Photo: Pool area / Courtesy of h2hotel
Opened in 2010, h2hotel is a stylish, eco-friendly retreat in Sonoma County, California. The hotel takes sustainability seriously (it’s LEED NC 2.2 Gold Certified Green), but keeps everything else playful and relaxed.
Here, you'll find chic but unfussy rooms and whimsical art, including Ned Kahn’s “Spoonfall” water sculpture, which is made of 2,000 stainless steel espresso spoons. The hotel is part of a trio of luxe properties including Hotel Healdsburg (guests can use the spa here) and Harmon Guest House, which is connected to h2 via a private walkway.
The Look
The eco-chic theme permeates every aspect of the property, from the living roof covered with plants to the 36 rooms with private balconies or patios with wood made from salvaged lumber. The aesthetic is clean (but not sparse) and earthy with bright whites accented by neutral colors and organic textures such as bamboo floors, wool rugs, and 100% Egyptian cotton linens. Rooms come in eco-king, eco-studio, or eco-suite categories. At 475 square feet, the eco-studio rooms are the Goldilocks choice, with just enough room to feel spacious, complete with a sleeper sofa for extra guests and a Japanese-inspired plunge tub.
The Vibe
Well-heeled wine lovers of all ages can be found mingling in the lobby or lounging by the pool. Local foodies keep the hotel restaurant buzzing all day, every day.
Who Will Love It
Eco-conscious travelers who don’t want to sacrifice style and comfort will appreciate the hotel’s earth-friendly policies and modern decor. Its central location on Healdsburg Plaza (home to an array of shops, restaurants, and boutiques) also makes it a great choice.
Who Might Not
Those spending little time at the property may not get enough bang to justify to the amount of bucks the hotel charges. Also, if you want vineyard views, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Best Amenity
The property packs a lot of amenities into a boutique hotel space. Here, there are free bike rentals, yoga classes, and water stations (choose from still or sparkling). There's also an on-site eatery, Spoonbar, which serves creative cocktails and inventive dishes like red wine mushroom risotto. The hotel’s solar-heated pool is small but nicely secluded, with plenty of lounge chairs.
What’s Included
The hotel also goes big on the freebies. There are complimentary snacks and free breakfast — which includes juice, fresh fruit, baked goods, cereal, daily egg dishes, and coffee and tea from Flying Goat, a local staple. Additionally, there are three-hour bike rentals, Sunday yoga classes, Tesla and Universal charging stations, and high-speed wifi.
Fees and Extra Costs You Should Know About
Valet parking costs $15 per night. Dogs are allowed for a one-time fee of $150.
How to Get a Deal
Room rates start as low as $260 per night on select dates in the off-season (November through March). Shoulder season rates vary from $280 to $329 per night, while peak season rates (June through September) soar to $699 per night.
In the Neighborhood
Healdsburg Plaza is around the block, as are dozens of tasting rooms, restaurants, wine bars, boutiques, and cafés. Swing by Portalupi for delicious Zinfandel, nosh on grilled sausages at The Wurst, satisfy your sweet tooth at the Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie Bar, or go big with dinner at Michelin-starred Single Thread.
Nearest Airport
Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport is only 10 miles from the hotel. A taxi or ride-share will cost about $20 and takes around 15-minutes. It's about two hours (80 miles)by car from both San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport.
Nearest Public Transit
There is a bus stop about six minutes away from the hotel (Harmon Street and Healdsburg Depot), where you can catch bus #56 to the Sonoma County Airport. However, if you want to explore the greater Sonoma area, it’s better to have a car.
With plenty of amenities, chic design, and a focus on sustainability, h2hotel is a splurge-worthy choice you can feel good about.