Eylul Tunc 
A trip to California’s wine country, Napa Valley, how exciting! Gorgeous vineyards, an epic food scene, and even a chance of getting to ride the famous Napa Valley Wine Train. Can it get any better?
Napa Valley is a great destination for road trippers, wine lovers, and those simply wanting to relax and enjoy beautiful nature. It is not possible to be disappointed here with this beautiful scenery, mouth-watering food, and wine. Did you also know that Napa Valley is also famous for its upscale spa and wellness centers, and has not one but 6 Michellin starred restaurants? Yep, I’m sure you’re excited now!
In this blog post on where to stay in Napa Valley, California we will discover the best areas to stay in Napa Valley with the top hotels for all budgets. I have already found the best accommodations for you and if you don’t wanna miss them, make sure to make a booking in advance! It’s no surprise rooms are booking fast when you look at how incredible this place is!
So, let’s get started!
Contents
If you are in a hurry
Need to book something right now? Here are the best hotels where to stay in Napa Valley, California for each budget. They all have amazing reviews and great locations!
Check out this map of where to stay in Napa Valley, California to get an idea of where the areas I will be talking about in this blog post are:
- Napa City: for first-timers
- St Helena: for vineyards
- Calistoga: for relaxation
- Yountville: for foodies
1. Napa City – where to stay in Napa Valley for the first time
If you want to be close to what wine country has to offer there is no better place than staying in Napa City. You will love the historic downtown with many nice shops, restaurants, and wineries!
Start your day with a morning stroll by the beautiful Napa River and check out the charming buildings, boutiques, and cafes. If you are into shopping you will find the town’s best shopping centers and markets here and for wine lovers, there are more than enough wineries, so get ready for a great wine tasting experience.
Here you also have the chance to take the historic Napa Valley Wine Train that enables you to discover numerous vineyards in St Helena and have an elegant meal with a view from a historic train! You see, there is something to fulfill all tastes here!
Thanks to being the heart of the valley, you will find the best hotel selections in Napa City. That being said, do not forget to make your reservation in advance as everyone wants to stay at the center of the action! And while you’re at it, if you are road tripping in California and want to add some more cool cities to your travel itinerary, I recommend you check out the best places to stay in Sacramento and Oakland.
Now, let’s have a look at the best places to stay in Napa City!
If you want to have a luxurious stay in the heart of the city, this place is just for you. Andaz Napa features glamorous suites and guest rooms with modern amenities, a fully-equipped fitness center, and a very good breakfast. You will love the rooftop bar where you can have a great selection of wine by the fireplace and there is also a chic restaurant offering gourmet food onsite covering all your needs.
Other accommodation options in Napa City
This centrally located hotel offers comfortable rooms with coffee machines, free wifi, and a nice garden area
The Napa Inn features an onsite spa, spacious rooms, free parking, and a good breakfast
This Airbnb has spacious rooms for the whole family and features a nice garden, free wifi, and a bar area
Things to do in Napa City
- Have a walk by the Napa River
- See a performance at the historic Napa Valley Opera House
- Go shopping and eat some tasty food at Oxbow Public Market
- Have gourmet food and good wine on the Napa Valley Wine Train
- Buy a good bottle of wine at Eleven Eleven Winery
- Have a fancy dinner at Galpao Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse
- Buy discounted products at Napa Premium Outlets
- Go for a stroll in Kennedy Park
2. St Helena – best area to stay in Napa Valley for vineyards
Located 20 miles (30 km) north of Napa City, St Helena is a paradise for wine lovers. Imagine wandering through charming vineyards and olive groves and tasting tons of delicious wines, every single day of your holiday! Are you already excited?
It is possible to go crazy trying to pick the perfect wine tasting place among so many gorgeous vineyards in St Helena but I can tell you that the Beringer Vineyards are a good place to start!
Love wine but also want some variety? Don’t worry, you can cure your hangover by hitting the hiking trails at Robert Louis Stevenson State Park, playing a round of golf, or even exercising your brain at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum.
But before you can start relaxing with your first glass of wine, you have to pick a hotel! I have already picked the best hotels in St Helena but now it’s up to you to be quick and catch these as St Helena is so popular among wine lovers!
Meadowood Napa Valley has everything you need from golf courses to tennis courts and offers many fun activities such as cooking lessons, hiking tours, and wine tasting. If I were you I would spend most of my time by the chic swimming pool watching the vineyards. You will love the decoration of the spacious hotel rooms and there is a very good on-site restaurant and bar.
Other accommodation in St Helena, Napa Valley
Harvest Inn features suites with fireplaces and outdoor terraces, 2 swimming pools, a good breakfast, and an on-site restaurant
El Bonita Motel offers an outdoor pool, comfortable rooms, a business center, fabulous breakfast, and easy access to nearby vineyards
This Airbnb has a spacious room, a fully furnished kitchen, free wifi, private parking, and a nice terrace area
Things to do in St Helena, Napa Valley
- Visit Beringer Vineyards and have an amazing wine tasting experience
- Go hiking in St. Helena’s Robert Louis Stevenson State Park
- Discover the vineyards in the Rutherford Hill Winery known for its Cabernet Sauvignon
- Take a golf lesson at Meadowood Golf Club
- Visit the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
- Join a wine tasting and buy a good bottle of wine at Acme Fine Wines
- Visit some of the vineyards of the wine country, Duckhorn Vineyards, Salvestrin Winery, and Spring Mountain Vineyard
3. Calistoga – best area to stay in Napa Valley for relaxation
Calistoga is located 8 miles (12 km) north of St Helena and is famous for its hot springs, mineral pools, and luxurious spas. So if you want to pamper yourself with nice treatments and chill while enjoying the beautiful nature, Calistoga is exactly your place!
