The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is a luxury hotel and spa in California's Sonoma Valley. Located in world-famous wine country, in a region abundant with local produce, makes this a gastronomic hotspot as well as a destination spa. For hundreds of years, thermal waters have flowed through this area, making the treatments, and indeed way of life, here, truly sumptuous.

The facilities

First up is of course, the restaurants. The signature eatery, Santé, is an elegant dining space serving up AAA Four Diamond fare, accompanied by award-winning wines. Find heart American cuisine at the Big 3, from lemon pancakes to home-made macaroni cheese. Then there's light meals and snacks overlooking the neighbouring vineyards, at the Water Tower.

The spa takes inspriation from ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian cultures; expect bathing rituals, stone treatments and a whole array of massages tailored to the individual. There's also a fitness centre, tennis courts, a golf course and outdoor pool on site.

The rooms

Each of the Sonoma Mission Inn's 226 bedrooms is traditional is style, and luxuriously kitted out. All have king-size beds, pay-per view movies and cable television, down comforters and Sensi bath products. Some have private balconies, which are well worth trying to reserve.