Review: Autocamp, Sonoma County

Jo Stewart finds a slice of mid-century modernist magic at AutoCamp, a retro auto retreat in Sonoma County, California.

Ninety minutes north of San Francisco, the Russian River area is home to towering redwood forests, summer camps and hamlets filled with old-fashioned diners and small wine bars showcasing the Sonoma region’s finest drops.

It’s also the venue for a new luxury trailer park, AutoCamp, not afraid to lay the nostalgia on thick. Satisfying the growing thirst travellers have for recapturing the simpler times of America’s golden age of motor travel, modern-era trailer parks have sprung up across the USA everywhere from Texas to Arizona, and now California.

I make my way to AutoCamp’s clubhouse to check in. As a multipurpose space used as a reception and chill-out area, the clubhouse is clearly channelling the log cabin vibe with decorative wooden logs adorning the exterior and an indoor, smoke-free faux fire pit replacing the traditional camp fire.

Out the back of the property there’s a collection of luxe tents flanked by redwoods but the show-stopping rows of custom-designed silver Airstreams are the drawcard. The designers have cleverly taken the hip, mid-century modernist aesthetic to the limit without sacrificing functionality.

Contained within the iconic chrome shell is a warm and inviting mini-home complete with double bed, TV, lounge, kitchen and a generous bathroom (with shower and plush robes). Old school lighting from Schoolhouse Electric casts a warm glow while a memory foam mattress guarantees a good night’s sleep.

With rain pitter-pattering down onto the roof of my Airstream, I abandon the idea of taking one of the in-house pushbikes for a spin and head to the cosy clubhouse instead. Sitting by the indoor fire pit, I read a book while other guests use the unexpected rain to catch up on emails. The clubhouse also has a fridge full of local wines, craft ales and snacks for purchase, but AutoCamp is otherwise a self-catering affair.

From paddock-to-plate bistros to sleek oyster bars, there are plenty of places to eat along Guerneville’s main drag. I decide that Dick Blomster’s Korean Diner is the dinner spot I’ve been dreaming of.

Heading back to my Airstream for the night, I turn on the heating, pop on the kettle and trawl through the never-ending list of cable channels. I settle on an Alfred Hitchcock marathon – a fitting choice considering the director filmed many of his movies in northern California.

Dragging myself out of my award-winning mattress the next morning is a tough task but with a breakfast spot favoured by locals a short stroll away, I make the effort and am rewarded with eggs, bacon, and fluffy pancakes drowning in maple syrup. Coffee refills come courtesy of a cheery waitress who reminds me of an amalgam of all the wonderful American sitcom mothers I grew up watching in the ’80s.

Loaded up with carbs, sugar, caffeine and kindness, this is the ultimate way to end an all-American adventure. For one night only, I’ve lived the American Dream.

The details: AutoCamp, Sonoma County, California

AutoCamp, 14120 Old Cazadero Road, Guerneville, California, USA.

The IT Verdict: A retro retreat deep in the heart of California’s wine country is a taste of the Great Outdoors for travellers who like to adventure in style.
Location 7.5 / 10: Found off the main highway at the end of a gravel road, Airstreams are nestled between clusters of redwoods.Style/character: 10 / 10 The American summer camp-meets-lumberjack vibe works.
Service 8 / 10: Friendly, approachable staff make the check-in process simple.
Rooms 9 / 10: Spotless Airstreams kitted out with comfy beds and luxe soft furnishings? Yes please!
Food and drink: 7 / 10: Snacks, local beers and wine available for purchase in the clubhouse. Best to head into town for meals.
Value for money: 7.5 / 10: Cheaper accommodation could no doubt be found elsewhere but nothing as unique (or fun) as this place. From $363 a night.

All IT reviews are conducted anonymously and our writers pay their own way – so we experience exactly what you would.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

The details: AutoCamp, Sonoma County, California

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