4day stay-Napa/Sonoma?
 

Good morning! My husband and I are headed to Wine Country for the first time in July. We're looking to get away for some much needed R&R. I haven't made our lodging arrangements yet because I am having difficulty figuring out where to stay!
We're staying 3-4 nights, looking for a nice hotel with access to great food and perhaps a nice pool to spend an afternoon taking a dip - if the weather works in our favor.

I've looked through Trip Advisor but there seem to be so many different towns, that I don't know if I've explored all areas enough to understand where we should make reservations for our time.

We're not the B&B type. We like comfortable, upscale accommodations. When we travel, we like to feel as though we're getting away, but not as though we're deserted.

We DEFINITELY plan to do some wine tasting. I'm not sure if 3 winery visits is too ambitious for a 3-4 day tour? We're not huge fans of sweeter wines, my husband prefers reds and I like everything :) I'm not sure if this helps with what types of regions in the area to consider staying in?

No matter what, we do plan to hire/work through a transportation company to take us to each vineyard.

Anyway, any advice on what region to stay in, WHICH Inns/Hotels to consider - any and all suggestions and guidance are very much appreciated. Thanks, all!

Well, that's gonna be a good trip out there.

We just got home Sunday. Stayed at the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country in Santa Rosa, and it was comfortable, friendly, right off the 101, so easy to get anywhere. We were pleased with it. Got an Orbitz rate of $87/night, which was great. We have gone 6 times in 10 years, and this is the first time we didn't go to Napa at all. Love the Sonoma side - - much more friendly, less expensive, laid back. Wonderful. Eat at "Jackson's" in Santa Rosa. GREAT. We also ate at his other restaurant, "Syrah", based on many recommendations on here, and were disappointed. Maybe it was an off night for them, but I wouldn't go back. Jackson's, however, was EXCELLENT.

If you want more of a Wine Country flavor, I'd stay away from the bigger towns like Santa Rosa or Napa and focus on smaller ones like Yountville, Calistoga, St. Helena, Healdsburg or Kenwood.

For Yountville, take a look at Villagio

http://villagio.com/

or Bardessono

http://www.bardessono.com/

For St. Helena

http://www.harvestinn.com/

Calistoga

http://www.mountviewhotel.com/

or

http://www.solagecalistoga.com/

Kenwood

http://www.kenwoodinn.com/

I'll leave the Healdsburg choices up to others but all of the above are resort type lodgings (not chain hotels) and all have very nice pools.

Thank you for your suggestions, I will look into all of these!

When you're in Sonoma, don't miss lunch or dinner under the grapevines in the back garden at Della Santina's in center city Sonoma.

Two places cone to mind:
1) Bardessono in Yountville is beautiful, relaxing, has an amazing rooftop pool and cabanas with views, wonderful restaurant, very private, yet mere steps from other incredible restaurants. You would be within 5 minutes drive of the wineries in Rutherford, world-renowned for cabernets -a perfect location for sampling reds.

2) Kenwood Inn and Spa is one of the most amazing places I have ever stayed. It is on the Sonoma side but near the Trinity-Oakville Crossroad that is windy, amazingly scenic, and takes you from Sonoma Hwy 12 to Napa Hwy 29 . You would not regret either one of these choices. I can provide more details about Kenwood Inn if you are interested. I live in Napa Valley but we stayed here for a special occasion and I think it is one of the most special places we've ever stayed. Amazing restaurant; cook-to-order chef available, many private pools, greatprivate stylish atmosphere that does not come through that well on the website, but check it out.

Bookmarking.