A Peaceable Retreat In Sonoma Wine Nation
For many years, the Napa/Sonoma area has been the premier wine nation vacation spot in California, providing not solely its share of award-winning wines and luxurious edibles however luxurious lodging as nicely. Prior to now few years, a resurgence has occurred with a number of new distinguished properties rising on this space. To me, one property is a minimize above, the Montage Healdsburg.
The Property
From the second I approached the property on Montage Method, I discovered myself captivated by the mild serpentine ascend as I cruised beneath canopied oak bushes dripping with moss…solely to reach on the hilltop touchdown with scenic views of rolling hills, lush panorama, orange and crimson coloured vineyards {Fall season}, and enchanting abodes inconspicuously tucked into the hillsides of the property. My first impression…Hiya Xanadu.
The virtually 260 acre property seems like a secluded sanctuary. As you accumulate your bearings, you understand the indefectible blur between the indoors and open air.
From the surface, the structure and its particulars are purposefully designed to mix into their pure environment, whilst detailed as choosing the outside constructing sidings to match the bark of the mature oak bushes on the property.
From the within, the environmentally delicate design was impressed by the property’s distinctive and beautiful panorama, pulling from nature’s palette by incorporating wooden, stone, leather-based accents, and touches of copper and gold. The ground-to-ceiling home windows all through the primary buildings and bungalows present a seamless transition from indoor to outside dwelling, making a cohesive setting.
The Foyer
As you enter the foyer, you’ll be able to’t assist however really feel the inviting environment with its distinctive reception desk and a powerful live-edge-wood artwork characteristic; a big stone hearth instructions your consideration within the heart of the room, and comfy seating areas overlook the grounds, vineyards and Mount St. Helena within the background. The sensation is extra of being welcomed right into a buddy’s luxurious dwelling than checking right into a lodge. The workers is attentive and pleasant, which makes for a really welcoming visitor expertise.
Visitor Rooms
The Montage Healdsburg {MH} provides 130 rooms, suites, and a Visitor Home. The spacious modernized bungalow-style items are sprinkled all through the property, some providing winery views, others offering forest and mountain views, and the Visitor Home provides all of it.
The bungalows are all designed in the identical serene, clean-line, and natural fashion making a tranquil retreat. Distinctive touches comparable to inventive wood-slat room dividers and custom-made leather-based straps for storing wine bottles within the bar present an elevated aesthetic. The roomy bungalows are outfitted with a seating space, espresso bar, and mini-bar providing an assortment of high-end libations and snacks.
There are two items per construction, however a separating wall extending the size of the balcony retains the areas very personal. Every visitor balcony provides a special but nice view and is furnished with comfy seating, with some items offering outside hearth pits. One among my favourite moments was sitting on the deck within the early morning, consuming my espresso by the hearth pit and watching the dawn because it solid its pink hues over the hills.
It’s been some time since I can say that a toilet took my breath away, however these loos are distinctive. The spacious, spa-like loos have a soothing cream-colored scheme with wealthy earth-tone accents within the wooden and stone parts. The loos supply a deep soaking tub, indoor bathe, with some items providing an out of doors bathe…at all times a enjoyable characteristic. An revolutionary implementation I’ve by no means encountered earlier than is the spherical cut-out on the indoor glass bathe panel so you’ll be able to attain via to activate the water with out getting moist or going into “chilly water” shock. Good. Montage manages to raise the grandeur of the in-room spa expertise by offering luxurious tub facilities by Glass Moderne, a set created solely for all Montage Motels and Resorts and made out of the very best high quality substances.
Eating
Montage Healdsburg provides quite a lot of eating experiences. From informal fare to MH’s signature restaurant serving French-influenced California delicacies, there’s something right here to fulfill everybody’s palette.
Hazel Hill is the signature restaurant on the property. The open kitchen idea gives for an interactive expertise whereas eating on their regionally sourced and seasonally impressed dishes. Pair your meal with a wonderful wine from their intensive wine assortment and luxuriate in your eating expertise overlooking the resort’s winery. Must you need to host a non-public occasion, reserve the glass-encased, semi-private Oak Room and enchant your company with a whimsical treehouse eating expertise, or get pleasure from a non-public dinner within the Madrone room.
Scout Field Bar: For a extra relaxed ambiance, get pleasure from wine, specifically crafted cocktails, and delectable bites by the hearth within the cozy foyer or Al Fresco on the Foyer Terrace subsequent to an out of doors hearth pit. You might even end up having fun with some reside music on choose evenings.
