Sonoma Hotel named one of the best in the world by Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure magazine has just released its annual ‘It List’, featuring a list of new hotels and resorts preferred by editors around the world.
Among the 100 properties to make the cut in 2022 is The Stavrand Russian River Valley in Guerneville.
The historic property, previously known to locals as The Applewood Inn, was renovated and reopened in 2021 as a luxury boutique hotel by Emily Glick and Santiago Appleton Ripley.
“The Belden House, a century-old Mediterranean Revival home, is the perfect place to curl up by one of two monumental stone fireplaces on a foggy NoCal morning. The building has been furnished with a tasteful mix of modern furnishings and antiques. On sunny days, enjoy the outdoors – either by the pool and adjacent bar or by the river: bikes, kayaks, paddleboards and inner tubes are close at hand,” Travel said. + Leisure about the property.
Set on nearly six acres, the Stavrand is a registered historic landmark that dates back to the 1920s. The hotel has 21 renovated rooms spread across three buildings.
One of the Stavrand’s highlights is the restaurant, which surprisingly wasn’t mentioned in the Travel + Leisure article. The restaurant is open only to hotel guests, which ensures a quiet and serene dining experience — something that can be hard to find in Sonoma County or anywhere else these days. Led by chef Jeremy Clemens (formerly of Layla at MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa in Sonoma), he created a buzz with dishes like Jjampong (Korean noodle soup) with shrimp clams, mussels, bok choy and alkaline noodles.
The Stavrand is the only Sonoma County property on Travel + Leisure’s “It List.” Neighboring Napa Valley also has a property on the list – the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley.
You can find the Travel + Leisure “It List” of the best new and renovated hotels here. The list highlights 100 properties around the world, including four additional hotels in California.
Russian River Valley Stavrand, 13555 Route 116, Guerneville, 707-869-9093, thestavrand.com. Rates start at $446, $295 off season.