Valley Ford Hotel

We really enjoyed dinner downstairs, and after the bar and restaurant closed, the room was quiet at night. The stay itself could use some straightforward updates, though. In room 7 at the back, the bathroom barn door wouldn't stay shut, so we had to wedge a shoe against it. The nightstand was coming apart and nearly tipped my drink when I set it down. The queen bed wasn't comfortable, and there's room for a king in the small room. There's no TV, though there's wall space for one, and a chair would be useful since there's no lobby sitting area. Updating the decor could help too. My wife and I both felt these fixes shouldn't cost much with only seven rooms, and could improve guests' experience and ratings. We already knew and loved Rocker's restaurant, and usually stay in Occidental when we're in the area. We like older, quaint hotels, so we wanted to give the VFH a try.

For us, it was a lovely place to spend a few days unplugged. Valley Ford is a tiny town of around 200 people, which makes for a nice getaway. The hotel has, I believe, six rooms above a great bar and restaurant. Our room was clean and quaint, and the bed was very comfortable. There are a few things to know: you collect your key from an envelope by the door, with no one there to greet you. The walls are thin, so we heard people talking next door. The bar and restaurant downstairs can get loud and rowdy, though they clear people out by 10 p.m. This won't suit everyone, especially if you're looking for a full-service hotel.

The beds were comfortable, nights were quiet, and the food and wine were wonderful. We were close to everything we needed for a great wine country stay, surrounded by a romantic natural setting. The Valley Ford Hotel came highly recommended, and it lived up to that. I can't think of a better place to stay around Bodega Bay. The owners deserve a big fat kiss on the lips and a five-star review. I'll recommend it to anyone. Don't miss Rockers!

The rooms were clean, but the bathroom offers no privacy at all, as the pictures show. The water gets very hot, yet the pressure needs work. With such a weak flow, rinsing off takes longer because you don't feel fully rinsed. The hotel is right beside the highway, and the noise makes it feel like you're outdoors. On weekends, loud music and every conversation downstairs carry clearly into the rooms. The name gives the impression you'll check in at a hotel, but there are no staff to see and you check yourself in.