When we decided to visit California wine country, we quickly zeroed in on Healdsburg. We were immediately attracted to the quaint wine town without as many crowds as Napa or Sonoma.
We didn’t regret our decision. It was romantic and surrounded by tons of excellent wineries to drink to our heart’s desire. We visited in June and found the weather to be perfect and there was still plenty to see and do at the wineries even though it was still far off from harvest season.
This guide includes some of our favorite boutique stays at every price point (by wine country standards).
Heads up: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book at no cost to you. We only link to stays and experiences we'd actually choose for ourselves.
Our Stay Experience in Healdsburg, CA
When we were planning this trip it was to celebrate our 10 year anniversary, so we were on the hunt for the perfect, romantic stay. We decided to splurge more than usual for the special occasion.
One of the biggest questions we asked ourselves was how important it was to be located near Healdsburg Plaza. Since we had a rental car, we weren’t too worried about walkability. We ultimately decided we wanted a more resort experience with access to a pool and amenities to relax since we had just come from San Francisco where we explored 24/7.
We ended up staying at the Farmhouse Inn located in Forestville, CA about a 15 minute drive outside of Healdsburg. As we mentioned, all of the amenities ultimately drew us in. We loved the chic farmhouse style of the property and the service was top-notch.
Now, if you don’t have access to a car you will definitely want to stay in town. You will be walkable to all the restaurants, tasting rooms and shops. Then, if you want to visit any vineyards you can procure a transportation service.
Budget-Friendly Places to Stay in Healdsburg
Now finding budget-friendly hotels in wine country is no easy feat; however, we found a couple of places under $200 (depending on when you book) that are great picks for those on a budget.
Lodge at Healdsburg
The Lodge at Healdsburg is the best budget-friendly hotel we found that still gives you that boutique feeling. The price seems to hold steady throughout the year, so you can plan your trip when it suits you.
The rooms are spacious with a small seating area and many of the rooms have fireplaces and terraces. The rooms are nice, modern rooms and the terraces almost give you a European vibe.
There is an outdoor pool you’ll have access to and the hotel is just a short 5 minute drive from downtown Healdsburg, so you are never too far away from the action.
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Hotel Trio
For being more budget friendly, this hotel has a lot going for it. The rooms are very spacious and include full kitchens, so perfect if you want to eat in after a long day wine tasting.
You’ll find the style here to be that of your average modern hotel room. Think bright, white and clean with a desk, seating area and aforementioned kitchen. You’ll also have access to the outdoor pool and fitness room.
It’s right by the Lodge at Healdsburg, so again just about 5 minutes away from Healdsburg Plaza.
We did find pricing for this hotel varies widely depending on when you book. If you aim for weekdays and non-peak season you can score some really good nightly prices.
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Mid-Range Boutique Hotels in Healdsburg
Liora Estate
I love the ambiance of this hotel. It feels like you are on a European getaway and is a place we definitely want to stay in the future. It has only 16 rooms, so it’s super intimate and romantic.
The rooms feature four poster beds, fireplaces, seating areas and bright windows that you can open as a quasi-terrace feel. The bathrooms look luxurious with rainfall showers and some rooms feature jetted tubs.
The unique amenities at this hotel caught my attention immediately where there is a record player in every guest room and you can browse the library for records to take back to your room to listen to. In addition, they have daily wine hours, fireside nightcaps, in-room breakfast and coffee services, turn down services and in-room massages are available.
Located off Healdsburg Plaza, you can’t ask for a better location.
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Grape Leaf Inn
Healdsburg is the perfect place to enjoy a good bed and breakfast and Grape Leaf Inn is a perfect choice. The house is a Queen Anne style home with 13 suites and rooms.
The rooms are gorgeous and cozy where you can choose whichever room suits you. Some rooms have soaking tubs, fireplaces or outdoor patios. We love how light and bright the rooms are.
Of course there is a daily, fresh breakfast offered. However, the true unique experience they have is a 3 course wine and dinner you can book in their speakeasy. Plus you can visit any of the Wilson Artisan Wineries for tastings at club member pricing. There is also an in house spa where you can book individual or couples massages.
The Inn is located just a few blocks from the Healdsburg Plaza, so it’s an easy stroll to explore from.
