Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

I have not been here since the Fairmont took over and I will not be back. My BFF and I do a girl’s spa day every year for our birthday’s that are 2 weeks apart. Over my lifetime, I’ve been able to enjoy a number of world class spas. We each had 1.5 hr massages and lunch by the pool. Below are notes on each:
Massage — we both had goose bumps the entire time because the room was so cold. Hence I was not able to fully relax. The massage itself was not completely terrible but was really more of a rub down and not the stress relieving massage that I paid for (i.e. same knots were there at the end).
Locker Room Amentities — I belong to the Bay Club in SF and the amenities there are far better. There is only room for 3 at the dressing table/​mirrors and yet there are over 100 lockers. The blow dryers were like toys (I gave up and walked out with ½ wet and frizzy hair). Had I know, I would have brought my own. If you forget something like a razor, you have to ask someone (none of the nice little «extras»). The magnification mirror fell out of the wall when I pulled it towards me.
Lunch — the hummus platter had old, dried carrots with freezer burn and the bread on the chicken sandwich was dry and flavorless. The menu looks great, but don’t be fooled because the execution is not there — expect disappointment. With 2 champagnes, lunch was $ 120.00 (that we could have used to get new massages someplace else).
Customer Service — No privacy in reception area because of «stereophonics“so be careful giving personal information. The girl at the spa check in itself was aloof — didn’t look you in the eye or smile (seemed bugged) and didn’t look at you when speaking so couldn’t what she was saying as she took us around to show us the bath ritual. Upon departure, when we asked for comments cards, we received a stack full that were already filled in! I went to look for sunscreen and there were 2 options ($ 30 and $ 46). The clerk said she did not recommend the $ 30 option but did not have a tester of the $ 46 option) and seemed annoyed that I wouldn’t purchase it.
Overall — It is quite obvious that Fairmont is trying to cut costs and all they have accomplished is to desecrate this was once hallowed spa in the wine country.

The spa is lovely and even mid-​week was crowded. The mineral pools are warm and buoyant and a great way to relax. Would like to compliment Mary, one of the masseuses. Three of us had her services and she was great. We all prefer a quiet experience so that we can enjoy the sensual experience of the massage and don’t have to use energy on chit-​chat. The showers in the spa dressing room are large and private, and the shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion are provided. Also there are real terry cloth towels in the washroom for drying hands. A nice touch. Hair dryers are also available. So you don’t have to bring too much stuff other than yourself. My only complaint is that in the locker to which I was given a key the robe contained therein was an XXL (I am a petite woman) and there was no one around who could find me a small robe. I had to hold it up so that I didn’t trip and in the treatment area there were no smaller robes available. They should keep some there. Also, like the hotel pool, there are lots of towels available for those folks enjoying the warm pools, steam, etc.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh­hhhhhhh. Nuff said? No? Ok:
I spent the day at the spa with my best girls and had a great experience lounging poolside and indulging in the bathhouse ritual. We got the Good Neighbor Discount (available Sun-​Fri for residents living within a 100 mile radius) so only spent $ 49. For that you receive access to their spotless and luxurious locker room with all the amenities, a large locker with key, a plush robe and comfy flip flops, access to their large pool and outdoor hot-​tub and second watsu pool (with music underwater), relaxation room, and a whole «bath house ritual» consisting of exfoliating shower, two mineral water soaking pools, herbal steam, dry sauna, and cool down showers. There’s flavored water, tea, nuts and fruit, reading material, sunscreen, and fluffy towels at your disposal — it’s a really good deal!
You can also order food and drinks right from your poolside lounge chair. It’s expensive, limited selection, slow service, and not that great, so you are better off bringing your own. But that good neighbor discount gets you 20% off, so if you’re lazy just go for it.
All in all, it’s such a relaxing place to be!
One final note — it was really tough to get a reservation because no one ever answered the phone! I left several voicemail messages. Eventually (as in a week later) one of my messages was returned and I was able to make my reservation. But just keep this in mind when reserving and allow plenty of time in that regard.

