pattiz

My husband and I just returned from our first trip to Napa and I have to say it was spectacular! The scenery alone was worth the trip. We stayed at The Villagio in Yountville and we were more than satisfied with the room and the service. The champagne breakfast buffet (included in the price of your room) was wonderful and included just about everything you can imagine: fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, sausage,pastries, etc... The concierges (Scott & Mary) arranged everything for us including dinner reservations and a limo tour.We enjoyed all of our tastings at the wineries but our favorites were probably the tour and tasting at Sterling and the beautiful Chateau Montelena. We had dinner at Hurley's (we met some locals there who shared a bottle of Red Zinfindal with us before we ate). We also ate at Bistro Jeanty, The French Laundry and Martini House. All superb with extensive wines by the glass or half bottles, which makes it easier to try more wines! We will definitely return to Napa and hope to see Sonoma next time too!

calalily

Could you tell me which airport you flew into and if you rented a car during your stay, or had other transportation? Thinking of visiting for a romantic weekend getaway, but not sure if a weekend is enough time due!

cindymal

we rented a convertable.it was great.you will definitely need a car.

LoriNY

Did your concierges get you into French Laundry, or did you have to do the one-month in advance phone call?

tifany8

I am very interested in staying at the Villagio, but their website does not show but one picture of a room and does not show the scenery. Can you please give me more information about the rooms, decor and bathrooms. Also, what was the view from your balcony? Thank you.

pattiz

We flew from Detroit to San Francisco. That is the only part of the trip I wouldn't want to do again. SFO is not easy to navigate and the car rentals are all an air-train ride away (not too convenient when you are lugging your bags around). Next time we will fly in Oakland or San Jose. We rented a convertible and loved it!Being from the Midwest we wanted to soak up every bit of California sunshine so we kept the top down even if it was a little chilly in the morning!
Yes, our concierge walked over to The French Laundry exactly two months to the day that we wanted to go and got us the first reservation of the day!
Our room at the Villagio was nicer than we expected. It was very roomy with French doors that open wide to the patio. The view from our patio was of the fountains that run the length of the property and of a Tuscan mural on the opposite wall. Beautiful! The sound of the fountains was very soothing at night. Our room had a fireplace, two chairs and a table, a desk,radio with cd player, the most comfortable hotel bed (king size) I have ever slept in, a seperate dressing area with marble countertops and a small bathroom with soaking tub.We will absolutley stay at The Villagio again.

ramona

We recently returned from a 10 day trip to SF, Napa and Sonoma. Had reservations at the Villagio for 2 nights which I thought would be a great place. When we got to the room, it was very dark(King, downstairs $300) and the carpet was badly stained. The lighting was also minimal and the furnishings looked liked they were from a 70"s garage sale. We asked to see another room and that too was in pretty bad shape for $300/night. They attempted to find room in their sister property(1870 Inn?) but after 1/2 hour of waiting we decided to go elsewhere. They did refund our deposit. They had previously made a reservation for us at the French Laundry so all was not a disaster. We ended up at the Yountville Inn for $200/night. It was alright, nothing special but at least cleaner. It seemed more of a glorified hotel. The best place we stayed was at the Vintners Inn in Santa Rosa...wished we spent the week there as it is a central location for both Napa and Sonoma. Beautiful grounds and rooms...we had an upstairs,fireplace room with a small balcony and breakfast
was included. Hope this helps with your decision on where to stay.

pattiz

I am so surprised to hear you had a bad experience at The Villagio. I can't imagine anyone thinking the rooms were dark and decorated badly. Our room was beautiful and very clean and if you opened the shutters there was plenty of light.

jason888

Would suggest that anyone thinking of going to visit vineyards in Napa and Sonoma to fly into San Francisco or Oakland.

San Jose is not recommended. This airport has a number of construction projects going on and seems to be torn out in little chunks at a time. Even those of us living here have difficulty figuring which is the correct way to go. In the last ten days I've been to that airport four times and each time the route INSIDE the airport was different. If you thought San Francisco was difficult, you haven't met with the construction at San Jose Airport. The problem is that people, when not knowing how the road will go, tend to change lanes, go very slowly, and do all the things that make for getting into an accident.

