Stunning new Wine Country retreat named best resort in the US

For less than $500 a night, visitors can check into a luxury hotel readers just crowned the best resort in America.

Appellation Healdsburg, a retreat tucked among Sonoma County’s vineyards, has been named the No. 1 resort in the continental U.S. and the best resort in California in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards.

The honor comes less than a year after the hotel welcomed its first guests in September 2025, a rare feat in the hospitality industry, where established luxury properties typically dominate the annual rankings.

The hotel celebrated the milestone on social media, thanking guests and staff for helping make its debut year one to remember.

“We opened this hotel less than a year ago with one belief: that hospitality is at its best when it is rooted in place,” the hotel wrote on Instagram. “To win two categories and to be recognized this early in our debut year, by the travelers of Travel + Leisure whose opinions shape our industry, is a moment we’ll never forget.”

The recognition also keeps California on top of the prestigious list. In 2024, a resort in Oceanside claimed the magazine’s top U.S. resort title. This year, the spotlight shifts to Wine Country.

Travel + Leisure editor Maya Kachroo-Levine praised Appellation Healdsburg for offering luxury-level hospitality without the eye-popping nightly rates often found in Sonoma and Napa.

“Appellation Healdsburg is more approachably priced, yet it delivers a level of hospitality that rivals that of a hotel charging four figures per night,” she wrote.

Created by award-winning chef Charlie Palmer and hospitality executive Christopher Hunsberger, the 8.5-acre resort was designed around a “culinary-first” philosophy. The property features 108 guest rooms and suites, a resort-style pool, two restaurants and 27 culinary garden beds that provide fresh ingredients for many of the dishes served on-site.

At Folia Bar & Kitchen, chef de cuisine Reed Palmer serves a seasonal American menu with three-course dinners starting at $85. Starters at this California restaurant include dishes such as Flannery beef tartare with egg jam, pickled apple, capers and lavash, while desserts range from hazelnut mousse cake with chocolate mousse and whipped cream to other elegant sweets.

For guests looking to pair a meal with panoramic vineyard views, the rooftop restaurant Andy’s Beeline offers shareable plates in an open-air setting overlooking Wine Country.

The resort’s culinary focus extends well beyond its restaurants. Visitors can sign up for hands-on experiences including handmade pasta workshops, mixology classes and cheesemaking demonstrations. Those seeking a slower pace can unwind with weekly yoga classes or complimentary wine tastings.

The annual Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards are based on reader votes and recognize the world’s top hotels, resorts, airlines, cruise lines, spas and destinations. The awards are considered among the hospitality industry’s most prestigious honors.

Appellation Healdsburg marks Palmer’s second hotel venture following the success of Hotel Healdsburg. The company is already planning its next property with Appellation Petaluma, which is currently in development.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters