By Emma Krasov. Photography by Yuri Krasov
Reading in the news that credit cards and airlines are getting stingier with travel perks for their loyal users makes me sad… and yet, our local Northern California hospitality continues to extend welcoming staycation cheer to us as well as to all the out-of-state and international guests.
My recent visit to the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton in Windsor, California, opened up a delightful way of spending a summer weekend in the world-renowned wine country while feeling great and well taken care of!
Windsor is a cute little town to the north of San Francisco—practically a gateway to the viticultural and gastronomical reaches of Sonoma County, but without the touristy crowds and with a significantly lower price tag.
A recent extension of the SMART (Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit) to Windsor, now the northernmost stop on the line, made it easier than ever to get there without a car. To encourage travelers to take advantage of the newly developed public transportation, the Hampton Inn Windsor launched a special promotion, aptly titled, “Windsor: The SMART Way.” It became the first-ever rail-and-sail lodging package in Sonoma County, offering multiple discounts from the partnering local businesses.
While the SMART train line starts in Marin County, a ferry ride from San Francisco to Larkspur is on itself a wonderful Bay adventure set against the picturesque city skyline. In 35 minutes on the water, you’ll marvel at some of the most spectacular views of the Bay Area—the Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, and Mount Tamalpais—before arriving at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal within walking distance of the SMART train station. There’s even a combined ticket for both the Golden Gate Ferry and the SMART train available for a flat rate.
In just a little over an hour, the nostalgic SMART travel through the historic California towns—San Rafael, Novato, Petaluma, Cotati, Rohnert Park, and Santa Rosa takes you to a neat and clean train station near downtown Windsor—steps from the restaurants and wine tastings rooms, the Windsor Town Green park, boutique shops and ice creameries.
The Hampton Windsor is nearby, it’s entrance fittingly marked by three namesake wine barrels placed amid the flowering shrubs. Everything in this hotel is friendly and welcoming, starting with the front desk staff and a spacious, elegantly-furnished lobby where the guests are treated to a hot buffet breakfast every morning, and to specialty coffees and teas throughout the day.
The guestrooms are clean, comfortable, quiet, and decorated with exquisite wine country-themed art photography, same as the rest of the property. A large resort-style pool, heated to 80 degrees by solar panels, and a hot tub for multiple users are surrounded with cushy beach chairs and cabanas—too tempting and inviting to stay away.
The many VIP Perks, offered with the “Windsor: The SMART Way” package include a welcome gift bag, LYFT vouchers for every night you stay here, late checkout, discounted snacks and drinks from the hotel market, and exclusive partner perks at wineries, breweries, and activity services, like “Ace It! Bike Tours” and “SoCo Reflexology.”
The partner wineries—Notre Vue Estate Winery & Vineyards, Limerick Lane Cellars, and Foppiano Vineyards showcase their small-production wines, some only available on the premises.
Notre Vue, true to its name, boasts the views of the rolling hills covered with lush vines and live oaks from the winery’s large terrace, where Zach Gold, an estate ambassador, pours quite a few exquisite award-winning wines, like sparkling rose, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet franc, Rhone-style and Bordeaux varieties blends, malbec, and merlot from both Balverne (a legacy name) and Notre Vue wine lists.
Andrew Tester, manager at Limerick Lane, along with pouring limited-production wines, some from the vines, planted in the year 1910, shares a wealth of information on the history of the winery and the surrounding land, farming practices, bottle label graphics, and the gold standard for zinfandel, for which Limerick Lane is famous. With extremely limited production, like 6, 8, or 13 barrels, this winery’s zin varietals represent a rare treat, and shouldn’t be missed.
At Foppiano, where petit syrah is the primary grape, expect tasting flights from the estate fruit, some Prohibition-era lore, and a collection of wines with coveted Italian names, like vermentino and barbera.
Yet another partner of the Hampton Windsor in this promotion, Barrel Brothers Brewing Kitchen & Cocktails, located in an open-air shopping mall, has a self-pour taproom with a good variety of beer and cocktails, and serves craveable burgers, sandwiches, and fries.
Should you decide to visit Windsor, California, before this summer is over, keep in mind that in its 23rd annual Summer Nights on the Green series, the town of Windsor presents free to the public music performances: Big Blu Soul Review (blues, R&B, funk) on August 21 and Kenny Metcalf as Elton (Elton John tribute) on August 28.
Check rooms and rates, select a room, choose ‘Windsor, Smart Way’: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/stswihx-hampton-suites-windsor-sonoma-wine-country/
More information at:
https://www.townofwindsor.ca.gov/
https://www.sonomamarintrain.org/
https://www.notrevueestate.com/
https://www.limericklanewines.com/
Real Travel Adventures 