Sonora Sample work Sonora is an illustrative spa

The Standing Sonora membership

Your hour, held
before you ask for it.

The Standing is Sonora's membership: a standing hour, a cup on the shelf, and the house open to you.

See the three rhythms

Month to monthDues kept on accountPause any month

An arched wooden door stands open onto a sunlit courtyard: a stone bench, an agave and a flowering ocotillo against plaster walls.
The courtyard door, a little after four.
A quiet plaster room in late light: a low linen-covered bed by a tall window, palo verde shadows across the wall, a clay vessel in an arched niche.

i. What a standing hour is

Time that is yours before you ask for it.

At the best restaurants there is always a table held for someone. At Sonora, it can be held for you. Your day, your time, inked in Wren's book a year ahead. Nobody else books it. If life moves, the hour moves with it.

Wren's book held

Tuesdays, 4:40

The Courtyard Room, west light

M. Alvarez  ·  The MonthTwelve months ahead

Seen from above: a stoneware cup of golden tea on a travertine tray, folded linen and a sprig of creosote in morning light.
Tea is poured before anyone asks a question.

ii. At every rhythm

What every member receives

Not a discount, and never points. Time held, a place on the shelf, and the house open to you.

  • i.

    Your cup on the shelf

    Thrown by hand, your initial pressed into the base, waiting at every visit.

  • ii.

    Dues kept on account

    Every dollar sits on your account for time with us, and rolls forward for a year.

  • iii.

    The four evenings

    Solstices and equinoxes, in the courtyard after closing. A long table, a fire bowl, nothing for sale.

  • iv.

    Ease

    Pause, change, or leave any month. Tell Wren; there's no form.

iii. The three rhythms

How often the hour comes.

The Season

For those who come back with the weather.

$95a monthIllustrative

  • One standing hour each season, four a year, held on the day of the week you like.
  • Wren writes to you a month before each one, in case the season has other plans.
  • Everything every member receives.

Four hours a year, with the weather.

The Month

For those who keep an hour the way others keep a dinner.

$195a monthIllustrative

  • One standing hour every month, same day, same time, held twelve months ahead.
  • First call on the 7 a.m. and the 4:40, the two hours people ask for by name.
  • A tin of the house tea at the turn of each season.
  • Everything every member receives.

Same day, same time, every month.

The Keyholder

For those for whom Sonora is part of the week.

$395a monthIllustrative

  • Any open hour, as often as you like, including Thursday evenings after the doors close to the public.
  • A brass key to the courtyard: arrive early, stay late, sit with a cup.
  • A guest hour twice a year, to bring someone into the room.
  • Your name on the solstice table, every year.
  • Everything above.

The house, open to you.

Prices are illustrative: Sonora is a sample spa and nothing here is an offer. The Standing is month to month, with no contract. Dues are never spent on the membership itself; they are kept on account, in full, for any time with us, and roll forward for twelve months.

Sonora at blue hour: a plaster building with an arched doorway lit warm from within, palo verde trees on either side and a still pool reflecting the light.

The Hold

We've pencilled in your next hour: Tuesday the 17th, 4:40.

A one-word text releases it. No questions.Wren

After a first visit, Wren can pencil in a second hour. It costs nothing and commits you to nothing. A handwritten card goes in the bag.

iv. How joining works

Nobody is asked at the door.

The Standing is never offered at a first visit. It is the end of a path, and the path is yours to walk.

  1. 1

    Come in once.

    Your first visit is a conversation. Forty minutes, seated, with tea. Nothing is asked of you.

  2. 2

    Come back.

    If the room felt like yours, we'll ask whether you'd like an hour of your own. In person, at the end of your second visit.

  3. 3

    Find your cup.

    It will be on the shelf at your next visit, your initial pressed into the base.

v. Questions

Asked at the desk

Do I need to be a member to visit?

No. Most members visited a few times first.

What happens to dues I don't use?

They stay on your account for twelve months, for any time with us.

Can I change rhythm or pause?

Any month. Tell Wren and it's done.

Is there a contract?

No. The Standing is month to month.

Can I bring someone?

Keyholders have two guest hours a year. Anyone can come to their own first visit; we'll keep a chair.

Is anything discounted for members?

No. The Standing is about time held for you, not a lower price. Your dues are kept on account, in full.

An hour, kept.

Tell us which rhythm you're drawn to, and Wren will write back about a day and a time.

First light across a plaster wall and travertine floor: a sand-coloured stone bowl on a low plinth beside an open arch.
Sample work

Ask for your standing hour

Tell us a little, and Wren will write back about a day and a time.

Wren will need a name to write to.

An email address, so Wren can reply.

Which rhythm (monthly, illustrative)

Choose a rhythm, or "Not sure yet".

Sample work. Sonora is an illustrative spa, so this form sends nothing and books nothing. On a real page it would reach the front desk.