Hudson Springs Bar and Grill: Positioned between the Grownup Solely and Household swimming pools, the Hudson Springs Bar and Grill gives outside service on a seasonal foundation. Take pleasure in elevated informal fare and libations as you lounge poolside overlooking the fantastic thing about the resort grounds and Mount St. Helena.
Healdsburg Country Store: The Healdsburg Nation Retailer is a captivating market the place company can choose up barista-crafted coffees, regionally made pastries, wine, and specialty meals comparable to artisan jams and cheeses, house-made pickles, and regionally cured meats. The shop additionally sells distinctive items and significant merchandise characterised by the wine nation way of life.
In-Room Dining: Should you desire to dine within the consolation of your guestroom or balcony, a full menu of in-room eating choices is out there 24-hrs a day.
Fireside S’mores: Finish your night on a candy word with marshmallows and chocolatey goodness as you roast your S’mores and have interaction in fireplace chats {obtainable Friday and Saturday evenings}.
Occasions
What could possibly be extra inspiring than to plan your subsequent occasion within the coronary heart of wine nation, showcasing Montage Healdsburg’s spectacular environment? Say “I do” on the Grand Garden amid the vineyards, rejoice that “particular one” with all of your family and friends within the Grand Ballroom, or host the proper assembly someplace within the over 6,300 sq ft of versatile indoor and outside area that MH has to supply.
Wellness
Discover steadiness and serenity on the Spa Montage Healdsburg. MH’s 11,500 sq ft retreat contains 11 remedy rooms providing an array of providers and facilities impressed by wine nation influences, a state-of-the-art health heart, and an adult-only zero-edge pool. Take pleasure in Yoga lessons within the winery, take time for a sauna, or deal with your self to mani/pedi on the Salon. The resort provides all of the Health and Wellness experiences you’d count on at a top-rated luxurious resort.
Experiences/Actions
From curated wine and culinary occasions to household packages, the experiences and actions are bountiful at this property.
Meet the Maker: Visitors and locals are invited to hitch every week when native vintners and distillers share their craft and inform the story behind every bottle whereas sipping and studying from the creators themselves. This occasion is standard with the locals and is a good way to mingle with the group.
Culinary Choices: You’ll want to inquire about particular choices comparable to Chef’s Tasting, The Perfect Pairing, Weekend Brunch, and making ready a Gourmet Picnic Basket to go.
Compass Sports: For outside fans of all ages and talents, go to Compass Sports activities, positioned on-sight, for complimentary E-bikes, Archery, and Pickleball.
Households: This family-friendly property provides loads of outside area for the kiddos to discover, play within the pool, or take part on the actions provided by Paintbox, the resort’s child membership that caters to kids ages 5-12 with half to full-day actions…and let’s say it as it’s, when the children are away, the dad and mom can play.
Particular Actions: Inquire about particular experiences particular to this property, comparable to Beau, the Canine Ambassador, foraging for Truffles on the property, and the beekeeping program and honey tasting.
Cadillac Partnership Program: The resort has a home car obtainable every day on a first-come, first-served foundation to take lodge company to and from the Healdsburg Plaza. Additionally they supply a complimentary Trip and Drive program via Cadillac, which lets you borrow a Cadillac and do your individual exploring in Sonoma; contact the Concierge for extra data.
Venturing Out: When and if you select to depart the property, a brief journey to Downtown Healdsburg is very beneficial. The Healdsburg Plaza incorporates a charming city sq. surrounded by quaint outlets, good eating places, and hosts numerous music and particular occasions. When you have the time, many surrounding cities are value a go to, comparable to Downtown Sonoma, St. Helena, Yountville, and Downtown Napa, to call a number of. For wine-tasting adventures, join with the lodge Concierge.
Abstract
In abstract, I had extraordinarily excessive expectations for this property, and it didn’t disappoint! This resort, by far, surpassed my expectations. I’ve change into a loyal fan of the Montage Hotels and Resorts model as a result of they don’t produce cookie-cutter resorts. As an alternative, every lodge displays the tradition and captures the essence of the areas they characterize, creating a personalised visitor expertise.
The Montage Healdsburg is a gleaming instance of this, with its secluded setting amid the native oak bushes, rolling hills, and vineyards, and the environmentally aware design selections that blur the traces between nature and man-made.
Nevertheless indulgent the property’s rooms, areas, and facilities are, the true heartbeat of the property is the pleasant and unassuming workers. I get pleasure from how the staff interacts with the company and the locals who come to hang around. The resort’s welcoming and alluring environment encourages vigorous engagement creating an ambiance that resonates all through the resort.
All I can say is that this property provides me all the precise feels, and I’m going to name it…the luxe Montage Healdsburg is Sonoma County’s most extraordinary wine nation retreat.
