El Dorado Hotel

Hotel · Sonoma

El Dorado Hotel

Hotel · Sonoma

3

405 1st St W, Sonoma, CA 95476

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El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null
El Dorado Hotel by null

Highlights

Nestled in the heart of Sonoma Plaza, the El Dorado Hotel offers chic rooms with modern flair, a top-notch restaurant, and a refreshing saltwater pool—all just steps from wine country adventures.  

Featured on Michelin
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405 1st St W, Sonoma, CA 95476 Get directions

eldoradosonoma.com
@eldoradosonoma

$$$

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405 1st St W, Sonoma, CA 95476 Get directions

+1 707 996 3030
eldoradosonoma.com
@eldoradosonoma
𝕏
@ElDoradoSonoma

$$$

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Last updated

Jul 8, 2025

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@michelinguide

"El Dorado Hotel provides a restful sleep experience and is ideal for rejuvenating after a day of adventures." - J'nai Gaither

The Michelin Guide to Sonoma County
View Postcard for El Dorado Hotel
@michelinguide

"El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen is as urban as it gets, at least in tranquil Sonoma, California — this 27-room boutique hotel stands right on the town’s central square." - Mark Fedeli

California Hotels That Aren't on the Coast
View Postcard for El Dorado Hotel
@michelinguide

"Not every worthwhile hotel in the California wine country is a luxury compound with a vineyard view. El Dorado Hotel & Kitchen is as urban as it gets, at least in tranquil Sonoma, California — this 27-room boutique hotel stands right on the town’s central square, surrounded by art galleries, tasting rooms, and excellent restaurants (including its own, which we’ll return to in a bit)." - Mark Fedeli

California Hotels That Aren't on the Coast
View Postcard for El Dorado Hotel

Joseph C

Google
We stayed at the El Dorado and hosted a private luncheon for a Celebration of Life in one of the private dining rooms. The service was outstanding from the moment we arrived. Stephanie at the front desk promptly got us checked into multiple rooms with a smile. The glass of red wine was a welcome surprise. The bartender on duty did an excellent job managing an informal family gathering in the bar. Lila, Director of Sales and her assistant Sarah helped us plan and organize an amazing sit down luncheon. And Daniel and his team provided impeccable service throughout the afternoon luncheon. I must add that the food, was amazing - generous portions, expertly prepared and delicious. The rooms are newly renovated and well appointed. The bathroom is large with a full size walk-in shower. We have already planned a return next week! We highly recommend both the hotel and kitchen for your next visit to Sonoma!

kish54

Google
Friendly, helpful staff. Room clean and lovely. Bed comfy, slept well. Nice to be right on the Square. Had breakfast at hotel restaurant and it was one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had! Everyone in our group (9) loved their respective breakfast. The only negative is no elevator, only stairs. It’s a certified historical building, so not required to have elevator, but someone who struggles with using stairs should probably not stay here. For us, that part was fine,

Mary Jo F

Google
This renovated hotel is stunning. Love the convenience of being in downtown Sonoma. Lovely staff...and the room care was exceptional. Restaurant is outstanding! (Just be aware - historic building so no elevator...but the sweeping front staircase is easy to climb).

Cristina K

Google
What a great find. Sonoma is small but this hotel could not be more centric. Beautifully remodeled, it still maintains old school charm. The staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating. The rooms are clean, beautifully decorated with lots of attention to detail. The size of the rooms are very generous, super comfortable bed, mini fridge that is absolutely quiet (iykyk) and aesthetically pleasing bathroom with robes, slippers, plush towels and full size bottle amenities (yay for sustainability ). Only 2 small things: shower pressure is adequate unless you have long hair and need to wash it. And the walls are thin. So depending on the location of the room (ours was next to the boiler maybe?) you will hear constant noise, including your next door neighbors watching the Wizard of Oz. Sadly we didn’t eat at the restaurant but will try next time as it looked like they have excellent offerings and very nice ambience. Overall definitely recommend!!

Christi M

Google
We chose El Dorado hotel to spend our Valentine’s weekend and couldn’t be happier. This is our second stay and the hotel is conveniently located in the town square within walking distance of shopping and dining but I recommend the attached El Dorado Kitchen for an excellent meal. When we walked into our bungalow there was a personalized note along with cookies that made us feel welcomed. There was also a personal expresso machine and full water carafe! There are luxury bathrobes and slippers if you choose to purchase and plenty of towels available. One of my pet peeves is if i have to ask for extra towels. They also provided upgraded soaps shampoos and lotions so you don’t have to pack those. The room is beautifully updated and the bed and pillows couldn’t be better. Also enjoyed sitting on the patio outside our room. The only thing missing is a jacuzzi and the pool is not heated. Staff is friendly !

