where the Padres play.  You also have a short walk to the Embarcadero and Seaport Village, a very cute area on the water to shop at.

Surprise gift after our stay

The first class service did not end when we left San Diego.  About a week after we got home we received a package from the Pendry.  Inside were a few wrapped presents and a sweet note.  There were two bears, one dressed in a pink Pendry shirt and one in a blue Pendry shirt for our sweet new addition (we did not know gender, as it was too early).  There was also a onesie that said Pendry San Diego Baby.  The thoughtful gesture will not be forgotten and truly made not only that vacation extra special, but also this extremely special time in our lives!  A special thank you to Alyssa for making our stay so memorable!

Pendry San Diego- Surprise present sent to our home

Pendry San Diego- Surprise present sent to our home
Pendry San Diego- Surprise present sent to our home

New Hotel in Healdsburg

Planning a trip to Sonoma or Napa for Harvest and need a hotel?  Look no further than one of the newest most reasonably priced hotels for the value, Hotel Trio in Healdsburg.  They just opened a few months ago, and we had the pleasure of staying here earlier this month.

It was quite a debate on where to stay in wine country as we were only staying for 2 nights and wanted to visit wineries in all different AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas).  Healdsburg is a great option as it is located near Alexander Valley, and who doesn’t love a great Cabernet from this AVA?  It also provides direct access to Napa.  If you don’t know, it can be kind of tricky traveling between Napa and Sonoma.  If you are wanting to visit both areas you can either spend a few nights in each area or try to stay next to one of the roads that cross over to the other.  There is a mountain range between Sonoma and Napa so you have to take CA-128 through Alexander Valley, Petrified Forest Road which you can access through Calistoga if coming from Napa or CA-12.  We took CA-128 so we could visit some wineries in Alexander Valley as we crossed from Sonoma to Napa Valley.

Alexander Valley

The best part about this hotel is that it is new and has not become as expensive as most of the other hotels in the region.  If you have been to this area before you know how pricey rooms can be, even when the hotel is 20+ years old.

The entrance of Hotel Trio
The entrance of Hotel Trio

Hotel Trio- Interior lounge area
Hotel Trio- Interior lounge area

We were able to book two rooms at $199 per night (not including taxes/ fees) for two nights and we did this last minute.  It was a little risky since it was a popular travel time, but we took the chance based on the trends we were seeing.  When we arrived at the hotel it far exceeded our expectations.  We had the Studio, 1 King, Sofa bed.  There was a full kitchen, with a refrigerator, small cooktop, microwave, sink, and cabinets full of plates, silverware, pots, pans, bowls, and glasses, basically everything you could need on a getaway.

Hotel Trio- Kitchen
Hotel Trio- Kitchen

Hotel Trio- Kitchen supplies
Hotel Trio- Kitchen supplies (plates, glasses, strainer, pyrex dish and measuring cup)

Hotel Trio- Kitchen supplies
Hotel Trio- Kitchen supplies (silverware)

There was a nice breakfast bar that had two stools to sit on.  The living room had a couch and a desk.

Hotel Trio- Living room
Hotel Trio- Living room

Hotel Trio- Living room and desk
Hotel Trio- Living room and desk

There was a large TV on the dresser which swiveled to face the living room or the bedroom.  Since this was a studio the bedroom, living room and kitchen were all open to each other.  The king size bed was extremely comfortable, and the room was very quiet.  We could not hear any of the other guests.

The door to the bathroom was a sliding door, very modern.

Hotel Trio- Sliding door to bathroom
Hotel Trio- Sliding door to bathroom

In the bathroom there was an area to put makeup on as you first walk in, which of course I loved having that extra space.

Hotel Trio- Additional mirror and space in bathroom
Hotel Trio- Additional mirror and space in bathroom

Hotel Trio- Bathroom
Hotel Trio- Bathroom (Additional mirror and space in bathroom, makeup nook)

The closet was located in the bathroom, across from the additional mirror. There was a little shelf on the wall above the sink, which I also felt added something most hotels don’t include.  I was able to put my toiletries on the shelf and not by the sink avoiding any water that inevitably splashes.

Hotel Trio- Bathroom sink
Hotel Trio- Bathroom sink

The walk-in shower was large, with a sliding door.

Hotel Trio- Shower
Hotel Trio- Shower

Every morning they offer a very generous complimentary breakfast.  The hours vary from weekday to weekend.  Monday- Friday breakfast is served from 6:30 am-9 am and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 am-10 am.

