Media and Guest Quotes

Destinations: Guerneville in Winter, by author Greg Fischer: a blog that features Applewood Inn in a beautifully written article.

"Am writing to thank you for a fantastic surprise birthday weekend for my husband. He didn't know about it until I turned up the hill to the parking lot. I want to thank you for being so gracious and accommodating of all of our requests. The surprise upgrade to Room 11 was a special treat. Thank you! Since I have dietary restrictions, I spoke early on with Chef Bruce, and he agreed to making something simple that I could eat. It turned out that the evening we had dinner, there was an ahi tuna appetizer which suited me perfectly. The fact that you agreed to make the tasting menu just for my husband was greatly appreciated. He had a marvelous dinner, and I stole many tiny taste bites from the amazing assortment of courses. Even though we own a house in Vacation Beach, I would not hesitate to come back again for another "special event". Next time we will explore the kitchen gardens, the sitting and game rooms and the pool. Next time I will be able to walk on my own. Thank you again for a wonderful time....and a hello pat to Sassy." - Lana Guiffre

“Thank you so much for our wonderful stay! We were overwhelmed with your generosity and giving spirit. Your Inn is filled with a relaxing and soothing mood - so enjoyable in these rushed times.Our room was magnificent and the solarium peaceful. Our special dinner with the Italian Chef was thoroughly enjoyed and the dinner was magnificent. Our most gracious thanks to you all!” - Mike & Debbie, San Diego

"I visited the Applewood Inn with my wife for her 30th birthday a few weeks ago (June 24-28). I’d arranged with Sandy to surprise my wife with some cookies that I’d sent as well as setup wine/glasses in the room for our arrival. In addition, I arranged to surprise her with two visits to your spa. I must say, everything worked flawlessly and my wife was absolutely delighted! I wanted to send you this email to let you know how much I appreciated everything that you all did to make our trip special, including upgrading our room. Your Inn is beautiful!! My wife and I both agree that we’ve never felt as comfortable and “at home” as we did at the Applewood Inn. We really enjoyed meeting you all and can’t wait until our next stay. We’ve already been passing the word about your amazing place here at home (Kansas City, MO). Thanks again for such an amazing experience. I wish you all the best in the future. - Nathan (and Karen) Ninemire

"I was just looking through my trips folder as I am planning a business trip and I happened to notice my reservations email from when I stayed at your inn exactly one year ago. Maybe because it is sloppy and dreary mid-winter in Minnesota, but instantly I flashed on how lovely you inn is and how relaxing and pleasurable it was to stay there. At the risk of repeating every cliché in a travel brochure, everything, from the early morning mist rising from the woods outside my balcony while I sipped my tea and the soul-warming fire in the sitting room greeting me when I first ventured out, to the wonderful dinner and thoughtful and discreet hospitality, was incredibly uplifting. It was a great therapeutic retreat after a difficult previous year. I have mentioned your inn to anyone considering a trip to wine country and hope they take me up on it; otherwise it is their unfortunate loss. I will be back." - Mary Browning

“We thank you very much for your wonderful hospitality. It was a delight to stay at such a warm and comfortable inn. It was our first night ever in the Wine Country and wouldn’t have wanted to spend it anywhere else. We will never forget this place. Right here by this fireplace (Room #19) is where we got engaged last night! Thank you again! You should be very proud of this place.” - Katie & Brian, Tampa Florida

"I would like to thank you for an absolutely fantastic meal on Tuesday evening. The service was impeccable; the food was fresh, perfectly prepared and plentiful; the wine list was complete, comprehensive and comfortable. Our only regret was that the season premiere of House was at 8pm that night and we didn’t have enough time to enjoy the chefs choice menu. I guess that means that we’ll have to come back again next year when we are in Sonoma again." -Tim Korby

Dominique Channell for Lonely Planet "Romantic Applewood, centered on a fountain courtyard and surrounded by flowering trees, feels like your own private Italian villa. Luxury touches include Frette linens, couples' showers and gas fireplaces. The inn's deservedly acclaimed restaurant is becoming a destination in itself."

