Kenwood Inn and Spa – Sonoma Valley

In about a week, I will be in the region of Umbria sipping wine, eating abundantly and soaking in the splendor of the rolling hills of Central Italy at a friend’s Villa. Although it has been several years since I was physically in Umbria and its Italian neighbor Tuscany, I felt like I had experienced the mood and setting when I was recently invited to the Kenwood Inn & Spa tucked away in Sonoma’s Valley of the Moon.

A private sanctuary with 25 luxurious private guestrooms and 4 deluxe suites amid hundreds of acres of vineyards and nature, this was the perfect escape. Being someone who runs two internet businesses around the clock, it is difficult to find time to slow down even when I’m away from the office. With technology around us 24/7, it is hard to get away from it even when we are surrounded by such natural beauty as the Sonoma wine country. Well, Kenwood Inn & Spa did just that for me, it helped me relax and unwind from it all. It brought tranquility to my life with a sense of clarity. The absence of a television and minimal internet access in the rooms assisted in the wind down. The strategically placed in-room CD player combined with the sounds of Ben Harper and Diana Krall helped too. For those who are cringing at the thought of omission of electronic gadgetry, take a deep breath and note that there is an on site meeting room/business center with a plasma, big screen, A/V set up with all that geeky stuff to keep you well connected (with the outside world) if you insist. Also note that if you did cringe at the thought of no tech gadgets to keep you connected, this may just be the perfect trip for you.

I’m usually one that prefers the contemporary in accommodations (blame that on my Tokyo roots), but I also appreciate Mediterranean design when it is done right. Kenwood Inn & Spa’s European style villa has three lush courtyards with cascading ivy covered walls, a pond, fountain and a saline pool. Adding to the soothing escape are 2 heated jacuzzis and hot tubs which are open all day and night.

On the properties of Kenwood Inn and Spa, you will see walnut trees, oak groves and fruit trees including fig, pomegranate and meyer lemons. Kenwood’s private guest only restaurant and dining room use their own harvest in the restaurant’s dining selections. In addition to using the produce and herbs grown on the property, Italian-born executive chef Renzo Veronese also shops local farms and stocks the kitchen with in-season organics for his Italian a la carte dinner menu. The dining room is kept warm by fireplace and also has an adjoining outdoor patio area perfect for a morning espresso and breakfast – which is complimentary for overnight guests.

Kenwood Inn & Spa also boasts a private guest only wine bar/tasting room located on premise which is less than a couple minutes from each guestroom, making it geographically very convenient. The wine bar is intimate, cozy and an inviting way to sample wines in a comfortable and non-intimidating setting. Since it is only open for in house guests, you’ll be in the comfort of like minded visitors with discriminating taste who most likely aren’t just visiting the wine country for the day to get boozed up and wasted, but rather those seeking luxurious wine country pampering in a serene, elegant environment.

Hence the name, if all the above isn’t enough, there is a spa. And not just any spa, the spa at Kenwood was recently named for the second year in a row, “Top Small Resort” by Conde’ Nast Traveler Magazine. Kenwood Spa features celebrity fave ARCONA products with a focus and emphasis on vinotherapy. How fabulous is that! You will not only be able to drink wine at Kenwood Inn & Spa, but you can also indulge in a Wine Country Facial, a Kenwood Wine Wrap or even a Wine Bath. The Spa at Kenwood utilizes custom made products with red wine extracts, Chardonnay, and Riesling oils which assist in healing and protecting the body, mind, and spirit.

If you find pleasure in a wine country landscape, rustic Italian cuisine and pampering, you’ll truly adore the Kenwood Inn & Spa. It’s an ideal destination for a true romantic getaway or a special weekend retreat with the girls. Only 1 hour by car from the Golden Gate Bridge and 40 minutes from the town of Napa, Kenwood Inn & Spa is like a visit to Italy on the northern coast of California.

Kenwood Inn & Spa

10400 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, California 95452

Phone: 707 833 1293

www.kenwoodinn.com