Angela N

Google
My husband and I agreed that the level of friendly service we experienced at the El Dorado hotel was of the highest level that we can remember experiencing. The staff was not just friendly, they were authentic with their hospitality. The hotel was incredibly clean, we witnessed staff cleaning from the time we arrived to checkout. The amenities such as coffee, tea, water, shower, robe were very high quality. I can't wait to go back!

Kristen E

Google
This hotel was amazing for the price point. Great location. Very comfortable. Good restaurant within the hotel. I was very pleased with my stay and would definitely stay here again.

Linda P

Google
Amazing staff, hotel, food, etc. Great getaway spot. Loved everything about it. People were friendly, and hotel felt newly renovated. Big beautiful rooms with all the amenities you need, felt like you were at somebody’s home but with luxury /elegant surroundings. Highly recommend

Janet U.

Yelp
This is a beautiful old place that I would come back to. I went to this place for a friend's birthday party. The food and the service was just amazing!!!

Tina O.

Yelp
I've dined here a few times over the last few years and it has always been a lovely experience. Last night was no exception. Went there with a gaggle of gal pals to have a bite then walk through the lovely holidays lights in the Sonoma Square. Our waitress was very attentive (sorry I didn't get her name). We had a variety of appetizers and entrees - everyone liked what they had. Sorry I only took a photo of my carpaccio. They also have large lovely patio for nice weather dining. Highly recommended.

Average Guy R.

Yelp
Rooms have been remodeled and are nice. Having a clock in the room would be helpful. Staff was nice, though not a smooth check-in. The person lacked experience and placed us in the wrong room. We paid extra for a Garden View, so when we informed her that the room was wrong, she stated we would have to pay extra for the Garden View. We wold her that we already paid extra. So, we got in to the correct room, though looking at our bill today, she charged us the extra amount anyway! They are trying hard to be a real hotel, but still need to work on things. Had a wonderful breakfast there though!!

Susan H.

Yelp
Don't assume the price tag for the room (approximately $900 per night!) means you'll have an amazing experience. The hotel may have just been remodeled but they did not address acoustics. We could hear the television from adjacent room all night long. That, plus a dirty swimming pool, late housekeeping, few vegan options on their menu and no one available at the front desk at night. Yes, they are 'on the square' but that's truly the only amenity we experienced. While our upstairs room overlooked the dining patio, our daughter was in back of the main hotel- adjacent to the pool. Avoid those rooms at all cost. Tiny, isolating and near the garbage!

Tara L.

Yelp
I am kind of torn between rating this 3 or 4 stars, but the amazing staff and location have me bumping it to 4. The good: - Amazing location! - Staff is SUPER friendly and helpful - Our room (room 2) was fairly spacious, though it could have used/fit a chair to sit in and didn't have one. It also had a balcony which was nice, even if it was too chilly for us to get much use out of it. - They have minibar options and the beers at least were SUPER cheap! I would avoid the snacks/liquor, and the wine was probably average (aka not cheap but not overpriced), but I have to give them props for having $5-6 beers available in the room :) The okay: - Four pillows were provided, though they offered zero support; however, we asked for more and got two really nice ones to pad the difference :) - PROPER BEDDING! A sheet, an actual comforter, and a little accent blanket - Decent sized shower (though shower ONLY) with fairly good water pressure and hey, at least it got HOT :) The not-so-great: - It. Is. LOUD. At least from our room (second floor, front corner) we could hear everything our neighbors were doing, and in the morning when (I'm guessing) they started setting up the restaurant downstairs around 6:30 AM (at the latest, it might have been earlier) we heard allllll of the banging around. If you're a heavy sleeper (like my partner) this might not bother you, but for me WOW it was a bit of a shocker. - Parking is problematic. I don't know exactly how many rooms they have, but the lot behind the hotel that they provide passes for is VERY small (I can't remember how many spots exactly, but it's either 8 or 10 regular spots and then 1 or 2 handicapped spots). Street parking is available, but only up to 3 hours at a time between 9 AM - 5 PM Monday through Friday. We stayed during an off time but I imagine this is a bit of an issue during busier times - especially as even with us having a middle-of-week stay we came back at around 4:30 PM on a Wednesday and there were no spots available in the lot. So basically, if you drive around during a weekday and there is no parking in the lot, you should probably plan on being able to move your car every three hours for any of the public spots close to the hotel. Overall, we did really enjoy our stay at the El Dorado! It's a lovely historic hotel, has a really cool staircase, and I would certainly consider it again - but only if I was traveling during another "off" time of year because wow that parking situation is...something.

