Luxury hotel in a Sonoma suburb, 45 minutes from San Francisco airport.

First Impressions:
MacArthur Place is a seven-acre complex of brand new ‘historic’ white-washed clapboard cottages, linked by paths through gardens dotted with interesting metal sculptures. The few remnants of the original 300-acre ranch include a 100-year-old barn (now part of the restaurant) and the manor house, built in the 1850s, and one of Sonoma’s oldest buildings. Female guests tend to arrive at breakfast with big hair, full make-up and impressive manicures.

Rooms:
The 64 rooms are immaculate, comfortable and fancy. Original artwork hangs in every room. The beds are huge and high, with drapes and flounces. There are lots of large fluffy towels, and superior bathroom products, including a herbal bath tea-bag. Rooms have flat-screen cable TV and DVD player, high speed wireless internet access, and twin-line data port phones with voicemail. Maid service is frequent and excellent. Suites have hydrotherapy tubs, surround systems, and open fireplaces containing a complimentary “Crackleflame” - a plastic-wrapped block which, when lit, flickers and crackles for exactly 3 hours, and doesn’t interfere with the air-conditioning.

Come for:
- Wine tasting in Sonoma or nearby Napa valleys. Visit local family-owned wineries, or enjoy free wine and cheese in the library every evening from 5-6pm
- Relaxation: there’s no need to leave the hotel, with outdoor heated pool, whirlpool, fitness centre, and spa (offering 30 different treatments). The constantly-watered gardens offer giant outdoor chess and draughts sets, and shady nooks beneath old and new trees. The library has very few books, but offers board games and complimentary loan of DVDs.
- Sonoma’s friendly, laidback town centre is just a 4-block stroll away (or rent a bike from the hotel). In the leafy plaza, the California Republic bear flag still flutters from the City Hall.
- The weather: day after day of clear blue skies.

Not suitable for:
Pet owners (pets not allowed)
Wild children
Smokers (all rooms are non-smoking)

Eating in:
Huge continental breakfast buffet included in room price.
Saddles Steakhouse restaurant uses local farmers’ products.

Eating out:
There are lots of places around Sonoma Plaza, including the favourite of local teenagers - Mary’s Pizza Shack - and the Maya Mexican restaurant.

MacArthur Place
29 East MacArthur St
Sonoma
California 95476
USA
www.macarthurplace.com
001 707 9382929

First published by Travel Intelligence Ltd
©SarahShuckburgh