Hotel construction surges in Sonoma County

As hotel occupancy continues to rise in Sonoma County, a variety of new hotels are popping up in the county, scheduled to open their doors in the next couple of years. Those range from a much-anticipated hotel at Graton Casino, a second eco-friendly hotel in Healdsburg, another Holiday Inn location in Windsor and several others.

“New lodging development shows confidence in the market. They will complement our existing hotels in offering travelers a wide range of lodging choices,” said Ken Fischang, president and CEO at Sonoma County Tourism.

From 2011 to 2014, the average hotel occupancy rate in Sonoma rose from 63.3 percent to 74.3 percent, with the average room rate climbing from $110.70 to $136.64 during that same period.

Having lodging properties that appealed to a variety of travel budgets ensured that Sonoma County weathered the economic downturn in 2008-’09 more readily than some destinations. The new properties will also increase Sonoma’s inventory to attract meetings and groups, as well as tours, Fischang said.

“Since 2011, we’ve steadily increased our occupancy, even in the soft shoulder seasons. That, too, can be attributed to our mix of lodging options.”

Graton Casino hotel

Ground-breaking will take place in the fall for a hotel at the Graton Resort and Casino in Rohnert Park, according to Greg Sarris, chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.

According to a Moody’s Investor Service report in January, the tribe secured a $450 million bank facility for its Graton Resort and Casino. The deal would enable the tribe to spend up to $200 million on a hotel, according to Moody’s.

The two-story hotel is expected to have 200 rooms.

Due to pending finalization of financing, no further details were revealed.

“What I can tell you is we are excited about it, the community is excited, I can tell you it’s going to be the nicest thing Northern California has seen,” Sarris said.

The tribe opened the casino in November 2014.

h3 Guesthouse

In Healdsburg, construction for the h3 Guesthouse is slated to begin in the fall of this year with an expected opening in spring 2017.

The new hotel will be adjacent to its sister h2 hotel, owned by the Piazza Hospitality Group, who also owns Hotel Healdsburg.

The new building will add 39 rooms-including six suites- to the property, and have similar design elements as the h2, including being Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certified.

The upper level will feature an indoor-outdoor guest lounge overlooking the h2 hotel’s living green roof, a meeting room facing Healdsburg Avenue, a creek side swimming pool and garden park.

The h2 opened in 2010. The building uses 28 percent less energy than standard hotels in California. During the building, and more than 85 percent of construction debris was recycled. Many of the materials used to build the hotel, from steel to concrete, are also made from recycled material.

The live green roof filters rainwater to reduce the impact on Healdsburg’s storm drain system and neighboring Foss Creek, and also reduces the amount of heat the hotel gives off, to prevent disturbing the local microclimate.

h2’s gearless, traction EcoSpace elevator uses 60 percent less electricity than a standard hydraulic elevator, and is comprised of 95 percent recyclable materials.

The hotel’s 36 rooms have green features like sustainable bamboo flooring, fair-trade, chemical –free rugs from Peace Industry, organic sheets, towels and robes. Custom furnishings were made from salvaged wood.

h3’s architect is David Baker Architects out of San Francisco.

The Barlow

Plans for a 64-room hotel at The Barlow, in Sebastopol, which was slated to open in November 2015, are being re-worked into an 80-room boutique hotel at a new location.

Plans were previously approved for a location that turned out to have an area within the flood zone, which created construction challenges. The new location is planned for 6782 Sebastopol Ave, currently occupied by Guayaki Organic Yerba Mate.

The new plans will incorporate elements similar to the previous plan, including a spa and restaurant. The design architects are Bull Stockwell Allen out of San Francisco. According to Barlow project manager Peter Stanley, the project will be at the concept design stage for the next month or so, after which plans will be submitted to the city for approval.

Developer Barney Aldridge purchased the 12.5-acre property in 2006, and opened The Barlow in 2013.

The former apple cannery is a four-block, 220,000-square-foot, $23.8 million food, drink and arts center with 53 tenants.

Aldridge Management & Highway Partners, LLC. is partnering with San Rafael-based Palisades Hospitality Group, which will build and operate the hotel. Palisades also runs the El Dorado Hotel in Sonoma, the North Block Hotel in Yountville and Solage in Calistoga.

Holiday Inn

In Windsor, at the intersection of Highway 101 and Old Redood Highway a new full-service Holiday Inn is currently under construction, and is expected to open in spring 2016.

The hotel is being built by the Desai family of Healdsburg, who also own the Holiday Inn Express, also in Windsor, and the Travelodge in Healdsburg

Located at 9291 Old Redwood Hwy., the hotel will have 100 guest rooms, an Italian restaurant, full bar and banquet facilities.

Oxford Suites

A five-story Oxford Suites hotel is currently under construction in Rohnert Park, near the Graton Resort and Casino.

Located at 67 Golf Course Drive West, the 163-room hotel is scheduled to open late in 2016. The three diamond hotel will offer a conference facility, the Oxford Bistro restaurant & lounge, a fitness center, sauna, steam room, and an outdoor pool and spa.

The eco-friendly hotel will also offer complimentary amenities including a full hot breakfast buffet, evening reception, hi speed Wi-Fi, and more.

According to the company, Oxford Suites branded properties are heavily frequented by both business and leisure travelers, and hopes to benefit from the proximity to the casino and Sonoma State University.

Sebastopol Hotel

Local commercial real estate developer Ronald Basso is in a preliminary planning stage with David Baker Architects for a hotel where the Sebastopol Tractor Co. is now. If built, the hotel would be located around the block from The Barlow.

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