Stephanie N.

Yelp
Whoa, ho, hooo!! What an expected fabulous experience this morning! We ordered huevos rancheros, two eggs, chorizo patties, potatoes and greens, and avocado toast. We were so pleased with each item ordered! I just got to talk about the avocado toast. It wasn't simply slight avocado. It was like the best gourmet avocado I've ever had! I didn't know avocado could be dolled up this well! And then it was like on brioche bread. And the mixed greens?!?! Truly incredible!! Waiter was wonderful, staff was friendly and appropriately attentive, customer seemed pleased, and they allowed us to take a walk around to see the entire dining area and the outdoor garden area in the back. We look forward to returning in two weeks with business associates. We already told them we want to have our meeting at this place!

Allyssa P.

Yelp
Loved our little stay!! My husband and I stayed for one night last month and really enjoyed our time at the el dorado. The booking process was very easy. We did it online and had the options for all the upgrades through their website. I will say, the room descriptions are tricky. I had to call and ask for the differences because it all seemed to be the same. Basically, the views are the difference between charges! We opted for the basic king room with a street balcony view. We loved having the balcony to enjoy wine from and take cute pictures! Hahaha Andrea answered all my questions during booking our room and during our visit. She was very nice and so helpful. This hotel is smack dab in the middle of Sonoma square and has plenty of wineries in walking distance. It was the perfect place for us to stay the night after our wedding and the day before wine tasting. Highly recommend staying here if you're looking for something close and comfortable!

Stephanie Y.

Yelp
El Dorado Hotel is a solid option if you're looking to stay in downtown Sonoma. Populated with a nice variety of restaurants, wineries and shops all located along the square or a block off, it's a nice way to spend a day or two. EDG has a pool, 2 free bikes to use, the beds are wonderful, con: the rooms are super small. We went on a recent staycation mid week and got a still pretty high rate on Orbitz. We chose this spot mainly because with a baby, we could stay in the hotel and while lil' man sleeps, have a nice dinner downstairs in the hotel restaurant. And bonus: they have really nice pack 'n plays for babies! Again, rooms are small, but they are nice, and the bed is so comfy. Staff is nice and the pool area, although small, is nice to have! Just a few chaises, one umbrella area and that's it. Free parking for guests on their small lot is another bonus. Overall, a great option if you're looking to stay in wine country, but have more dining options and be in the thick of this quaint little wine town.

Julia T.

Yelp
I called the hotel as soon and I got a positive Covid result and tried to cancel. They wouldn't refund my $560 deposit (for the cheapest room). I'm missing one of my best friends weddings and would only cancel in order to protect others. I'm extremely disappointed.

Dan D.

Yelp
We booked this hotel for our 25th anniversary to start our dream road trip up the west coast. We thought it was expensive but this was a special occasion. We were both very disappointed especially for the price I paid. The room was uncomfortably small with very few amenities. There was no space to store anything. No smart TV. Had to skim the pool myself to be able to swim in it. Coffee in paper cups and actually ran out both mornings. None of these things are a big deal if your'e paying $150 a night. I'm embarrassed to say I payed triple that...plus. Don't recommend this place. There are much better B&B's just outside of town.

Vlada P.

Yelp
The perfect spot to stay at when in Sonoma. It's located right on the square, offers a great view of the town, amazing restaurant downstairs, pool and room service.

Richard A.

Yelp
Great restaurant on the Sonoma Plaza. Have been to both lunch and brunch and did not disappoint. Excellent service and exceptional food, like the menu, enough choices and I think anyone would be able to find something they would enjoy.

Gallagher G.

Yelp
Beautiful Hotel on the Sonoma square - nice clean rooms with balconies looking over the square. Andrea at the front desk was more than helpful and got us a great room. cant wait to come back !

Monica B.

