Has anyone recently stayed at the Napa Valley Lodge? My DH and I are planning a birthday trip to wine country in February and received a good rate from NVL for a deluxe king fireplace room upstairs with view. I would appreciate any input on NVL and/or recommendations on lodging in the Yountville or Healdsburg areas. My DH is more comfortable staying in a hotel or hotel-like environment than a B&B. We are hoping to spend under $300 a night. Thank you.

We've booked there for 3 days between Christmas and New Year's. Website still makes it look nice. We stayed there maybe 10 years or so ago and found it nice then and decided to go again. Vintage Inn is also nice but more expensive--though possibly still under $300 a night for some rooms. Il Villagio is owned by the same group as Vintage Inn but may be more upscale yet--and also pricier. All three are more hotel than B&B-like. I'll be happy to report back after we stay at Christmas if you can wait that long, or if their cancellation policy is such that you could still wiggle out of your reservation if we find it has gone downhill--which I frankly doubt.

Thank you JulieVikmanis. I look forward to your report and hope you have a wonderful trip.

We recently stayed at Bardessono in Yountville, this is a very contemporary property and the rooms are gorgeous with fireplaces, spacious baths with jacuzzi tubs and balconies. There is a rooftop pool at Bardessono and a great complimentary breakfast in the am. In Healdsburg, the Hotel Healdsburg is awesome, also very contermporary and located within walking distance to fantastic restaurants. ***kim***

Thanks kimamom. I've looked at both but the rates are more than we want to spend. They look lovely on their sites.

Check out riverterraceinn.com It's a place within the town of Napa but on the river and some rooms have balconies. Wine Spectator featured it in their June 2009 issue that featured all things Napa Valley. It was in their section on Visiting on a Budget (Bardessono and Auberge du Soleil were in the luxury category) It's a 100 room hotel with a wide range of offerings. Website makes it look very nice and has lots of info about rooms, etc.

If you found a good rate at the Napa Valley Lodge, go for it. It's a fine property with an ideal location.

Thank you Otis and Julie. I think I may book with Napa Valley Lodge but I will check out riverterraceinn.com. I'm having a tough time deciding between staying in Yountville and Healdsburg, although the pricy rates I've been getting for Healdsburg may make the decision for me!

I spoke too soon! I just received a good rate at the Healdsburg Inn for a room comparable to the Napa Valley Lodge. Decisions, decisions...

Healdsburg Inn is a B&B , sort of in the 'historic' mode. We haven't stayed there but people do seem to like it. It is right on the plaza. Napa Valley Lodge has always been a nice property. It is at the north end of the town of Yountville, which is a nice walking town. You'll be near many fabulous restaurants.

We had gorgeous rooms at the River Terrace Inn, which I got on Priceline. Check it out.

Only complaint: monotonous, though copious and delicious, breakfasts.

Set well back from the highway in a not-rural location.

River Terrace Inn is not one I would pick if a charming location was a priority.

Thanks to all for your input. My DH and I are back from our trip and had lots of great wine and food. We were very happy with the decision to stay in Healdsburg and at the Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza. The location was fantastic, directly on the plaza and within walking distance to restaurants, tasting rooms and shops. The Inn was lovely and the staff very accommodating. The breakfast was good (homemade muffins, fruit, yogurt & granola, cereal, frittata, etc) and the wine, cheese, appetizers in the afternoon was a nice treat. Our room had a king bed, fireplace, bay window overlooking the plaza and the bathroom had a spa tub and separate shower. Very clean and spacious. A window over the plaza may be noisy during high season. We visited during low season and we did not have an issue with noise. I wasn't sure whether to stay in Healdsburg or the Napa Valley Lodge in Yountville, ultimately deciding upon Healdsburg (better rate at the Healdsburg Inn they were running a special). But we visited Yountville and I think the NVL would have been fine. From what I saw, the main difference being the shopping and restaurants in Yountville all seem to be on Washington Street with the NVL at one end of the street. Healdsburg is a little more spread out and has a lovely plaza. It was a brief, but great trip and we hope to get back and stay a bit longer. Thank you again for your input.