Surrounded by the serene hills of Sonoma in the heart of wine country, The Lodge at Sonoma, an Autograph Collection hotel, is pleased to unveil a property-wide transformation and new chapter in the charming resort’s evolution.
Through a careful combination of heartfelt design and authentic sense of place, the transformed Lodge at Sonoma embodies the deeply rooted spirit of Sonoma. The hotel joins Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, a group of more than 200 hotels around the world hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality.
Intentional, Salt-of-the Earth Design
The Lodge at Sonoma has been transformed with an intentional design that honors the attention to craft that Sonoma is known for. The property’s mission-style architecture was preserved as an homage to the town’s Mission San Francisco Solano, while a refreshed front drive features lush landscaping, a striking pergola, and a unique fountain with fire features. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a warm, open-concept lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows revealing beautiful views of the hills beyond the property. Earthy tones of browns, creams, and grays complement wood and stone materials to reflect the grounded energy of Sonoma. Thoughtful design elements include handwoven Mexican textiles and Native American-influenced artwork, along with a large custom tapestry featuring a historic representation of Sonoma Square’s Mission building. A live-edge wooden table – reclaimed from a 100-year-old oak tree – anchors an inviting seating area, the perfect place for socializing or diving into a book pulled from the rustic lobby bookshelf.
All 182 guest rooms, suites, and cottage accommodations have been redesigned with the spirit of Sonoma, most notably the tucked-away Cottage Suites and Cottage Rooms which now feature private outdoor soaking tubs and fireplaces in some rooms. Guests can unwind with a relaxing soak or cozy up by the fire while taking in the beauty of the resort’s natural surroundings. Redesigned interiors in the Cottage and Lodge Suites seamlessly blend artful design with Sonoma’s rustic backdrop. New in-room artwork across all accommodation types honors the skilled basket weaving of the region’s native Patwin, Wappo, and Miwok tribes. Indigenous landscaping has been added throughout the resort grounds, along with an outdoor sculptural art program honoring the four elements that inspired the Sonoma Mission—the region’s weather, water, land, and building materials.
“The Lodge at Sonoma’s design goes beyond the physical product,” says Tom Healy, Chief Operating Officer at DiamondRock Hospitality Company. “While Sonoma is known for producing some of the world’s most incredible wines, our strategy with the design was to bring the rich heritage of the destination to life, not just through the product but also through authentic experiences, history and local flavor. Our goal is that our guests leave having created lifetime memories that capture the deeply rooted spirit of Sonoma – from picturesque vineyards to rich culinary experiences and more.”
Culinary Excellence with Sonoma’s Homegrown Flair
Bringing to life the culinary excellence wine country is known for, each onsite culinary concept at The Lodge at Sonoma underscores creativity and seasonality through partnerships with local farms. Lauded Chef Michael Mina’s first wine country restaurant, Wit & Wisdom, offers a warm California eatery featuring products from local Sonoma and Napa Valley artisans. Along with an inviting hearth oven, outdoor bocce ball, and a world-class wine list suited for a top Sonoma resort, Wit & Wisdom also boasts a standout cocktail program featuring libations from Camber Lay, one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most celebrated bartenders. Adjacent to the lobby is the brand-new Benicia’s Kitchen, serving up farm fresh fare for breakfast and lunch before guests take on a day of adventure in Sonoma. High Horse Bar – perhaps the most unique concept – is a horse trailer turned endearing poolside bar that pokes fun (in good spirits) at its fellow wine country city, Napa. Mixology-forward, Instagram-worthy cocktails are free-flowing for guest to savor while enjoying the reimagined pool deck with added modern fire pits. Much more than just a place to soak up sun, the pool is a day-to-night hub of celebration, featuring customizable cabana packages, poolside bites and beverage service, and signature experiences including a build-your-own sangria station.
Signature Sonoma Rituals and Experiences
At the heart of the new Lodge at Sonoma experience are signature rituals and immersive offerings that go beyond grape stomping. Upon arrival, guests will receive a personal invitation to the day’s events, including a visit to the “Dream Wall” at the Heritage Oak space beneath the property’s 400-year-old valley oak tree. Guests can write down their personal dreams and place them in a bottle. Over time, the resort will gather this paper as compost and add it to the soil that feeds the vineyard and trees on-property. In this way, guests’ dreams will live on at The Lodge at Sonoma. An innovative self-serve lobby wine experience is also available for guests to enjoy the region’s renowned flavors on their own time. During their stay, guests are invited to unwind with a new “Sonoma Soak” ritual, which includes a curated drop of relaxation-inducing bath amenities delivered directly to their doorstep to make the perfect wine country soak. With a glass of Sonoma’s finest wine in hand, guests can take in a breath of fresh air and savor wine country at their own pace. Grape harvesting, cheese-making for private groups, and bicycle route maps for the resort bikes are also offered, along with more experiences off-property.
After a day of adventures, guests can retreat to the Raindance Spa for locally inspired treatments that highlight an array of indigenous botanicals found throughout the property and region – from antioxidizing wine facials to hair masks made from locally sourced olive oil. An apothecary-style retail boutique allows guests to hand-select scents and ingredients they wish to use in their treatments or take home with them as a keepsake.
Beaming with warm and welcoming energy, The Lodge at Sonoma is an ideal destination for memorable gatherings and celebrations of all sizes – from intimate wedding ceremonies held among towering oak trees and sinuous vines to conferences in event spaces that effortlessly bring the outdoors in. The resort boasts nearly 32,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space, including an expansive event lawn, along with unique teambuilding activities—from olive oil tasting to wine blending. Groups guests can enjoy curated menus from the resort’s award-winning culinary partner, Mina Group.
For more information or to place a reservation, please call The Lodge at Sonoma at (707) 935-6600 or visit thelodgeatsonoma.com.