Applewood Inn Restaurant Restaurant Guerneville CA Reviews Gayot March 2007 "Set your GPS for this backwoods dinner destination. It’s actually not hard to find, just over the river from the town of Guerneville, but it feels off the map, tucked into the secluded and peaceful Applewood Inn. The upstairs dining room makes a romantic venue, with cozy fireplaces and a solarium overlooking a trickling fountain and courtyard below. The cuisine melds French influences with California sensibilities, as borne out by the crab-packed profiterole paired with refreshing citrus salad, or the buckwheat crêpe, a delightfully square pocket with earthy duck innards with a sprig of micro greens. A beef filet with chanterelles, shallot confit, and endive please, though accompanying gnocchi seem superfluous. Better still: halibut with braised artichoke and wild mushroom ragoût. Happy endings include a sunburst of crème brûlée with cranberry or a simple chocolate ganache crêpe. Rather than chance a foggy drive on the windy road back to civilization, plan ahead and book a room at the inn---otherwise, you’ll envy those strolling off under the stars for a nightcap."

Zagat (27, 23, 25, and 44 for the cost) "This rustic Tuscan-style romantic bed and breakfast inn with a restaurant and a rock fireplace tucked in the redwoods near Guerneville doesn’t get the hype of the Healdsburg stars, but it’s worth going out of the way for; all the elements are right, from the breathtaking setting and individualized attention each diner receives to the carefully crafted regional fare and terrific local wine list – what a delightful getaway spot for foodies."

Michelin Guide (2 forks) "The Applewood Inn tucks into wooded backdrops a mile from Guerneville. This Wine Country B&B also welcomes guests for dinner in it’s barn-like dining room, complete with a vaulted and beamed ceiling and a soaring stone fireplace at either end of the room. Interpreted with French techniques and Italian accents, the California cuisine here fills the a la carte menu with the likes of seared foie gras with pain d’epice (spiced bread) French toast and red wine cherries and grilled filet of beef with a fricassee of trumpet royal mushrooms. Lighter fare highlights the bistro menu, offered Tuesday though Thursday. If you want to make a weekend of it, 19 individually decorated rooms are outfitted with such amenities as Italian linens, down comforters and WI-FI internet access.

Luxury Life & Style Magazine “Applewood Inn has mastered the art of wine country hospitality; spotlessly clean, with huge bathrooms, comfy robes, inviting fireplaces and sinfully soft sheets, it’s also quiet and unpretentious. Surrounded by redwood trees and with its own superb restaurant on-premise, the inn might tempt one to simply stay for the entire weekend with a good book and a better pinot for some company.”

Press Democrat – 3 stars “The Applewood Inn is a beautiful setting and Chef Brian Anderson creates beautiful dishes…Anderson’s Sauteed Halibut reaches perfection… The wine list holds some excellent bargains and some rather hard-to-get wines… If you’re a fan of good service, you’ll love it at Applewood. To sum up: Applewood has had many chefs over the years. Its current chef is the best yet, and his cooking is not to be missed."

San Diego Magazine "A hot destination for wine aficionados... The inn sets a marvelous table with an award winning wine list."

Passport Magazine “In Guerneville, head to the astounding Applewood where the fabulous food alternates between California and Italy, the wine list is divine . . . The rooms in their historic villa and several newer buildings are pretty fab too; you’ll think you’ve landed at an Italian villa in the middle of Northern California.

Wine Enthusiast “Rooms are spacious and luxurious to the point of sheer hedonism. The inn’s restaurant is a marvel. Almost anything off the menu is authentically Northern Italian meets-Sonoma and delicious, from the rack of lamb and Ribeye steak to the gnocchi. The wine list is a particular joy.”

