Healdsburg is a perennial hotspot for travelers on a course for Sonoma County wine country. Hotel options are plentiful and diverse. Whether you’re trying to stick to a budget or interested in lodgings with one-of-a-kind amenities including an 18-hole putting green, there’s a place for you in this scenic stretch of Northern California.
Located just a couple blocks from popular Healdsburg Plaza, Hotel Les Mars has the feel of an elegant French maison. While the compact lobby is a bit more modern, the nearby wood paneled library has more of a classical feel that makes is easy to get comfortable after a busy day roaming wine country.
Part of the , the property is owned and operated by the Foley Entertainment Group (FEG). Along with sister Sonoma County hotels MacArthur Place & Spa and Farmhouse Inn, FEG owns a number of local wineries and restaurants, as well as major league hockey team, the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
With just 16 rooms spread between two floors, Hotel Les Mars might feel more like an upscale bed and breakfast than a hotel. I stayed in a Mansion King room on the second floor. It, like all accommodations at the boutique wine country property, featured a gas fireplace, Nespresso machine, electric tea kettle, desk, and small refrigerator. A majority of the rooms also boast striking four-poster beds. Though the design style is similar throughout all four room categories, no two rooms are the same.
The bathroom felt a bit more modern, with a gray marble topped vanity, large walk-in shower, and deep soaking tub. A trio of bath salts encourage guests to make use of the tub during their stay. Bulgari toiletries are provided, but it’s disappointing to see them still being offered in single-use disposable plastic bottles.
A French continental breakfast, delivered to your room, is included with every stay.
Located steps off the lobby, Chalkboard restaurant is open for dinner Thursday through Monday, and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. For dinner expect offerings the likes of rigatoni with pork, veal, and beef Bolognese, and fried chicken; brunch options range from Shakshuka and an Eggs Benedict with duck to a sourdough grilled cheese sandwich.
If the menu doesn’t cover what you are craving, the hotel is an easy walk from countless restaurants, wine tasting rooms, shops, and art galleries.
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It’s also worth noting that some of the best-known names in the Sonoma County wine industry are within an easy drive of Hotel Les Mars.
San Francisco International Airport is a 90-mile drive; Oakland International Airport is a touch closer, requiring a 83-mile stretch behind the wheel.
The starting rate for a Mansion King room at Hotel Les Mars is $674. Check Booking.com to see if you can get a more favorable rate. There is a nightly $35 service fee which covers cash gratuities for hotel staff. Wi-Fi is complimentary; self-parking and valet are available.
Hotel Les Mars allows well-behaved dogs and cats for a $250 per pet, per stay fee. There are not breed or size restrictions. Service animals are welcome.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Hotel Les Mars, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
