Honorable Mention: Honor Mansion

Honorable Mention: Honor Mansion

by Sandra Gurvis

Let me be the first to admit I do *not* like bed and breakfasts. Give me a nice,anonymous hotel any time, with a well-stocked fruit, cereal, and bread bar or full-service dining room so I can enjoy my morning peace and quiet, without the irritation of having to make polite chatter with my oh- so-gracious host and the other guests. The last thing I need with my grapefruit juice and English muffin is a dissertation on some total stranger's wedding and/or grandchildren.

But then there is Honor Mansion. Located in Healdsburg, California, about 80 miles north of San Francisco, and in the heart of Sonoma County, aka California's "other" wine country, this gracious, Italianate Victorian home was built in 1883 by William S. Butcher, who gave new meaning to the term gold rush, when his load of potbellied stoves collapsed his wagon, revealing a rich vein of guess-what. The property remained in the family for about a century, although it had been named after another relative by marriage, Dr. Herbert Honor, and his M.D. wife, Vera. It was purchased by the present owners, Cathi and Steve Fowler, in the early ‘90s. The Fowlers are hardly smiley-face B & B sorts who perennially fuss over your every move and whim. Rather, they are skilled and attentive professionals, who go out of their way to accommodate visitors' needs in a calm and non-intrusive manner.

For instance, breakfast at many B & Bs are generally heavy, calorie laden affairs. Honor Mansion is no exception, with egg souffles brimming with cheese, bacon, and other comestibles; flavored pancakes (a specialty: spice pancakes with lemon sauce); fruit composts, and more exotic juices and teas than you can shake a stirrer at. Afternoon refreshments are served at 4pm; an hour later, guests are offered a variety of wines with hors d'oeuvres, an excellent starter before making an excursion to one of the area's many excellent restaurants. Honor Mansion also boasts a cappuccino machine as well as bottomless cookies, soft drinks and other snacks.

But I have food allergies and just about everything that bed and breakfasts normally serve (usually involving large quantities of sugar, lard, and fat) makes me ill. So the kitchen staff made sure my breakfast was basic -- a bagel, fresh fruit -- as well as keeping plenty of healthy snacks on hand for late afternoon munchies. Everything tastes equally good on the antique china, silver and crystal.

Plenty of B & Bs have "theme" room s--I suppose that's part of their appeal -- and Honor Mansion is no exception. Some are part of the mansion and others are free-standing. With the latter, such as the newly completed Garden Suite, with a two-headed shower, outdoor hot tub, TV, VCR, and CD player, you not only have all the amenities but complete privacy as well. But the mansion's chambers have their own special charm: the Rose Room with its claw-footed soaking tub/shower and pedestal sink; the Magnolia Room which is shaded by its 100-footnamesake tree and hand-carved, four posted bed; the Angel Oak room with its trompe l'oeuil hand-painted murals, and others. Although these lodgings may be a bit on the smallish side and some lack a TV or VCR, they all have the essentials: private baths, phones with computer hookups, air-conditioning as well as equally important down comforters and feather beds, imported toiletries, and huge, fluffy towels. Period antiques tastefully strewn throughout the entire property provide a feel of bygone elegance, but if you want to go swimming and watch cable TV in the common area, those are available as well.

Just about any time is good to visit Sonoma County, as hot air balloon rides, jeep excursions, and assorted outdoor sports are generally available, as long as the weather cooperates. And you can always tour the region's plethora of wineries. No matter what the season, it's usually less crowded than the heavily trodden Napa Valley. Late fall and early spring might be especially pleasant, as visitors can often avoid the tourist stampede. Not only might you get more free samples but you'll be guaranteed lots of personal attention.

But at Honor Mansion, the rooms are often booked in advance and koi are kissing in the pond, no matter what the day. And even die-hard hotel fans might find themselves converted.

Honor Mansion
14891 Grove St.
Healdsburg CA 95448
800/554-4667
www.honormansion.com