My review is based on Customer service for now. I scheduled my spa online (which was very easy btw); although my only comment is I wish I could enter my groupon code along with my reservation just to make it easier, however this isn’t a big deal at all.
My friend and I are going up for Memorial Day weekend to get the most out of napa and sonoma, so naturally we saw this groupon and decided this is our spa package that we have to do.
Anywho we have a super tight schedule and I called in and spoke to Aubrey (Audrey?), she was very very nice and super welcoming, very patient with my questions, I asked so many questions. I was not able to do my bathing ritual before the massage scheduled time since I am going to being doing paint nite in the neighbor town, Napa. However, Aubrey told me you can come in all day long, in and out access, so we can come in and enjoy our bathing ritual for as long as we want whenever we want during that day, not to mention cider on arrival (great alternative to those that are DD or do not want to drink!)
I am looking foward to the experience and will let you all know how it goes! So far I am very very pleased with their great customer service

I’ve patronized a variety of spas over the last 20+ years ranging from the Asian-​run $ 40/​hr massage and franchise operations typically located in and around stripmalls; to a variety of small business day spas throughout the SF Bay, Monterey, and Napa/​Calistoga area; to specialty spas like «Osmosis» in Freeport, «Sen Spa» in the (SF) Presidio, and «Tea Garden Springs» in Mill Valley (before they unfortunately shuttered due to the 2008 – 9 recession); to high-​end hotel/​resort spas in Las Vegas, San Diego/​Coronado, Scottsdale, and downtown SF. I can honestly say Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is, by far, my hands-​down favorite.
Pricey? Absolutely. However, when you take into account the level and quality of service and overall experience, it is SO worth the occasional pampering. Their Harvest Kur is decadence personified and to. die. for. Their spa facilities are gorgeous and second to none, their practitioners are stellar, and their customer service is impeccable.
Now THIS is what a spa-​ahhhh experience should be!

Had an amazing experience doing a spa day here with my boyfriend. The spa is unlike one I’ve ever been to since it has both indoor/​outdoor mineral pools as well as great spa facilities and locker room. The service was amazing — they took great care of the us.
Highly recommend it!

Hands down the BEST massage experience I’ve had. The staff was extremely helpful and professional. The facilities are huge and there’s tons of space and an array of different pools/​Jacuzzis and the relaxation room is a must. Shannon was my therapist and she was a doll! I would definitely recommend this place and hopefully be back sometime soon.

Highly recommend! I keep coming back to my happy place at the Fairmont! So relaxing! Enjoyed the meditation room, sauna, rain shower, hot tub, and pool! Always a perfect day when I’m here. Just had the most amazing massage from Laura. This place never disappoints! Thank you!!!

Nice remodel but… the inside pool area once had a vaulted curved ceiling with a stunning mural of the sun, moon, stars and clouds. But along with the rest of the recent renovation, Fairmont decided to cover it with WHITE paint! It had been perfect the way it was and it lend so much to the peaceful atmosphere of the place. Maybe the white ceiling now serves as a canvas Fairmont?
There is a great new rain shower and the eucalyptus sauna is still my fav. The dry sauna tho is way to bright with an entire wall devoted to lighting. Not exactly relaxing.

I have been here many times and I am still in love with it. In the summer, it’s great to sit outside by the pool and relax, but even in the winter I braved the cold and ran into the hot, outdoor relaxation pool, where you float on your back, and listen to calming music underwater. It’s so hypnotic and relaxing I almost fell asleep!
Of course I took advantage of the other amenities as well, all before my massage with the best masseuse ever, Monet. (I hesitate to give out her name as I don’t want her to be booked up when I come for my next visit!)
The staff were super kind. One of the friends who came with me felt ill, and couldn’t go for her treatment (she couldn’t even get up from her chair), and the spa didn’t charge her for the visit. They also ordered her complimentary toast and a smoothie to try to help her feel better. That’s service!
I’ve been there many times and will definitely go back again.

Please read the entire review. The spa has been changed:(31/2 stars.
Bryan gave me an awesome massage. He is intuitive, kind, and strong. I felt totally comfortable with him giving me my massage. I fell asleep!
I was disappointed by the changes that were made at the spa in the past year. The contemporary furniture and décor doesn’t mesh with the mission theme and the rounded architectural accents. The feeling of the spa is less warm and inviting. The snacks and drinks were scaled back, the plastic cups were tattered and breaking, and the new chairs were devoid of coziness. The fountain has been replaced by an ikea-​looking art piece. The locker room has been painted – they painted over the natural wood! Such a mistake!
The women working in the locker room were «fine». When I spend $ 200 on a massage, I hope to be treated extra special – this was missing.
My massage was the saving grace. The spa would have received 3 stars without the wonderful massage. If I decide to go back, it will be only to get a massage, and I’ll skip the «experience».

