I've searched all the Napa posts and I'm still undecided. I'll be in Napa for 2-3 days in February and am looking for a romantic hotel with a luxurious feel that is close to restaurants, vineyards, etc. Would love to stay at Auberge du Soleil, but can't bring myself to spend $675 in the off season. So, the front runner seems to be Villagio Inn. I've looked a little at Carneros Inn and it looks great - it's more expensive too, but not as bad as Auberge. A third option is one a friend mentioned - Rancho Caymus. It's really hard to tell from the photos. Seems to be a great location in terms of proximity to vineyards and restaurants. Maybe a little rustic though?

Any thoughts or ideas would be great.

Also - how in the heck do people get around after tasting wine all day? Should we plan on renting a limo?

Thanks in advance!

I wouldn't call Rancho Caymus rustic - but it does have a rustic decor, sort of hacienda-style. It has a world-class restaurant on the premises (La Toque) as well as the popular and inexpensive (for the area) Rutherford Grill next door.
Carneros is nice, but remote from the main section of Napa Valley; for that amount of money you might try Meadowood.It is full-luxury and has more of a wine country feel. Family and friends have liked Oak Knoll Inn, Wine Country Inn, and La Residence. There are also some cottage-style places in the Calistoga area that are lovely. Try this website: www.napavalley.com for good info on lodging. You can find some really lovely places to stay that are 1/2 the price of Auberge and then go to Auberge for a drink to enjoy the view and ambience.
For wine tasting, you can drive and taste by using the spit bucket (each wine tasting bar has one - that's what they're for) or have a designated driver OR hire a driver. We have used Platypus Tours - really really great: www.platypustours.com but you can check others on the napa valley website.

PS. If you stay in Yountville (where Villagio is) you can walk to one of many amazing restaurants for dinner. No worries after wine tasting!

Good advice - thanks! Meadowood seems to be booked...so I guess we're down to Rancho Caymus and Villagio. Would you say that Villagio has much more to do within walking distance?

I have to fully agree with the Yountville rec. Hurley's & Bouchon are just two of the great restaurants within walking distance.

Harvest Inn is also a very nice place to stay. While I would not necessarily call it "luxurious", the fireplace and the hot tub with a vineyard view certainly make it romantic. However, you would need to drive to get to the restaurants/vineyards.

I wasn't blown away by Rancho Caymus. A friend in the area strongly recommends the Yountville Inn.

If you would like to stay in the city of Napa, the Napa River Inn is a nice hotel and within walking distance to some nice restaurants (Angele and Celadon), as well as to a good cafe (Sweetie Pies). Also, I would hire a driver for a day of wine tasting.
Enjoy!

We will be shuttling ourselves
over the hill for a few days and nights in Calistoga next week for spa-ing and reveling in "taking the waters" and all things generally hedonistic.
He-he....
When we imbibe at our diners in either Yountville or St. Helena we reserve the services of Taxi Cabernet @ 707-963-2620.


You might take a look at Calistoga Ranch
just to firther confuse your choice.


R5

I 2nd the Yountville Inn over the Villagio. Much larger rooms. We love to stay in Yountville and walk to dinner. Have fun.

While I much prefer Sonoma Valley over Napa...if we have to stay there, we prefer Calistoga. Stayed at Cottage Grove Inn and Foothill House and both were fantastic!

We enjoyed our stay at the Adagio Inn which is within walking distance to several restaurants including the Martini House, Terra and Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen.

to further confuse it- we stayed at carneros and liked it very much. and i think part of the reason is that it was off the beaten path but still very close to everything

Also in Yountville is our favorite, the Vintage Inn. Rooms ae large, breakfast would feed a football team, and a number of good restaurants are within walking distance.

I take it you mean the Napa Valley and not the town of Napa? Big difference.

My sister is visiting and they just made a quick trip to the Napa Valley and LOVED the Vintage Inn and TRIPLE LOVED the roast dungeness crab at Hurely's in Yountville!

I prefer the Four Sisters Inns for nice cozy amience and friedly staff.
Mid afternoon goodies, nice breakfast with at least one hot dish.

www.foursisters.com

There are 3 in Napa:

Lavender (my summertime favorite: the horse barn rooms huge with huige outdoor private patios near Yountville)

MAison Fleurie..very romantic french wine region decor..looks out on a vineyard (probably your best choice)

Napa downtown walkable NApa..craftsman style ..

Sorry for the typos..the one in downtown Napa is called Blackbird Inn.

I noticed some 33% off specials for Maison Fluerrie in February on the website. Also if you stay at different Inns they offer a frequent sleeper discount program...