The Madrona, a Boutique Hotel by Designer Jay Jeffers, is Sonoma's Newest Hot Spot
Updated: Oct 18, 2022
The Madrona – a boutique hotel designed by the renowned interior designer Jay Jeffers is the ideal stay for anyone looking to experience Sonoma’s famed wine region. The Madrona is a hotel and restaurant for the new age of traveler, creating bold, spirited spaces and experiences that go beyond the expected within its 24 rooms and eight-acre property.
Originally built as a gabled private residence in 1881 during the Aesthetic Movement, a style that celebrates “beauty for beauty’s sake,” The Madrona is a historic showpiece that emphasizes the visual and sensual qualities of art and design. All aspects of the hotel from the design to the restaurant menus are inspired by the home’s original owners, the Paxton family, who were distinctively Northern Californian, but loved to travel the world, collecting items and inspiration from their travels.
“The Madrona goes beyond a traditional luxury wine country hotel, delivering memorable moments of bold design, highly-intuitive service, and an overall sense of magic around every corner,” says The Madrona’s co-owner and designer, Jay Jeffers. “When designing the hotel, it was important for me to respect its historic architecture and 19th century roots, while reimagining the property to be more modern and exciting for today’s traveler. I am thrilled to welcome guests to The Madrona this April onwards, where high-design, exceptional food and drink, thoughtful amenities, and scenic views await.”
Charming and Well-Appointed Accommodations
The Madrona features a collection of classic hotel rooms and private bungalows, offering guests highly personalized stays with a residential spirit. The 24 stylish and well-appointed accommodations are spread across six buildings, most of which are original to the estate. The historic nature of the estate lends charming characteristics to each space, with no two guest rooms exactly alike.
Guest rooms in The Mansion sit above the signature restaurant and lounge spaces and include the original living quarters of the Paxton family. Select guest rooms feature soaring ceilings, bay windows, original fireplaces, and large balconies overlooking the hills of Dry Creek Valley. In the property’s original Carriage House, several studio suites are found through their own private lobby entrance that revere the building’s equestrian beginnings, with select rooms offering private outdoor balconies with sweeping views. Lastly, scattered on the outer edges of the property’s eight acres lie The Bungalows, located within standalone original buildings dating back to 1861. The Bungalows include individual and connecting suites that offer a more private experience, tucked away amongst the trees and natural landscape of the hillside. All The Bungalows feature private entrances, secluded locations, and distinctive architecture, and select Bungalows can be connected to create spacious two-bedroom suites. Rates start at $750 per night for guest rooms, and $1,050 for premium bungalows.
Eclectic Design by Jay Jeffers
In his debut hotel, celebrated designer Jay Jeffers reimagined the famed grand dame estate to reflect a modern-day interpretation of late 19th century aestheticism, a movement dedicated to pure beauty, combining intellect with art and the exotic. An integral part of Jeffers’ design was to preserve original elements throughout the property – letting its storied history inform the process, while incorporating new ideas for vitality and modernity. The Madrona’s imaginative interior and exterior spaces embrace everything from animal motifs captured in fabric and art to ebonized mahogany furnishings, heavily carved and fantastical. The property also includes over 200 antiques and relics of world travels, including over 30 pieces from the original owner, John Alexander Paxton, which are showcased alongside contemporary pieces for an eclectic mix of old and new.
A highlight of The Madrona’s interiors is its impressive art collection, much of which was created specifically for the hotel. Jay worked closely with Lisa Chadwick, owner of Dolby Chadwick Gallery and longtime collaborator, to commission custom artwork that is prominently displayed throughout the hotel, from her roster of artists such as John DiPaulo, Sherie Franssen, Gonzalo Fuenmayor, Hunt Rettig, Eric Antoine, Guy Diehl, Frank Lobell, Beth Moon and more. The Madrona features Dolby Chadwick Gallery artwork alongside a diverse mix of carefully curated vintage art and original photography and paintings including a custom painted mural by Phillip Jeffries that illustrates a visual story of the property’s unique history, located in the private dining room. A few of The Madrona’s additional show stopping elements include the custom carpet in the Dining Room and Drawing Room by Kelly Ventura, a Detroit painter known for her modern floral designs, who transformed one of her watercolor paintings into the one-of-a-kind carpet and created wallpaper for several of the guest suites. Jeffers also collaborated with innovative rug designer, Kyle Bunting, to design a handful of bespoke hide rugs that live in The Mansion’s Grand Hall, front and rear parlor, reception area and second floor hallway, along with a multi-sensory captivating hair on hide paneled wallpaper which aptly line the walls of the Carriage House.
