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Sonoma Orchid Inn

4.5 star rating
based on 12 reviews

Category: Hotels

12850 River Rd
Guerneville, CA 95446
(888) 877-4466
Price Range:
$$

12 reviews for Sonoma Orchid Inn

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Lisa C.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
5/30/2009

I highly recommend the Sonoma Orchid Inn if you are looking for accommodations in the Russian River area. This was my first experience at a bed and breakfast, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The location along River Road can't be beat - 500 yards from Korbel, within minutes to Guerneville's Main Street and Armstrong Redwood Forest, and so close to Russian River and Dry Creek Valley wineries.

The owners of this inn are so welcoming and super cool. I LOVE the breakfasts! One morning, they served a chicken apple sausage that was so delicious, I kept going back for more and didn't care what our tablemates thought of me and my appetite. Oink. Upon check-in, the owners will take note of any dietary restrictions and will accommodate you accordingly. And, they are more than happy to provide you with the delicious recipes of the breakfast foods they serve.

There is a guest kitchen in the main house with a refrigerator stocked with bottled water to stay hydrated while out doing your day's activities, lots and lots of stemware for drinking the wine you bring back from all the wineries you will visit, and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to provide you with some sustenance between meals. Yummy.

Other than breakfast, the best part about our stay is that we could bring little G with us, and I'm pretty sure he had himself quite an awesome time. This is a pet friendly property, but pets are not allowed in the main house, so those of you not keen on having animals around, you can be comforted in the knowledge that there are pet-free rooms and spaces to relax in.

The room we stayed in was the Sequoia. It's a nicely decorated, spacious room with a comfortable king-sized bed and a big, comfy chair. One warning about this room is that the office is attached, so once in awhile you will hear office-type sounds. But it is so minimal that I would still request to stay in this room the next time we visit. AND, being adjacent to the office makes your wi-fi connection *that* much better! I almost forgot to mention the free wi-fi!!!

I look forward to going back to the Sonoma Orchid Inn and am already planning our next trip to the Russian River Valley.  Vacation!!!

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c m.

Prince William, VA

5 star rating
9/23/2009

Vacations are rarely perfect, especially long ones, but the innkeepers at the Sonoma Orchid Inn don't subscribe to that theory. Brian and Dana, who we feel like we came to know over the 7 nights we stayed with them in September, are natural hosts who immediately found the balance between making sure our needs were met and giving us the freedom we expect on vacation. We never wanted for any of the little things (like fresh towels, cookies in the afternoon or directions and reservations for a local restaurant), and always felt like we were welcome. They also went out of their way for us without us even asking (they TiVoed the season finale of True Blood for us in an unoccupied room. How cool is that?)

Inn Details: the Inn is basically a cute little house with some extra rooms in a separate building. The grounds are well-landscaped without feeling like you're in a "fake" courtyard garden - very natural. We stayed in the Laurel Room, which is right next to the guest kitchen, which has a full-size fridge, sink, and plenty of glassware (it is wine country, right?). Overall, the Inn is well represented on their website, and we never found any hidden problems you might find after staying somewhere for a week! It's a beautiful, homey little place and is quiet even when the house is full. (it's also right next door to Korbel)

Town/Location Details: Guerneville is a very "real" town when compared to the other towns in wine country. There are a couple little restaurants, fun bars (we tried and liked the Rio Nido Roadhouse, Russian River Pub, Stumptown Brewery, and the Bull Pen), and some small craft-type shops, but it's not an assault on the senses and wallet that Napa towns tend to be. The Armstrong Redwoods hiking trail is great, but be aware that the East Ridge trail is short (1.5 miles) but no joke.

The location of the Inn and Guerneville make it ideal. It's 45 minutes MAX from the coast, and 45 minutes from Healdsburg (which is a cute wine country-type town with tasting rooms and whatnot - eat at Willy's), and about 1 hour from Yountville, home of some real fine dining.

My wife and I spent our honeymoon there, and we can't wait to get back!

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Laura B.

Berkeley, CA

5 star rating
2/4/2009

What a wonderful place! My boyfriend and I stayed here, after searching for the cheapest bed and breakfasts in the area. They had great off-season winter deals (on the website). The two owners, Dana and Brian, are wonderfully nice and Dana is a great cook. We had quiche, freshly grown fuyu persimmons from their tree, smoked bacon, sausage, oatmeal souffle, fruit... it was all wonderful! And they use eggs from their own chickens, which we hung out with for a while. We stayed in the "Oak" room which was nice because it was in the main house, had a bath and tv/cable, and it is one of the cheaper rooms.

We'd also never been to Guerneville or Healdsburg, and ended up driving around looking at wine country all day. It was so beautiful and wonderful. There is also Armstrong Redwood forest right nearby the inn, and it is very nice to walk around even in the winter. I would definitely go back.

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joe m.

Boca Raton, FL

5 star rating
6/5/2009

My wife and I LOVE this place and the owners., Brian And Dana could not be better hosts. Breakfasts are awesome. The property is beautiful and perfect for a wine country get a way. We have been there 3 times(from Florida) and will keep coming back as soon as those frequent flyer miles are recharged. Added bonus are their pets.

