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The Cottage Inn & Spa
Category: Hotels & Travel Bed & Breakfast Bed & Breakfast [Edit]
310 1st St ESonoma, CA 95476
(707) 996-0719
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
About This Business:
Located in the beautiful Sonoma Valley Wine Country four blocks from historic Sonoma Plaza, MacArthur Place is a luxurious 64-room hotel and spa set in… read more »
62 reviews for The Cottage Inn & Spa
62 reviews in English
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Review from david l.
San Jose, CA
12/7/2011
I found out about this place via http://townhog.com, so my wife and I were fortunately enough to get an introduction to one of their deluxe suites for half off, but it would have been worth every penny at full price. We are definitely going to be returning to this place. The location is just a block away from the main square of Downtown Sonoma, close to nice shops, cafes, restaurants, etc.
My wife and I were celebrating out 1st year anniversary, so I decided to take advantage of the gourmet kitchen that was included in the Mission Suite, and hire a Private Chef (http://chefadair.com) to have an interactive dining experience in our room. It was fantastic, Faye and the rest of the staff were absolutely cooperative and helpful in making sure that all accommodations were perfect for the event. They really make every guest feel like a V.I.P.
An added BONUS to staying there: We got a card full of wineries that will give you a free wine tasting for the duration of your stay. -
Review from Courtney B.
San Francisco, CA
1/30/2012
I booked a weekend at the Cottage Inn as a surprise for my fiance on his birthday... what a great choice! From the moment I booked, the staff was looking for ways to make the trip special. We upgraded to a romance package that included a couple's massage, and had a bottle of champagne waiting when we arrived. All reservations include a wine tasting pass for over 20 local wineries, several within walking distance of the Inn. The ladies at the front desk were sweet and helpful in every way, always curious of how our stay was going and happy to make restaurant/activity recommendations. We booked our massage for Sunday at 10am, and they offered us a late check-out so we could shower and get ready afterwards. All in all a great, relaxing weekend that we'd be happy to do again :)
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Review from Siu-Henh C.
Sacramento, CA
1/18/2012
I found the Cottage Inn and Spa through the SF Gate Daily Deal, and was so pleased with it. Faye greeted us and welcomed us into her dream come true. My friend and I stayed in the North Suite, which is 800+ sq feet of comfort and charm. I loved the glass rock fireplace inside our "room" since the room consisted of a huge kitchen and living room. This is place that I plan on sharing with my husband on our special occasions because of the inviting and calming feel. We loved that we were able to take a stroll around the park just two blocks away. Such a gem!
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Review from Tung L.
San Leandro, CA
4/24/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This is where my wife and I spent our honeymoon, and my gosh is it amazing. I booked the room a under a week and got an amazing deal per night. They gave us the East Suite with an amazing spacious room. It had its own patio and the morning pastries were SOOOOOO goood! My wife was excited once we arrived and let me tell you, she is a hotel/getaway specialist and it she loved it then its had to be a great place!
The pictures and their website show the rooms exactly the way they are and that was great to see. The place was very close to the Sonoma Plaza, and they gave you a free wine tasting pass to over 20 different wineries! I would definitely recommend this to anyone who want a quick getaway in a nice quite comfortable area. -
Review from Jen B.
Somerville, MA
4/19/2011
My husband and I decided on a whim to stay the night in Sonoma after a day of wine tasting. We called a few places that were all booked up for the night (thankfully looking in hindsight) I then called Cottage Inn & Spa based on the Yelp reviews. They had a last minute special on a $300 room for just $150! The also had a more standard room that was on special for $120 that night. I couldn't decide on the phone if it was worth it to take the $160 room so the receptionist offered to keep both rooms if we made our way over to check them out.
After about a 30 second debate, we picked the nicer room- it had a fireplace, jacuzzi, private garden terrace and was a wonderful room. The people here were amazing and so helpful with suggestions on things to do. The inns ground were gorgeous, relaxing.. everything Sonoma should be. I highly recommend staying here and hope to return someday! Forgot to mention they bring juice, milk and fruit in the room the night before for the next days breakfast and then place a basket of pastries on your door handle the next morning! Cutest place!! -
Review from T L.
