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The Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa Weekend Getaway
Spending a weekend at the newly renovated Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is good for the soul!
After stopping for lunch at Sonoma Saveurs, a small restaurant on the Sonoma Square for all things foie gras, charcuterie and French, we drove up to the new courtyard arrival area that is ensconced within the Inn’s recognizable pink walls. Craig, a bellman who has been there for 20 years, greeted us at our car, as he had done in years past. We felt right at home.
The Inn was built in 1927 and celebrated its 75 th anniversary in 2002 with a $62 million renovation project that was completed in the spring of 2004. The lobby was redesigned as well as 97 Heritage Guestrooms in the main building.
After checking into what was a large, nicely appointed Fairmont Room with a fireplace, we walked over to the hotel lobby for a glass of champagne. It was, after all, our anniversary weekend. Dinner at Santé was orchestrated by Executive Chef Bruno Tison, whose job it is to oversee a staff of 150 people. This includes the food and beverage operations of Santé, the Inn’s banquet activities and private dining. Chef Tison came from a Fairmont sister property, New York’s famous Plaza Hotel, where he was Executive Chef for 15 years.
At the Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa Chef Tison’s menu will change seasonally, highlighting the Sonoma Valley’s local produce. Our dinner included Seared Sonoma Foie Gras with Braised Turnips and Port Reduction, Pan Roasted Ostrich with Caramelized Shallot-Fingerling Potato Perogi, Baby Spinach and White Truffle Honey & Grand Marnier Soufflé with Crème Anglaise (for two).
After dinner we lounged around the outdoor open pit fireplace. The makings of S’mores: skewers, chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers are available in the bar. But be advised, you will be charged $14.00 for this treat.
The next afternoon found us enjoying iced tea poolside. Afterwards, we donned white robes and slippers, both available in your room, for a walk to the 43,000 square foot world class spa. The spa has its own source of healing thermal mineral water in both outdoor pools, many massage and other treatment choices and 6-9 classes each day, seven days a week. A retail shop offers spa products, resort wear and gifts. Lounging in the mineral water before or after your treatments is a must for relaxation.
If you have any spa needs, ask for David Erlich, Director of Spa Operations. He recommends booking your spa treatments before you arrive, especially if you visit on a weekend. This can be accomplished online. And be sure and ask about several new treatments, the barefoot shiatsu massage and ayurvedic rejuvenating facials and body treatments.
The outdoor informal Spa Café is open seven days a week and has both vegan and vegetarian offerings.
Saturday night we drove into the quaint town of Sonoma and ate dinner on the Square. The Ledson Hotel offers small plates of exceptional food including Trois de la Mer: Lobster Salad, Crispy Ahi Tuna and Salmon Tartar; Crispy Soft-Shell Crab with Corn and Avocado Salad & a Chili-Lime Vinaigrette and Lamb “Abdoulaye” with Spicy Hummus, Pickled Vegetables and Raita.
Sunday was a day to sleep late, enjoy sunning at the pool and eating lunch poolside.
But if you have activities that interest you, Chief Concierges Judy Mandel and her staff are the people to ask. They can arrange hot air balloon rides, golf games and visits to wineries, not to mention an engagement or two!
So go and enjoy this ultimate elegant oasis in the Sonoma Valley. You deserve to be pampered every once in a while.
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
100 Boyes Blvd.
Sonoma, California 95476
707.938.9000
Email: smi.reservations@fairmont.com
Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.
