Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa is Sonoma Valley's classic hot-springs resort, built in 1927 at 100 Boyes Boulevard in the Boyes Hot Springs neighborhood, a short drive from Sonoma Plaza. It has 226 rooms, and its identity rests on natural thermal water. The property has five hot springs pools, with water at 112 degrees Fahrenheit, open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., as well as three outdoor pools and an indoor pool. The spa is large, with 27 treatment rooms, and reservations are required, with a daily spa fee. Dining includes three on-site restaurants and bars, among them Santé Restaurant, the Spa Cafe, 38 North Bar and the Water Tower Bar. An adjacent 18-hole golf course and driving range add a sporting option, and tee times require reservations. The resort is rated four stars. Pets are allowed, up to two per stay, for a fee per pet. Parking is charged, with self-parking and covered valet both available at nightly rates, and a nightly resort fee and deposit apply, so budget for extras. Check-in begins at 4 p.m. with a minimum age of 21, and check-out is before 11 a.m. Quiet hours run from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. This is a place to settle in for a spa-centered stay, with the thermal pools as the main event, rather than a base for ticking off a dozen wineries in a day.

Thermal water and spa. The hot springs are what set this resort apart from other Sonoma hotels, and the pools are a restful way to spend a morning or an afternoon. The spa is big enough to offer a range of treatments, and booking ahead is essential. Because the thermal pools have set hours, plan your day around them, and check what is included in the spa fee before you decide how much time to spend on site.

Who it suits. Couples, friends on a wellness weekend and anyone who values history and spa culture will enjoy it. Golfers can book the adjacent course. It is less suitable for travelers who want a low-key budget stay, since parking, the resort fee and the spa fee all add to the headline rate. Families should note the 21 minimum check-in age for the person booking and the quiet hours.

Planning notes. Sonoma Plaza and many Sonoma Valley wineries are within a short drive, and the resort is a calm retreat at the end of a tasting day. Reserve restaurants and spa treatments ahead, especially at weekends, and check current pool hours and any maintenance closures. If you plan a morning of tastings, leave the afternoon for the thermal pools, and avoid driving after wine by using the resort's location as your anchor.