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Scrambled eggs and egg whites, bacon and sausage)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Toppings to add to your eggs, including tortillas to make a breakfast burrito)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Variety of fruits)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Yogurts, fruits, cheeses and hard boiled eggs)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Waffle station)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Variety of condiments)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Cereal and oatmeal station)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Cooked oatmeal)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Bagels, bread and pastries)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Cold Brew)

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Breakfast (Fruit juices)

There was a nice pool and lounge area outside.  Great place to hang out if you have had enough wine tasting for the day.

Hotel Trio- Pool
Hotel Trio- Pool

Hotel Trio- View of pool from room
Hotel Trio- View of pool from room

There were several tables set up outside that you could either eat breakfast at or enjoy later in the day when the sun would hit that area.

Hotel Trio- Patio
Hotel Trio- Patio

There were two grills  that could be used if you wanted to spend the evening in.

Hotel Trio- Grill
Hotel Trio- Grill

During the day you could partake in bocce by the pool area.  If you wanted to play at night they had lighted bocce balls you could ask for from the front desk.

Hotel Trio- Bocce Court
Hotel Trio- Bocce Court

In addition to all of this there were a few fire pits, which can definitely be used in the cooler evening nights in Healdsburg.

Hotel Trio- Firepit/ Patio
Hotel Trio- Firepit/ Patio

There is also a small fitness area in case you want to workout on your vacation.

Hotel Trio- Fitness Center
Hotel Trio- Fitness Center

Hotel Trio- Fitness Center
Hotel Trio- Fitness Center

Hotel Trio- Fitness Center
Hotel Trio- Fitness Center

Hotel Trio- Fitness Center
Hotel Trio- Fitness Center

Two nights a week they offer complimentary wine tasting.  There is also a bar downstairs.

Hotel Trio- Bar
Hotel Trio- Bar

The concierge Ramon was fantastic.  He really knows wine country well, and can offer suggestions based on what types of wine or what types of experiences you would like.  He also made our Anniversary trip so special by having the chef make two small desserts for my husband and I to share.  He also put balloons in our room with a special card.  It really added a special touch to our stay.  Thank you Ramon!

Hotel Trio- Anniversary balloons
Hotel Trio- Anniversary balloons

Anniversary Dessert
Anniversary Dessert

The location of the hotel is great.  There is a super market right across the street to stock your hotel room with.  Then downtown Healdsburg is only about a 5 minute drive.  Need not worry if you want to wine taste downtown the hotel does offer shuttle.

Hotel Trio- Complimentary Shuttle to Downtown Healdsburg
Hotel Trio- Complimentary Shuttle to Downtown Healdsburg

This is our 8th trip to Wine Country and definitely one of our favorite hotels in this area.  We would come back again!

For more suggestions on where to stay please see my previous post on hotels in Sonoma and Napa  http://wyzetraveler.com/sonoma-napa-hotels/

For more information on Hotel Trio please visit their website  https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/stsri-hotel-trio-healdsburg/

What wine tour should I take through Sonoma and Napa?

Dreaming of a tour through Sonoma and Napa….  There is nothing like the smell of freshly crushed grapes, the view of beautiful rolling vineyards, the swirling of a bright cherry red wine and the wonderful taste you can seemingly only create while visiting a vineyard.

Sonoma and Napa have been through a lot recently with terrible wildfires that raged through vineyards causing many to evacuate and some to lose their homes, belongings, businesses and vineyards.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been impacted by the devastating wildfires.  Many people have had to cancel or postpone their trips to wine country, but now that the smoke has cleared it is time to plan your trip to Sonoma and Napa!  My husband and I have been to Napa and Sonoma several times experiencing each season in wine country.   Every season brings something different to the region, but in my opinion fall is the most beautiful time of year to visit.

Iconic sign in Napa Valley
Iconic sign in Napa Valley

A wine tour through Sonoma or Napa is a great way to experience wine country.  It not only provides a safe way to visit each winery, but also allows you to visit wineries you most likely have never heard of.  We have taken a group wine tour while staying in San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma and Santa Rosa.  Typically where you stay will dictate where you can take a tour to.  I have listed the tour companies we have used to offer you a few suggestions. By no means is this a comprehensive or exhaustive list of all available tour companies.  We have only taken group tours, but these companies offer private tours too.   Continue reading “What wine tour should I take through Sonoma and Napa?”

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