We will be in the Mendocino area for aprox. two nights and have been told that The Mendocino Hotel is quite good. Having never been there if anyone has any opinions on this hotel or any others near or in Mendocino Village it would be greatly appreciated. I would like to be within walking distance to shops restaurants etc.. We prefer hotels or B&B's that are comfortable and elegant and not too cramped where you feel like someones house guest nor ones that are overly pretentious.
Also, if anyone can make recommendations for places to stay or visit while in or around Napa and Somoma I am currently trying to work out an itinerary. I have heard that Napa has become tourist trap, where bus loads of people show up. I would like stay somewhere away from this perhaps on the the outskirts of these areas in order to still enjoy the beauty and peaceful atmosphere of this lovely part of CA. Thanks in advance for any help or advice.K.

When my husband and I were in Sonoma last year we stayed at the El Dorado Hotel in Sedona. The hotel was small and lovely, with nice rooms and friendly service, but not overly personal. It was right on the square in town, but in Sonoma, we never got the feeling that we were in the middle of a tourist trap as we did passing through Napa. I would highly recommend the hotel and the town. There are several excellent restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. Our favorite was Babette's.

Regarding my post before, I meant Sonoma, not Sedona.

The Strauss Room of the Headlands Inn in Mendocino offers a view of the ocean, a fireplace, and a sitting area. The Inn serves a full breakfast and afternoon tea.
Can't help you much with Napa/Sonoma; we were busy trying to choose wines.

We were in the Wine Country last year and spent our first 2 nights at The Gables Inn, which is outside Santa Rosa. It's close the Sonoma valley and the Russian valley, and it is a wonderful inn. They have a website: www.thegablesinn.com. I highly recommend it. The rooms are beatiful, the staff is extremely friendly and helpful, and the breakfasts are delicious. If you are looking to stay on the outskirts, this would be perfect. The town of Sonoma is cute, and the hotel that Susan mentions, the El Dorado, is right on the town square. It looked nice. We spent our third night in the Napa Valley at the Maison Fleurie in Yountville. It was OK but not as nice as The Gables. We were disappointed as we had heard rave reviews about it. Our room was very small. Anyway, we did drive through the town of Napa, which I would definitely skip, but would recommend St. Helena and Yountville. They were both charming and did not seem particularly overrun. And there are wineries at every turn, so you can take your pick.

Having lived in the Mendocino area for 20 years and been in the lodging business for more than six of those, I have seen many of the accomodations available on the Coast. I can also certainly understand the concept of privacy on vacation--or even in "real life"! Believe me, sometimes the guests are just as curious about the innkeeper's life.....and the thought of sitting down to breakfast to a table full of strangers is not my "cup of tea" either!
My first choices, and ones I think you would also enjoy, would be either Cypress Cove or the Hayloft--one for the incomparable ocean views and views of the Village of Mendocino, the other for the cozy spaciousness and absolute privacy as well as lovely views across the treetops. Check out their website for lots of photos of the accomodations:
http://www.mendocinopreferred.com/accoms.htm or just type in mendocinopreferred.com. Also cross reference those with their write-ups in Best Places to Kiss in No. Calif. as well as Northern California Best Places guide.
The Headlands Inn, as mentioned above, is very lovely--I personally just prefer being slightly away from the hustle and bustle of Mendocino Village since it's an easy drive to the village from any of these places.....not more than 5 min.
The Albion River Inn is also very nice. It's maybe 10 min. south--the only thing I have heard is some people grouse about the buoy...but the Inn provides earplugs as an amenity! I personally find it a soothing sound, but it depends on what you like.
Also close to the village is the Stanford Inn which has an enclosed pool. The standard rooms are very nice, if somewhat small. Suites are much more spacious but quite pricey. The Mendocino Hotel, also, is more pricey than the others as well as not having great views from most of the rooms in that it consists of more rooms occupying less overall space since it's smack dab in the middle of Main St.
As far as Napa & Sonoma, are going next week for a couple of days. We're staying at the Oak Knoll Inn near Yountville but out in the vineyards as well as just outside Sonoma in Glen Ellen at the Gaige House Inn. Have never stayed in either though we've been in both areas many times at other lodging facilities. E-mail me if you want a "trip report" or if you want more info on Mendocino. It really is an incredibly beautiful area!
Forgot to ask what time of year you'll be here. The good places book up very quickly!