Berkeley, CA
3/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Absolutely lovely! I'll just keep it short and sweet...
Rooms: Nice and spacious. We stayed in the Vineyard room and it was gorgeous! Great view, jacuzzi, spacious walking area. I did have a good laugh at the shower though. One side is covered by a shower curtain, the other side is just a big hole from your head to basically your knees! Thus, if you're having breakfast you can even watch your loved one shower...hahaha!
Amenities: I was super digging the pastries served in a basket in the morning, the jam/cream cheese/butter in the fridge, orange juice/milk, tea and coffee. And the wine passport we got with the living social deal was great. Checked out 7 places!
Common areas: Much prettier than I expected to be. It has a Spanish type of feel to it and it's simply beautiful on a sunny day. Great for photo ops!
Also really convenient! The plaza is walkable with some really great restaurants. I warn you that everything closes by like 9 though! Eat early! -
Review from Stephen H.
12/12/2011
Having read the other reviews, I feel I really have to comment about our stay last year.
We arrived quite late in Sonoma and were looking for somewhere a bit better than average and The Cottage Inn & Spa seemed to be just the place.
The B&B nightly asking price for the available room was over $400, but as we arrived late, we were offered the room at over $200, which still isn't cheap.
The weather was perfect and the surroundings seemed to match. Our initial impression was "WOW" and began to settle-in.
We checked our room and found a rather nasty-looking stain on the bed linen. There was also quite a bit of grey fluff in the corners of the room and behind the bed. By now the Office had closed so no one was around to help us. A notice in the window of the office gave a phone number to call in the event of an emergency, otherwise the office would re-open the next morning. However we were lucky, as someone was enjoying a Zen massage, so we waited until this finished.
The lady was very helpful and when she saw the stain, immediately arranged for the bedding to be changed and offered a refund.
The following morning, our breakfast pastries were left hanging from our door handle. Fruit juice was in our room fridge and cereals were also provided. However, as another reviewer has said, this didn't really compare with breakfasts we have enjoyed at hotels charging a great deal less. The pastries did not taste as though they had been freshly baked that morning (we've been around long enough to know when pastry is fresh) and with them was a note asking us to keep quiet for the hour-or-so that massage was being performed in the room below.
When we left, we mentioned the pastries and were assured they had been collected from the baker earlier that morning, in which case we thought someone should have a word with the baker.
In all, our stay at The Cottage Inn & Spa was not what we expected and if you're not particularly into Zen massage, then we'd recommend you consider looking elsewhere. In particular, in a place where the room rate is $400/night (or more), we would expect there to be someone around at all times. -
Review from Douglas C.
BEVERLEY BCH, MD
11/8/2011
This was our 2nd trip to the Cottage Inn, and like the 1st, we had a wonderful stay. We stayed in the Mission Suite. The staff is very warm and friendly. The location is perfect - 2 minute walk to the Plaza
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Review from Ann R.
Bay Area
12/6/2010
Ambiance: 5
Romance: 5
Guest Services: 5
The Cottage Inn is charming, and SO much more. It is a beautiful, peaceful place. I've stayed at a number of B&B's, and the Cottage Inn is my favorite one.
My husband and I were specifically looking for a place with a fireplace and jacuzzi tub in the room, and that's how I found the Cottage Inn. It is located right off the plaza/downtown area, and walking distance to a ton of shops and restaurants! When we arrived, I was instantly charmed by the architecture and layout. It truly felt magical.
Faye, the inn keeper, is wonderful and called on the day of our arrival to check when we'd arrive. She warmly greeted us, gave us a tour of the grounds that her late husband designed, showed us to our room, and offered restaurant recommendations. It is evident that a lot of thoughtfulness and detail went into the design. The fire table in the courtyard is such a cool feature, and in general I love the layout of the rooms facing into the common area. Faye was very easy to get a hold of after office hours when the front gate had accidentally been locked. She is truly a kind, gracious person!
