Going to Napa/Sonoma over Labor Day weekend for a mini-holiday before work in SF the following week. Of course, we have left making the lodging arrangements to the last minute and things are getting booked up.

I have stayed at the Carneros Inn and loved it, but they are full; Milliken Creek Inn only has rooms starting at $750++ (their smaller rooms are sold out).

My husband doesn't really want a B&B, we are probably looking more for a boutique hotel or unique lodging experience in Napa or Sonoma. Does anyone have any suggestions for something that feels like either Carneros Inn or Milliken Creek, but is under $700 a night?

We are a late 30's couple in NYC, no kids, celebrating my turning 40 (yikes!) We'll have a rental car.

THANKS!

Not sure of the price or availability, but I've always wanted to stay here:

http://poetryinn.com/home/poetry_inn

Found out about it after stopping into Cliff Lede for a tasting. Great wine and gorgeous setting.

Maybe the Meritage would be a good runner up choice for you:

http://www.themeritageresort.com/index.php

Thanks for your responses - keep them coming...

The Poetry Inn looks lovely and I wish I'd found it sooner - they are fully booked. They suggested:

Milliken Creek Inn
Auberge du Soleil
Calistoga Ranch
Villagio

... all of which are either fully booked or only have auites out of our price range.

Have you tried Meadowood in St. Helena, we have not stayed there but I have heard great things about this place. Also, check out the Sonoma Mission Inn, very nice resort with an amazing spa. ***kim**

Under the category of "unique lodging experience" is Safari West with rooms at $235.

http://www.safariwest.com/rates/

Solage.

Yountville...
Bordeaux Inn or unique, funky little Railway Inn...both within crawling distance to some very good restaurants.

Kailani, I had actually found Safari West but didn't look closely enough at the site, and thought it was a place in Africa that was also called "sonoma"! I went "oops" and then closed the window. duh...

Meadowood looks amazing, but unfortunately the only rooms that they have left are over $1000/nt.

Thanks for all your suggestions - we are slowly working through them and hopefulle will have something together by the end of the day!

In Healdsburg, Madrona Manor, Hotel Healdsburg, lots of B&B's. Try www.sonomacountyvacations.com for private vacation rentals. Good luck.

As I have said often, I love Madrona Manor. It is not a B&B, but also is not exactly a hotel in the traditional sense. More of an inn with extensive grounds and several settings/buildings in which to stay. We have stayed in the Carriage House twice and have enjoyed the enormous and very private deck off the room.

I had hesitated to weigh in, as I have no familiarity with the places that you say you like.....

Not in Napa but in the lovely historic town of Sonoma, look at these places.

http://www.macarthurplace.com/
http://www.innatsonoma.com/