Yelp
This was a really bad experience end to end with very little if anything to recommend except for the location and I therefore would caution people about staying in this hotel. It started while I was still in Los Angeles making arrangements for the visit via phone and being confirmed by email. A few days before my arrival, I started getting text messages about what amenities I would like in my room. Because this hotel was charging a high rate for what is basically a glorified motel and although I got a state of California resident "discount" - more on that later-- I thought these things were comped. It turns out they were trying to sell me such things as a dozen chocolate covered strawberries for $36 but it was not clearly stated. It was a trap. Are you kidding me? So I texted them back to stop sending me these annoying and misleading sales pitches. After arriving at the nearby Santa Rosa airport and checking in, in the early afternoon, I was told the rate was $100 more a night than I had confirmed on email. Again, are you kidding me? I said no, that's not what was agreed upon. Really bad sign of how the rest of the visit would go. The desk person wanted me to wait while they checked with the manager about this and I said no I'd like to go up to the room now. It was then that I realized there was not an elevator but a large, wide (old, creaky) staircase of which apparently I was expected to lug my baggage up but they offered to do it for me. I am not sure what disabled guests do as all the rooms are upstairs as the ground-level is only a restaurant. The room they put me in was directly over their outdoor patio restaurant so what it really was - was a wall of noise from the diners downstairs. It was unbelievable. I went back downstairs and asked to be moved to another room, which was accomplished. It had a view of the side street, not the main Plaza upon which this hotel is located, but at least it was quiet. In the afternoon, I wanted to do some wine tasting just very locally and the desk person recommended a place on the Plaza. Since I had never been in Sonoma before I asked how to walk over there. He said to walk down the side street and keep going and it would be on my right. So I did just that but quickly the road turned into basically a dirt path and there were people riding horses., No, this wasn't it. Peeved, I walked back to the Plaza and asked someone there where the place was, It turns out it was kitty-corner directly across from the Eldorado Hotel and the guy needed to tell me "walk to the Plaza and down the path that cuts diagonally across the Plaza and you will see this place right as you emerge from the path." Instead he had me go down a side street that led nowhere. Again, are you kidding me? How difficult was this? I was having a horrible time so far. And the wine bar served basic Chandon at above average prices and not properly chilled. Having made a dinner reservation at the hotel's restaurant I was preparing in the bathroom when I moved the wicker wastebasket to a more convenient location. It cut my finger. I'm like, really? So I went downstairs and the same idiot desk guy took about 15 minutes to find me some Neosporin and a Band-Aid which I should have had with me in my travel kit but let's blame the pandemic on it not being fully stocked. I asked him if he would at least waive the corkage fee in the restaurant as a customer service but he said that guest aren't charged it and basically did nothing for me. Except, give me the wrong directions to a place basically across a small park, making me wait for first aid and then not offering to do anything else. As soon as I could check out the next day, I did. I could not wait to get to the next destination after this horrible experience.

Carlo A.

Yelp
Update: I called the hotel and spoke to their Guest Services Mgr. who offered me a discount on the room. Kudos to her for doing the right thing. This kind of gesture definitely makes me want to give the hotel another chance!

Brandy M.

Yelp
I absolutely love the El Dorado Hotel!!! Get a room overlooking the plaza and you'll also be treated to a beautiful sunrise!!! Staff are friendly. Due to COVID-19, you currently have to make a special request for housekeeping. However, we typically don't have housekeeping come in during our stay, so this actually works out perfectly for us. I have just a couple of minor issues- you can't get early breakfast on the weekends. Service started at 9:30 on Saturday/Sunday, which isn't convenient, at all, when you want to get up and take advantage of the whole day. It would be nice if there were some other options for guests were staying in the hotel. The other negative is that, from my room, you can hear every bit of lobby noise, and it starts quite early, before 7am, every morning. It sounds like cleaning noise (lots of banging noises), voices, etc. Even with those couple of things, I love the El Dorado and stay here whenever possible!

Regina L.

Yelp
I'm really surprised by the variety of reviews for this hotel. My husband and I had a WONDERFUL weekend at the El Dorado Hotel and felt like it met all of our needs/requirements. Truly the best thing about the hotel is the location - it really cannot be beat. It's right on the square, along with great restaurant, wineries, and shops. Everything was in walking distance for us, and we loved just being to come and go as we pleased. The staff was so nice and helpful the entire weekend, from beginning to end. If you call down for anything, they'll bring it up in minutes, and were happy to make reservations on our behalf. We stayed for two nights (Friday-Sunday) and had a beautiful room with a balcony that overlooked the square. The room is not huge by any means, but we didn't plan on spending that much time in the room anyway. The space was clean and new, with a beautiful bathroom, huge tv, and super comfy bed. We ended up spending Saturday morning just lounging in the bed watching tv because it was such a luxury for us. Coffee and tea is offered in the morning, and the restaurant downstairs was a great option for breakfast, lunch or dinner. We hung out at the pool on Saturday afternoon and we had the entire space to ourselves - we loved sunbathing on the giant cabana couches. All in all, the hotel did great job making sure I had the most relaxing weekend possible!

Miss P.

Yelp
Small, quaint and reasonably priced. Very clean rooms. Great service at the front desk. I'm happy I chose to stay here during a time where everything is full of uncertainty. Thank you!