The Restaurant – An All-Day Dining Affair
Helmed by Michelin-starred chef, Jesse Mallgren, who earned the former restaurant concept a Michelin star every year for 13 consecutive years, the restaurant at The Madrona will be a distinctive all-day dining destination that embraces a spirit of revelry and the cultures, flavors, and welcoming hospitality that define Northern California.
Chef Mallgren will present guests with an entirely new and more approachable concept, influenced by his love of international flavors and seasonal ingredients sourced directly from The Madrona’s on-site garden. His eclectic fare puts a spin on craveable classics and includes signature dishes such as Chicken Paillard infused with Southeast Asian flavors from his travels throughout Thailand; Steak Tartare with goma dare, quail egg and fresh wasabi; and Local Anchovies cured with Madrona lemons, featuring fennel pollen from the onsite garden and DaVero olive oil from The Madrona’s neighboring farm.
With a combination of intimate parlors and expansive outdoor spaces designed by Jeffers, a variety of culinary experiences are available to delight locals, visitors, and hotel guests for every occasion. For commemorative dining, guests can enjoy a meal in the intimate indoor Dining Room or on the Palm Terrace, a lively heated and covered, open-air terrace overlooking the mature gardens. For more casual fare, diners can indulge and imbibe in one of The Madrona’s multiple lounge-style spaces, including the wrap-around Front Porch, the Front Parlor, and Hannah’s Bar – an intimate bar and cocktail lounge named after the property’s original matriarch, Mrs. Hannah Paxton.
The Madrona’s eclectic beverage program showcases inventive cocktails, rare spirits, and a wine list that goes beyond Sonoma’s borders to embrace the work of winemakers around the world. Crafted in partnership with West Bev, the dynamic cocktail program puts cocktails equally at the forefront with The Madrona’s robust list of wines – a notion not typically seen among wine country properties.
Imaginative Amenities and Experiences
Built on eight acres of lush, layered grounds, including a half-acre garden used by the culinary team, The Madrona’s land serves as a representation of the agricultural nature of Sonoma County. The gardens are created in partnership with Aris Curtis, a passionate voice for the regenerative farming movement, and are meant to be wandered, enjoyed, and cherished. Nestled between the gardens and citrus groves, guests will find a heated lounge pool, complete with lounge seating, daybeds, and firepits, ideal for a refreshing dip or moment of respite year-round. The Madrona also features a modern fitness studio with Peloton Bikes, a Tonal Smart Gym, free weights, a treadmill and a private outdoor area for yoga, stretching and mindfulness.
Other amenities for hotel guests include daily housekeeping and turndown service, bath amenities by Flamingo Estate, exclusive lounge space reserved for hotel guests only, Van Moof electric bikes for a jaunt into town, overnight valet parking with EV charging, and complimentary car service within a five-mile radius. In addition to creating memorable experiences on property, The Madrona offers unique off-site experiences for guests to explore the region, such as arranging a private dinner in the Redwoods for a guest or taking them out in a vintage Defender for an intimate meeting with a winemaker amongst the vines.
Idyllic Wine Country Location
The Madrona is located adjacent to Napa Valley in Sonoma County, one of the world’s top wine regions with over 425 wineries and countless award-winning restaurants. Healdsburg specifically has emerged as one of wine country’s top destinations over recent years, attracting visitors all over the world with its walkable downtown, world-class wineries, lively culinary scene, and upscale spas, while maintaining its history and small-town charm. While The Madrona sits a mere mile from the center of Healdsburg, the hillside estate feels like a world away, complete with hidden corners, emerald-green gardens, and panoramic valley views.
Distinctive Events
The Madrona offers an idyllic setting for an event experience filled with beauty, style, and delight, no matter the occasion or event size. A variety of indoor and outdoor meeting spaces can be reserved for private dinners, extraordinary wedding celebrations, memorable milestones, and lively retreats in and around the Mansion. Given the unique layout of the grounds, The Madrona can accommodate both intimate dinner parties in tucked-away spots as well as expansive outdoor events that indulge in the entire property. Capacities range from 10 to 150, with the ability to host progressive events that utilize multiple venues on the property at once for a distinctive experience. Led by Michelin-starred Chef Jesse Mallgren, The Madrona’s event offerings mirror the restaurant experience, with bespoke eclectic menus inspired by international flavors, seasonal ingredients, and the whims of its culinary team.
The Madrona is managed by Mosaic Hotel Group, a collection of individually branded, award-winning boutique hotels under the umbrella of Palisades Hospitality Group, a leading, full-service hospitality company. The Madrona is located at 1001 Westside Road in Healdsburg, California. For more information, please visit the website at www.themadronahotel.com or follow along at @themadrona.
Reservations for the hotel are now being confirmed. Call 707.395.6700, email concierge@themadronahotel.com or book online. Dining reservations for The Madrona can be made through Resy.