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Sara S.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
8/14/2008

If you are looking for the ultimate wine country experience, this is where it starts. Start your day with Dana & Brian's delectable breakfast,  drive down Dry Creek Rd and sample all the goodness this beautiful region has to offer. Sober up at one of the many fabulous Healdsburgs restaurants for dinner, and head back to the Inn for a soak in the hot tub. Does life get any better?? No. it Does not.

I stayed at the Sonoma Orchid Inn in April for a long weekend, and it was during this weekend that I became engaged. Brian and Dana are such wonderful, generous hosts and really helped to make it the weekend of a lifetime. Their home is immaculate,  welcoming and painfully charming. Their location is perfect - we were able to get to Dry Creek, Alexander Valley, Russian River, Sonoma, the coast, and the Armstrong Redwoods all within a quick drive. I will absolutely be back.

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Razoo D.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
10/18/2007

I planned a major surprise 60th birthday party/family reunion weekend for my mom, here. The look of joy on her face when she first walked into the dining room with all my relatives at breakfast was a family moment that we will always remember.

The inn keepers, Brian and Dana were a huge help in coordinating with my family from out of town. The breakfasts were delicious. The rooms were spacious, comfortable and relaxing.

check out the big cat - it is gynormous! freakin' huge and friendly!

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Miechelle H.

San Jose, CA

5 star rating
4/6/2009

My husband surprised me with a stay at this B&B once we'd made our decision to start "discovering" California and I am utterly delighted that he did.  The two of us plus my 14 year old stayed in a lovely little suite which cost us all of $ 200 for the night and which had everything we needed to make said stay comfortable not to mention the extras to make it exceptional.  There was ample to read, watch or play in case we didn't bring anything for ourselves and I thought keeping cookies available in case we felt peckish was a really thoughtful touch.  They accomodate pets and are very conveniently located with regards to various wine estates and the little town of Guerneville.  Last but not least, the breakfast is just stellar - my daughter is a little fusspot and she loved it.  We were able to see quite a bit of the Russian River area whilst based at this B&B and I usually hate both "being stuck in a car" and not sleeping in my own bed - I felt neither of those things this time around and that's amazing.

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Elite '09

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Alicia J.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
8/6/2007

My boyfriend treated me to a weekend away in the Russian River Valley for my birthday. We stayed at the Sonoma Orchid Inn and it was perfect.

The accommodations were great.  We paid just under $200 a night for a 'suite' at  this bed and breakfast. The bathroom was beautiful, we had a sitting area with couches, chairs and a TV, as well as a bedroom area. The breakfast and daily cookies were wonderful as well.

The estate is wonderful.  It's located on a couple of acres, pushed back a bit into the woods.  They have a hot tub which is the perfect relaxation, and plenty of room to enjoy bottles of wine from around the area after day time wine-tasting.

It is in a perfect location- close to a lot of outdoor activities from kayaking, renting canoes, hiking, running trails and a short scenic drive from over 200 wineries in the area. Brian and Dana (the two owners) are very knowledgeable and are full of suggestions on how to spend your time in the area.

I wouldn't have changed a thing and will definitely be back soon.

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Nicole J.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
10/28/2007

This was my first b&b experience ever.  The b&b is tucked away off River Road.  My beau and I were greeted by the owners AND their two cute, friendly dogs.

There was just another couple during our stay, so breakfast was short and sweet with a delicious oatmeal souffle, fresh strong coffee, fresh fruit, and sausages, and in the afternoon there was a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for the guests.  

My beau and I took advantage of the hot tub just hours before we checked out.  The hot tub is located under the trees and was so relaxing.

Romantic, charming, and quaint...

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Amber N.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
8/22/2007

The best thing about this place is you and your shaggable someone can walk to Korbel, take in the scenery, do a few tastings, get drunk, walk back and then retire to your room together with cheap bubbly ; )  We got the suite and for that pricing I would expect a better tea selection,  yes I'm a beverage snob.  A tub would have been super as well but a girl can dream, right?

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garrell h.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
5/18/2008

Come ON. Be a beverage snob all you want, but when I stayed there they had like 8 different decaf teas and something like 10 caffeine teas. In the guest kitchen they had Lipton, but when I asked for green, I got it - at like 8 p.m. and at breakfast - which was awesome, come on - they had a HUGE selection of caffeinated and decaf teas. They rock and you know it.

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Elite '09

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Shoshana D.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
5/27/2008

I really lucked out this Memorial Day weekend when I stumbled upon a room available at this jewel less than two days ahead. It was 1.5 hours from the city but a world away. In just one night here, I came home feeling completely refreshed. In our suite there was a sign saying "Life is Good," and you can't but walk away from Sonoma Orchid Inn feeling that way. I think due to the somewhat recent ownership change and location (not right in the town of Sonoma or Healdsburg) people don't find this place as easily. I'm sure that will change though. If you're considering, go for it. Especially if you are a dog person... the owners have two dogs and do allows guests to bring dogs in certain rooms. The main room is especially beautiful, with big open windows surrounded by trees. They have it stocked with plenty of books, dvds and games to round out your visit. The "cottage" itself was very nice and comfortable, but not as modernized as some I have stayed at in the area, thus the four stars. The tea comments are pretty silly. If it really matters that much, bring your own. But do be aware the property, though beautiful, is close to the road and therefore not completely quiet. Oh, final note... best hot tub I have ever been in!

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