My daughter enjoys going to the spa with me when on vacation. I’ve been taking her since she was in elementary school where minors are only allowed to get a mani/​pedi and when she became a teen, a side by side service, E.g., couples massage, etc. where I must be present and getting the same treatment. I was excited that she recently turned 18 and we can finally share a spa day together ~
I really wanted to try the Harvest Kur, one of the spas signature treatments but they didn’t have the space for it even on a weekday because it requires multiple rooms.
The Harvest Kur seemed so appropriate for Fall and it uses local products and includes a exfoliation, bubble bath, mud wrap, and a idyllic full-​body massage with grape seed oil.
My daughter and I both agreed that we wanted a extended treatment so I booked us both the Lavender Kur which was another very popular spa treatment. It was available for couples but it meant that we would share a bubble bath together so I specifically requested for separate services, which btw is so romantic because I don’t know of any spas in LA that allows that.
We arrived an hour early after our morning hike to relax in the outdoor 98 degrees mineral pool and enjoy the bathing rituals.
My daughter was a little freaked out that there was so many men in the co-​Ed facility but I reassured her that she was fine. They are typically with their partners and they are 70 + and they drive lambos: p
The Sonoma Organic Lavender Kur was a very relaxing treatment. They ended up giving my daughter and I the couples version (probaly because they were packed) and my daughter and I ended up taking the lavender bubble bath together. It was a little awkward for her but I told her not to worry about it. The bath was very hot and luxurious and had added petitgrain and seaweed extracts. It was also followed by a botanical body wrap and a lovely full-​body massage with organic lavender oil made by a local vendor. I think I fell asleep several times and my daughter really enjoyed the treatment as well.
Staying at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa is not complete without a visit to the Willow Stream Spa. When I return, depending on the season I can’t wait to try the Chardonnay Olive-​Oil Sugar Polish, Sonoma Lavender Facial and Wine Country Recovery. They also have Relationship Readings and other mind and body services: p

My dad got me an early Xmas present with a spa day with my bff. We did the bathing ritual and had our own cabana with hot tub. Excellent champagne and fruit tray. Had an amazing massage from Adam. Would defiantly go again.

I’ve been coming to the The Willow Stream Spa at the Sonoma Mission Inn for a couple years now and usually just use the Spa facilities and amazing pool area! It’s my annual birthday ritual for my girlfriend’s birthdays too. This past visit I finally treated myself to a facial by Jennifer Chavez… I can’t rave enough about how relaxing and wonderful this experience was, especially with Jenn, everything she used smelled like Hawaii. I have always stayed away from getting facials because my skin is so sensitive to products and everyone has always said «its normal to breakout after a facial, you skin is getting rid of the bad stuff» NO WAY, that’s not normal. I didn’t break out at all, in fact I saw results the day after, smoother skin, brighter complexion & clean pores. It just made me want to treat my face and skin even better than before. I purchased the products that Jenn suggested at the end of my facial and I’m so happy I did. I look forward to my mirror time in the morning and evening to treat myself to my new products. I’m diligent and it is paying off. I love the foam cleanser, the vitamin c serum and the firming cream… thats my 3 step every day now! During my facial I got an amazing scalp massage and hand and foot rub (WOOHOO) I also treated myself to a peel and mask! Do It you won’t regret it, also I was able to go out that night, no redness or discolored skin. I did though not wear make-​up for 2 days after to really let my skin breathe and enjoy the benefits or my treatment! THANK YOU JENN, YOU ARE THE BEST!!! If you want to get a fantastic facial by a professional but also someone who cares and can brighten your day and smile, Jennifer is your gal! Can’t wait until the next time! Mahalo Nui Loa!

My girlfriend and I booked two spa treatments at 3:15. Upon check in we were told her treatment wasn’t until 3:45 and they couldn’t change it. So I changed mine to 3:45.
The was the first.
When we were called in for spa treatments, a man came out to usher her to a room — (she had requested a woman). She was told so sorry — but there are no women available.
So, with several apologies, she missed out because they had no women for anything except a facial — and she didn’t want a facial. That was two.
My facial was sadly lacking. There was little manipulation, the massage was so weak and short that I hardly felt it. I was asked if I wanted to upgrade for $ 39 and add a masque of some kind. I agreed thinking it would get better — wrong. To the tune of over $ 200 the facial was probably the worse I’ve ever experienced. I’ve been all over the world and Willow Spa was extremely disappointing. The young woman was very nice, but lacked experience. Willow Spa is in need of renovation, and it seems they will hire any pretty face. On the positive, the pool time was very nice. Pool menu very limited and disappointing.
We had the artichoke for $ 12 which was hard, dry and tasteless.
When we left at 5pm
my friend was so upset it took several hours for her to get over the lack of care and how easily they dismissed her. And BTW: NO compensation of any kind was extended.
The management is mistaken if they think they can treat high end clients in this manner and
it won’t get around. They also need to re-​think their choice of staff.

