I was very pleased with my stay at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn. Immediately after a smooth check-in, one of the valets took the time to show us around the property and explain a little about it's history. We had a standard room, which was very cozy and inviting. Although the property is older, it has been renovated beautifully and did not feel at all run-down. I am very particular about the cleanliness of hotel rooms, especially the bathrooms and this place definitely met my standards. The bathroom had plenty of space to store all my toiletries (and my husband's) without feeling overcrowded. The concierge was very helpful in making dinner reservations and directing us to the vineyards. Whenever we got our car from valet, we were offered complimentary bottles of water. Also, it rained during our stay and valet was always equipped with umbrellas for us to take along on our outings. We ate breakfast every morning in the Big 3 Diner, which was great. Try the lemon cottage cheese pancakes and you will never order anything else during your stay...they are fabulous (and I don't usually like cottage cheese). Overall, it was a great experience and I would stay there again in a heartbeat.

Had a wonderful two days in the Mission Suite complete w/ four poster bed, fireplace, tea & coffee service set, large tub in the middle of the room, CD player, and fridge (we removed some of the items and put in our own). The room was spacious and beautifully decorated. Every staff member we passed asked how our stay was. The grounds were gorgeous - bright flowers, lovely fountains, benches, trees.........heavenly!!!

We highly recommend the spa! It was Immaculate! The therapists were professional and friendly. Treatments to try - the mission massage, vanilla float (immersion into a waterbed type device), and chamomile body polish. Be sure to get there at least an hour early to participate in the bathing ritual (a series of showers, baths, steam, and sauna) and to enjoy the refreshments.

Enrolling in the Fairmont Pres. Club online before your visit will entitle you to free in-room internet and opportunities for upgrades etc. You will receive their newsletter thru email that lists current specials (there are quite a few on their website).

Lots of little complimentary extras - their signature apricot & cream bath products, the NY times, creamer, bottled water at turn down service and from the valet upon our departure, wine tasting @ 4:30PM, a bday smoothie or shake, and cucumber or citrus water and fresh fruit throughout the resort make this fairmont extra special!!! Enjoy!!!

First of all, this is no 5* resort. The location is awful but the property itself is nice enough, although the communal areas around the rooms are uninspiring with stained carpets. The mission suite we had was very nice, but our two sons had to share an indifferent two bedded room at the end of a long corridor as they offer very few twin rooms - are they trying to put you off bringing teenagers? Room next to ours had the cleaner's trolly right outside for the three days we were there - it's just not what you expect.

Pool area is crowded with sun loungers vying for space and you expect more room for the money. It means you can't get away from the younger kids using the pool & you can hear everyone's conversation.

Concierges very helpful and good recommendations for dinner - Cafe la Hay very nice. We had a lovely lunch at El Dorado in Sonoma and would have preferred to stay there had I known about it - a bit of LA in Sonoma.

Spa was nice BUT .... be warned, you pay to use the pool there unless you are having a treatment & I was unable to get 2 treatments at times that suited me. You should be told to book these well in advance of your stay if that's going tobe the case. I did have a great manicure, but at the same price as I pay in central London so it should have been!

Great meal in Sante restaurant and great service from car valets - water always on hand and accurate directions given.

I agree with the July 3rd review. I used to stay at a number of Fairmont properties. Now I remember why I dont. This chain has really gone downhill. Rooms were comfortable, but please, at these 4 Season prices...hallways were filthy (cigaette butts, napkins, bottle caps) in window AC, old bathroom ( yes, they've been beautified(?), but they are still old), spa area was dirty ( thrown towels, newspapers everywhere for the 3 hours I was there), spa rules not enforced by staff (cell phone usage was present everywhere in spa), wine tasting (?) one station with a long line for a glass of red or white and piece of cheese(geez!), laundry not returned as promised (took almost two weeks to arrive at my home only 2 hrs away...and they still charged me for laundry and shipping!).
Alerted staff to problems and the response was well rehearsed,"Thank you, sir. I'll take care of it personally." But, that was not the case here. On the plus side breakfast buffett was ok/good with a decent selection.
Next time I'd stay at a local B & B while in Sonoma and use the local spas.