Is the Sonoma Doubletree a good central location for seeing the sights in Napa and Sonoma? Thanks for any information you can give.

Believe that one is really in Rohnert Park but it would be OK. It's a typical big Doubletree though and you can find smaller, historical or B&Bs in the Sonoma wine country.

It's two different valleys and a bit of a trek to get from one to the other, although it can be done. I would advise to pick either Napa or Sonoma and make plans from there. Where you stay will be important because the wineries close fairly early and you will want to enjoy your lodging, perhaps walk to a small restaurant etc. Healdsburg is great in Sonoma County or the town of Sonoma. St. Helena or Yountville or Calistoga in the Napa Valley. Calistoga gives you better access to the Sonoma wine country than farther south in the Napa Valley. Don't know the Doubletree, but if it's in Rohnert Park, it wouldn't be my choice.

Thanks for the information. I'd prefer staying in a B&B but my son and daughter in law are coming with us, so I was trying to find something a little more economical and with a pool. Also, the guys will be golfing. Any recommendations along those lines would be great.

See what kind of rates you can get on the Renaissance Lodge at Sonoma. It's brand new and near downtown Sonoma, central to many wineries. If you want to save money and don't mind fifties style hotels, try either Dr. Wilkinson's in Calistoga or El Bonita Motel in St. Helena. I agree with Seamus that Rohnert Park is not centrally located.

For golfing would recommend Meadowood in Napa Valley. It's pretty much a golf resort but has nice pools and you can still tour the wineries.The other one is the old Silverado C.C. but some folks find that rather wierd and old fashioned. I would stick to Meadowood.

Thanks for all the information. I checked out the Renaissance and it looks beautiful. Has anyone used Priceline for Sonoma?

If you're talking about the Lodge at Sonoma a Marriott Renaissance property, I stayed there last month.

The lodge rooms that are around the patio and the pool have nice views and balconies with a table and chairs. The rooms are regular hotel room size. If you have a lodge room without this view then your view will be of the parking lot. It will be very close to the parking lot as well.

If you get a cottage room you have a better chance at not getting a parking lot view as only the outside rooms of the two outer rows of buildings have this view. Believe me when I say the parking is close. We had a one story cottage in building 5 which is in the middle row right outside the pool area. It was fabulous. Cottage rooms are spacious and have a fire place. The room we had did not have a door on the shower portion of the bathroom so the noise of a morning shower could wake up a sleepy head. Met some returning guests in the jacuzzi who had also stayed in building 5 and they said it was great too.

The lobby is nice and the pool area is inviting. The newness is obvious in the size of the trees and vegetation. They have lots of sculpure to offset this. The lodge rooms are either in the main building where the lobby is or in a building nearby that faces the main road but set back a bit or the parking lot. The cottages are in three rows of one and two story building with about 4 or 6 maybe 8 rooms. Kinda condo style.

Would I stay there again. Yes! The staff was great and the location wasvery convenient. Have fun.

Hi! I was married at a small winery in the Alexander Valley in Sonoma County-and we and our guests all stayed at the Geyserville Inn -it was awesome! Right in the middle of wine country-but still a 38 room hotel with great rates...the web address is http://www.geyservilleinn.com/

Thanks everyone so much for your comments. You're a very friendly group of people.