Calistoga Lodging
 

We are hoping to spend 3-4 days in the Napa Valley/Calistoga area in early April. I am looking for a home-base that we can use to make day trips to the coast but also through the wine country. The Calistoga Country Inn sounds good on paper - has anyone been there, or have other recommendations?

I'm not familiar with the Calistoga Country Inn but love Calistoga! Nothing there could be bad! I've stayed at the Roman Spa, which is basically a motel but it boasts three mineral water pools (warm, hot and hotter). I've also looked at the Indian Spa, which boasts a very nice mineral pool and little cabana-style houses. But like I said, if you're in Calistoga, you can't go wrong!

We were in Nappa/Sonoma this June. We stayed at the Sonoma Mission Inn Resort and Spa. It was absolutely fabulous. They have a great web site with a tour. <BR>We drove to Calistoga and did the mud baths. What I saw in Calistoga were more motels than country inns. However, they certainly could be tucked away. It is lovely country out there and for sure we only saw the highlights. I would advise looking into the Sonoma Mission Inn and Silverado in Nappa. Do visit the Culinary Institute of America....wonderful! St. Helena is an absoultely lovely town. We visited there but did not stay so I would not be able to recommend a place to stay. However, I am sure there are some fabulous country inns and spas all through wine country. We were there for three nights in Sonoma and then went on to San Francisco. I wished I had stay in Sonoma for ten days and San Francisco for three. I loved the wine country! <BR>There are wonderful web sites for Sonoma and Nappa. Please email me if you can't locate them. <BR> <BR>Best wishes for a wonderful visit. ET

We were just in Napa/Sonoma area a couple weeks ago. I would suggest The Raford House outside of Healdsburg in Sonoma County. It's a wonderful B&B that sits on a hill and overlooks the vineyards. It has a big porch with white wicker furniture where you can relax and take your afternoon wine and cheese that they serve and enjoy the view. The rooms are very nice and clean. The innkeeper is very helpful with dinner reservations, etc. and the breakfast was excellent. They also have chocolate and port in each room for your enjoyment. It only took us about one-half hour to get to Calistoga from there and it is also near River Road in the Russian River wine area which takes you straight out to the coast. If you want more information, you can contact The Raford House at 1-800-887-9503. <BR>

If you are looking for a romantic place, look no further than the Cottage Grove Inn. We spent our honeymoon there and it was pure heaven. Each cottage is a luxuriously appointed 5 star accommodation. Each individually decorated cottage is complete w/ exquisite furnishings/bedding, deep 2 person jacuzzi tub, separate shower, hardwood floors, wood-burning fireplace, etc. Priced at $245 a night, it is worth every cent. You can view their website and see the furnishings of the 16 cottages at www.cottagegroveinn.com <BR> <BR>I've also stayed at the Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa which is a very nice property. Not very "wine country" nor romantic, but comfortable and relaxing. <BR> <BR>Have fun.

The correct link to Cottage Grove Inn is <BR>www.cottagegrove.com <BR> <BR>It's absolutely incredible!

These folks have a good list of places to stay in wine country: <BR>http://www.sarong.com/honeymoon.htm <BR> <BR>There are also some good B&B finder services on the web. Just do a search on Yahoo. I would avoid motels and hotels in wine country if you are looking for a charming and romantic experience. There are many small intimate places to be found in wine country. <BR> <BR>Best, <BR> <BR>Jim

Message to Jim (previous posting): <BR> <BR>The honeymoon site you referenced for Napa lodging: www.sarong.com/honeymoon.htm is OUR personal honeymoon site... <BR> <BR>We're so glad that you found it useful! <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR>Debbie

We stayed at the Golden Haven Spa in Calistoga in June. Its nice, clean, <BR>no phone in room, some rooms with kitchenette, the K+Q combo room is huge. <BR>But its a bit of a hike for breakfast. <BR>They offer special rate for internet rez.

Martha, Napa Valley and Sonoma County and the coast are three distinctive destinations. You might want to consider two nights in each of the two wine areas. Calistoga is at the top of the Napa Valley, meaning you will have to fight a bit more with traffic to get there. A wonderful small hotel in Calistoga is the Elms. You can walk to the shops, spas and restaurants from the inn. In Yountville I would recommend the Magnolia Hotel or Vintage Inn. In St. Helena the Harvest Inn or Zinfandel Inn. You could stay in Santa Rosa at the Gables B&B or in Healdsburg at the wonderful Madrona Manor. I just don't think of the Sonoma Mission Inn as a wine country inn--it's more of a spa that happens to be in Sonoma.We have come to like Sonoma Co. better than Napa because it is less crowded, but if this is your first trip, you need to see both. I think there is a web site for wine country hotels. Just be careful that you book well ahead because it's always popular, not matter what the time of year.Hope this helps a bit.