Tag: travel photography

A Peaceful Retreat In Sonoma Wine Country

For decades, the Napa/Sonoma region has been the premier wine country destination in California, offering not only its share of award-winning wines and sumptuous edibles but luxurious accommodations as well. In the past few years, a resurgence has occurred with several new distinguished properties emerging in this area. To me, one property is a cut above, the Montage Healdsburg.

The Property

From the moment I approached the property on Montage Way, I found myself captivated by the gentle serpentine ascend as I cruised under canopied oak trees dripping with moss…only to arrive at the hilltop landing with scenic views of rolling hills, lush landscape, orange and crimson colored vineyards {Fall season}, and enchanting abodes inconspicuously tucked into the hillsides of the property. My first impression…Hello Xanadu.

The almost 260 acre property feels like a secluded sanctuary. As you collect your bearings, you realize the indefectible blur between the indoors and outdoors.

From the outside, the architecture and its details are purposefully designed to blend into their natural surroundings, even as detailed as selecting the exterior building sidings to match the bark of the mature oak trees on the property.

From the inside, the environmentally sensitive design was inspired by the property’s unique and stunning landscape, pulling from nature’s palette by incorporating wood, stone, leather accents, and touches of copper and gold. The floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the main buildings and bungalows provide a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor living, creating a cohesive environment.

The Lobby

As you enter the lobby, you can’t help but feel the inviting atmosphere with its unique reception desk and an impressive live-edge-wood art feature; a large stone fireplace commands your attention in the center of the room, and cozy seating areas overlook the grounds, vineyards and Mount St. Helena in the background. The feeling is more of being welcomed into a friend’s luxurious home than checking into a hotel. The staff is attentive and friendly, which makes for a very welcoming guest experience.

Guest Rooms

The Montage Healdsburg {MH} offers 130 rooms, suites, and a Guest House. The spacious modernized bungalow-style units are sprinkled throughout the property, some offering vineyard views, others providing forest and mountain views, and the Guest House offers it all.

The bungalows are all designed in the same serene, clean-line, and organic style creating a tranquil retreat. Unique touches such as creative wood-slat room dividers and custom-made leather straps for storing wine bottles in the bar provide an elevated aesthetic. The roomy bungalows are equipped with a seating area, coffee bar, and mini-bar offering an assortment of high-end libations and snacks.

There are two units per structure, but a separating wall extending the length of the balcony keeps the spaces very private. Each guest balcony offers a different yet pleasant view and is furnished with comfortable seating, with some units providing outdoor fire pits. One of my favorite moments was sitting on the deck in the early morning, drinking my coffee by the fire pit and watching the sunrise as it cast its pink hues over the hills.

It’s been a while since I can say that a bathroom took my breath away, but these bathrooms are exceptional. The spacious, spa-like bathrooms have a soothing cream-colored scheme with rich earth-tone accents in the wood and stone elements. The bathrooms offer a deep soaking tub, indoor shower, with some units offering an outdoor shower…always a fun feature. An innovative implementation I have never encountered before is the round cut-out on the indoor glass shower panel so you can reach through to turn on the water without getting wet or going into “cold water” shock. Brilliant. Montage manages to elevate the grandeur of the in-room spa experience by providing luxury bath amenities by Glass Moderne, a collection created exclusively for all Montage Hotels and Resorts and made from the highest quality ingredients.

Dining

Montage Healdsburg offers a variety of dining experiences. From casual fare to MH’s signature restaurant serving French-influenced California cuisine, there is something here to satisfy everyone’s palette.

Hazel Hill is the signature restaurant on the property. The open kitchen concept provides for an interactive experience while dining on their locally sourced and seasonally inspired dishes. Pair your meal with a fine wine from their extensive wine collection and enjoy your dining experience overlooking the resort’s vineyard. Should you want to host a private event, reserve the glass-encased, semi-private Oak Room and enchant your guests with a whimsical treehouse dining experience, or enjoy a private dinner in the Madrone room.

Scout Field Bar: For a more relaxed ambiance, enjoy wine, specially crafted cocktails, and delectable bites by the fireplace in the cozy lobby or Al Fresco on the Lobby Terrace next to an outdoor fire pit. You may even find yourself enjoying some live music on select evenings.

