Date: October 9, 2005
Reviewer: Delaware Traveler

My wife and I recently returned from a two-week touring vacation of the California coast.
Although I found a degree of truth in negative comments about Thistle Dew Inn, I also found tham to be somewhat exaggerated. The Rose Garden Room we stayed in was quaint, clean, and pleasant. The same could be said for the entire inn. No TV except in the parlor. The inn's location is very convenient to the town square. Grounds are nicely landscaped. Off street parking is limited, but curb parking is pleantiful. The hot breakfast of waffles, fruit, and some ham was nice, but didn't live up to the ads of a "full gourmet breakfast". Missing were the "Dutch babies" topped with homemade preserves, lemon poppy-seed pancakes, brie cheese and fresh herb omelets, and ricotta filled blintzes emphasized in the ad (must be a left over from the previous owners). No seconds or additions offered. Advertised afternoon hors d'oeuvres were available, but, as stated in writing on a paper in the room, had to be ordered by 3:00. When I requested the hors d'oeuvres, Jan (one of the inn keepers) appeared to be surprised and said, "Oh....I suppose I could throw together some cheese and crackers." To be fair, there was an attractive assortment of cheeses, crackers, almonds, olives, and lemoned ice water waiting for us on the porch beside the hot tub when we returned from touring. Yes, the mattress could have been firmer and yes, Jan is a little shy/reserved but she responds to polite and kind conversation.
My wife and I had a pleasant one night stay, but it's not an inn that you would make a special effort to drive miles out of your way to find.

There were a lot of things I liked about this inn - excellent proximity to the Plaza, the breakfast was outstanding, very nicely decorated, and our room was quite nice, fireplace, private back porch, and the biggest tub I've seen.

Having bikes to borrow added a lot to our trip. The innkeepers also passed on tasting tickets to some winerys so that was a nice bonus.

The afternoon appetizers were a bit uninspired, but that's a small complaint.

The other reviews I read about thistle dew were critical of the innkeeper's personality, but we did not have that experiece. Our innkeepers were polite and reserved - which suits me fine :)

We came in off the street around 5pm after another innkeeper, who had no vacancy, recommended it. The woman who answered the door was not friendly or welcoming. I asked her if she was the owner. She said yes and acted like she was doing us a favor by showing us a room. The room in the front was too close to the traffic, so I asked if she had a quieter room. She led us to the back to a very small room. It was neat and quiet, and she gave us a lower price. We went back in to pay her. She was rather mechanical and untalkative. As it turned out, we were the only guests for the night. Maybe she was counting on a night off and we ruined that for her. The next morning she was nicer. It is surprising to me how a woman with this kind of personality can be a good innkeeper. It was OK but nothing special. I wouldn't stay here again.

To be an innkeeper, one should be friendly, pleasant, helpful, & enjoys being around with people. That is definitely not the case at Thistle Dew Inn.

We were told that they are the new owner. Maybe they cannot keep up, or they just do not have the right ingredients to manage a B&B.

Forget this place. We found several great B&B(s) in Sonoma.