When entering the room, I instantly felt relaxed! The lights were dim, there was pretty music playing through the ceiling speakers, it smelled really good. There was a corner breakfast seating area, a chaise lounge (loved), the jacuzzi tub, the fireplace, a comfortable bed with heating pad, bathroom tucked away, plus the room was stocked with cereal, fruit, milk, orange juice, water, coffee, and tea. It was SO peaceful, I wished my bedroom at home was like that! In the morning, there were delicious pastries hung in a basket by our door.
I have only glowing things to say about this place, and plan on returning for a longer stay! -
Review from Rosalind S.
San Francisco, CA
I had very low expectations coming here based upon their website and on the photos provided on Yelp. I was somewhat optimistic based on their reviews but I've never been to a B&B before so I really had no idea what to expect.
Upon arrival we were greeted and shown around the area and our room. There was a very new agey feel to the decor and the smell. The website stated that our room, the East Suite had a TV and VCR (ha). They weren't lying; they put a 13 in TV/VCR in this huge armoire next to the bed. We never used it but if it were bigger we might have. The jacuzzi was great and it was big enough to fit two people. We also had a little private outside area for the two of us to lounge. This would have been nice if we had a little sun back there. So we didn't utilize this extra either. Wireless wifi is also offered but the signal was so weak we didn't get to use that either. They provided us with 3 types of cereals in the room, some fruit, orange juice, milk, water, teas, coffee, and Hersey kisses in the room. We brought our own bottle of champagne which I suggest you do too, or wine. The breakfast basket they left hanging on our door was filled with a croissant, a cookie, and a large cinnamon pastry thing. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought we were suppose to have a "real" breakfast? For the amount of money they're asking we should at least get some eggs and bacon! We packed up our pastries and belongings and went to search for something more substantial and healthy to start our day off with. Ok, my last complaint: Check out at 11am, OK, that's normal I suppose. But check in at 4pm? Come on, what are we paying for then? I might as well be paying by the hour at some cheap motel in some sleazy no name town. But in all honesty I did have a good time. The woman that helped us was very nice, the rooms were clean, albeit the old carpet at the end of the bed with spiky things in it poking my feet.
Return visitors get a 10% discount. -
Review from Lai T.
Fremont, CA
5/14/2011
I think I need to set my expectations of B+B's a little lower from now on. I think this place needs a major refesh. All the furnishings seem at least 5 years old, there are stains on the carpet, feels gross walking barefoot, your refrigerator doesn't fit in the cupboard, a CD player? hello, 1990? I can cook an egg under your halogen lights at the vanity! I design hospitality so all this is only my professional opinion. But for +$200/nt for even your tiniest room, you need to provide a more pleasant environment.
We stayed in the courtyard room, not one place on your website does it say that your bed is a murphy bed and that there is at least a 18" gap between your pillow and the wall. Talk about a nice place to toss all your trash. And what is with the plywood plank underneath the mattress? At least make it less visible! This really means you need a new mattress and boxspring! This is a very quaint room per their website, so there was no surprise when we arrived. But their front door is only 24"W, so if you're overweight you're not going to fit through the door. You really feel like you're entering the servants quarters because your entry is next to another entry to a suite with a real sized door. There are the occasional spiders / insect visitors in your room.
There is definitely potential to make this place more upscale and boutique. The architecture has great character, there's a lot of fun things you can do with the arches and window seats in the rooms. The courtyards are pleasant, can use some grooming, the fire pit fountain is a little too hippie for me, but again can be jazzed up.
There are some pluses to the B+B. It's walking distance to the plaza, but remote enough that you don't get the noise level. Walking distance to great restaurants and wineries mean you can leave your car on the street. The breakfast pastries delivered to your door in the morning is delightful. The double shower head and 2 person shower is a lot of fun even if you're showering alone. The window seat is a nice comfortable nook to snuggle with your honey... -
Review from Ralph d.
Sonoma, CA
8/26/2010
Every client that we've picked up there for wine tours has loved the Cottage Inn. Most recently honeymooners told us that the staff went way beyond the call. They treated them like family, the part of the family that really likes you.
