Tracey A.
Yelp
Returning home from 2 days spent in wine country and 1 night at Olea, I told my son about my experience and he remarked how he much preferred Sonoma County over Napa County. Sonoma County, especially in winter, is intimate, accessible and feels more available to all people as opposed to a certain socio-economic bracket of folks. It feels like Napa County once did, before that son was born. Sonoma is a snug glove on a chilly day where Napa is more a wrap that you must keep securing to make sure you're covered.
If Sonoma County is all that, Glen Ellen is one snug, warm little finger in that glove. It's intimate in a way that is difficult to discover in the busy-ness of the urban Bay Area. When you find it you want to hang on and savor it.
The Olea Hotel, located in the Glen Ellen community of Sonoma, is about the best way possible to savor it.
Pulling into the driveway of the Olea, I had a momentary concern that the Olea was an old-school, traditional B&B which is a thing people seem to either like or dislike and I am mostly in the latter camp. Worry not, for it is the polar opposite.
Before being stripped to the studs, redesigned and rebuilt, what stood here was an old-school B&B. What stands here now is a testimony to how excellence in design makes one feel. Room #15 had soaring ceilings, an oversized and modern light-fixture, artful woven wall-hangings, and a king-sized bed whose bedding hadn't even a single crease out of place. Immaculate, spotless, new, and a bit breathtaking; good design makes you feel classy and valued.
The room includes the little perks: EO cleansing products, complimentary nibbles, and a heated bathroom floor. The property itself though, includes a pool and jacuzzi (open 24/7), an outdoor fireplace, and self-serve, free wine from late afternoon through the evening. The topper? Special nightly wine tastings (on my visit Spann Vineyards was serving) from 5 -6 p .m., nibbles to accompany the wine tasting, and a breakfast (included) that is far lovelier than most any included breakfast you will find anywhere.
Because this "romantic getaway" was arranged by others (huge thank you to Kevin, yelp, and Olea) I paid nothing for the privilege of staying the night at the Olea but it's the sort of place that inspires one to do as I did and look up just what 1 night costs here. Suffice to say that I giggled when I saw the price; it's extremely reasonable for what is being offered.
The Olea is an intimate property with space for privacy, a perfect place for a romantic retreat or pretty much any adult get-away. I loved my stay here and have a difficult time believing anyone else could feel differently.