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Monterey and Napa Valley hotel recommendations?
Dr. Frenchenstein
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Anybody had a good trip to either of these locations and stayed in a cool place? some research in Monterey led me to the Monterey Plaza, but it's pretty pricey. I'll only be staying there one night, so it's not a huge ding, but i don't want to go there and find it's way overpriced. all the reviews are pretty glowing, so i think it's a "get what you pay for" situation. Also, Carmel is right there as well, is it better to stay there, or should i stick to Monterey?
I haven't started looking in Napa yet, but i'll probably lean more towards a chain place to save some dough. but i'm open to suggestions!
I haven't started looking in Napa yet, but i'll probably lean more towards a chain place to save some dough. but i'm open to suggestions!
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I stayed here in Carmel and enjoyed it http://www.carmelhappylanding.com/index.html
Most places in both those spots are expensive. I stayed at Anza in Napa during offseason ($150 a night vs. $800-1000), which probably doesn't help. For Napa, it all depends on whether you want to hang out downtown, go to dinner and drink in walking distance, as if you don't need to do that, just stay in a different spot due to the $$$ premium that Napa demands. I also actually prefer the wineries in Sonoma, so if you trend over towards there, it's a lot more reasonable around Santa Rosa and Petaluma (also fantastic beer in both places).
Shoot me a PM if you want more info on wine country, as I've been there a few times.
I'm not dead set on Napa specifically, honestly just want to hit up wine country. Definitely prepared to save on the hotel up there, since the exact location isn't that big a deal. i was looking to book a wine tour (maybe... my GF can get carsick) and we may still hang on to the convertible from the drive up 1.
I highly recommend this dude:
http://www.winecountrydriver.com/
He'll drive your car to the wineries (or has a big SUV if you're going with friends) and you can drink to your hearts content at all the wineries you want. He'll make recommendations on good spots for everything, as well as be a general gentleman in opening doors etc.
Wineries I like
Gloria Ferrer - Champagne
Benziger - Their partners tour is awesome
Cuvaison - The Carneros tasting room is beautiful
Lots of other good ones, but I highly recommend doing it at your own speed, as our favorite times in wine country are when we found those great places at the right time and just dawdled around, enjoying the wine and the countryside.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g32766-d301030-Reviews-The_Inn_On_First-Napa_Napa_Valley_California.html
It is a small bed and breakfast owned and operated by a lovely gay couple. The attention to detail is amazing. You will feel like a guest of honor. One of the guys is an amazing chef. He cooks up a different breakfast each morning and always has fresh homemade cookies and snacks available throughout the day. My partner and I spent our evenings in the sitting room sipping brandy and playing chess. I cannot recommend this place highly enough.
In addition to the wineries suggested by Schuss, be sure to check out Sterling Vineyards. Spend the extra money and upgrade to the Gold tour - you get to see a little more of the winery and taste four additional wines from their Reserve line. This has quickly become our favorite wine. Enough so that we joined the wine club and are having them provide the wine for our wedding. (Side note: Sterling is also the winery that provides the wine for the Oscars.)