San Francisco - Hilton Sonoma County vs Sheraton Petaluma

We're taking a trip up through Sonoma, Mendocino, and Humboldt counties and are trying to use hotel points whereever possible. Most points are in SPG but also have HHonors and Priority Club.

First stop is in Sonoma County. Trying to decide between Sheraton Petaluma and Hilton Sonoma County. Wherever we stay, we would like to be near someplace nice for dinner - not too expensive or fancy (e.g., not Cyrus) but interesting and good.

Any opinions on the two hotels? And if you like one over the other, do you have a suggestion for a nearby dinner?

I have read through the SPG and HH threads (also TripAdvisor) on these two hotels but it's hard to draw a direct comparison. So I'm hoping some folks know both as well as local restaurants - that's why I'm posting here.

We're taking a trip up through Sonoma, Mendocino, and Humboldt counties and are trying to use hotel points whereever possible. Most points are in SPG but also have HHonors and Priority Club.

First stop is in Sonoma County. Trying to decide between Sheraton Petaluma and Hilton Sonoma County. Wherever we stay, we would like to be near someplace nice for dinner - not too expensive or fancy (e.g., not Cyrus) but interesting and good.

Any opinions on the two hotels? And if you like one over the other, do you have a suggestion for a nearby dinner?

I have read through the SPG and HH threads (also TripAdvisor) on these two hotels but it's hard to draw a direct comparison. So I'm hoping some folks know both as well as local restaurants - that's why I'm posting here.

How 'bout the Doubletree in Rohnert Park with HH points? I like it better than either of the two you mentioned, although, among your two choices, I would go with the Hilton based strictly on location. Santa Rosa down to Rohnert Park is loaded with nice restaurants including fancy ones and all sorts of ethnic places - what type of food do you prefer?

Another option, especially viable if you'll be there on weekdays, rather than Fri or Sat night, is to go the Priceline route, as those are the 3 places that are likely to come up, (you could also get the Hyatt in Santa Rosa) and you would likely score one of them for no more than a $60 bid on a Sun-Thurs.

How 'bout the Doubletree in Rohnert Park with HH points? I like it better than either of the two you mentioned, although, among your two choices, I would go with the Hilton based strictly on location. Santa Rosa down to Rohnert Park is loaded with nice restaurants including fancy ones and all sorts of ethnic places - what type of food do you prefer?

Another option, especially viable if you'll be there on weekdays, rather than Fri or Sat night, is to go the Priceline route, as those are the 3 places that are likely to come up, (you could also get the Hyatt in Santa Rosa) and you would likely score one of them for no more than a $60 bid on a Sun-Thurs.

Good ideas - thanks

I love PL but there are often deals on these 2 hotels so....

Sheraton Petaluma is RIGHT off the freeway which I find not pleasant. It's not super noisy, it just doesn't feel like a vacation. However their restaurant on site was really good, albeit a bit pricey. We ate there one Thanksgiving and again for an anniversary a couple of years ago.

Hilton Sonoma Wine country is a basic Hilton with really nice grounds, really inefficient staff and a zoo at breakfast. That said it's a relaxing envoironment, nice pool area and quite a bit quieter than the Sheraton. We stayed there last August and had a good time except for the breakfast zoo.

I love PL but there are often deals on these 2 hotels so....

Sheraton Petaluma is RIGHT off the freeway which I find not pleasant. It's not super noisy, it just doesn't feel like a vacation. However their restaurant on site was really good, albeit a bit pricey. We ate there one Thanksgiving and again for an anniversary a couple of years ago.

Hilton Sonoma Wine country is a basic Hilton with really nice grounds, really inefficient staff and a zoo at breakfast. That said it's a relaxing envoironment, nice pool area and quite a bit quieter than the Sheraton. We stayed there last August and had a good time except for the breakfast zoo.

Thanks for the detailed comments. Maybe we should look into the Doubletree in Rohnert Park. I hadn't thought of it until it was suggested above. Apparently there is a really good Japanese restaurant directly across the street from the hotel.

Thanks for the detailed comments. Maybe we should look into the Doubletree in Rohnert Park. I hadn't thought of it until it was suggested above. Apparently there is a really good Japanese restaurant directly across the street from the hotel.

Not even across the street - it's across the parking lot - particularly useful if you imbibe at the wineries and intend to drink some more at dinner. It's good, but there are lots of other choices as well. The Santa Rosa restaurant scene is very vibrant - I would suggest that when you're there, get some rec's from the folks at the various wineries and visitors guides and see what strikes your fancy. Alas, my favorite place, Mixx, recently closed.

The destination type places are Cyrus, John Ash, Farmhouse Inn, and Willi's Wine Bar, but they are all pretty fancy/pricey.