San Jose Airport construction began around 1999 and will continue for a few more years.

Just a warning!
Jason

TedTurner

We've also flown into Sacramento to go to Napa, which isn't necessarily faster than Oakland (depends on traffic) but is much easier to get in and out of and often cheaper.

cindymal

we just returned from the villagio and were disapointed in the rooms for the
price.Our room was very clean and large
with a fireplace .we had a suite for 430 a night.For that price it was ok.The view was ok from our room but the hotel is near highway and it is essential to stay in the inner courtyard upstairs.all in all this was a nice place to stay.It was quiet,had a nice pool and spa and the breakfast is
delicious.Try the harvest inn.and Auberge/auberge is great but expensive
For resturants/the French laundry was great but it does take two months to get a reservation.We also loved the resturant at auberge,it was great and
very romantic,ask to sit by the window or outside.Domaine Chandon was also upscale with great food,we liked La Toque/For more casual Martini house was great,Terra,bistro jeanty I thought was over rated.
enjoy,all of these resturants are great.I gained 10 lbs on my trip but it was worth it

pattiz

I was just wondering what it is people expect from a hotel room? I read so many bad reviews that it makes me think perhaps people expect TOO much!
re: The Villagio: I can't imagine that they could do much more to make that place any more comfortable or private or beautiful except maybe repaint it everytime to your specifications or maybe rub your back as you fall asleep!
Am I wrong?!

cindymal

yes,but it depends on what your values are.I thinl the villagio was nice but for 430 a night.It was overpriced.

gplimpton

"I was just wondering what it is people expect from a hotel room? I read so many bad reviews that it makes me think perhaps people expect TOO much!"

I think what happens is that within the hotel industry the bar is always being set a little higher and a little higher, so people expect more and more.

In the 1960's Holiday Inn was a pretty decent hotel chain and desirable amenities were limited to things like clean towls, a TV with 3 channels and a pool on site. Full service hotels were relatively few compared with the 21st century.

Every time I stay at a nice hotel with some new perk or outstanding feature I remember that, and I think that becomes part of the yardstick I use for subsequent comparisons.

So, in addition to industry standards constanttly getting tougher to keep up with, once people have stayed at quite a few nice places, I think they become a little harder to please as well.

I haven't been overly impressed with any of the places I've stayed at or seen in the Napa/Sonoma area, partly because prices are inflated and partly because there are a lot nicer places in other parts of the country.

Treck

Actually San Jose International Airport is quite easy to navigate. It seems that jason888 is being diningenuous by suggesting that construction at San Jose International Airport is creating any major inconveniences. Most of the construction activity as it affects the roads is done at night. During the day there is minimal, if any inconvenience as a result of the expansion.

Actually if you click on jason888's name you'll notice that he is a persistent San Jose basher, so I would probably take any of his advice about San Jose with a grain of salt.

www.sjc.org has plenty of information about the airport.

napagirl

I prefer the Sacramento airport myself. Really easy to get in and out and for visitors, easier route to navigate to the wine country.

lippincottfarm

We stayed at the Vintner's Inn earlier this year. I thought it was great. Room was large with a cozy patio and a great view of the vineyards. Breakfast was to die for and included with the price. Room was clean and not worn at all. We flew into San Fran and rented fron Hertz. Got the Neverlost system and would recommend it in that it directs you to the various vineyards and restaurants with no problem. We had no problem navigating the airport. We want to do Napa Valley the next time.

SAnParis

Something to consider for the more adventurous, we just returned from Sonoma (6 of us) & rented a 3 Bdrm/3 bath house in Jenner on the Coast. We were 20 minutes from vineyards & had great views & few people to share them with. For 3 nights it totalled less than $800. Of course I prefer Sonoma to Napa as well. I'd like some detail on the meals from all these fine establishments & I'm very glad I won't be paying that VISA bill.