Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

My family and I have been coming to the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn Spa for over a decade to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones. It has always been one of our favorite destinations in the Bay Area because if its beautiful grounds, incredible amenities and special touches that made visits memorable. That's why our most recent stay was very disappointing. The spa now charges an additional $60 fee for access to amenities on top of whatever service you purchase. For example, we both had massages booked that day. But it isn't a choice to use the amenities. If you book a service and you are not staying at the hotel, they will charge an additional fee. However, when we visited the spa both the steam room and cold plunge area were under construction and out of service. It felt unfair to pay the full fee without access to nearly half of the amenities offered. On top of the that, the underwater music feature (one of the truly unique highlights of this spa) in one of the pools wasn't even working which took away from the experience. We also noticed that some of the thoughtful extras that make the spa so special like snacks of nuts, fruits or little pastries were no longer offered. They even used to have games available to play. These small touches made the spa feel both luxurious and yet somehow cozy like your own home, making it worthy of returning year after year. As for dining, the staff was absolutely wonderful. They are kind and attentive but the food itself missed the mark. A $32 steak sandwich was overcooked, underseasoned and made from a poor cut. For the price point, we expected much more. Overall, the Sonoma Mission Inn still has an incredible setting and the staff remains top-notch. But if the resort if going to charge an additional daily fee for amenities, everything should be in working order and the experience should reflect the elevated standard guests have come to love. It seems like they have been "cutting back". We truly hope that the Fairmont brings back the little details and special touches.

My technician, Julie, was fabulous! Very knowledgeable and skilled. I looked 10 years younger after my facial!! I would highly recommend a day at the spa.

Rosa was, as always, FANTASTIC. I did not appreciate parking now costing me 21$! If nothing else, that could have included in the otherwise informative phone call two days prior. Had I been forewarned guests now pay to parrk, I would have more happily tipped the valet to park in the shade rather than have the ungracious surprise of paying to park in the outdoor parking lot that was once free. My complaints hot me an exemption, I admit. But it is an unpleasant new surprise. No little snacks on the spa drink counter now. The penny pinching shows!

Requested a medium strong massage. Felt like th masseuse sinply didnt feel like working. Repeated request to increase intensity which they would do briefly. Also asked for focus on back/neck/shoulder face/head and she spent more time on legs. For a $230 massage you would think it would be excellent. It left me wanting a real massage

The spa is lovely however the first 10 minutes of my facial were spent trying to upgrade me to a more expensive treatment. The esthetician was nice about it but the discussion used time. At the end of the service she applied a sunscreen with makeup in it and the product got all over lining of my hat and the inside of my swimsuit. Hopefully it will come out. (The sunscreen was a welcome addition - not the makeup). Then I couldn't get out of the parking lot, using my validated ticket - the machine said I had exceeded the allowed uses. I had to repark my car and go find someone to get me out of the lot because no-one answered the help button. So much for a relaxing day at the spa.