Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / United States / Guerneville / The Stavrand
The Stavrand
Guerneville, California, United States · Independent · Core Luxury
Miller and Warnecke of Oakland built the Belden House on Highway 116 between 1919 and 1922 for Ralph "Rooster" Belden, the same firm whose principal later designed President Kennedy's grave at Arlington. The Spanish Colonial Revival is Sonoma Landmark 129. The Stavrand opened in November 2021 with twenty-one rooms in the mansion and two later cottages, on the Russian River.
- 21 rooms
- Opened 2021
- Neighborhood: Russian River Valley
- Architect: Miller and Warnecke
About The Stavrand
- Michelin Two Keys in 2025 for the historic house on Guerneville's Russian River corridor.
- Eleven rooms in the 1919-22 Belden House plus ten in the later Cazadero and Armstrong cottages, 21 in all.
- Sonoma County Historical Landmark Number 129 (1982); the inn reopened as The Stavrand in November 2021 after the Applewood Inn years.
History
The Belden House at 13555 Highway 116 in Guerneville was built between 1919 and 1922 by the architecture firm Miller and Warnecke of Oakland — the same firm whose principal would later become the renowned John Carl Warnecke, architect of President Kennedy's grave site at Arlington National Cemetery. The house was commissioned by Ralph "Rooster" Belden and his wife Gretchen as a country home set on approximately sixty acres of orchards and vineyard along the Russian River in Sonoma County. The Spanish Colonial Revival design — arched loggias, red-tiled roofs, whitewashed stucco walls — suited the Northern California countryside and drew from the same vernacular that defined the region's wine-country architecture throughout the twentieth century. The Sonoma County Historical Landmarks Committee designated the Belden House as Landmark Number 129 in 1982, recognizing its architectural and historical significance to the region.
The property operated for decades as an inn and private residence before being acquired and reimagined as The Stavrand, which opened in November 2021 following a thoughtful renovation that preserved the historic mansion's structure and character while bringing its twenty-one guest rooms to contemporary luxury standards. The Belden House functions as the elegant, charming heart of the hotel; its high-ceilinged public rooms and vine-draped exterior remain the architectural and social center of the property.
The Stavrand positions itself as a Russian River Valley retreat oriented toward the pleasures of Sonoma County wine country and the redwood-shaded river culture that surrounds Guerneville. The MICHELIN Guide awarded it Two Keys in 2025, recognizing the combination of historic architecture, understated luxury, and the extraordinary natural setting of the Russian River corridor.
Experiences
- Path to Town — A path leads on foot across the Russian River into the town of Guerneville, about ten minutes away.
- Coastal beaches, golf, tree-top ziplines, redwood hikes and tasting rooms — Nearby adventures 5 to 25 minutes away, including cheese, distillery, cider, beer and wine tasting rooms.
- Kayak Equipment & Bicycles — Kayak equipment and bicycles provided for guests.
- Winery Partnerships — Partnerships with wineries in the Russian River Valley.
- Sonoma County excursions — Excursions around Sonoma County that the property is connected to.
- Rejuvenating Massages — Massage treatments offered at the hotel.
Amenities
- Pool
- Hot tub
- Pet-friendly
- EV charging
Awards
- MICHELIN Two Keys (2026)
- AAA Four Diamond (2025)
Open The Stavrand in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.