Wine Country Hotels

Whether you're visiting the wine country for business or pleasure and need a place to stay, there are many options for you to choose from. While some people may prefer the intimate atmosphere of a bed and breakfast, other people may prefer the amenities or privacy offered by a hotel. Because they cater to a wide variety of people and can be found to satisfy all types of budgets and styles, hotels are a popular type of lodging in the wine country.

The reason for your visit to the wine country can influence the type of hotel that will best fit your needs. If you are visiting the wine country for vacation and pleasure, you may want a hotel that offers travel services or recreation facilities, such as a pool, spa or tennis courts and has beautiful surroundings. If you are planning a honeymoon or romantic getaway, you may want a room with a fireplace and jacuzzi. If you are staying in the wine country for a business trip, you may want a hotel that is located in the city and has meeting rooms and business services, from copy machines to computer data ports. If you are in the area for an extended amount of time, you probably would like to have laundry facilities and a kitchen area. Staying at a hotel that fits your needs will make your stay in the wine country a much better experience.

Hotels can be found throughout both Napa County and Sonoma County. In Napa County, the major cities that offer hotels are Napa (county seat), Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga. In Sonoma County, Santa Rosa (county seat) offers a wide range of hotels although there are only a few wineries in the city limits. Outlying areas that cater to visitors include Healdsburg in the north, Sonoma to the east, and the Russian River area to the west.

Choosing a hotel in an unfamiliar area can leave you disappointed if you don't ask the important questions before you check-in. If something is important to you, make sure you find out the information before you make a reservation. While travel guides and internet sites can provide a lot of great information about a hotel, it may not provide all the information you need to know. If you need to call the hotel directly, a few minutes of your time can save a lot of grief later. One of the important factors to visitors is the location - is it located near a highway (noisy), near vineyards (nice views), close to shopping and dining (convenience)? This is often difficult to determine if you don't call and ask. Many internet sites also post comments from other guests of the hotel, and they can often provide important bits of information.

Some of the questions that are important to have answered before you decide on a hotel include:

• What is your check-in and check-out time?
• What if I arrive late?
• Is this a child-friendly hotel?
• Do you allow pets?
• Do you have internet data ports?
• Do you have a fitness room? Spa? Pool?
• Are there any shopping or dining areas within walking distance?
• Do you have laundry facilities?
• Is breakfast available at the hotel?

Some visitors may be staying in the Napa or Sonoma area for an extended amount of time and may want to find a hotel that offers weekly or monthly rates and caters to long term guests. Extended stays may be due to business projects, relocating to the area, remodeling your house, people in transition from the military, divorce, or retirement, or long visits by family members. Finding a hotel that caters to long-term guests can help make the stay more cost effective and comfortable.

Many of the visitors to the wine country are here to enjoy a few days of the wine country experience, from great dining, to wine tasting, touring the vineyards and wineries, pampering spa treatments, and unique local shopping opportunities. The wine country has much to offer for R&R, including great hotels for your stay. If you take the time to compare hotels and choose the one that is right for you, your stay in the wine country will be a special and memorable vacation.