The Stavrand

Historic Russian River estate reimagined. Mediterranean Revival architecture meets modern bohemian luxury.

The Stavrand, situated on six wooded acres in Guerneville, California, is a historic Russian River Valley estate reimagined as an intimate boutique hotel. The heart of the property is the Belden House, built in 1922 as a summer home for Ralph "Rooster" Belden, the president of the Guerneville Bank, and his wife Gretchen. Designed in the Mediterranean Revival style by the Oakland-based architecture firm Miller and Warnecke, the structure is registered as Sonoma County Landmark Number 129. In late 2020, hotelier Emily Glick, a veteran of San Francisco's hospitality industry, purchased the dormant property, then known as the Applewood Inn. Glick and her family undertook an extensive restoration, reopening the estate in late 2021. The hotel's name pays tribute to Glick's late mother, Maribeth Stavrand, and her grandparents, Grace and Erik Stavrand, who once operated a lodge in Vermont. The design, executed by EDG Interior Design and Architecture, preserves the historic hacienda-style stucco, low-pitched red tile roofs, and arched doorways while introducing a sophisticated, bohemian interior. In the main salon of the Belden House, guests gather around a massive, double-sided, triple-height fireplace constructed from river stones harvested from the nearby Russian River bed a century ago.

The hotel features 21 meticulously styled guest rooms distributed across three distinct buildings, each offering a unique connection to the surrounding redwood groves. The historic Belden House contains the most storied rooms, where vintage antiques blend with modern custom wallcoverings and brass fixtures. Nearby, the Cazadero House offers spacious, light-filled rooms with direct outdoor access, freestanding soaking tubs, gas fireplaces, and private decks featuring outdoor cedar hot tubs open to the sky. The Armstrong House represents the most modern wing of the property, characterized by generous floor plans, clean contemporary lines, gas fireplaces, and semi-private decks. Bathrooms in the Armstrong House are detailed with Saltillo tile showers and deep soaking tubs illuminated by skylights. Throughout all three buildings, the design emphasizes tactile comfort, with plush robes, slippers, and custom bath products, creating a serene, residential atmosphere that encourages guests to slow down and match the quiet pace of the forest.

The culinary program at the property is a central element of the experience, highlighted by an exclusive dining room open only to overnight guests. Under the guidance of the culinary team, the restaurant serves a hyper-seasonal, multi-course prix-fixe dinner that showcases the agricultural abundance of Sonoma County. Many of the ingredients are harvested directly from the onsite culinary garden and the Chef's Meadow, an expansive grassy lawn dotted with century-old pear and apple trees originally planted by Ralph Belden in the 1920s. Dinners are thoughtfully paired with exceptional wines from local Sonoma producers, and tables are limited to just six per night to maintain an intimate, unhurried atmosphere. Mornings begin with a complimentary, plated hot breakfast featuring local Black Oak coffee and Silk Road teas. In the late afternoon, the hotel hosts a complimentary wine aperitif hour in the courtyard, where guests can taste local varietals. As night falls, the focus shifts to the courtyard's two fire pits, where complimentary s'mores kits are provided for fireside stargazing. Additional amenities include a sun-speckled swimming pool, a hot tub, and a fleet of complimentary bicycles to explore the quiet country roads of Guerneville.

Where to Stay — Curated accommodations hand-picked by Basecamp West. Glamping, boutique hotels, historic lodges, and unique stays across the American West.