TipTop T.

Yelp
Amazing space. Great pool. The restaurant is a bit overpriced considering the menu, but it's convenient. I'll be back, baby.

R B.

Yelp
Stayed two nights in 2nd story rooms facing the pool. The front-desk staff was top-notch (thanks Kacy!), helpful and professional and the whole staff went out of their way to be COVID-friendly; lots of space, touchless registration, we used the building's back door, hand sanitizer in the rooms and all around the halls. Comfortable, clean but cozy room. In Sonoma we like to be in the town for walking purposes and you can't beat being on the square. Borrow-bikes a nice touch.

Earl G.

Yelp
OMFGWTF!!! Is what I was saying to myself as I lay in bed in my room at the El Dorado while I can feel basslines and hear lyrics of the most annoying song IN THE WORLD below me!! My room and many other rooms, just happen to be right above the El Dorado's banquet hall during an event. So, instead of being able to relax after a full day in the valley and another full day ahead, my hunnie and I have to hear the most annoying song IN THE WORLD because their engineer/contractor decided not to use any insulation anywhere. Don't get me wrong, while the El Dorado is indeed a beautiful hotel and I'm sure went through an extensive and expensive beatification process. Noises such as the clean up crew's clatter and vacuums seemed to amplify, and this went up until midnight. I could've probably had a quieter night if I had went to the bar down the block. Ok, now tell me if this isn't one of the most annoying songs you've heard. Play this song really loud on your speakers, look at the pictures, and stand on the street while a big rig/bus drives by and you've replicated my experience at the El Dorado. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUUGblNjK20

Adam N.

Yelp
Really nice space in the center of town. Historic architecture but newly renovated. Love that the small porches open onto the square or garden with a giant fig tree. Overall a bit overpriced though. Small bathrooms. Pool was a bit cramped. Just a lot of things you'd expect from a centrally located spot but prices like it had much more to offer. The staffed tried hard and were always very friendly, but overall very green for a hotel trying to present itself as top of the line. Probably more a reflection of management than anything else. Enjoyed our stay but found some better spots elsewhere in the area.

Margaret L.

Yelp
LOUD. If you are hoping to sleep - don't plan on it. The noise from downstairs dining was loud and late. Unfortunately, all the rooms are affected by this.

Meredith B.

Yelp
Nice but not worth the money. Best part is location. Rooms fine - bathrooms dated. Ghetto pool. Uncomfortable chairs, no cushions, no poolside food/bar service. In fact, we called the bar asking if we could order a drink at the pool since we were wet - the restaurant is immediately adjacent - & were told by the bar that we could "put on a towel & come in ourselves." This was at a time when the pool & restaurant are very quiet & the servers are sitting around. For the price I'd expect better service.

Julie S.

Yelp
I stayed at the El Dorado on a Monday and Tuesday night. Upon arrival, I was immediately impressed with the location of the hotel. It is facing the town square, which is the largest town square in California. This gives you access to a wonderful boulangerie, many boutiques, and restaurants. They have approximately 10 parking spots in the back, however you may park on the street until 12pm the next day for free as well. When we checked in, we were upgraded to a King Suite with a large balcony overlooking the square. The room was immaculate and such a nice gesture by the hotel. They have free coffee and tea each morning. I did not try the coffee however they had a large selection of Mighty Leaf tea with any milk or sugar you could need. I intend on returning to Sonoma and will only stay at the El Dorado!

John K.

Yelp
It would have been a minimum 4-star review until at 5:15am Tuesday morning they started pressure washing the hotel. Our room, #10, must be right over the machinery for the pressure washer. Oh My God! There was this loud, medium-pitched droning noise that filled the room for over two-hours. I don't know if Tuesday is their regular pressure wash day, but I wouldn't take any chances. If you're staying there over a Monday night, make sure your room is as far away from room #10 as possible, or plan for a very early departure.

Lauren B.

Yelp
This hotel is pretty good and well priced for being right on the square. The hotel rooms are tiny so if you're planning on spending a lot of time in the hotel this is not your place. There's not really a place to hang out in the common areas other than the restaurant and the rooms are only about as big as the furniture that is in there. The rooms are updated and cozy, just small. We also had a problem with the parking. The parking lot is very small and they let the restaurant guests use it which is a problem if you have luggage and wine you don't want to leave in your car on the street.

Kate R.

Yelp
Our stay here is been very nice. Mainly because of Michael with guest services. He is on point and very accommodating with all our needs. His service is amazing! It's not the biggest hotel but I would rather stay here with excellent service then anywhere else.