Absolutely amazing experience at the spa at the Fairmont in Sonoma! My husband and I came here for our 7 year anniversary and it was such a great deal for everything we got. The staff was very friendly and the experience was extremely relaxing which is exactly what we needed. We got to experience the baiting ritual before our massage it was really nice. Once we were done we enjoyed the fruit infused water {delicious!} and then we got to have our massages. We enjoyed the 60 minute couples massage, our massages were with Helen and Bryan. They were absolutely AMAZING and were so nice I wouldn’t recommend anyone else to get massages from. Bryan worked on my husband while Helen worked on me and I can’t rave about them enough, I wish I could hire them for weekly massages they were so great! Bryan and Helen if you get to read this thank you so much for making us feel so relaxed!

The best kept secret. My favorite spa that have ancient thermal mineral spring waters that I call «healing water.» It is a 40,000 sq ft spa with a mix of indoor and out door amenities.
The facility is exceptionally gorgeous. There is a bathing ritual that consist of a body scrub, 2 hot tubes with different temperatures, steam, and sauna. Then from there you can relax at the pool while you listen to smooth jazz or schedule a service. It’s a good idea to arrive early so you can try one of their yoga class. The moment I leave this place I feel completely rejuvenated and stress free. If you live in the Bay Area ask for the good neighbor program.

Sadly, we had high hopes for this spa based on reviews and the crazy prices but were so disappointed. There were 5 of us girls with appointments booked starting at 11am on a Saturday. First of all, it was super crowded in the treatment waiting area right before 11am. Therapists came out and called their clients by name and I felt like I was being herded along with the white robe and slipper clad cattle. In the waiting area, it’s too bright, too noisy, and obviously not relaxing at all. Where’s the soothing spa music? What’s with all the clamoring and where’s the freaking peace I just paid an arm and a leg for?! I was tempted to pocket apples for my kids to make me feel better, but my robe had no pockets.
Still, I did enjoy the sauna and appreciated the mineral baths, even though I was across next to grandpa joe, trying to shut my face at the sight of hot tub bubbles swirling all his chest hair around. Also, my 60 min relaxation massage was a 7.5/10…considering that she got me 10 minutes late, but made sure to end right at the hour. I did absolutely LOVE my Chardonnay body sugar scrub; I loved it so much more than my massage. I should have just done that one twice, it was luxurious and perfect; my skin felt so super smooth and spoiled after.
Baby sister had to come back 2 weeks after for a friend’s wedding shower weekend, and she refused to book with the spa because we were so disappointed. You’d think that with what they charge that they’ve probably perfected the spa goers experience. No. I’ll never cheat on you again, Burke Williams!

Our experience here was exceptional all around. The staff is ULTRA helpful and happy to meet any desire you have (need a new towel? new robe? champagne? coffee?) and the facilities are lush.
I like that this spa is a mix of indoor and outdoor facilities instead of one big indoor floor, like so many others. You can walk through landscaped pathways and into different areas and pools, and find your niche. Most of all I was thrilled the water is from the natural hot springs, and is available in more than one pool.
There are containers of ice-​cold flavored water (cucumber mint? watermelon? strawberry basil? — your choice!) and hot tea offered throughout the spa facilities. You can also order food from in-​room dining or the spa café menu and have it delivered poolside, which we totally did. A cheese plate was just what we needed after 45+ minutes of lap swimming at the big pool upstairs.
Pro-​tip: There is a rain shower hidden behind the main door to the eucalyptus steam room, where you can quickly take a cool rinse before sitting back down to steam. Iced wet towels are also right by the entry door.
I also had a long massage that was one of the best of my life, and really attentive and careful to get every area, with a massage therapist who was a great communicator. Can’t wait to come back!

The best spa experience thus far! My masseuse was awesome. Both my hubby and I felt so relaxed afterward. The mineral pools, bathhouse and the bathing rituals was such a great experience to have with hubby. Will definitely be back … even if just for the bathhouse! Definitely worth the drive.