We have been to Sonoma but wanted to try Napa this time. Any ideas of where to stay? We will be going the last week of Aug. and plan on visiting Napa for two days during the week. We were told Yountvile is nice...Maison Fleurie?

Dear Julia:
You'll like the Napa Valley. I'd call Yountville interesting, rather than "nice." The village has seen a lot of tourism development in recent years, but still has some character. It also has some very good restaurants, like Bistro Jeanty.
AS for lodging, Yountville hostelries are no longer as quiet as they used to be because of ever-increasing traffic--especially on weekends. The best place in the area is south of town: the Oak Knoll Inn is as good as it gets. Or you could check out inns in Rutherford, St. Helena, or Calistoga further upvalley.

Thanks!

Any suggestions for places in those areas you mentioned? we would like to stay around/under $150 if possible.

Dear Julia:
That's a tough one. Lodgins below $150 a night are getting harder to find in the Valley.
You might want to check out the following:

ADAGIO INN
(very comfortable; downtown, on a side street, within walking distance of shops and several top restaurants)
St Helena
888 8ADAGIO

EL BONITA MOTEL
(which is much nicer than the "motel" in its name suggests; close to downtown)
St Helena
707.963.3216

FANNY'S
(cozy craftsman's cottage on a quiet, shaded side street; within easy walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants)
Calistoga
707.942.9491

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS RESORT
(funky, eclectic, but very historic place with mineral springs and a burbling brook; up a scenic redwood canyon west of downtown)
St Helena
707.963.8588

Good luck!

An alternative would be staying in Napa (city) where rates (at motels) tend to be lower than they are upvalley)

julia....we like yountville..some hotels that might cut you a deal...quirky little napa valley railway inn..old rail cars made up to be rooms..roughing it but they were $65/130 last year when we looked last year...yountville inn www.yountvilleinn.com...napa valley lodge..www.woodsidehotels.com and an expensivew, new one that some friends of mine raved about, the villagio inn and spa...[email protected] are w/in walking distance to the good restaurants in y'ville...also try the y'ville chamber of commerce website or the napa c of c website...rent a bike and get lost on the side roads thru the vineyards...on aug. 26 or 27th, the local bike club is sponsoring the annaul tour of napa valley ride...3 diff rides, 35, 65 and the 100 miler...beautiful routes.
try the c of c wesite for more info on that too...all the best,
no. cal. kal

I highly recommend the Maison Fleurie. They have prices starting at $125. Book now...they fill up fast. We stayed there in the Old Bakery Building during our honeymoon. Very romantic and intimate. The town of Yountville is by far our fave of the Wine Country towns. You can link to the Maison Fleurie and get honeymoon website: www.sarong.com/honeymoon.htmmore details on the inn at our

Julia, several years ago we stayed at the Napa Valley Lodge, a Best Western property. It was small and charming, with a nice landscaped pool area. I don't think it was all that expensive. Pretty spanish tile in the bathrooms. If it is still there, it might be a nice choice for you.

It's still there and it's still very pleasant, though prices have gone up a bit (as they have almost everywhere in the Napa Valley).
Some of the rooms have fire places. On sunny mornings, continental breakfast by the pool is a real treat.
Another advantage is that the lodge is at the northern edge of town, meaning you don't have to fight the ever worsening weekend traffic jams in downtown Yountville.

We have narrowed it down to Maison Fleurie and El Bonita. We would like to stay under $200/night so that ruled out the Napa Valley lodge...looks nice though!

Thanks!

Only one other thought--Hotel St. Helena is a funny little Victorian on Rt. 29 in the middle of St. Helena. Downside is that it can be quite noisy from truck traffic, but that is true of El Bonito as well. Advantage is that you are mid valley and can walk around in St. Helena. Another budget place is the Calistoga Inn, but again it's very noisy from the bar in the hotel and you will have to share a bath. There are lots of small B&Bs. Call Bed and Breakfast Inns of Napa Valley at 800-793-7959 or Accommadation Referral service at 707-963-VINO. You are wise to plan to visit during the week as summer weekends on Rt.29 is parking lot all the way through the valley. I wouldn't recommend staying down in Napa, however, the wineries really don't get started until Yountville. Enjoy.

Wow, I did not realize El Bonita was on the highway. That may sway us more to Maison Fleurie then.

Thanks.