Checking In: Farmhouse Inn

Photo by Bekah Wright

Just about 16 years ago, I was invited to a media dinner in Santa Monica. The occasion? To meet the owners of Sonoma's newly opened Farmhouse Inn.

The proprieters were a brother and sister team -- Joe Bartolomei and Catherine Bartolomei-Smith. Right off the bat, I felt a kinship with Catherine. Joe was nice and everything, but Catherine knew the exact way to enchant me with tales of her family thriving in the Russian River Valley farmland since 1911.

Oh yeah, I was hooked. I wanted to visit the inn and savor their honey. At least in my mind there was honey happening right there on the farm. For some reason, I think I went home with a jar of honey that night, and dreamed about the inn every time I used said honey. 

Photo courtesy of the Farmhouse Inn

 
Fast forward to this past September, when I found myself flying to Sonoma County for a weekend with lodging at the very inn I'd been longing to visit for over 15 years.

I was buzzing with the above story (get the bee humor?) to Nahmi (see post) en route to Farmhouse, An Inn, Restaurant & Spa in Forestville. I couldn't wait to explore every inch of the property. "I know we're not supposed to check in until this afternoon, but let's go now!"

Photo courtesy of the Farmhouse Inn

There's a reason for check-in and check-out times. And as much as I wanted to check-in early, the people who were enjoying their stay at the inn were still relishing every moment. At breakfast, I presume. Yes, it was that early.

Calling for us to settle in and stay a while was a display of specialty soaps and scrubs. Ooohhhh. A soaking tub was in our future!

Photo courtesy of the Farmhouse Inn

The slabs of soap promised to lure one's senses into a state of coma. Yes, I inhaled. Then, sadly, left to explore Sonoma County until our actual check-in time arrived.

Don't cry too much for us. There was a VIP tasting lunch at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards for whiling away the hours over deliciousness.

Photo by Bekah Wright

Darkness crept up on us quickly. The hours had flown by. Our room would definitely be ready now!

Photo courtesy of the Farmhouse Inn

"You're welcome to settle in," we were reassured. "But wouldn't you like a glass of wine and s'more makings to enjoy by the firepit first?"

Why yes. Yes, we would.

Photo courtesy of the Farmhouse Inn

While igniting our marshmallows, we gazed over at the hot tub adjacent to the pool. That would have to wait until the 'morrow. We were exhausted.

Wine sipped, s'mores consumed, we made our way down a path that led to what looked like an extremely tall barn. This was perfect for Nahmi's birthday, I thought! She is, after all, an equestrian.

As for my birthday wish, merely having reservations at the famous Farmhouse Inn was a thrill unto itself.

Photo courtesy of the Farmhouse Inn

We walked past the spa, which looked like stables. There was only a moment of longing for a reservation. After all, we had the makings of our own DIY spa treatments from the soap and scrub station at the check-in desk.

Photo courtesy of the Farmhouse Inn

And then we stepped inside the room. The two-sided fireplace sucked me in from the get-go. Where best to enjoy its blaze -- the sitting area couch or the patio Adirondack chairs? I tried both.

Photo courtesy of the Farmhouse Inn

The four-posted bed had linens to die for. And slip into a slumber we did.

As tired as I was, my mind was already wishing for the next day, when full-on exploration of the Farmhouse Inn would take place. What I was expecting to find? Catherine Bartolomei-Smith in a beekeeping outfit inspecting the property's hives.

What was in store? You'll just have to tune back in. I'll preface the forthcoming post by saying... heavenly delicioousness times three. Curious? You should be. Hungry, too!