Inigo M.

Yelp
3 stars for service. I asked for an iron and ironing board and it took 45 minutes to arrive. Other than that it's a cute little hotel, nice modern decor, excellent location. A little pricey. Our "bungalow" had a four-post bed with posts that dug up into the ceiling.

Eli S.

Yelp
pros: - clean, small but cozy room with a comfortable bed - great location in center of town, walking distance to restaurants, cafes, bars etc. - friendly and hospitable staff cons: - the room didn't have a chair, probably due to the lack of floor space. Not a big deal but a bit inconvenient because there was no place to put stuff or sit down to put your shoes on. Also odd because the bathroom was huge, it seems like they could have used some of that floor space for the bedroom and then had space to put a chair. - bathroom door didn't fully close, I had to place the wastebasket in front of the door to get it to close. - shower was lukewarm - honestly this was the biggest disappointment - this last one was definitely a fluke, but the housekeeper walked in on me and my partner engaged in a very intimate moment. She knocked on the door and I called out "hey" but apparently not loud enough because she opened the door, then proceeded to look very shocked and closed it again quickly. I'm sure she was confused about which room to go to because we had just checked in about an hour ago. Again I'm sure this doesn't happen regularly or anything but does lose a star for this. It was funny and a memorable story though.

Courtney S.

Yelp
The team at El Dorado Hotel did a fantastic job on our small family only wedding! Our coordinator, Alaina, was very responsive and all of her recommendations were spot on. The food, wine, accommodations and service were impeccable. We couldn't have been more pleased with the evening and highly recommend the El Dorado Hotel for your next special event!

Nelson T.

Yelp
The hotel is very quaint and located on the main town square with all the shops and restaurants. If you have never been to Sonoma, this is the ideal location for checking out the main spots because you can walk to everything. We didn't drive the entire weekend. The hotel service is superb. They tend to your every need from reserving parking to bringing you beverages whenever you need. The staff are ALL friendly and they all greet you with a smile and a positive vibe. They are actually eager to help you to make sure you're having a good time in their town. Ashley was particularly attentive to making sure our stay was smooth and stress free and she took care of everything via text messaging making it even more convenient!

Kristina H.

Yelp
The hotel is in a beautiful historic building directly on the Sonoma plaza and just steps from amazing restaurants, wineries and shopping. The restaurant at the hotel was also excellent! Our bartender Izzy was awesome and the food was exceptional. The room was very comfortable and had everything we needed. The hotel also has bikes you can use to cycle to local spots and wineries, which would've been amazing if we'd had the time. Definitely recommend.

Travis H.

Yelp
It gets a low rating for a reason. It's not just a couple of random bad experiences. They have 8 parking spots for 27 rooms............27 rooms.......8 spots.........yeah.....if you want to stay around the square in Sonoma you need a parking spot as all public parking is limited to 3 hours except on Sundays. Which means you'll need to move your car if you park overnight or they will ticket you....and they will ticket you. TIP: The 8 spots will be full if you show up in the evening because people in the restaurant take them. Plus, the *half of the rooms are crappy and kinda dingy. *The half in the shed behind the pool. If I wanted to stay in a rundown renovated garage I would have went with AirBNB and paid a third less the price. NEVER GOING BACK.

Mary O.

Yelp
I left my light grey pants and black t shirt in room 6 on May 6th. The hotel says they can't find them. How do two items of clothing grow legs and walk away. Very sad

Brian B.

Yelp
The El Dorado Hotel should be a better hotel than it is. After all, the location is right in the heart of Sonoma, near several shops and the town square. The building itself has some nice touches that add warmth in the common spaces, and the Wifi is both free and fast. So, what holds the El Dorado back? Well, there are a few things. For one, the rooms are incredibly small. Sure, the tall ceilings give the appearance of the space being grander than it is, but when your brain starts to acclimate to the illusion, you will quickly find that the rooms are extremely tight for 2 people. There are few places to place your luggage, only room for one chair inside, and the bathrooms are extremely cramped, making it difficult to shower without getting water all over the place as you step out. Our room also had this incredible feature, that I am sure is worth the premium price we paid: the wall at the head of our bed had all of the air conditioning units bolted to the other side of the wall, meaning that we were treated to a nearly non-stop concert of buzzing machinery, punctuated by jolts of them turning off and on. It made it incredibly difficult to sleep. I'm not sure why they saw fit to bolt the units to the wall of the second floor, instead of having them on the ground floor, where they wouldn't be so audible. Parking is also a bit of a joke. They have an incredibly small lot, and one of the parking spaces is taken up by a storage unit parked there. There aren't enough spaces for all of the guests. What is their solution? A classy hotel would offer a valet service to park your car off-site. But, the El Dorado? They actually ask you to find public parking, which has a 3 hour limit. I actually watched the front desk tell a customer that he would need to park on the street and move his car every 3 hours until the evening. I'm sure that this guest was more than happy to sit around the hotel, waiting to move his car, rather than touring the town and the wineries. You are charging $300+ a night, and yet you still have the audacity to ask a customer to micromanage their car? What a joke! Can't tell you how the housekeeping services are. They never came. I take that back: they came by at around 3pm, as we were getting ready for the evening. I asked them to return. They never did. Checkout was a breeze, however. There was no one at the desk, and after 10 minutes of waiting, I just tossed my keys on the counter and left. I guess they'll call me if there's an issue. If you're looking for an overpriced hotel with small rooms, and if you like moving your car every 3 hours rather than sightseeing, then the El Dorado is the hotel for you!

