Farmhouse Inn, California

Sliding stable doors, soft neutral colours, quirky yet subtle touches, inside/outside fireplaces, private outdoor terraces, organic cotton and linen clad bedding…it’s impossible not to fall head over heels with your Farmhouse Inn abode. Not only will you be greeted by the scent of fresh lavender and rosemary as soon as you step into the hotel reception area, but you’re invited to a sumptuous array of ‘pick and mix’ bathroom goodies to create your favourite bathtub bubbles. All rooms feature private outside space, and the Deluxe Rooms and Luxury Suites boast double-sided fireplaces, so whatever the weather, you can relax in front of hypnotic flames with a glass of local Pinot Noir.

It’s all about the local, in-season flavours, aromas and tastes at Farmhouse Inn. The hotel’s Michelin star restaurant, The Farmhouse, has been lovingly curated by chef Steve Litke, and is a hugely popular spot amongst guests and locals, open daily for breakfast (for guests only) and most nights for dinner (pre-booking essential). With 300 wineries in Sonoma alone, and another 500 across the county line in Napa Valley, it’s only natural that the focus here is on wine. The Bartolomei family boasts their own winery in the Russian River Valley - Lost & Found Winery - that produces incredible wine almost solely for Farmhouse Inn guest consumption. A few bottles make their way to the fabulous fine dining restaurant, French Laundry, in Yountville.

Along with the style, the setting and the wine, one of the highlights of Farmhouse Inn has to be the incredible spa. A three-room stable-inspired sanctuary offering an indulgent range of farm-to-table treatments using Farmhouse Inn’s very own apples, honey and herbs from the kitchen garden. After your treatment, enjoy a ‘cosy pick-me-up’ as you’re transported back to you room with a warm neck towel. The wonderful spa, heated pool and hot tub makes relaxing here very easy, but if you’re looking for something a little more energetic, grab a canoe from Burke’s Canoes and paddle along the redwood-lined Russian River, or sail above the vineyards in a hot air balloon for a bird’s eye view of wine country. If you’re here for the wine and wine alone, take advantage of the three-times-a-week tasting sessions with local vintners and sample wines you might not have discovered without guidance from Farmhouse Inn’s Winery Partner programme.