I'm looking into a weekend in Calistoga in early November. I'm trying to decide on a spa. I have it narrowed down to Lavender Hill or Oasis. I'm leaning towards Lavender Hill but I'm open to suggestions . Thank you.

Calistoga is our favorite mid-week
escape, and I think I have been to them all.
Run, do not walk, AWAY FROM the oasis/badspa experience.

Lavender Hill is delightful-you will not have a "true"mud bath experience,
it is nice none the less-

you want a
couple experience and true mud go to Golden Haven-it is not fancy,but we like it and their pool and jacuzzi.

If you want marble and gold leaf Calistoga is not your place.

I will mention Indian Springs because
it's the best,but you will spa separately, however they have
a fabulous pool to lollaround in after.
And their bungalows are cute for the night.

Hapy to answer anything I can
R5

Thanks for the quick reply. I think we'll go w/ Lavender Hill. I don't really want a mud bath so it should be ok. The cottages that we are staying at have a mineral pool and hot tub, so we can use theirs.
Any restaurant ideas?

My favorite is the Indian Springs Resort, I just love that place. www.indianspringscalistoga.com My story might still be on their website.

Wappo Bar & Bistro is very nice. www.wappobar.com We used to love Catahoula's for dinner, but I believe it closed the first of the year. Jan Birnbaum was the the chef/owner there. Too bad, it was a great place.

Enjoy Calistoga! We like to take pictures in front of the big truck sculpture in front of the Calistoga Bottling Co. I hope you get to visit Clos Pegase and Sterling Vineyards.

The tram ride is very fun and views from the tram are gorgeous. Very nice reserve wines there also. ***kim***

Stomp in the Mt.View Hotel,new and VG
right before labor day '04

Calistoga Inn, lovely garden by the Creek,(4 Mos. ago-we have been eating there for 8 years)

Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen ('bout
10 mins to St. Helena)

others like Wappo Bistro, but I haven't been for 6 months, and a restaurant could die by then around here.

Do inquire the last time someone was at the restaurant they are jumping up
and down about. SO MUCH infoo here is out-of-date, it makes me and pocketbook cringe.

We liked Cindy's
(4 months ago., 2 months ago and less than a month ago)so much beter than Wappo that we won't bother anymore.

R5

Cindy's is in St. Helena, not Calistoga, just for clarificaiton. ***kim***

Oops, Razzledazzle stated that, I thought you wanted suggestions in Calistoga. If you're willing to drive a bit, Bistro Jeanty in Yountville is very nice.

Also, Terra in St. Helena is very good. I've been reading some recent reviews on other boards about the FL slipping a bit lately.

We also like Domaine Chandon in Yountville, beautiful grounds there and the food is very good.

We also had a very nice lunch at the All Seasons Cafe, located in downtown Calistoga. Have fun! ***kim***

Whats up with that?!?!

"Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen ('bout
10 mins to St. Helena)"

Yup. Think I already covered that in my previous post.
I will add, it's south on 29.

Calm down, take a deep breath and it will be OK! LOL ***kim***

Thanks so much for the ideas. My friend suggested visiting Sterling as well. I was also thinking about Coppola, we saw something on it on the Travel Channel and it looked nice.
My husband loves steaks ( I don't). Any thoughts on Brannan Grill? I really wanted to go to Catahoula but I guess it is not to be.

Niebaum-Coppola is a beautiful winery, plan on spending a lot of time there. The fountains out front are beautiful and the inside is just as gorgeous.

I haven't been to Brennan's, but probably will end up trying it since Catahoula's is gone. Let us know how you like Calistoga! ***kim***

Hi Viamar!
'Stomp' is the restaurant that replaced
Catahoula's in June of this year(and I give it better reviews).
'Brannans' is fine-they make a mean vodka (sorry purisits)Martini
to go with that meat! You'll find a vegan plate and fish and chicken as well
(There Gnocchi is pretty good!)
Two years ago I would have raved for 'All Seasons', but no way now. They closed for a while and quite frankly their re-opened version is lacking the original. I would hate to lead you astray with old info!

You should ask Kim if she's been there recently.

Niebaum-Coppala is worth a look-be sure
to go upstairs and see the auto from "Tucker" and some well executed displays on his career. Adjacent to the tasting bar is
a tasting room for olive oils, olive tapenades and vinargarettes-all sort and kind of delicious munchies.

Sterling is fun for the tram ride, but I find their vino so-so.

Any type of wine you are seeking? or just having fun prowling?
R5

Where are you staying Viamar? We have styaed at several places in Calistoga, but ISR is still my favorite.

Stomp has not received too many good reviews on other boards, but maybe as time goes on it will improve. Catahoula's will be a hard act to follow!

If you're in St. Helena, Terra is very nice for dinner and Tra Vigne for a more casual, but very good meal.

If you're in a splurge mood, check out the Auberge du Soleil. They make a really good hangar steak there. We enjoyed lunch out on the patio.

If you're tempted to go see Old Faithful, don't waste your time. It's like a broken sprinkler, pretty uneventful. ***kim***

Kim<
when was the last time you actually
ate in any of the places you so highly regard?
Just curious...LOL
and I have eaten at Stomp and have
positive reviews actually printed
in the newspaper to back that up,
but hey,
whatever,
LOL
*R5*

Wow Razzledazzle, a newspaper article! Could you share that with the class? Is six months current enough for you?

We'll be back in the Yountville area in May. I'll have to check out Stomp. (Kind of what we just did with our Syrah grapes last Sun. ) LOL ***kim***

While we enjoyed our baths at Lavender Hill, I was very disappointed with the massages! (And I am easy to please )
There was LOUD traffic noise throughout the entire hour of the massage. I don't know if they have different rooms in the back, but both my husband and I were subjected to loud truck noises and motorcycles revving-- not relaxing! I would definitely inquire about this before booking a massage there.
Again, LOVED the baths. They were in a different cottage away from the road.
Have a great time-- we loved Wappo's, Terra, and Mustard's!

Wel I'll try to ignore the traffic or ask for a quiet room.
We are staying at Hideaway Cottages. Indian Springs seems very nice but is more than we want to spend right now. Hideaway comes highly recommended from a friend, She said it's nothing fancy but very nice and charming, plus no one under 18 is allowed. Love kids but we're leaving ours behind so the peace and quiet will be nice.
We've been to Mustards before and it was good. I really want to eat right in Calistoga though, I love being able to walk to dinner.
We're not really interested in any particular wine, we might not even venture too far from our room or pool , LOL.
One more question, if you don't mind.
Has anyone tried Flatiron Grill? Looks like it's owned by the same people as Brannan's.

Haven't tried that place, we were such fans of Catahoula's. Viamar, if you make it over to Stomp, be sure and let us know how you like it.

I'm anxious to try this place to see if it is as good as Catahoula's. Mt. View Hotel is in a great location, right in downtown Calistoga. It's a little less pricey than ISR. Have fun! ***kim***