Wine Country

[PatsGirl]

Hi everyone I've spent several months trying to come up with the perfect 50th birthday trip for myself next spring but I'm all over the place

The current idea is to take a Mexican cruise (Pacific side ~ Cabo/Vallarta) and then spend 5-7 days in CA. Originally when it was going to be DD13 and myself I started pre-planning Disneyland, SW, etc. and San Diego. Now I have a friend that wants to go, so I'm throwing DD to the wolves and planning a more "adult" trip and thought about San Francisco and wine country.

Can anyone recommend a nice hotel in Sonoma or Napa? I spent hours last night looking at various ones but can't find really anything that strikes me. I'd like a nice pool/courtyard area outside to hang in the late afternoons. I think something moderate, not too fancy, but not business-type. There was a Marriott Renaissance that caught me eye and the Yountville Inn (but that seems a little intimate). I don't want to stay anywhere that caters to couples or romance either but a fun wine bar or walking distance to shops and restaurants would be great~

 

[MouseMomx2]

I highly recommend the Candlelight Inn, a lovely Bed & Breakfast in Napa. They have a nice pool and serve an absolutely delicious breakfast each morning.

 

[barkley]

the embassy suites in napa is nice. has both an indoor and outdoor pool (and growing up in napa, i can tell you that spring can still be plenty cold, i was visiting my mom in may and it was downright chilly) so that indoor pool is a nice alternative.

the rooms are nice, the rate includes the made to order breakfast and 2 hours of free cocktails each night.

it's not realy within walking distance to anything, but honestly-in napa proper there's not much you would want to walk to (with the exception of the shops at the old grain mill downtown, but that will only eat up a couple of hours).

if you want to stay in areas that are neat to walk around, get reservations in yountville, st. helena or calistoga (though again, with calistoga there's not a whole lot to see there). but be prepared to pay steep lodging rates (and i'm not sure if it's gone through yet, but the occupancy tax just got raised to what i think is now 15% for lodging-so remember to figure that into any room charges). sonoma square is neat to walk around, but again, it's something that can be done in a couple of hours so unless you can get a good lodging deal in downtown sonoma it might not be worth it.

if you want a deliciously relaxing experience i would HIGHLY reccommend doing a package at dr. wilkinson's hot springs. they have a spa package that includes a hot mud bath, a warm towel wrap and your choice of a massage or a facial that is one of the best values in the valley (you will leave feeling SOOOOOOOO relaxed).

 

[onelilspark]

We stayed at the Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance. Great hotel, we really enjoyed it! http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sfols-the-lodge-at-sonoma-renaissance-resort-and-spa/

 

[PatsGirl]

Thank you for the suggestions. While the B&B has great reviews, it looks a little too intimate for a girls' weekend IMHO and the Marriott is already on my list What did you like about the Marriott? Pros and cons?

I had looked at Embassy but the reviews were not glowing so I skipped over it. I just went back to tripadvisor and read a bit further and I think this may be what we're looking for. Price for the first week in April is in the $140/night range - even with the internet charges, it is still within budget. One review though did mention a $20/night surcharge? I'll have to look into that as well. Also like that I can book one room and if another friend decides to join us at the last minute, we can fit one or two more no problem.

Most of the reviews mentioned stores and restaurants within a mile or two. Was this your experience? I don't mind driving 5 minutes to get back and forth or taking a cab but after a full day of wine tasting don't really want to be 10 miles away from our night "excursions".

Thanks too for the tip about Dr. Wilkinsons, I'll take a look.

 

[barkley]

just on the other side of the freeway from embassy suites (2 minutes away) are the napa valley outlets. not sure what stores are there now but not a bad place. downtown napa is about 5 minutes from the hotel. the restaurants are centered more down there. i have'nt eaten there in a few years but the restaurant at embassy has been good in the past (swan court)-if nothing else, give their "killer bread" a try (and if you do and want the recipie p.m. when you return-i have it from years ago when it was printed in bon appetite).

 

[PatsGirl]

Anyone have information on the Silverado Resort?

 

[pixiewings71]

Hop on up to the DL section of the boards, there's a section there that has info from other posters on Napa.

We are about 20min. from Napa, when we stay there we stay at the Vino Bello resort, our timeshare. The Meritage is the sister property and they have rooms for the general public. It's a gorgeous resort with wine tasting on site. I've been to the Silverado for tastings, it's gorgeous there. Absolutely beautiful. My favorite wineries are~

Domaine Carneros (I love Carneros because they offer pairings of cheeses with their sparkling wines)
Peju Province (try the Carnival)
Hagagen (their reisling is amazing!)
V Sattui (Gamay Rouge, mmmmmmmmmmmmm)
Castello di Amarossa (try the Fantasia & the Sangiovese, delish!)
Domaine Chandon
Goose Cross Cellars
Some of the wineries are opening tasting rooms in downtown Napa as well, there was one we went to that had the BEST Merlot I've ever had, Ceja winery, so good. I'm a white wine drinker, don't normally like reds but that Merlot was soooooooooo good I bought a bottle.

Rule of thumb, if you're looking at the wine list and see something that's not on your particular list ask for it anyway, 9 times out of 10 we've been able to taste anyway. Another rule, try to go during the week, wineries are less crowded and you'll get better service that way. One of the places we went to in town, we were the only people there and we tried every wine and they didn't even charge us for it.

If you have more ?? let me know, I'd be happy to help however I can.