Parisian Ambiance At Petaluma, California's Metro Hotel

Review of Metro Hotel and Cafe | 508 Petaluma Blvd S, Petaluma, CA, USA, 94952
Metro Hotel and Cafe
  • Trip101 Review
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Kurt
Kurt 
Updated
| 3 min read

Entering the Metro Hotel in Petaluma is like visiting a Parisian flea market. There are vintage posters, garden figurines, a piano complete with French sheet music, old foosball tables, and more. Outside in the yard are four modern versions of the popular Airstream camp trailers for rent. These Airstreams are great fun for camping out in the middle of Petaluma in style. Hotel rooms are found in the main building and another called “The Cottages” and are filled with French art and knickknacks.

Even though the hotel provided a complimentary stay, this is not a sponsored post and the writer’s opinions are his own.

A business traveler's favorite

Exterior shot of Metro Hotel

The Metro Hotel is around 140 years old and is a perfect escape from ordinary lodging. Whether you choose a room in the hotel or an Airstream, this is going to be fun. First, a warning is in order. Don’t expect 24-hour on-site staff to be present. This quirky hotel gives the front desk a break from 11 am to 2:30 pm. If needed, arrangements can be made to accommodate your arrival within the 11–2:30 timeframe. I didn’t understand this and found myself standing on the front porch reading the business hours posted on the door.

Not too much bothered by this short closure, I walked a few blocks away for lunch at Mi Pueblo. When I returned, I met Ruben, a fellow guest who was also awaiting the arrival of hotel staff. I asked Ruben if he had stayed at the Metro before and he told me “I used to stay at the Quality Inn, but now I only stay here because the price is good and the beds are very comfortable.” Ruben also told me “When I stay here, I feel like I’m staying in someone’s home instead of a hotel.” I was impressed that this frequent business traveler spoke so highly of the place where I’d be spending two nights.

Pick the perfect room

Queen room

To choose the room that’s right for you, peruse the Metro Hotel’s website for examples of their room choices. All queen rooms have a private bathroom, luxurious queen bed, most have a claw foot tub, and ample room. A double queen room adds a bed but doesn’t always come with a claw foot tub. For a whole lot of space, try a two-room suite with either a queen bed, twin bed trundle, or two queen beds. Each two-room suite comes with a large bathroom. Hotel rooms are very reasonably priced and significantly less than comparable lodging in the towns of Sonoma or Napa.

Not just a trailer

Honeymoon Airstream

For the best in quirky lodging, the Airstream experience is a must. An Airstream is one of the most recognized names in luxury camping trailers. Staying in one of the Metro Hotel’s Airstreams is like taking a road trip and camping out with maid service. Whether you choose one of the three Airstream Bambi configurations, or the one-and-only larger Airstream Honeymoon, each will charm you with compact functionality. Each Airstream has a full bath, full kitchen, heat, air-conditioning, linens, and towels. An Airstream Bambi can be moved anywhere in Sonoma County for a fee, just in case you want to camp out on the coast or elsewhere in wine country. Both Airstreams are limited to the amount of luggage you can comfortably fit in them. Plan accordingly if you choose the Airstream option by traveling light.

Free breakfast is offered in the café for guests of all rooms and Airstreams. Enjoy crepes, muffins, pastries, and pour-your-own coffee. For the pour-your-own-coffee, guests get to choose the amount of coffee grounds to add to the array of filter cones on a six-hole filter holder on the counter. What a fun way to participate in your morning coffee ritual to choose the right strength of brew. In warm weather, which is most of the year in Petaluma, take your breakfast on the front porch or in the patio to enjoy the sound of birdsong and a gentle breeze.

For more serious breakfast fanatics, there are four exceptional bakeries within a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Several excellent restaurants for lunch or dinner can be found within easy reach of the Metro Hotel like Seared Steaks and Seafood, The Shuckery, Quinoa, Central Market, and three brewpubs.

Easy access to Petaluma's best

Petaluma is an excellent place to begin your Sonoma County exploration and offers easy access to wine country, coastal beaches, hiking, kayaking, and bicycling. Staying at the Metro Hotel puts you right in easy access to all of Sonoma County.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Metro Hotel and Cafe
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