The location is the best in Sonoma, just steps from the Plaza and in the sweet spot near the historic mission. The buildings and grounds are beautiful, restful and romantic. In our Sonoma Winery Tour iPhone app we've given them a very high hospitality rating based on our client feedback and that's saying something. -
Review from John L.
San Francisco, CA
1/24/2011
We particularly enjoyed the comfortable bed, pretty room, great places to while away the time near the fountain and in the front alcove. The breakfast was yummy, and the breads brought from Artisan Bakery were very nice. It's a block away from the Plaza, which makes it a nice place if you'd like to walk around in the center of the town for an evening stroll.
Two things we'd like, but these are small: a newspaper in the morning and a baguette rather than sweet pastry. Otherwise, very nice. -
Review from Ben K.
Seattle, WA
1/11/2009
Right off the bat we were welcomed to The Cottage Inn by one of the most friendly innkeepers I have ever met. She promptly checked us in, offered to show us around the property and then took us to the room (which turned out to be larger than my current apartment).
With a full kitchen (stocked with cooking acutriments plus various breakfast items), massive living room, and a huge tub plus a wonderful outdoor patio, we were ready to spend the rest of the vacation at the inn.
While I'm guessing that not all of the suites/rooms are as large or inclusive as ours, they all do come with a bright smile and warm welcome from the tremendous staff, a basket of pastries hung by the door each morning, a terrific location only 2 blocks from Sonoma's main square, and complimentary wine tasting at over 20 Sonoma wineries.
Enough said, you can't go wrong. -
Review from Alisa M.
Seattle, WA
1/11/2009 3 photos
Simply heavenly-- beautiful grounds, fresh pastries in the morning, fruit+OJ+milk+tea/coffee already in the room, complimentary wine tastings at wineries, within walking distance to Sonoma Plaza...Oh man, I want to live there.
The best part of our stay? The upgrade! At check-in, we were informed that we were staying in the colossal Mission Suite instead of our reserved Courtyard Room.
Guess a Thursday-Saturday stay in the off season is not all that popular... -
Review from Amy Z.
Santa Barbara, CA
7/1/2011
Tranquil and welcoming. My husband and I left feeling refreshed. We were able to walk to complimentary wine tasting in the square, enjoy a delicious dinner, then walk back to the Inn and spend a peaceful evening.
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Review from pete k.
7/7/2009 2 photos
Not much more I can add on top of the other amazing praise.. but to sum it up - FANTASTIC. Not only is the location great - you can walk right to the plaza - but the grounds are so beautiful you might not want to leave.
The massage services are great, as is the rest of the staff. Everything is very clean, with a very peaceful/cozy atmosphere. Its definitely more than an "inn" - as mentioned in another review, it really is a "retreat". 6 stars! -
Review from Traci H.
12/20/2009
Great service, cute hotel and great location (totally walkable to the plaza, but yet extremely quiet in your room). The room was extremely large and comfortable (Mission Suite--HUGE with sitting area, bed area, full kitchen, shower, sink, toilet, huge whirlpool tub. It's like one big room, though, so if you're sharing it, there's no privacy between the living room and bedroom). Got the $199/night last minute special so that made the value totally worth it. IF it was full price, I'm not sure I'd say that it was worth the value (~$400/night or something). Everything was super clean. There was OJ, coffee, milk in the fridge--full kitchen gear and some fruits in the fruit basket.
They only downside: Breakfast was simple, overly stale pastries (2 stale croissants and 1 dry muffin) that were less than memorable. When they say they provide breakfast, I would argue that they provide something slightly edible but make sure you have an alternate plan for breakfast, unless you like pastries that can bounce off the counter.
There's a neat central like area in the back that they have a fire going at night. Just a nice way to end the night--you can bring some of the wine you purchased along the way or just sit and be mesmerized by the fire.
They offer massages on-site, but you have to book in advance because the therapists are not on-site unless you have an appointment.
There's no specific parking lot but street parking wasn't a problem and once you park, you have no reason to drive since it's so accessible.
Totally awesome hide-away inn in Sonoma. Regular price seems pricey but if a) you can take advantage of a special or b) price isn't an issue--head straight there on your next trip to Sonoma! -
Review from Will N.
