Culinary-driven boutique hotel opens in Healdsburg
The year was 1988, and chef Charlie Palmer had just opened his first restaurant, the ultra-high-end Aureole in New York City. He was 28 years old. Now, after earning nearly two dozen Michelin stars at his many national restaurants under his Charlie Palmer Collective, and earning the James Beard Award as “Best Chef in America,” he isn’t slowing down.
In fact, in evolving Palmer style, he’s putting a rocket booster on his career, moving into hotels packed with a bold dash of wow. (Does anyone else remember the spectacular “wine angels” he introduced at the former Aureole in Las Vegas, where acrobatic servers in illuminated outfits would fly up a four-story wine tower using harnesses and ropes to fetch bottles for guests?)
His latest project, under his Charlie Palmer Collective, is Appellation, a “culinary- driven” boutique hotel company in partnership with Christopher Hunsberger, former president of Americas for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. That means the emphasis is on “a celebration of the region’s food and wine culture for a sense of place,” Palmer said. “We’re working with some fantastic local farms, food producers and vintners. It’s all about honoring each region’s agricultural bounty and world-class wines in a way that feels welcoming and distinctly local.”
Already, Palmer opened Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa this spring, as a rebrand of the legendary Wine & Roses. Appellation Healdsburg is on track to open this September. Several other projects are underway or in consideration for hot-spot areas including Pacific Grove, Morgan Hill and Petaluma, plus Sun Valley, Idaho.
As with all Appellation properties, guests can expect “approachable luxury,” Palmer said. This fall, the $150 million Appellation Healdsburg offers 108 guest rooms and suites spread across 12 buildings, two pools, a spa and a rooftop bar with shareable bites, while the flagship Folia Bar & Kitchen showcases seafood, pastas, roasts and fresh-baked sourdough breads.
One particular highlight is the Crafted Classes & Workshops program, where guests can collaborate with local creatives to learn about a range of artisan-focused topics such as culinary gardening, blending herbal teas, selecting artisanal coffees and hand-crafted design.
Reservations kick off September 10 for the project set on 8.5 acres off Healdsburg Avenue and Passalaqua Road, between Highway 101 and the Montage Healdsburg resort.
Appellation
101 Dovetail Lane
Healdsburg
707.723.2000
appellationhotels.com/hotels/california-healdsburg
