Appellation Healdsburg Named Best Resort in the U.S.
Travel + Leisure readers have awarded the Sonoma County retreat the top spot in its World's Best Awards just months after its opening.
Appellation Healdsburg, a luxury resort in Sonoma County, has been named the best resort in the continental United States and California by Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards. The designation comes less than a year after the hotel opened its doors in September 2025.
Travel + Leisure editor Maya Kachroo-Levine highlighted the resort's approachably priced luxury, noting that its hospitality rivals that of hotels charging significantly more. The 8.5-acre resort, developed by chef Charlie Palmer and hospitality executive Christopher Hunsberger, emphasizes a "culinary-first" philosophy.
The property features 108 guest rooms and suites, a resort-style pool, and two restaurants. Its 27 culinary garden beds supply fresh ingredients for on-site dishes. Folia Bar & Kitchen offers a seasonal American menu, with three-course dinners starting at $85. The rooftop restaurant, Andy’s Beeline, provides shareable plates with vineyard views.
The resort also offers culinary-focused experiences such as pasta workshops, mixology classes, and cheesemaking demonstrations, alongside amenities like yoga classes and wine tastings.
In previous years, the top U.S. resort honor in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards has been held by other California properties. Appellation Healdsburg is the second hotel venture for Charlie Palmer, who also developed Hotel Healdsburg. The company is reportedly planning a new property, Appellation Petaluma, currently in development.