Hotel review: The Sandman, Santa Rosa

I've been to Santa Rosa many times, but I've never really vacationed there. So, when my friend was getting married near Petaluma, I started searching for a cute hotel in Santa Rosa (does that even exist?). And then... I found it! The Sandman (book here).

In its past life, the Sandman was a motel, but it has since transformed into a chic, hipster, Palm-Springs-esque beauty, with a sunlit lodge-like lobby, cute retro rooms, and the most beautiful pool house you'll ever see (a refurbished garage in which the furniture matches the walls!). The white walls, succulents, and plenty of neon transport you into a far away desert landscape, when in fact you're less than an hour's drive from San Francisco.

I can't say enough good things about the beautiful spaces that were meticulously designed with love and skill, leaving no gaps in the presentation. The staff was incredibly sweet, making us gluten-free, vegan snacks along with non-alcoholic summer drinks in the pool house. Did I mention the mermaid floaty and fróse (icee róse)?

With sunny skies and the gateway to wine country, this is the perfect place for a luxurious (and affordable) weekend getaway, so close to home that you won't even use a tank of gas.