Portland, OR
5/9/2008 2 photos
My wife and I recently stayed here for our honeymoon and absolutely loved it. The atmosphere was very romantic, with dimmers on every light and an oversized jacuzzi tub in the room. We had cereal with fresh fruit each morning, with pastries delivered from a local bakery. They had free wifi with good consistent signal, helpful staff, and lots of resources for local wineries and restaurants (including menus for most everywhere in the Sonoma Plaza).
I did one main compaint... we were in the Chapel Suite, which is right along the main hallway, so we heard everyone walking by as they came and went. We just turned up our music a little louder and were fine. Even with that, this wonderful little Inn is well deserving of five stars. -
Review from Jeff K.
Chicago, IL
4/1/2011
This place was fantastic! At the last minute my wife and I decided to come to Sonoma and we stayed here. We went because of the fantastic reviews we saw online and they had a last minute deal. Our room also included a free pass to 30+ wine tastings, great deal! The room was nice and cozy, had everything you needed but a shower and this is why they are getting 4 stars instead of 5. The shower in our room, maybe different in other rooms was by far the strangest showers I've ever taken. It's a bath that you stand up in, weird. Other than that, the staff, the complimentary food, the recommendations, the scenery, everything else was amazing!! Despite the shower, I would stay there again and I would recommend it too.
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Review from Magda A.
Danville, CA
10/9/2011
My husband surprised me for our 35th wedding anniversary at this charming, perfect gem. Faye, the proprietor greeted us and was so warm and friendly she immediately made us feel like family. She gave us a bit of history/tour of lovely grounds and it was evident much thought /care went into the design of the property. The North Suite was perfect - very peaceful and spacious, small private patio off kitchen, fireplace in living room, comfortable king bedding and kitchen supplied with juice, milk, coffee, tea, fruit, cereal etc.. We do not need a large breakfast so the pastries and goodies in kitchen were perfect for our needs. The recommendations given by Faye for restaurants and wine tasting in area all were "spot-on". I was fortunate to enjoy a massage given by Willow which was a perfect way to relax before dinner.
I work in the travel industry so my expectations very high. I would definitely recommend this property.
Perfect Sonoma atmosphere, great location, walking distance to many restaurants and wine tasting locals, lovely staff, beautiful grounds, great rooms. I have been spoiled and look forward to returning soon. -
Review from Shelly V.
Walnut Creek, CA
2/12/2011
Wow - this place already has 47 reviews and all 5 stars! Apparently they don't really need my review but I will leave it anyway.
Firstly, I do not like the idea of B&B's. Have never wanted to stay at one due to the perceived lack of privacy, bathroom sharing and shabby chic decor everywhere. Well, this place has none of those things.
The Cottage Inn has huge rooms (except ours which was the courtyard room - not huge, but plenty big enough for 2 people), great patios, gardens, fireplaces, lounge areas and only 1 block off the plaza. The rooms are spread out so you are not on top of each other. The decor is not tacky (it's not great, but I'd rather they keep it like it is and not raise their prices). LOVED the pastries in the morning. The in room coffee was surprisingly good considering I only drink french press.
The staff are friendly. On our next trip to Sonoma, this place will be my first choice. -
Review from John K.
San Francisco, CA
1/28/2009
The Cottage Inn and Spa is a quite a find in the heart of Sonoma, just a block off The Plaza, on a quiet street.
The inn is very clean and comfortable. The owners Faye and Gaeta treat you like family. The inn has 7 rooms all with different personalites. We stayed in the East Room, with fireplace, jacuzzi tub, bamboo lined patio. This is a definite for a nice relaxing/romantic weekend. Everything was exceptional, can't wait to go back! -
Review from Tim L.
Benicia, CA
3/2/2010
My wife and I were able to arrange for an overnight sitter and decided to take a quick trip to Sonoma. It was difficult to find a Bed & Breakfast (which is our preference) which would allow a 1-night stay but The Cottage Inn and Spa are one of the few which will during the low season (between November and Mid March).
We stayed in the North suite. A very large one bedroom suite (820 square feet) with a spacious sitting area, gas fireplace and fully equipped kitchen. It also had a private enclosed deck area in the back, but it really is too narrow and small to be useful.