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Camellia Inn
Owned by the same folks at the Grape Leaf Inn, you’ll find another great bed and breakfast at the Camellia Inn. Here you will find rooms that feel more Victorian with antique touches and character. Many of the rooms also feature soaking or whirlpool tubs.
We love the grounds here, as you can stroll the gardens that are blooming with camellias or take a swim in the pool. There are also some great common areas to lounge in.
The breakfasts look delicious and there are cookies available in the evening with a glass or wine or cup of tea. You can also take advantage of the spa at the Grape Leaf Inn if you are so inclined as it is located just a few blocks away.
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Madrona
The Madrona makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. This mansion has 24 rooms and private bungalows and each room is oozing with character and historic charm.
I love that you have options between regular rooms or bungalows scattered across the property for a more secluded and private experience. Many rooms have fireplaces or outdoor spaces as well.
They’ve also got some great amenities including complimentary daily breakfasts, electric bikes and car services within town and to local wineries. There is also a saltwater pool and fitness center as well as a restaurant and bar.
I’d love to stay here on a future visit.
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Splurge-Worthy Hotels in Healdsburg
Farmhouse Inn
The Farmhouse Inn is where we stayed on our trip. It’s located 15 minutes from Healdsburg in Forestville. We loved the vibe of this place and all the amenities it offered. It was nice to feel secluded in your own little intimate bubble.
While we decided to splurge on this hotel, we did book the smallest room and that is one of the things we regretted. While our room was nice and comfortable, it was smaller than we expected for the price point. We would have chosen one of the larger rooms/suites if we had known how small it was. It was still cozy and included a fireplace and the bathroom was nice as well with an interesting in-ground tub. We’d recommend upgrading if you have the means.
While this hotel is not really walkable to anything, don’t let that deter you if you don’t have a vehicle. We love that they offer Volvo cars that you can use and you can directly book transportation services for your wine tastings/tours through the hotel.
Then of course after a day of tasting relax in the heated pool or hot tub or lounge by the firepits with smores. They also have an on site spa with a range of treatments from massages to facials to body treatments and wellness rituals.
One of the great offerings Farmhouse had was their partnership with local wineries. They have quite a few partners in the area and you can get complimentary tastings at those wineries. Tasting fees can add up, so this is really an awesome perk.
Overall, we really enjoyed our stay here and we loved the amenities included.
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Montage
If you are truly looking for a secluded, sprawling splurge worthy resort then Montage is for you. This hotel is nestled among nature with views of vineyards, forest and mountains. It’s the perfect escape for those seeking accommodations with amazing outdoor spaces.
Each room includes private outdoor lounges with many including gas firepits. The rooms are very modern and I love the luxurious bathrooms with soaking tubs.
It’s located about a 10 minute drive from Healdsburg Plaza, but at this resort you don’t have to worry about needing to go downtown too often. You truly have everything you need here with three restaurants and a grab and go market.
There are also two resort pools, with one being adults only and a spa offering a variety of wellness treatments. Montage offers a variety of experiences and activities, so be sure to check out what they are all offering as it changes throughout the seasons.
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Final Thoughts
Healdsburg truly has some of the best boutique hotels for a truly romantic, unique stay. We’d love to go back and visit some of the other hotels in the future as they all have fantastic accommodations and amenities to enjoy.
While it is convenient to be walkable to Healdsburg Plaza, it isn’t totally necessary unless you don’t have a rental car or access to a car service through your hotel.
We hope you enjoy your stay! It was one of our favorite destinations from our many travels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Healdsburg expensive?
We found it’s hard to find truly budget accommodations in Healdsburg, but there are still some budget friendly hotels you can find. However, we found food and drinks to definitely be more pricey than other destinations since it is in California. Tastings and transportation can really add up as well. It’s definitely on the higher end of travel destinations within the US.
Do you need a car if you stay near the Plaza?
No, you definitely don’t need a car! Everything is very walkable and there are tons of transportation and car services available to book for your wine tours. Many wineries are far apart, so having a service is definitely worth it if you will be visiting multiple wineries in a day.
How many days do you need in Healdsburg?
We think 2-3 days in a perfect amount of time to relax and visit wineries in the area. But, if you plan to do any day trips then add on a day or two. There are some fantastic day trips you can do from Healdsburg whether you are looking to visit the other wine areas such as Napa and southern Sonoma or other towns nearby like Bodega Bay.
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