This New Wine Country Hotel Is Putting Lodi, California on the Map
Haven’t been this lesser-known wine region near Sacramento? This hotel might change that.
When most people think of California wine country, Lodi usually isn’t the first place that comes to mind. But this Central Valley region is actually one of the most important players in the wine industry—producing more wine grapes than Napa and Sonoma combined, and home to some truly impressive small producers. Whereas Napa is famous for its Cabernet and Sonoma its Pinot Noirs, Lodi also has its own signature grape: Zinfandel.
While it’s long been a popular day-trip spot for folks from Sacramento or Stockton, I think that’s about to change—thanks to Appellation Lodi – Wine & Roses Resort and Spa. Appellation Lodi is the first operational hotel from the new culinary-first hospitality brand Appellation—founded by chef Charlie Palmer and Four Seasons veteran Christopher Hunsberger—with several more in development across California wine regions. Set in the former Wine & Roses Resort, the property has been reimagined with refreshed rooms, updates to its restaurant and its café, and ongoing upgrades to the spa and pool to round out its tranquil oasis feel.
This hotel brings a new level of comfort and calm to the region, making Lodi a surprisingly lovely (and more affordable) weekend getaway for Bay Area travelers or anyone looking to explore a lesser-known side of wine country. On a recent visit, I was genuinely impressed by the experience—Appellation Lodi turned a good trip into a great one. Here’s my honest take on what it’s like to stay there.
Overview
A peaceful, hotel in an underrated California wine country, Lodi. Expect spacious rooms, peaceful spa, and beautiful gardens—all at a refreshingly reasonable price. Don’t sleep on the tri-tip sandwich or rotisserie chicken at Masion Lodi, their on-site cafe.
Highlights
Beautiful garden
Creative cocktails at Americana House
Sandwiches at Maison Lodi
Spa + treatments
Spacious rooms
Rooms
66 rooms
Location of Appellation Lodi
Stonum Winery is a 10-15 minute drive
Appellation Lodi is tucked just a few blocks from downtown Lodi, and within a 10-15 minute drive of many of the area’s best wineries. But despite its central location, the property itself feels like a tranquil oasis in the middle of farm country—complete with tall trees, a colorful garden, and outdoor pool. Thanks to the almost tropical vibes (complete with a few resident Macaws) I almost forgot I was in California at times.
It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from San Francisco, with free parking on-site and easy access once you arrive. During our stay, we split our time between wine tasting (Stonum was a standout) and relaxing at the hotel—Appellation made the perfect home base for it all.
What are the rooms like?
Since Appellation Lodi took over an existing property, Wine & Roses, the layout of the hotel and its rooms remain largely unchanged (this is quite different from their soon-to-open sister property in Healdsburg, which is being constructed from the ground up). However, the team refreshed most of the rooms in advance of the opening earlier this summer. The rooms are styled in warm neutrals, with light woods and soft earth tones that echo the surrounding vineyards and gardens.
That said, there are still a few rooms that are awaiting the finishing touches and some final upgrades—like a quieter, more modern HVAC system—that will happen in the coming months.
However, none of that detracted from our stay. The rooms were spacious, well-appointed, and designed with comfort in mind. I especially loved the small patio overlooking the garden—perfect for decompressing after a full day of wine tasting. They design is pretty simple, but everything feels fresh, well-maintained, and nicely updated.
Amenities at Appellation Lodi
The property and amenities were hands down my favorite part of our stay—and the main reason I’d recommend Appellation to friends or come back again.
First, there’s the stunning garden and outdoor space. I couldn’t get over how colorful all of the wildflowers were and really loved enjoying my morning coffee in the lovely sitting area in the middle of it all. Easy to miss, but the hotel also has a few raised beds where they grow herbs and vegetables used in dishes and cocktails at their on-site restaurant, Americana House.
At the center of the property is the spa, set in a tranquil garden and designed to feel secluded and quiet. It includes a small hot tub and a seasonal outdoor cold plunge (converted into a second hot tub during cooler months) with a small waterfall. We booked a couple’s massage, and the treatment included access to the spa area before and after—overall, a lovely way to spend the morning.
Other amenities include a small but functional fitness center and a sunny pool area. The pool is the last space scheduled for renovation. While I still enjoyed it, it’s one of the few parts of the hotel that hasn’t been refreshed yet—some new furniture and landscaping would go a long way, especially since it sits next to the parking lot. Additional culinary and wellness programming is also slated to be added in the near future.
As with many new hotels, a few elements are still a work in progress—but none of it detracted from our experience. The entire property feels thoughtful, peaceful, and low-key, which fits the overall vibe of Appellation perfectly.
Food, wine, and on-site dining
Maison Lodi
Don’t skip the hotel’s on-site café, Maison Lodi. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner (until 6 p.m.), and we visited for both breakfast and lunch during our stay. While I enjoyed the coffee and croissants in the morning, it’s the lunch menu I can’t stop thinking about.
They bake all their breads in-house—including the bread served at Americana House—so it’s no surprise the sandwiches are standouts. We especially loved the tri-tip sandwich (which was recommended independently by multiple staff members) and the classic ham and cheese on baguette. The rotisserie chicken sandwich was so good we ended up ordering a full roast chicken to go for dinner later that night.
Service was friendly, and I appreciated that they offered both indoor and shaded outdoor seating. Overall? A 10/10 dining experience.
Americana House
Americana House, Appellation’s main restaurant, brings chef Charlie Palmer’s signature style to Lodi with a seasonal, produce-forward menu and an elevated but approachable vibe.
We stopped by for a pre-dinner cocktail on the garden-facing patio and later sat down for dinner in the indoor dining room. (The indoor bar area was still under construction at the time of our visit, but it has since opened.)
Given that the hotel brands itself as food-focused, my expectations were high. Surprisingly, the cocktail program was a highlight not just of the restaurant, but our entire hotel stay—I especially loved the mango-carrot margarita. One fun detail: Americana House has a dedicated cheese-aging cabinet, where they age their own ricotta and curds alongside local cheeses from Lodi and beyond. Service were excellent but the food was a bit of a mix. The chicken meatball skewers were tasty and impressively presented, and the corn succotash was fresh and flavorful—but the bouillabaisse didn’t quite land for me.
Our server highly recommended the Mary’s Chicken cordon bleu, and based on how well Maison Lodi cooked their chicken, I regret not ordering it. Next time.
Lodi Welcome Center
Aaaand another fun little perk? Lodi’s Welcome Center is located right next to Maison Lodi. While it’s not technically part of the hotel, it’s close enough to feel like it is. Both guests and non-guests can stop in to taste wines or buy a bottle from a wide range of local producers.
Even better? Americana House waives corkage fees on the first two bottles of Lodi wine, which I love as a thoughtful way to support the local wine community.
Overall and price
Book now: Hotel website | Expedia | Booking.com
Appellation Lodi isn’t just a great place to stay—it’s the reason to spend the night in Lodi. From the colorful garden, lush landscaping, and the relaxing spa area, to the garden-fresh cocktails and unforgettable sandwiches at Maison Lodi, this hotel is what turned our trip from good to truly memorable. Like with any new hotel, there are a few small things that can—and will be—improved, and I can only expect this hotel to get even better over the coming months.
As for price, expect to pay around $250–$350 per night, depending on dates and room type. For what you get—quiet luxury, top-notch food and drink, and a deeply relaxing atmosphere—it’s a great value, especially compared to more popular wine regions like Sonoma and Napa.
I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a laid-back, more affordable wine country getaway that still feels elevated, while also easy to reach from the Bay Area and elsewhere in Northern California.
