Think Santa Rosa an odd choice for an overnight? Not if the destination is the newly remodeled Flamingo Resort. This 10-acre campus, built around a large pool that’s heated year-round, has been reimagined to bring back the original fun Flamingo flare with an immersive wellness program, including access to a 20,000-square-foot fitness club and spa and some of the best food and drinks in town.
The property is located in the center of the wine country’s largest city, famous for the Charles M. Schultz Museum (and skating rink); Russian River Brewing Company, home to the cult beer Pliny the Elder; and the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Built in 1957, the Flamingo Hotel was once a respite for the Hollywood set, looking for a break from L.A. With new owners, new restaurants and a complete overhaul of design, it’s a surprisingly affordable and doesn’t skimp on experience. Don’t miss: The art alone seen throughout the property is worth a self-guided tour.
A wall of Heath Ceramics tile complements the bold floor-to-ceiling mural by San Francisco artist Serge Gay Jr. Other pieces of note include a pendant chandelier by HYBYCOZO and rope sculpture by Windy Chien. Eats: Be sure to stay long enough to get through the menus at the Lazeaway Club restaurant and Wild Bird & the Watering Hole poolside dining created by restaurateurs Benson Wang and Anderson Pugash of Palm House Hospitality in San Francisco. An equally inventive cocktail menu perfectly complements the on-site eateries.
Stay
If you’re planning a group getaway, book a ground-floor suite for easy access to the pool. Rooms range from $185 midweek to $600 for a suite. Look for EO products from Marin, as well as other sustainability minded features.
For more on Marin:
- From Hawaii to Mexico and Closer to Home: The Top Destinations for Learning to Cook on Vacation
- What’s New in Healdsburg: Where to Taste, Play, Eat and Stay
- Nostalgia, Intrigue, and a Glass of Wine: See Wine Country in Style on Napa Valley Wine Train’s Murder Mystery Tour
Mimi Towle was the editor of Marin Magazine for over a decade and is currently editor-at-large at Make it Better Media. She lived with her family in Sycamore Park and Strawberry and thoroughly enjoyed raising two daughters in the mayhem of Marin’s youth sports; soccer, swim, volleyball, ballet, hip hop, gymnastics and many many hours spent at Miwok Stables. Her community involvements include volunteering at her daughter’s schools, coaching soccer and volleyball (glorified snack mom), being on the board of both Richardson Bay Audubon Center and then The EACH Foundation. Currently residing on a floating home in Sausalito, she enjoys all water activity, including learning how to steer a 6-person canoe for the Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club. Born and raised in Hawaii, her fondness for the islands has on occasion made its way into the pages of the magazine. If you want more, she’s created a website, Local Getaways.