What we liked:
-Extremely friendly staff
-Walking distance to the square
-Lots of overall space
-Extremely comfortable King sized bed
-Tasteful decor and comfortable furniture
-Fireplace
-Low season price (not sure if I would pay the high season rate)
Not so much:
-Bathroom is extremely small, no place to set your toiletries
-Needs another mirror. Only mirror is in the bathroom. How about a full length mirror on the inside door of the bedroom closet?
-There should be a sliding door between the bedroom and the rest of the suite
-Replace the TV and ditch the DVD player. The suite screams for a flat screen and guests should be able to take advantage of On Demand video services
Overall, we would definitely return, but we would probably check out one of the other rooms. -
Review from Heike H.
San Francisco, CA
9/6/2011
My husband and I have stayed at the Cottage Inn & Spa twice now and my parents once and we have always had a wonderful time. We once stayed in the vineyard suite which has a gorgeous breakfast nook with view of the garden and a fabulous jaccuzzi hot tub. We have also stayed in the North Suite which is nice and spacious with a large kitchen, sheltered patio in the back and a large fire place. Breakfast is served in the rooms and continental with delicious pastries from a local French bakery. The staff is super corteous and accomodating and you cannot beat the location (five minutes walking distance to Sonoma main town square). We will definitely be back.
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Review from Jon G.
Campbell, CA
9/6/2011
Great place! Just spent a few nights here and enjoyed every minute of it!
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Review from Jeff G.
Marina del Rey, CA
12/25/2008
This place is adorable. I stayed here on Christmas Eve and was thoroughly delighted by the attention to detail I found on the grounds and in the rooms.
I didnt get in the place until 12am so i didnt notice all the good things until the morning. Waking up Christmas morning I realized how well i slept on the very comfy bed and plump feather pillows. I really liked that they use ceiling fans versus A/C, makes for a more relaxing environment, plus a sounder sleep.
Breakfast is served before you even get in the room, with a little table pre-set for you and milk, orange juice in the fridge. Cereal is provided as well.
The bathroom is great too, the shower has two high-quality heads opposite of each other so you get that dueling shower thing going (nice if you have an SO with you).
On the grounds there is a great fire pit with seating for a bunch of people for entertaining and such.
All in all a great experience and if youre in the area i highly recommend it. -
Review from Catherine P.
Camarillo, CA
6/22/2009
The Cottage Inn and Spa provided a peaceful, serene and romantic setting for a couple needing some serious relaxation time. The small touches of candles, fresh flowers, fluffy robes and the amazing jetted tub lent to the whole atmosphere. The central location of the Inn to the Sonoma square was another major plus.
The element that perhaps sets this Inn apart from any other standard issue hotel was the warm and friendly nature of the Innkeepers. We had a memorable experience at the Cottage Inn and we hope to be back soon. -
Review from Tom P.
Folsom, CA
12/10/2010 1 Check-in Here
The Cottage Inn was a great place that was within easy walking distance to the Sonoma Square shopping and dining areas. The accommodations are very nice and clean with nice touches like a small fruit basket, coffee maker, microwave, and small refrigerator. The bed was comfy and had heating elements in case we got cold.
Faye and her staff were helpful and informative. They gave us some good advice on places to eat and wineries to visit.
The grounds are well maintained and having a fountain and fireplace to relax nearby was a great plus. This gives the Cottage Inn a slight edge for a romantic getaway. -
Review from L S.
San Francisco, CA
7/2/2011
My best man and I stayed here for my wedding for a few nights (chapel room and vineyard views), and we loved it. Very peaceful and quiet, yet just steps from the main square.
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Review from Jeff K.
San Francisco, CA
2/13/2010
Wow, this place really is great. We were somehow lucky enough to have our room upgraded to the South Suite, which was truly amazing. It was such a comfortable space and Faye couldn't have been nicer when she walked us around the property. The fire fountain is stunning in the courtyard and the room accommodations were super comfortable. The breakfast was great (danishes from the local bakery hung in a basket at the doorway).