G M.

Yelp
Nice, small, classy, updated boutique hotel right in downtown Sonoma, overlooking the central park. Casual upscale restaurant and bar on premise. We stayed one night and forgot some toys that we left in the room. The staff returned them via post to our home (in the Bay Area) overnight, with a nice note and some chocolate. Great service, really thoughtful. Definitely looking forward to staying there again.

Amanda F.

Yelp
We just got back from 3 nights at the El Dorado. You can tell this is a restaurant that *happens* to have a hotel, not the other way around. Meaning their primary focus is downstairs. The location was perfect for us - you're in the heart of everything Sonoma Plaza has to offer. Right across the street from the Girl and the Fig. There's also a tasting room across the street (Roche). We encountered one very friendly hotel staffer - I wish I knew for sure, but I believe his name was Able. He helped us when we checked in, showed us our room and brought up our (very heavy!) luggage. Other hotel staffers were "luke warm" at best. We had an issue with the air conditioner, and the front desk attendant was very nonchalant about it. Same experience when we checked out. All in all, I think they could amp up their customer service. Agree with another reviewer that their parking situation is extremely limited. We lucked out and got a spot every time, but it was always the last spot. Our room did the trick, nothing out of the ordinary, but nothing wrong either. I would stay here again, but I'd also explore other options.

tammy c.

Yelp
We love staying at the hotel and especially chilling on the deck overlooking the square!!! Very quaint small rooms but perfectly appointed! The service is always spot on at the front desk and especially this time ( I wish I had gotten the name of the gal at the front desk ) ! We opted for the breakfast this morning which was a bummer since we also usually enjoy the kitchen but with all the Covid weirdness I get it. Just a heads up to whoever manages the waitstaff or writes the menu .... I ordered the eggs over medium with sausage ... maybe I should have asked what type of sausage ( my bad) but it was chorizo which I don't like but luckily my hubby ate and the eggs were kind of well done and my husbands bacon ended up on my plate and was meh. Again I'm guessing this was a blip due to all the weirdness going on now but I thought it was worth pointing out!

Denyse E.

Yelp
Great, cozy spot to stay in and/or dine in the heart of Sonoma. Rooms are cozy, clean and comfortable with high ceilings. I'm reading that many people are complaining about noise.. I did not experience that. I slept peacefully like a baby. You probably need to drink a little more wine :) we stayed in the room facing the pool area. The location is perfect in Downtown Sonoma. The staff working there very hospitable and made my boyfriend and I feel welcome. The bed was cozy and comfortable. One thing my bf and I loved was the espresso machine.. Oh and they serve you complimentary illy coffee! My fav!The toiletries in the bathroom also have an aromatherapy scent which I loved. The El Dorado Kitchen (restaurant inside the hotel) is fabulous too. We've dined there twice and love the food and the atmosphere. It is also right next to the Girl & the Fig which is a restaurant you must try while in Sonoma! I would recommend staying here. Love this place! I felt right at home!

Lynne B.

Yelp
Great restaurant, lovely garden, wonderful food and attentive service! A pleasure Great location and you'll be happy for a memorable experience!!

Gourmet G.

Yelp
Located less than an hour north of San Francisco, this is the perfect place for a weekend getaway. All of the recently renovated guest rooms feature original artwork on the colorful walls, comfortable four-poster beds, flat-screen TV, DVD/CD player, mini-refrigerator, hairdryer, and a cordless phone with voice mail and data port for those who can't bear the thought of life without a laptop. French doors open onto a private balcony with views of either the town's central plaza or an interior garden courtyard. There's an outdoor heated lap pool on the property. Rates, which vary according to season and day of the week, range from $145 - 190.00, include freshly roasted coffee or organic tea in the morning and the daily newspaper.

