First time to Napa - Hotel Yountville or Carneros Inn??
 

We are traveling to Napa in early October. Looking for a place to stay with a few couples. Came up with Hotel Yountville and Carneros Inn? Trying to choose between the two. We'd like to take a day to visit wineries and also go on a balloon ride another day. Thanks for any input.

You will be in the heart of the Valley in Yountville. Most of the wineries will be closer and you can walk to about a dozen tasting rooms and nine restaurants, several others are only minutes away. Baloon rides start here as well.

That said, the Carneros Inn is in a beautiful location, is more isolated, and has a couple of very good restaurants on property.

Both are fine choices. You can't go wrong staying at either.

We had some issues when we stayed at Carneros. For the price it's just not worth it. Yountville is great choice, everything is in walking distance. Wineries are very close. I did enjoy the dining room at Carneros, then again you get into a driving issue when really, you can just stay in Yountville and eat so well and not have that stress.
If your an art lover the collection at Hess Winery was really so well done, I was impressed. The photography exhibit at Tattinger is something you don't want to miss as well. Have a great time.

Carneros is great -- but for a group I'd stay in Yountville hands down. No need to stay connected at the hip and drive everywhere. You could spend a weekend in Yountville and not even have to leave the village. Tasting rooms, shops, restaurants all w/i walking distance.

(There have been a few Fodors GTGs in Yountville. One w/ more than 20 attending - thoroughly enjoyed by all)

My vote also goes to Yountville, everything is so close can even walk everywhere without stepping a foot in the car. PLUS has more nightlife then the carneros area.

Carneros Inn! Apart from the stunning setting and rooms, you won't need to leave the resort - you will have everything you need right at your fingertips: delicious food, amazing spa, great wine, and the most scenic pool in Napa Valley. You can borrow bikes to cruise around to the wineries - definitely my pick for the best resort in Napa Valley.

I would definitely say Carneros Inn. We've stayed there a few times with friends and its a great spot. you have these little houses that are grouped into neighborhoods - so you and your friends could all stay in the same neighborhood. They also have this amazing lounge, so you could sit out by the firepit. An the pool is THE best! overlooking the vineyards. I've always had great service during my stays. My vote is definitely for carneros!

I would choose Carneros Inn. It is in a great location and it is a beautiful resort. I went there with 3 other couples and we had a great time. There is so much space there vs. a smaller hotel in Yountvile. The food is fabulous and they have a great spa. The outdooor area at FARM is a great place for cocktails. You won't want to leave, but downtown Napa is only 10 minutes away with great restaurants and Yountville is just 15 minutes away. We visited 3 great wineries all very close by, we even road bikes they loan from the hotel to one of the wineries.