Where to stay in Sonoma: Hotel Petaluma

where to stay in Sonoma hotel petaluma entrance

There is so much to explore in California’s wine country. 2020 may have forced us to stay local but this has given us the incredible opportunity to discover our beautiful California. Our last getaway to Napa was a few months ago and we were itching for another little trip to wine country. Sonoma was high in our list because of all the amazing food, chardonnay, and pinot noirs. We wanted to soak in Sonoma from sunrise to sunset. So, we packed our bags and headed north to do exactly this! In this Sonoma hotel guide, we’re recounting our stay at Hotel Petaluma.

P.S You can find my Sonoma recs in my Ultimate Sonoma Guide. If you’re headed to Napa, you can read more about my favorite wineries and photo spots in my Napa blog post.

Petaluma

We wanted to stay at arms reach to the Sonoma wineries. We had never been to Petaluma so we decided to make it our home base. Hotel Petaluma was perfect for us. The hotel is nestled in the heart of downtown Petaluma California. Petaluma is such a charming little town and has a number of trendy shops, art galleries, and restaurants. We spent 3 nights at Hotel Petaluma.

???? Pro tip: Make a reservation at The Shuckery as soon as you reserve this hotel. TRUST. You can read more about our amazing dinner below.

Sonoma Hotel petaluma hotel guide courtyard entrance
where to stay in Sonoma hotel petaluma entrance

Hotel Petaluma was originally built in 1923 and has gone through numerous renovations since. But what we loved is how it still echoed its historic charm. The courtyard is grand and whispers of European architecture. We were greeted with a grand fireplace and mid-century-modern accents. The elevator, Otis, is a landmark on its own. A humble sign on the elevator reads “he is old, please be patient.” We appreciated how the authentic style and design are left intact even after all the renovations.

Where to stay in Sonoma Hotel petaluma rooms

The Rooms

We got a suite with a king bed. The rooms themselves were large and inviting. We enjoyed the on-site amenities including the Shuckery Restaurant (more details below!) and Barber Cellars Tasting Room (temporarily closed during our visit). Barber Cellars focuses on small production, single vineyard wines from Sonoma Coast and Mountain vineyards.

Hotel Petaluma suite
where to stay in Sonoma hotel puetaluma room
Hotel Petaluma

Dining: The Shuckery

This was one of the best meals we had during our trip! The Shuckery is located within Hotel Petaluma. During our visit, they were doing al fresco seating in the courtyard. The restaurant is known for their raw oyster selection and their artfully crafted, ocean-inspired dishes. We loved how the seafood was front and center in every dish. The ceviche was phenomenal, as were the oysters and frito misto. My personal favorite was the mussels. Vince loved the whole fish.

???? Pro tip: Go for their happy hour for $1.50 raw oysters on weekdays! 

where to eat in Sonoma hotel puetaluma the shuckey dining
ready to dig in!
where to eat in Sonoma hotel puetaluma the shuckey dining mussles
The Mussels and Clams
Ceviche, mango, fennel, cucumber
where to eat in Sonoma hotel puetaluma the shuckery dining shrimp
Shrimpies
where to eat in Sonoma hotel puetaluma the shuckery dinner fish
The whole fish with sides

We had a wonderful time at Hotel Petaluma and the Shuckery. Their hospitality made our Sonoma trip even more memorable! If you’re in the area, be sure to note these down. Hope this Sonoma hotel guide helps you in planning your trip!

If you have any questions, leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram @croissantsandcaviar!

xx, Shway

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12 comments

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