Cherylynn N.
Yelp
4.5 STARS
One thing I get hyped for at nice hotels is the bed and doing a bed test...Caleb style (the apartment guy). OFC, without outside clothes and shoes cause that's ick.
MacArthur Place passed the bed check and I got the best 6 hour sleep each night that I've gotten in months so that's a win!
Established in 1869 as a private estate, vineyard, and ranch, MacArthur Place transformed into a luxury hotel in the late 1990s. A multi-year renovation was completed last year, earning them a place in Travel + Leisure's Top 500 Hotels in the World.
On a hunt for dog-friendly accommodations, MacArthur Place was the front runner in my top three choices to stay in wine country. At the time, they were offering 20% off (2 nights or more) which sealed the deal!
G R O U N D S
The six-acre, 69 room property is located on charming grounds filled with lush greenery, well-manicured lawns with sculptures, lounges areas with fire pits, and various gardens including a chef's garden that provides produce for their onsite restaurants.
It's about a 10-minute walk to Sonoma Plaza/Square (or a 3 minute drive) with an array of restaurants and tasting rooms.
A C C O M O D A T I O N S
I booked the Garden Spa Suite and stayed in Myrtle #41, a modern farmhouse style cottage.
- Clip of suite: https://tinyurl.com/33htccmd
- Clip of patio: https://tinyurl.com/4msx6k5m
(+) Spacious, nicely appointed room with living room/sitting area, king bed, large restroom with double vanity, and patio area with a soaking tub and additional shower. There was a water feature in the patio for calming sounds while taking a hot soak.
(+) Bed was firm yet comfy, as were the pillows, soft sheets, and down comforter.
(+) Heated bathroom floors.
(+) In-room refillable bottled water with various water stations on the property. Complimentary snack basket: chips, jerky, and dried pineapple.
(+) Turn-down service includes cooling eye masks for 'em puffy eyes.
(+) High-end appliances; i.e. Stagg kettle and Dyson hairdryer.
(+) 65 inch TV with access to DirecTV and Chromecast.
(+) WiFi was pretty fast and not spotty.
(+) Solid sound proofing. Each afternoon/evening, there was a wedding outside and we didn't hear a peep.
(+) Since it's a cottage, there were no guests above so yay for no stomping!
(+) No funky smells or stenches. I've stayed at some dog-friendly rooms/suites where you can smell cleaning products masking the odor.
(-) There were calcium deposits on the shower head and hand hose so shower pressure wasn't strong.
(-) There's a mini fridge stocked with soda, beer, and wine (for purchase) but no room to put your own drinks or leftover food.
(-) While seated in the vanity chair, you can't access the vanity mirror that's attached to the wall.
Not a ding but an observation. $$$$ priced hotels usually provide a personalized welcome note and welcome bottle of wine/bubbly (even if it's not a special occasion) but they don't here.
D O G - F R I E N D L I N E S S
Pet fee: $150 per stay. $50 extra per dog. Two dogs max.
Very dog-friendly. My dog was offered a treat upon arrival (bubbly for the hoomans). There was a pet waste station right outside our cottage.
They forgot to provide dog amenities: bed, food bowl, toys, and treats in the room.
D I N I N G
Complimentary hot and tea available in the mornings, no pastries or breakfast.
- Layla: Farm-to-Table Cuisine
- The Bar @ MacArthur - Full bar with small bites and burger/sandwiches
- The Porch: Tea, coffee, and grab 'n go (yogurt, salad, sandwich)
Only got iced tea from The Porch and didn't try any of their dining options. Their restaurants have dog-friendly outdoor seating.
S P A / W E L L N E S S
- Massages (start at $195) and facials (start at $185) available.
- Complimentary yoga classes on weekends at 9 am.
- Outdoor relaxation garden with whirlpool and a co-ed steam room complimentary for hotel guests.
- Gym overlooks the pool and hot tub area.
They're listed on ResortPass for day passes.
S E R V I C E
Top-notch hospitality with kind, welcoming staff at the front desk, concierge, and valets.
They kindly accommodated my request for early check-in. When providing feedback during the contactless check-out process, I mentioned not receiving the dog amenities and they waived the pet fee. Unexpected and much appreciated.
P A R K I N G
Complimentary valet parking only (prompt retrieval). No self-parking. Bring cash for tip!
E-bikes available for use.
Overall, I really enjoyed my stay at MacArthur Place tho I'm not sure if it was worth $1,100 per night (after 20% off deal). While they bill themselves as a luxury hotel IMO, it's more upscale as it was missing some tiny luxe touches and attention to detail. BUT, the hospitality and customer service were top-notch so rounding up to 5 stars.