Donna S.

Yelp
I have had some great dinners here. Excellent menu for food and wines of course. The service is quick but not rushed. Quaint but hipster looking. they are busy so I suggest reservations. Lots of options for Vegetarians too. Totally satisfying. upscale feel, so if you are in the mood to dress up go ahead and strut your stuff. Bring your wallet as its not cheap here, but as the say you get what you pay for. nice window views of the town square and good for people watching. Cool place with great food.

Alexandra W.

Yelp
I really loved this hotel! Perfect location, cute rooms, great staff, free breakfast! Literally what more could you ask for! We came for NYE night and it was quiet!

Christine E.

Yelp
Took my honey here for a birthday surprise during the Jazz Festival:) The hotel rooms are lovely. Very modern with great color schemes. I told them it was his bd and they gave us a lovely room overlooking the pool with a sweet balcony. The front desk personnel were so nice and helpful. It's a little deceiving since you walk down a that obviously has not been remodeled, and you get a gold rush feel. Then you open up your door, and modern hits you. Very interesting. A little taken aback that the pool is right in front of dinners. There you are in your suit, and there they are eating. I think a nice screen would work wonders. The bar closes when the restaurant does, which is a pity. It is a lovely place to have a drink, sit by the fire or on the couches, but with it closing so early, it is a pity. Hopefully they will extend the hours, since people linger there anyway. The hotel was a very pleasant surprise.

darla s.

Yelp
Thanks to a recent refurb, this hotel is one of the nicer ones on the square. Our room looked exactly like the one pictured on the site, sans tray on the bed. I recommend asking for a room that faces the interior courtyard as ours was on the street side and a tad car noisy - but Sonoma is a small town and shuts down by 11pm even on a Saturday night so it really wasn't a problem. If the weather allows, be sure to have some drinks and snacks on the outdoor patio. It's a perfect ending place for a day in wine country.

Holly T.

Yelp
I really enjoyed my stay here. The room was lovely, with hardwood floors and a balcony, and the bed was one of the most comfortable I have ever experienced. I normally don't spend the money to stay in a nice hotel in town, but the weekend I went up even the Comfort Inn was charging outrageous prices, so I actually thought that this was a great value. There is a wireless network in the lobby, but the signal is too weak to be able to use it in the rooms. There is free coffee and tea every morning in the lobby, but no breakfast. We didn't get a chance to try the pool, but it was heated and it looked very tempting (I just don't know how I'd feel about swimming in front of all the diners in the restaurant, though). I'm really glad that I had the opportunity to stay here; the location and the comfy bed alone are worth 5 stars.

Amber W.

Yelp
I recently contacted the El Dorado Hotel to find out information on hosting a private event. I was contacted fairly quickly by a sales rep with an initial response and thought we were on our way! After spending time reviewing their paperwork, menus and pricing, I sent over details of what we were specifically looking for (an 80 person dinner - a fairly large and expensive event). From that point forward, I never heard back from them again. I called and emailed multiple times to try for a response, but nothing worked. At one point I even got a sales rep on the phone who said she'd call me back within the hour and I still never heard back from anyone. After holding onto hope for over a week, we eventually took our business elsewhere. It was very disappointing to get our hopes up thinking we had found a fun and cool location for our event - then to be completely ignored by the staff. I work in the hospitality and event planning industry so I was surprised to see that this is their practice. The fastest and easiest way to lose business is to be unresponsive. For their sake I hope this was a one-time mistake and isn't their normal way to conduct business.

Dave K.

Yelp
This review is for the bar and restaurant only. Went here for a happy hour after the first day of a 2-day conference. The El Dorado Hotel is in a prime location at Sonoma town square, only a block from the Swiss Hotel where I was staying. They have a really nice backyard area where about 40 of us mingled under the balmy Sonoma sunsetting sky drinking wine and eating appetizers. The wine was great. it was free (part of the conference costs) and just kept flowing. Reds, whites, cabs, merlots. I am no wine expert, all I know is if it is good or not (to me) and that's all that matters. Seriously, how can people know what chrysanthemum and lavendar and maple taste like. Part of my thinks they're just full of it. Anyhow, the drinks were good but the appetizers we got were ... well, kinda gross. Seriously no one I saw went for seconds and we were all famished. They were like unpopular snacks at a first housewarming party that you'd give to the dog at the end of the night and then wonder why he got so sick. I heard dinner here was good but I didn't try.