h2hotel

h2hotel is the smart, slightly more affordable way to stay in Healdsburg, the most stylish small town in Sonoma County, without giving up walkability. It sits on Healdsburg Avenue just off the Plaza, the tree-shaded square lined with tasting rooms, restaurants, bakeries and boutiques, and it was designed as a green building: the LEED-certified hotel has an undulating roof planted with succulents, natural materials throughout, and touches such as water bars on each floor instead of bottled water. The thirty-six rooms and suites are modern and calm, with clean lines, good beds and eco-conscious amenities. The inclusions are generous for a boutique hotel in this price bracket: a complimentary daily breakfast at Spoonbar, the hotel's California-Mediterranean restaurant and cocktail bar, with juices, fruit, baked goods and coffee, and hot dishes available to buy; free three-hour use of the hotel's bicycles, with secure bike storage, pumps and tools for cyclists who bring their own; valet parking included in the stay; and free electric-vehicle charging. A solar-heated, creekside pool with lounge seating sits just off the lobby, and Sunday morning yoga is offered free. It is a sibling of Hotel Healdsburg, a short walk away on the Plaza. From the front door you can walk to dozens of tasting rooms and dinner on the Plaza, and the Dry Creek and Russian River valleys are a short drive or bike ride away. Rooms are compact and the pool is small, but the location and inclusions make it excellent value for Healdsburg.

Why Healdsburg. With its Plaza, restaurants and access to three great wine valleys, Healdsburg is the best town base in northern Sonoma County, and staying within walking distance of the Plaza means you can taste and dine without driving. h2hotel offers that at lower rates than the town's flagship luxury hotels, with breakfast and parking included.

Room craft. Standard rooms are efficient; suites add space for longer stays. Ask for a room facing away from Healdsburg Avenue for quiet. Use the free bikes for a morning ride to a Dry Creek winery or along quiet country roads, and save tasting for the afternoon on foot in town. Check the hotel's offers for seasonal savings and outdoor packages.

Who should stay. Couples, food lovers, cyclists and eco-minded travelers who want style and walkability without luxury pricing. Families with young children may find rooms tight, and travelers wanting full spa facilities on site should look at Hotel Healdsburg itself. Either way, leave the car with the valet in the evening and walk to dinner.