Hudson Springs Bar and Grill: Located between the Adult Only and Family pools, the Hudson Springs Bar and Grill provides outdoor service on a seasonal basis. Enjoy elevated casual fare and libations as you lounge poolside overlooking the beauty of the resort grounds and Mount St. Helena.

Healdsburg Country Store: The Healdsburg Country Store is a charming market where guests can pick up barista-crafted coffees, locally made pastries, wine, and specialty foods such as artisan jams and cheeses, house-made pickles, and locally cured meats. The store also sells unique gifts and meaningful products characterized by the wine country lifestyle.

In-Room Dining: If you prefer to dine in the comfort of your guestroom or balcony, a full menu of in-room dining options is available 24-hrs a day.

Fireside S’mores: End your evening on a sweet note with marshmallows and chocolatey goodness as you roast your S’mores and engage in fireside chats {available Friday and Saturday evenings}.

Events

What could be more inspiring than to plan your next event in the heart of wine country, showcasing Montage Healdsburg’s spectacular surroundings? Say “I do” on the Grand Lawn amid the vineyards, celebrate that “special one” with all your friends and family in the Grand Ballroom, or host the perfect meeting somewhere in the over 6,300 sq ft of flexible indoor and outdoor space that MH has to offer.

Wellness

Find balance and serenity at the Spa Montage Healdsburg. MH’s 11,500 sq ft retreat includes 11 treatment rooms offering an array of services and amenities inspired by wine country influences, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and an adult-only zero-edge pool. Enjoy Yoga classes in the vineyard, take time for a sauna, or treat yourself to mani/pedi at the Salon. The resort offers all the Fitness and Wellness experiences you would expect at a top-rated luxury resort.

Experiences/Activities

From curated wine and culinary events to family programs, the experiences and activities are bountiful at this property.

Meet the Maker: Guests and locals are invited to join each week when local vintners and distillers share their craft and tell the story behind each bottle while sipping and learning from the creators themselves. This event is popular with the locals and is a great way to mingle with the community.

Culinary Offerings: Be sure to inquire about special offerings such as Chef’s Tasting, The Perfect Pairing, Weekend Brunch, and preparing a Gourmet Picnic Basket to go.

Compass Sports: For outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities, visit Compass Sports, located on-sight, for complimentary E-bikes, Archery, and Pickleball.

Families: This family-friendly property offers plenty of outdoor space for the kiddos to explore, play in the pool, or join in on the activities offered by Paintbox, the resort’s kid club that caters to children ages 5-12 with half to full-day activities…and let’s say it as it is, when the kids are away, the parents can play.

Special Activities: Inquire about special experiences specific to this property, such as Beau, the Canine Ambassador, foraging for Truffles on the property, and the beekeeping program and honey tasting.

Cadillac Partnership Program: The resort has a house vehicle available daily on a first-come, first-served basis to take hotel guests to and from the Healdsburg Plaza. They also offer a complimentary Ride and Drive program through Cadillac, which allows you to borrow a Cadillac and do your own exploring in Sonoma; contact the Concierge for more information.

Venturing Out: When and if you choose to leave the property, a short trip to Downtown Healdsburg is highly recommended. The Healdsburg Plaza features a charming town square surrounded by quaint shops, good restaurants, and hosts various music and special events. If you have the time, many surrounding towns are worth a visit, such as Downtown Sonoma, St. Helena, Yountville, and Downtown Napa, to name a few. For wine-tasting adventures, connect with the hotel Concierge.

Summary

In summary, I had extremely high expectations for this property, and it did not disappoint!  This resort, by far, surpassed my expectations. I have become a loyal fan of the Montage Hotels and Resorts brand because they do not produce cookie-cutter resorts. Instead, each hotel reflects the culture and captures the essence of the regions they represent, creating a personalized guest experience.

The Montage Healdsburg is a gleaming example of this, with its secluded setting amid the native oak trees, rolling hills, and vineyards, and the environmentally conscious design choices that blur the lines between nature and man-made. 

However indulgent the property’s rooms, spaces, and amenities are, the true heartbeat of the property is the friendly and unassuming staff. I enjoy how the team interacts with the guests and the locals who come to hang out. The resort’s welcoming and inviting atmosphere encourages lively engagement creating an ambiance that resonates throughout the resort.

All I can say is that this property gives me all the right feels, and I’m going to call it…the luxe Montage Healdsburg is Sonoma County’s most extraordinary wine country retreat.