As far as the location goes, it was so convenient to be located within walking distance to Sonoma Plaza. We had a great meal at the Nepalese restaurant in town and took a relaxing walk around the square before wondering back to the B&B.
I have to say that it was nice to come here in the off-season (winter) so that we could enjoy the amenities at a more affordable price. All-in-all, it was a great experience and well worth splurging for the weekend! -
Review from Michael F.
Seattle, WA
10/27/2010
I have to say this place was great. I got engaged here and the ambiance and the setting was perfect. It is walking distance to the plaza, where you can find anything you want. All the rooms are special and have their own charm. There is a enclosed fire pit area that is great to meet with friends and enjoy a glass of wine before you head to dinner. Faye the owner is over the top with recommendations and is an amazing Host. Everything to great treats in your room to fresh pastry's hung in a basket on your door every morning. I would highly recommend this place.
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Review from Cortney F.
Sacramento, CA
1/6/2011
Came here for a spur of the moment night away with my boyfriend. Did not know what to expect since it was our first time here and I can now say we will be returning! I hope the Inn offers some type of specials via e-mail because I would love an enticement to visit more!! Faye was sweet as pie and made us feel so comfortable and like we have known her forever.
The Inn itself is breathtaking. The fountain and seating area in the middle is the best part. We stayed in the Chapel Suite and it was insanely romantic! The jacuzzi tub was perfect for 2 while watching the fire. The fresh pastries hung on the door in the morning was icing on the cake!! Definitely recommend this place to couples who want to rekindle some romance!! -
Review from Michele R.
Redwood City, CA
1/13/2006
This is ultimately romantic. My only complaint (and sorry it is a big one) I had no one to share it with - and damn it since I am not to blame for that one (being the perfect and entertaining person that I am) I will (of course) have to blame them. REALLY stay here - you can walk to anything in downtown. Don't forget to rent a bike (store on Broadway) and cycle to some local wineries. There are many great dinner places to go to but if I was with the right person I think I would be picking up some takeout from a restaurant or the Sonoma Market and enjoying all the amentities of the room.
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Review from Gabrielle C.
New York, NY
5/13/2010
Most tranquil, relaxing and friendly inn you'll find near Sonoma's little town. Stay in the East Suite and enjoy the large back patio and hot tub. This was so perfect for the first part of our honeymoon. The staff's super welcoming and helpful, the massages are great and reasonably priced (the couple's one was, at least), and there's a fun farmer's market every Thursday in town during the summer. (I also recommend The Girl and the Fig for dinner, as well as The Red Grape for the best pizza I've had in California). Also located really close to Ravenswood and Bartholomew Park wineries, which are both great for picnics!
One note: Breakfast isn't freshly prepared (so not technically a b&b), but fresh local pastries are delivered to your door each morning and cereal and fruit is available at your charming li'l breakfast nook.
Oh also: The inn's near a baseball field, so it's possible you'll hear kids playing in the morning. (just saying -- some people don't like things like that).
We'll be back! -
Review from N G.
Pleasanton, CA
1/18/2010
We had a couples massage there Yes, the owner and masseuse were friendly and polite, but my lower back pain and upper back were not relieved. It remain status quo. Yes, I had a relaxing deep Swedish, but I was really hoping for some pain relief. Anyways, the decor and architecture is really amazing and beautiful. I love the Greek inspired theme and the shower glass fireplace in the middle. It was dark, intimate and peaceful. Another critique, the Buddha should not be put at the foot of the massage table on the planter. Please remove it and place the Buddha in a high place without the foot pointing to it. It is considered a real disrespect to place the Buddha at lowly places. The price of the massage is about $20 - $30 above the going rate at high end massage places.
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Review from christina O.
San Jose, CA
6/2/2011
Everything about this place made our getaway at the Cottage Inn very memorable and the Mission Suite was very special. A very "Zen" experience in the serene and quiet setting.
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Review from Cat R.
Sunnyvale, CA
6/23/2009
This Inn is magical. I have never been in a place with such a peaceful atmosphere. The architecture of the place is stunning, so creative and original. Every room has it's own flavor, and they are all beautiful. There are living plants and flowers everywhere, some indigenous, some exotic, all beautifully arranged around the grounds, and in the rooms.
