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Madrona Hotel: A Romantic B&B in Healdsburg

After bicycling all day in Sonoma’s wine country, all we wanted to do was cool off with a dip in the Madrona Hotel’s pool in the rose garden.

Refreshed, we were then ready to dine out at one of hip Healdsburg’s notable restaurants.

Swimming pool at Madrona Hotel, Healdsburg
It was a treat to return to Madrona Hotel’s swimming pool at the end of a hot day of biking

Madrona Hotel, Healdsburg

Madrona Manor
Painted buttercup yellow, the inn retains many of the mansion’s original antiques

Perhaps the best B&B in northern Sonoma, the Madrona Hotel is nestled in the hills on the outskirts of the town of Healdsburg.

The romantic Victorian estate is made up of several guest buildings; the main mansion dates back to 1881.

The big mahogany buffet and piano in the reception area even came with the original house.

A Victorian estate built in 1881, the Madrona Hotel is now a lovely B&B with 22 guestrooms

Madrona Hotel guestrooms

All 22 guestrooms are Victorian in décor, complete with wallpaper, crystal chandeliers, original antiques and creaky floorboards.

But even though the inn retains its historic charm, every modern comfort has been thought of too.

Claw foot tubs have rain showers, and bathrooms have make-up mirrors and Aveda rosemary-and-mint products.

Air conditioning is individually controlled.

King size beds boast great mattresses and silky sheets.

And in a homey touch, fresh-baked chocolate cookies are placed in your room daily.

The Madrona boasts ridiculously romantic guestrooms

The best guestrooms are the two Schoolhouse Suites.

Converted from an outlying 1920s schoolhouse at the edge of the property, these have spacious sitting rooms and double Jacuzzis with views of the bedroom fireplaces.

Each also has a large private deck overlooking wooded glades.

Gardens and restaurant

Madrona Manor’s gardens feature flowers and fountains

The eight acres of gardens are a joy to stroll through.

For over 25 years, a master gardener has tended the forsythia and cherry trees, roses, lilies, tulips and camellias.

An organic kitchen garden also yields lettuces, leeks, heirloom tomatoes, raspberries, oranges, peaches and nectarines for Madrona’s acclaimed restaurant.

The restaurant unfortunately wasn’t open during our visit (it is only open Wednesday through Sunday).

But we can tell you that it’s received a Michelin star each year since 2008.

Candlelight dinners are four or five-courses, or from tasting menus, perhaps finishing with ice-cream churned tableside.

On warm evenings, you can sit outside on a veranda overlooking the flowers.

Madrona Hotel review: Bottom line?

Fireplace at Madrona Manor
Cozy up to this fireplace on a cool day

It all adds up to a wonderfully atmospheric stay at the Madrona. It’s one of the best hotels in Healdsburg.

You smell grapes in the air during the day, and at night, a cicada symphony lulls you into a sweet sleep.

Madrona Hotel, Healdsburg: Check rates and availability

Our top travel tips and resources

Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one. (We especially like their flexible cancellation policy!)

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Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.

Car rental: Renting a car is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.

Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more.

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Photo credits: 1, 2, 6 © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase | Remaining images courtesy Madrona Hotel


About the authors

Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.

Find destination guides, global food-and-wine stories, luxury hotel reviews, articles on cultural explorations and soft adventure trips, cruise reviews, insanely useful travel tips and more!

Freya

Friday 5th of September 2014

What a beautiful place, very romantic indeed. Love the garden as well.

Shikha

Tuesday 2nd of September 2014

What a GORGEOUS property - looks so romantic! That Victorian interior decor is just fabulous - looking at those bedrooms, it really feels like it's taken straight out of an English manor house!

Irene S. Levine

Tuesday 2nd of September 2014

What an exquisite place to stay! Sounds like it would be perfect for visiting the CIA.