In the heart of Sonoma, but invisible to the naked eye, The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
is a wine country classic. Built atop an
ancient thermal spring, the elegant Spanish-Mission style inn is a collection
of Terracotta buildings surrounded by lush greenery, enchanting water
fountains, and nooks and crannies where fire pits and seating areas allow
guests to take in the beautiful grounds.
Our Wine Country Junior Suite boasted a comfortable vintage-style,
and included a fireplace, plush seating area, dining table, bar, writing desk,
a beautiful wooden four post bed, Jacuzzi, and spacious outdoor patio. As beautiful as it was, we couldn’t help but
abandon our elegant room in favor of the inn’s legendary spa.
Housed in a secluded area of the resort, Willow Stream Spa occupies 40,000 square
feet. A U-shaped building surrounds a central courtyard where several mineral pools
and Jacuzzis create a calm energy and the healing properties of water are front
and center. The Watsu pool, whose name is derived from the combination of water and shiatsu, offers a unique spa experience that stays true to the Sanitas Per Aquam philosophy. The
waist-deep pool remains at body temperature and is used for specialized stretching
exercises and shiatsu massages conducted entirely in the water, allowing for
flowing, unrestricted movement.
The spa’s indoor relaxation lounge was packed with guests
awaiting their scheduled treatments when I arrived, and the co-ed bathhouse, complete
with two mineral water soaking pools, herbal steam room, sauna and showers, was
buzzing as spa-goers lounged and soaked in therapeutic waters.
Upstairs, in one of the spa’s cozy treatment rooms I would
experience the Executive Meltdown – a
signature treatment specifically designed to provide relief for busy
professionals by way of exfoliation and warm stones applied to the back, along
with a scalp, hand, foot, back, neck and shoulder massage. My therapist, Diane,
a spa industry veteran, helped design the treatment, and I could tell from the
moment the treatment began that she was a rare find. I left the spa noting this
as one of the best massages I had ever had.
Back at the hotel’s living-room-style grand lobby, a large
wooden dining table was strewn with empty wine glasses as En Garde Winery prepared a complimentary tasting for guests. The winery showcased a Cabernet Franc,
Albarino and Dry Rose, but the star of the show was the Magdalena Berry Port. Staying
true to Portugese tradition, it is made entirely of fruit juices instead of
wine grape varietals. It was utterly
refreshing, and although meant to be sipped after dinner, it perfectly wet my
appetite before we headed out to an all-time Sonoma favorite – The Girl and the Fig.
Always an excellent dining experience, we started with a
cheese tasting, chosen from the extensive a la carte menu of cow, goat and
sheep’s milk cheeses. Of course, we paired this with a 2009 Cosa Obra Syrah and
went on to enjoy The Girl’s classic
Quiche Lorraine and braised short ribs on a warm kale salad, accompanied by a
mashed potato croquette.
With chocolate covered figs in hand, we made our way back to
the Inn for a quiet night by the fire.
For more on Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, download Spa Wanderlust for Apple or Android.
