The Stavrand Russian River Valley is a Sonoma County resort that opened in late 2011. The smell of mint and the sound of bees can be heard in the afternoon. The grounds feature century-old fruit trees that dot the six-acre area.
The Cazadero House has a mix of gas fireplaces, freestanding tub and outdoor cedar hot tub in its rooms. The photo was taken by Emma K. Morris.
I'm sticking to the mulch-topped resort trails even though I'm just 10 minutes away from downtown. A group of deer wander out of the woods to eat apples that have fallen.
The former Applewood Inn was transformed by Emily Glick. She named the resort after her grandparents and her mother, who worked as a travel advisor. The serene California hotel offers a laid back luxury experience that takes advantage of its scenic natural setting. Some rooms have an open-air cedar hot tub, while others have a pool under the redwoods.
The main floor of the Belden House is where guests check in. The centerpiece houses renovated guest accommodations and a 500- square-foot Sun Room. The room is anchored by a river stone fireplace.
The Cazadero House has rooms with fireplaces and soaking tub. skylights and spacious balconies overlook the property's central courtyard, which is found in the second floor accommodations. The Mexican Talavera tiles used across the property echo the rich accent colors and warm-hued wood furnishings that were incorporated across all three buildings. There are a variety of room amenities, from free high-speed internet to organic bath products.
The Belden House Sun Room can be used for small events. The photo was taken by Emma K. Morris.
Travelers stop by the Belden House to get a kit with dark chocolate and gluten-free options for roasting s'mores in the courtyard. You can sip locally roasted Black Oak Coffee in the Adirondack chairs and plan your day in this spot.
Breakfast is free in the restaurant and event space in the courtyard. The venue is built to look like the original barn, with wooden beams, sliding barn doors, and rustic light fixture.
The breakfast menu is built around local produce and elements from the resort. During a recent hosted stay, I sprinkled a housemade hot sauce made from peppers grown in the area. The oats have fresh fruit and pollen. The bread for the toast is supplied by the Red Bird bakery.
On certain nights of the week, the dinners can be booked by reservation. Chefs source seasonal ingredients from regional farms and then pair them with wine from nearby Sonoma County.
There are several Russian River Valley wineries close to the hotel. Local tastings and tours are offered by a few of the California cheese trail purveyors. Sonoma Zipline adventures has courses that are 250 feet above the ground, while area parks offer a more relaxing experience. There are dense stands of coast redwoods at the north end of the resort. The oldest tree in the grove is more than 14 feet in diameter.
Menus in the hall are focused on seasonal and resort grown ingredients. The photo was taken by Emma K. Morris.
There are 17 miles of beaches, blufftop trails, coves and crashing waves in theSonoma Coast State Park. The Russian River spills into the Pacific at Goat Rock Beach where a colony of harbor seals live.
Stand-up paddleboards and tubes can be rented by travelers who want to float the Russian River. Kayaks are available for guest use, along with bicycles, lawn games, board games and books. During a complimentary daily wine reception held on a Belden House terrace above the courtyard, travelers trade notes on under-the- radar swimming holes, area activities and downtown restaurants. Sonoma County reds and whites poured out of Emily Glick's mouth as she answered questions about her career and favorite places. I leave through the Chef's Meadow and head toward the bridge.
The rates begin at $375 per night. Visit www.thestavrand.com to book a room.
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