My husband and I were lucky enough to be the very first elopement wedding package that the Cottage Inn has ever put together, and I must say that they quite outdid themselves. For one flat rate, the package included the Vineyard View suite, the minister, the photographer, the flowers, a cake, champagne for the toast, and a couple's massage.
Let me begin with Faye. Faye is one of the owners of the Cottage Inn, which was designed and built by her late husband, and she was the mastermind behind our fantastic wedding. She is amazing. I have hereby adopted her as a family member. She threw herself into planning our ceremony with so much love and excitement, that I know it was her infectious enthusiasm that made it so completely special and perfect. I could tell she had a lot of fun doing it. She is the sweetest, most peaceful woman I have ever met, and her positive vibes make it easy to enjoy yourself.
As for the room: The Vineyard View suite is the only room located upstairs, and it has a beautiful view of one of the oldest vineyard in Sonoma County. There is a large jacuzzi tub that faces the window with the view. There is an adorable little breakfast nook, facing some large double doors that open onto a view of the bell tower of the inn. The lighting that comes in through the double doors is phenomenal, it bathes the room in a heavenly glow for most of the day, and you can watch the sun set. There are fresh floral arrangements that are changed daily (we stayed for an extra night, and were delighted to find a new, different bouquet the next day). The bed was extraordinarily comfortable.
The food provided was light (pastries, o.j., milk, cereal, coffee) but was perfect considering the location of the Inn. It is a 5 minute walk from downtown Sonoma, where there are countless restaurants, and many things to explore. The last thing you would want is to be bogged down by a heavy breakfast.
The couples massage was amazing. They have a spa room that is mostly window that faces a little rock zen garden (very private, of course). The masseuses were incredible.. My husband was a little uncomfortable at the thought of getting a massage, as this was his first one. By about a half hour into it, he began snoring. Afterwards he felt like conquering the world, and I felt like melting into a comfortable chair.
The minister the Inn suggested to us was perfect. Reverend Dalton, an Irish minister with a Catholic background (who was more than happy to do our nondenominational ceremony) provided some very inspirational words, and he was very thorough in learning about our relationship so that he could arrange the perfect ceremony for us..
The photographer that the Inn hired for our ceremony, Douglas Thompson, was SO professional, but very very fun to work with. His work is amazing, and he recommended his extraordinary make-up artist, Stephanie Collette to do my hair and make-up, which came out perfectly.
The bouquet of flowers and my husbands boutonniere were created from the vaguest description of my dress and my flower preferences ("My dress is ivory with blue beads, and I don't know, I guess I like roses") I could not believe how well they matched everything. The cake was created from our description of what kind of cake we liked, and it was beautiful AND delicious. The layout that Faye set up with the cake and champagne and candles and flowers was SO beautiful and artistic and perfect. She is a genius.
We had our ceremony in the center lounge room, which is so amazing that it's difficult to describe. Exotic palms trees grow tall behind 4 throne-like seats that are built into the ground. Overhead is all open sky through a transparent dome canopy (weatherproof) Raised up in the center of the 4 seats is the most unique fountain I have ever seen. On top of the fountain is a huge bowl filled with broken bits of glass (from old shower doors, Faye informed us) that has a fire lit on the glass, giving the impression of fire on ice. We had the fire lit for our ceremony, which took place at 7 at night. I could not imagine a more perfect setting for a wedding.
I am so grateful to Faye, and everyone at the Cottage Inn, for making our special day so memorable and perfect. We plan on staying there every year on our wedding anniversary, and I am already looking forward to going back. -
Review from Misha S.
San Jose, CA
2/28/2011
Peaceful and quiet and right next to downtown. The breakfast is nice and the rooms are surpassingly private. Look forward to our next trip.
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Review from Benjamin L.
Mountain View, CA
10/25/2004
This place is great for a weekend away. Just far enough off of the downtown square that it is quiet and restful, but an easy 3 minute walk to everything. Wonderful rooms, well accomodated. Don't bother with the big guest house, as the smaller ones are just as great.
