Visit a Beautiful Mission in the Middle of Wine Country

Sonoma, California is famous for being one of the finest wine producing regions in the world. Located 30 minutes north of San Francisco, it would take several weeks to visit each of the distinctive wineries that inhabit this agriculturally diverse area.

But to cherish Sonoma for its bountiful bevy of superior red and white wines alone would be tantamount to heralding Switzerland as desirable only for chocolate, and not skiing or fine watch making. This region of northern California is also the home to incredible golf courses, world-class ballooning and skydiving, and is renowned as one of the best spa destinations on the west coast of the United States.

The story of the original mission in Sonoma as a holiday destination has its roots in Native American history and culture. It was on this site that a natural underground hot spring was discovered and for centuries local tribes deemed it a place of sacred healing.

In 1840, a resident physician by the name of Dr. T.M. Leavenworth was first to commercially market the hot spring to tourists visiting the area. The mission established on the original grounds fostered a well earned reputation as a place to rejuvenate both mind and body for generations to come.

Today the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa resides on the original site of the mission. Extensive renovations that began in 1999 have redefined the resort, with a new 40,000 sq. ft. spa providing all the benefits of a modern therapeutic experience in a setting saturated with a long history of healing.

A distinctive Mexican flavor highlights the buildings, the resort awash in natural colored stucco and stone. Arched windows in the multi-story main building look out on the main grounds. Fortunate guests who arrive at the resort are greeted by valet parking attendants, each one offering a helping hand and a warm smile. Passing through a low slung portico, paved stones lead past a large fountain to the main entrance of the Inn.

Once inside, guests are treated to the rich aroma of fresh cut flowers that fill the main lobby. Comfy couches and wingbacked chairs populate the sun drenched sitting area beneath a heavily beamed ceiling. A small reception desk stands unobtrusively off to the side, while across the way the reputed Santé Restaurant, the Inn's premier dining, serves dinner guests in a relaxed setting.

There are two additional dining options available at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. The Big 3 serves breakfast and lunch on the north corner of the prop-erty and has been attending residences and guests of Sonoma for over 50 years. Poolside, The Water Tower offers a gracious selection of salads and sand-wiches plus cocktails and smoothies for those soaking up the sun.

Two styles of accommodations define the Fairmont Sonoma Inn & Spa. Typical guestrooms are large and range in size from 259 sq. ft - 289 sq. ft. for the Fairmont Heritage Room, to 300 sq. ft. - 339 sq. ft. for the Fairmont Wine Country Room and Fairmont Room with Fireplace. Light pine wood furniture with wall tones of cream and white accent the floral décor and unique geometric patterned carpet found in the Fairmont styled rooms.

Suites range in size from 500 sq. ft. for the Wine Country Junior Suites to the largest and most opulent Wine Country One Bedroom Suite which showcases 600 sq. ft. of luxurious living space. A two-person Jacuzzi tub is the main highlight of each bathroom in the suites at the Inn.

Down filled comforters, plush towels and high-speed Internet access provide the perfect setting to check early morning email prior to heading out on one of the many wine tours and available activities in Sonoma.

Spa facilities at the Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa are lavish and considered to be among the finest in northern California.

A comprehensive, full-service, co-ed oasis within the resort, the design of the Spa pays homage to ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations, who believed in the axiom, 'Sanitas Per Aquas', or healing through water.

Massage, aromatherapy, shiatsu and reflexology are just some of the many treatments practiced here, while guests are encouraged to incorporate a leisurely visit to the Bathhouse as part of their overall healing experience.

Included in the bathhouse fee is access to a state-of-the-art fitness center including the bathhouse lounge, outdoor spa loggia, thermal mineral pools and a sumptuous whirlpool.

Hike-bike-hike tours to Bartholomew Park Winery and guided tours of the area offer an alternative workout for those guests looking to experience firsthand a little bit of Sonoma.

The Fairmont Mission Inn & Spa offers a truly unique setting in northern California. As a place from which to set out and explore the palatable riches found in the Sonoma and Napa Valley wine country, it's peerless. With extravagant ambiance, a plethora of dining options and a world-class spa onsite, the short drive to the Inn from San Francisco is time well spent. And much like the fine wines found in this part of the world, the resort just keeps getting better with age. Some indulgences, it seems, are timeless after all.