Hotel Snapshot
Once a 19th-century family homestead in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, Farmhouse Inn is one of those boutique stays that reminds you why you choose small stays in the first place. The 25-key inn draws you in from the moment you arrive. Before I could even shut the car door, Heidi from the concierge team ran out to greet us: “Are you ladies here to check in for the evening?” It instantly felt like arriving at a friend’s (very chic) countryside home.
Inside the check-in cottage, Charlie, the resident gray tabby, lounged unbothered but happy for a scratch. We were encouraged to stop by the soap bar—a medley of locally crafted soaps, salts, and scrubs to test and take for our room. I felt instantly welcomed, ready to kick off my shoes and wander the grounds.
Design & Character
Few things make us HAPpier (pun intended) than a yellow-painted inn done right. Farmhouse’s conjoined barn buildings glow in a soothing buttercream hue, surrounded by manicured gardens, string lights, and botanical touches that ease you into wine-country calm. Interiors channel modern barn style from top to bottom, with rustic timbers, cozy seating, and California touches throughout.
The Rooms
I lucked into Room 13, although every room is photo-ready. Picture a Restoration Hardware dream home: rustic bronze fans, corrugated metal ceilings, and white-washed barn doors. The bathroom is straight from my Pinterest board: heated marble floors, a soaking tub overlooking the private patio, and a steam-equipped shower.
Thoughtful touches abound. The minibar stocks local Sonoma and Napa Valley wines, a Barrel Brother’s Fresh Rinse Shower Beer (clever, and I’ve not seen this before), and espresso martinis to-go. Snacks include Comet Corn popcorn, olive-oil crackers, and chilled salami, along with tea, and coffee. On the nightstand: a glass milk bottle of still water and homemade gluten-free chocolate chip cookies for bedtime.
Food & Drink
Celebrating its 150th birthday, Farmhouse has turned its dining program into a true wine-country experience. Chef Alessandra Capuano uses locally sourced ingredients and just the right amount of creative twist. Our stylish server Sarah steered me toward the Lighthouse Gin martini—light, citrusy, and excellent.
Dinner highlights: mochi dumplings; sungold tomato salad; Carol’s sesame-semolina Dutch oven sourdough, served alongside flakey salted butter carved into the shape of the inn’s spoon emblem; the Wagyu flatiron with braided long beans, summer squash, and a tamarind-anchovy sauce; and the amatriciana bucatini with guanciale and Sonoma pecorino. For dessert, the pumpkin spice choux with caramel and the chocolate bouchon with coffee ice cream were standouts.
Amenities
Daily at 4:30 p.m., sommelier Patrick hosts wine tasting hour; ours featured Croix wines and great conversation. The pool area, dressed in plush yellow-and-white striped umbrellas and towels, is the property’s sunny centerpiece. For a quick refuel, the Farmstand Café serves specialty coffees, smoothies, and fresh juices; the carrot-turmeric-orange Immunity juice is a perfect midafternoon pick-me-up. Come evening, homemade marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate await for s’mores by the firepits—Jet-Puffed, you’ve been officially outclassed.
Spa & Wellness Scoop
At the Wellness Barn, hostess Wendy welcomes guests warmly and knows the property inside out. My massage therapist, Melissa, delivered the signature Antidote Massage—tailored pressure, minimal chatter, and total relaxation. Treatments use custom Prima Fleur oils: light, soothing, and not overpowering. Afterward, Wendy offered herbal tea from the garden. My mint blend was calming and digestion-friendly, I learned.
Other therapies to note: the Moon Milk Bath, a soothing herbal soak inspired by astrology and the lunar cycle, and the Farm-to-Beauty Facial, which blends fruits, herbs, raw honey, goat’s milk, and infused olive oil for a vitamin-rich, farm-fresh glow.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
Set in the heart of Sonoma County’s wine country, the inn partners with more than 25 nearby wineries—including Bricoleur Vineyards, Copain Wines, and Croix Estate—to offer guests exclusive, VIP-style tastings and tours. Just 15 minutes away, Sebastopol brims with charm (and more good food), with local favorites like Goldfinch, The Redwood, and Fern Bar keeping the wining and dining going well into the evening.
Fast Facts
Location: Sonoma, California
Vibe: A California wine country dream home you’ll want to move into after one stay.
Rating: 5-Star
Room Count: 25
Pricing: Rooms start at $695 per night.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: A resident cat is hard to beat, especially when it’s Charlie, the inn’s irresistibly charming tabby.
Dining: The restaurant delivers a remarkable dinner experience from start to finish, with dishes celebrating the seasonal bounty of Sonoma County—plucking ingredients from the property’s very own Chalk Hill Culinary Gardens. Fresh-squeezed juices and inventive coffees, like the marigold latte—which infuses marigold syrup straight from the botanicals on the hotel grounds—can be found at the Farmstand.
Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool, full-service spa, wine tastings, complimentary s’mores, daily breakfast, restaurant, and bar.
Nearby Attractions: Griffith Woods, Pueblo Viejo Park, Healdsburg Plaza, and Sonoma County vineyards
Airport: Sonoma County Airport
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