We have two days to spend in the Napa Valley/Sonoma area and are seeking recommendations for a comfy place to spend two nights, fairly central with facilities nearby. Would like to hear about hotels, bed & breakfasts, motels, winery stays - as long as there is room for 4 people (one couple and two friends travelling together). Away from noisy main roads would be preferable. Thanks!

Italophile: Topping this for you. What is your budget? That will decide for you. Do a search hear for trip reports and other great suggestions.

I have stayed at Hotel Healdsburg, on the main square and loved it. Have also stayed at the lower budget Best Western Dry Creek Inn. It is just OK, just a motel. I have also stayed at the Best Western in Sonoma. It was very nice and very close to the main Sonoma Square. Over in Napa, we have stayed at the Silverado Country Club.

Have always been curious about Beltane Ranch. It looks nice and have seen great reviews.

Hopefully, others will chime in.

My husband and I always stay at Lavender Inn in Yountville. This is a wonderful bed and breakfast. The restaurants nearby are outstanding.

Thanks both for the recs - I'll google and check them out. We'd prefer a quiet but scenic place where restaurants are a short drive (or reasonable walk) away. Budget around $100-150/night/pp.

MichelleY, would you recommend Napa or Sonoma for the two nights? We'll probably be mainly winery hopping and driving the scenic roads.

If you have the opportunity to dine at Graystone in St. Helena, do it! It's the campus for the Culinary Institute of America-Napa. Next door is St. Clemente winery which I really enjoyed as well!

Italophile: either Napa Valley or Somoma County would be great. Your budget is going to limit where you can stay, but you cannot go wrong with any of these areas.

We really like Healdsburg. The town is very charming and the Dry Creek Valley has a nice selection of wineries to visit.

But we also like the town square area of Sonoma. And we like St. Helena. They are all nice and you can't go wrong with whatever you choose.

Hi Italophile, if you do get to Healdsburg here is an article from the SF Chronicle with reviews of places for wine tasting. The Speakeasy Club sounds like fun! You will have to check that out too, MichelleY if you haven't already done so.

Thanks all - hoping to book very soon, so will google Healdsburg and St Helena. Cheers!

Well Italophile, I guess it would have been helpful if I had actually posted the website, sigh. Anyway, here is is.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...TL&type=travel

We were in Healdsburg yesterday - it was spectacular weather, and very busy (in a good way)....we hadn't been there in years. It's such a lovely town, you'll enjoy it.

Time of year will impact your budget as well-if you are planning to visit now through October you will pay premium prices.
Book soon if your dates are in the above time-frame.

sf-did you buy an antique ?

R5

I didn't buy a darned thing (very unlike me, I'm usually good for a pair of craftsy earrings!)