The Astro Motel is a mid-century modern boutique motel with the nostalgia from yesteryear but updated for today’s modern living. The Astro is located in the heart of Santa Rosa, CA, right in beautiful Sonoma County. My hubby Gary Greco and I stayed at this amazing hotel for our recent Pinup photo-shoot and were delighted by what this hotel had to offer. The 34 room motel dates to the early 1960s and has been given a complete renovation and over-haul by the team behind the well-known Spinster Sisters restaurant, Liza Hinman and celebrity cyclist Andy Hampsten. The Astro is right next to sprawling Julliard Park in the trendy neighborhood known as SofA (South of A) and is a couple minute stroll from downtown Santa Rosa while being located perfectly for all the activities sunny wine country is known for (wine tasting, vineyards, restaurants, shopping, festivals and more) it is a perfect destination for day-trippers from all over the Bay Area. The charm of SofA is captivating with all its artistic flair and fun finds like Art Alley for photos and be sure to pick up some souvenirs from the local shops. No trip would be complete without a meal at the scrumptious Spinster Sisters restaurant right around the corner. The motel’s décor and art fit perfectly with the mid-century aesthetic and you will find finishes from local artisans that include bathroom tiles, concrete sinks, and more. The former Astro parking lot turned courtyard has beautiful landscaping and a garden with fruit trees and intimate seating areas for a perfect spot to start your day with a cup of coffee or unwind with your new favorite Sonoma County wine.
We booked our room right online on the Astro’s user friendly website which is very well laid out and easy to use. Hubby and I stayed in a Astro Queen room which was spacious, very clean, and it had a luxurious bed with the most comfortable mattress, fresh crisp linens, reclaimed wood headboard and fabulous mid-century modern furnishings that included a desk, nightstands, chairs and lamps. There was great attention to detail like the Eames era wall mounted bubble ball coat rack, sputnik lamp above the sink, retro style tile, orange MCM chairs, and a starburst mirror; this was a dream come true for enthusiasts like us of the era. The Astro Motel furnishings and décor have been collected and obtained from auctions for many years by the owners and we have heard that guests can purchase these amazing mid-century items!! Amenities in our room included a good size mini refrigerator with an assortment of beverages and a curated selection of NorCal snacks from the minibar.
The lounge area for coffee and muffins in the morning is a great way to start the day. Décor is perfect in this common space which also is furnished with mid-century items, lighting, books, and stereo system and even some fabulous vintage cameras. There is also vintage signage on the walls (a collectors dream) and it really gives you a glimpse in the good old days from yesteryear.
Sonoma County is well known for its high profile cycling events and since one of the owners of the motel is celebrity cyclist Andy Hampsten the Giro d’Italia champion, cycling enthusiasts will be thrilled to know that The Astrol Motel has everything needed for your cycling experience right on site that includes a full service bike shop to Shinola bike rentals, and bike lockers if you choose to bring your own bike.
The staff at The Astro Motel is so friendly, always smiling and ready to do all they can to accommodate guests. We even had a tour of a beautiful ADA –accessible room with full outdoor private patio and garden (perfect for pets and taking in some fresh air or meditating). We will certainly be back (can’t wait to check out the décor in the other rooms) and will be recommending this spectacular motel to all our friends and family who come for a visit as we know they will have a one-of-a-kind stay and be spoiled by the staff!!
