These Tiny Country Inns Are the Ultimate Weekend Escape

There’s not a bad suite in the house at this historic 10-room inn, originally opened in 1916 just off California’s historic Highway 1. Perched on the craggy, redwood-lined Mendocino coastline, the property reopened after an eight-year renovation, now with an undeniable reverence for both hospitality and sustainability. In the mornings, chef Matthew Kammerer can be found foraging for seaweed in tide pools just outside the inn’s doors, to be turned into a course on his tasting menu. What can’t be grown in the garden or plucked from nearby stands is sourced in and around the town of Elk. Splurge on the deluxe cottage suite with elevated cedar ceilings and an expansive patio overlooking the fog-blanketed beach, or opt for the classic harbor guest rooms, which still boast ocean views at a slightly more moderate price point (from $525). We wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t set foot off-property, but if you’re feeling adventurous, head into the nearby Anderson Valley for a wine tasting during your stay.

Built within the historic Taylor Dale building, the newly opened Tributary Hotel was fastidiously restored while keeping its original rustic charm in mind. Each of the eight rooms is named after distinct riverways in the Willamette Valley, and all feature dramatic fireplaces, exposed brick walls, oak beams, and amenities crafted by Pacific Northwest artists. At the inn’s restaurant, ōkta, chef/partner Matthew Lightner, formerly of the two-star Michelin Atera, offers a progressive tasting menu inspired by the region’s micro-seasons and what’s available at the property’s farm. Lightner also offers an incredible in-room breakfast experience reminiscent of Europe’s luxury B&Bs, perfect to ready yourself for a day of sipping in the valley.

In the verdant Sonoma Valley, guests can enjoy a bucolic farmhouse holiday—and all the delicious fare that comes along with it—at this five-room inn. Right in the heart of Healdsburg, guests experience complimentary breakfast from chef Kyle Connaughton and his wife, farmer Katina Connaughton, including the option for his take on a Japanese brekkie that includes cedar-roasted salmon, a traditional dashi omelet, and yuzu kosho rice served in a donabe made by an eighth-generation ceramicist in Iga, Japan. At the three-star Michelin restaurant downstairs, guests are taken on a journey through a beautifully executed 11-course California kaiseki meal that embodies the Japanese idea of omotenashi—a deep sense of personalized hospitality where a guest’s every need is anticipated.

Situated along Calabazas Creek in Sonoma Valley, Gaige House is the perfect home base for forest (and wine country) bathing. The 23-room inn, inspired by traditional Japanese ryokans, features several communal spaces to unplug, including meditation and moon viewing decks. While there isn’t an onsen per se, they do have a gorgeous pool and spa. And if you’re staying in the signature Ryokan Zen suites, you’ll have private granite soaking tubs, classic yukata robes, geta and zori slippers, tea service, and complimentary sake.

Located in Washington’s up-and-coming Columbia Gorge wine region, this impeccably curated inn features rich textiles, vintage art pieces, and the work of local artists. The team hosts a chef-inspired alfresco dinner series at their 1890s IceHouse Wine Bar that consistently sells out. Each of the five rooms has a private entrance, so if you want peace and quiet you can easily slide into your four-poster bed or Jacuzzi soaking tub for some R&R while listening to sounds of the river outside your window.