Robb Report “A charming country inn hidden among the redwoods delivers five-star Amenities and an acclaimed California Provencal-style restaurant”

Food & Wine Magazine “Applewood Inn & Restaurant is an oasis of luxe just a short drive from the awe-inspiring Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve.”

Sunset Magazine - Named one of the West's Best Small Inns - “Dishes area a blend - very Northern California, very delicious - of organic, gourmet, innovative, and homey, served in a barnlike (a fancy clean barn, that is) dining room.”

Appellation Magazine “The 35 Chardonnays, 37 Pinot Noirs, 40 Zinfandels and dozens of Cabernets, Merlots and other varietals and blends make Applewood a good choice for those with a serious interest in Sonoma County Wines.”

Country Home Magazine “For relaxed country dining at its best, head to the cozy Applewood Inn restaurant in Sonoma County.”

Wine Enthusiast Magazine “Applewood Inn…sets a standard for small wine country inns.”

Gourmet Magazine “It’s their discerning eyes for both attic treasures and newfangled comforts that make Applewood both laid-back and luxurious.”

Conde Nast Traveler “This retreat is ideally suited for the wine country.”

Reno Air Approach “Calling the Applewood Inn “lodging” is like calling champagne a fizzy beverage.”

"Ryan and I just wanted to tell you how much we loved the Applewood Inn. It was the perfect place for our little romantic getaway. We often found ourselves longing to get back to the inn to relax after our days in wine country. The room was beautiful (Rm. 14), the food was out of this world and the staff made us feel like family. We can’t wait until we can visit you again. Until then we’ll recommend it to anyone we meet. Thank you!” - Ryan & Erin – Maineville, Ohio

"My wife, Molly and I had the most wonderful and relaxing stay on Friday night. We wanted to thank all the staff and folks at Applewood for their pleasant, friendly and warm greeting. We also realized after we got home that you had upgraded us to a magnificent room (18). Applewood is now our favorite close-to-home retreat. The food at the restaurant is phenomenal with outstanding presentation and friendly servers. Our stay could not have been better. Thanks for everything!" - Sincerely, Steve & Molly Barkow

“We can’t thank you enough for your kindness and hospitality. This has been a truly amazing weekend. We can’t thank you enough and couldn’t have done it without your help. We can’t wait to come back! - P.S. The food & massages were amazing!” - Brandon & Mark, New York

"Thank you so very much for making our anniversary special with that wonderful bottle of champagne & cute card. You guys are simply the best and the reason why we celebrate all our important “events” with you. Thank you so much again for everything!” - Stan & Marg

“We would like to thank both of you so much for the wonderful stay at your beautiful inn – The scenery and gardens were spectacular, the food was fabulous, our room was comfortable and cozy and the entire ambiance was delightful! It was a perfect spot for spending our 25th anniversary! Thanks for all the directions & suggestions of where to travel. Please thank Gwynne for printing out our boarding passes. We certainly hope to return sometime in the near future.” - Kathy & Roger, Clinton, New York

"My husband and I spent two absolutely delightful nights and days at this wonderful inn. Each time I think of the quiet secluded covered porch, the elegant plantings the gourmet restaurant it is a remembered joy. The setting of quiet elegance, splashing fountain, meandering deer and scurrying quail combined for the most memorable retreat. The hosts could not have been more concerned for our comfort. They upgraded us at no charge because they had room to do so, as it was mid-week. If you are loooking for activity, this is not your choice. This is for some one who values stillness, beauty, wildlife, plants and going to a wonderful restaurant without leaving "home". I walked around and looked into several rooms before we checked out and each one was different with its own unique character. We will definitely return!" J&J Swartzberg

My wife and I enjoyed your Inn last weekend on a three-day anniversary trip. It was delightful. Your restaurant is exceptional, too! Being photographers, we tend to record architectural shots wherever we go, and this one of Belden House, early in the morning last Saturday, is a good shot. With warmest regards - Candace and Jim Primrose, Sacramento