As the railroads brought tourism to the Valley of the Moon a thriving hospitality industry was born. Four hotels were built in the Nineteenth Century, before the queen of them all was constructed by Chauvet in 1905.

The Glen Ellen Hotel

The Glen Ellen Hotel was perhaps the first hotel to be built, across from the railroad depot where Warm Springs Road ends at Arnold Drive today. Frank and Angelina Farnocchia were the proprietors at one time, and Charles Crofoot at another.

The Mervyn Hotel

This hotel was located where the Glen Ellen Market is today on Arnold Drive, and was in operation as early as 1885 with J. T. Peters as manager. An addition was made to it in 1890, and in 1901 it was sold to a Mr. Ross. The next year it was purchased by Patrick Monahan, a pioneer Sonoma Valley rancher. The hotel stood only 100 yards from the railroad depot on the banks of Sonoma Creek, and was a favorite dining and dancing spot in the valley. Guests were offered boat rides in Sonoma Creek and excursions to Agua Caliente Springs to enjoy the mineral baths there.

The Riverside Hotel

The small Riverside Hotel was at the northern edge of the confluence of the Sonoma and Calabezas Creeks, across the O'Donnell Bridge from the railroad depot. It was operated in the late 19th Century by C. L. Fisher and Co, and Mrs. A. Siever was the proprietor. After the Glen Ellen schoolhouse burned down due to a schoolboy prank, the hotel was used as a school. Sometime around 1926 some of the creek gave way during a particularly severe storm, and the building collapsed.

The Roma Hotel

The Pancrazi family owned and operated this hotel where Carquinez ends at Arnold Drive today. It boasted a popular restaurant supplied by an extensive vegetable garden. Jack London often ate there.

The Chauvet Hotel

Joshua Chauvet built this three story hotel of yellow brick from his brickyard in 1905. A restaurant and bar operated on the first floor, while the second floor contained guest rooms and a large dance floor occupied the third floor. The building still receives guests to this day; go to http://www.chauvetcondominium.com.