Sleep in an Airstream in Petaluma

Last spring, I helped my daughter fulfill one of her long-time dreams: spending the night in an Airstream trailer. I’m not much of a camper. But we didn’t even have to hit the road for this adventure—at least not for long. After a 30-minute drive, we arrived at our destination, the Metro Hotel, a dollop of funky French charm located in a residential neighborhood of Petaluma. In addition to 12 rooms and suites housed in a 140-year old building, the hotel also has two on-site Airstreams available to guests.

Comfort Zone
 We stayed in the smaller of the two Airstreams, the 22-foot long Bambi. The exterior was decked out with a  red retractable awning, strands of tiny lights, and French and American flags. A patch of astro turf and a plastic pink flamingo in front of the door made for a cute and kitchy little front yard. Inside, my daughter oohed and awed at our snug, tidy digs. A comfortable queen-sized bed surrounded by windows was tucked into the far end of the trailer. Red throw pillows and a floral-print quilt added pops of color to the minimal decor.
 
Our compact digs included a full kitchen, built-in dining nook and tiny but functional and immaculate bathroom. There was also a flat-screen TV and WI-FI, although the connection was spotty. (It was better in the main building.)

Grounds for Approval 
With its warm yellow and brick walls, bright red and blue accents, and eclectic Parisian flea market décor that conjures up an old-school French train station, the self-serve cafe was a cozy place to hang out. The young woman who checked us in showed us around the cafe and--most important for me-- how to make fresh drip coffee any time. She gave us a key to access the cafe and equally cute lobby area during our stay.  

Neighborhood 
From the hotel parking lot, an easy walk down 4th Street takes you past pretty old bungalows, cottages and Victorians to the heart of historic downtown Petaluma. Known for its many antique stores and handsome old buildings, the town is also filled with great cafes and restaurants--Central Market, Topsy's Kitchen and Wild Goat Bistro are a few of my favorites--and a variety of shops and galleries. 

Downtown is also where you'll find the Petaluma River Walk, a pleasant place to stroll that backs onto the shops and restaurants of the Great Petaluma Mill. 

Good to Know 
If you're hyper-sensitive to noise like I am, you might notice some moderate traffic sounds from Petaluma Boulevard. Our trailer was next to the hotel parking lot, so people had to walk past it to get to and from the main building. That added a bit of noise and made our accommodations feel a tad less private than a regular room. But since this is such a small hotel, it wasn't like we had hoards of guests tromping by.
 
Both Airstreams accommodate just two people; children aren’t permitted in the larger Honeymoon Suite trailer. Pack light--as you might expect, closet space is tight.

Vitals
508 Petaluma Blvd. S, Petaluma, CA; 707-773-4900. Rates for the Bambi Airstream start at $149 per night; rates for the Airstream Honeymoon Suite start at $229.