Calistoga is a famous spa destination in Napa Valley thanks to its natural hot springs and mud baths. Here you will also see the Old Faithful Geyser that is an amazing natural beauty. You see, everything you need for a relaxed holiday exists here!
Calistoga is not only famous for its wellness centers but also for its great selection of wineries (this is still Napa Valley of course). If that sounds tempting, here are my hotel picks in Calistoga…
Solage Auberge Resorts Collection
Get ready for ultimate relaxation and recharge yourself! This 5-star hotel has an epic spa and wellness center that includes mineral pools, a hot tub, an outdoor pool, and a sauna. After a good treatment and massage, you can have delicious food at the fancy in-site restaurant and have drinks in the cool garden area. All of the hotel rooms have luxurious amenities and a nice garden view and there is also a nice fitness center overlooking the vineyards.
Other options in Calistoga, Napa Valley
A mid-range hotel that offers mineral pools, a good breakfast, a spacious room, a spa, and a swimming pool
The Inn on Pine has an outdoor pool, comfortable rooms with a kitchen, free parking, and wifi
This charming Airbnb has a beautifully decorated room, a private patio, free wifi and is a short walk to the restaurants
Things to do in Calistoga, Napa Valley
- See the impressive Old Faithful Geyser
- Visit the Castello di Amorosa
- Join a wine tasting at Clos Pegase Winery
- Go to chick wineries like Tank Garage Winery and Tamber Bey Vineyards
- Visit the Sharpsteen Museum to learn about the area’s history
- Take a golf lesson at Mount St. Helena Golf Course
- Have a good coffee at Soul Rebel Coffee
- Go swimming at Calistoga Community Pool
4. Yountville – where to stay in Napa Valley for foodies
Situated 9 miles (12 km) north of Napa City, Yountville is a heaven for foodies. You will not only find great wine tasting rooms but also famous Michelin-starred restaurants such as The French Laundry and Auberge du Soleil. How does that sound?
Start your day by heading to the city’s major attractions like the Napa Valley Museum to learn about the history and culture of Napa Valley. Take a wander through some of the countless art galleries, and then it’s time to check out the gourmet restaurants, food shops, and great wineries in Yountville!
By the end of the day, your stomach will be happy and I am sure you will be too with the great feast that you had! If you already can’t wait to go, here are the best places to stay in Yountville:
Vintage House is the best luxury hotel in Yountville offering a large swimming pool, a pool bar, and beautifully decorated rooms with a private balcony. There is a very good on-site gourmet restaurant where you can have a great selection of wine and food but if you wanna try famous Michelin-starred restaurants they are just within walking distance of this 5-star hotel!
Other accommodation in Yountville, Napa Valley
Napa Valley Lodge offers spacious rooms with a fireplace, a swimming pool, a hot tub, and a good breakfast
Maison Fleurie has a swimming pool, rooms overlooking the vineyards, fabulous breakfast, and free parking
This Airbnb features a charming garden in the vineyards, a fully equipped kitchen, a fireplace, and beautifully decorated rooms
Things to do in Yountville, Napa Valley
- Visit the Napa Valley Museum to learn about the history of the area
- Marvel at the artworks at Gallery 1870
- Have a glass of wine at Hill Family Estate
- Explore the beautiful vineyards at Bell Wine Cellars
- Go for a walk at Yountville park
- Buy a good bottle of wine at Jessup Cellars Tasting Gallery
- Visit the wineries, Keever Vineyards & Winery, and Stags’ Leap Winery
- Have a fine dining experience at the Michelin-starred restaurants The French Laundry and Bouchon Bistro or take a trip to Auberge du Soleil near St Helena.
| 👑 Luxury price: | $600 |
| 💵 Mid Range: | $300 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | $150 |
| 🏠 Airbnb: | $500 |
| 💰 Accommodation prices: | High |
| 📍 Best area: | Napa City |
| 👪 Best area for families: | Napa City |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Andaz Napa by Hyatt |
| 💵 Best mid-range hotel: | Cedar Gables Inn |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | The Napa Inn |
Frequently asked questions about Napa Valley, California
🗺️ What is the best part of Napa to stay in?
Napa City is the best place to stay in Napa Valley if you are visiting for the first time as it is the heart of the wine country. My hotel recommendations in Napa City are The Napa Inn and Andaz Napa by Hyatt.
🤔 Is it better to stay in Napa Valley or Sonoma?
Napa Valley offers more wineries and restaurants compared to Sonoma so if you want to discover wine country deeply I recommend staying in Napa Valley.
☀️ What is the best month to visit Napa Valley?
If you want to visit vineyards and wineries, August-October, and March-May are the best times to visit Napa Valley.
❓ Should I stay in Napa Valley or San Francisco?
If you want to avoid traffic jams and enjoy nature and wineries Napa Valley is a better place to stay and you will still be just a 1-hour drive away from San Francisco.
🛎️ What are the best hotels in Napa Valley near Oxbow Public Market?
The Napa Inn and Andaz Napa by Hyatt are the best hotels in Napa Valley near Oxbow Public Market.
🏨 What are the best hotels to stay in Napa?
Andaz Napa by Hyatt and Solage Auberge Resorts Collection are some of the best hotels to stay in Napa wine Country that has easy access to downtown attractions and wineries.
Conclusion
That was quite a tour! I hope you enjoyed discovering the best areas of Napa Valley with me and this blog post on where to stay in Napa Valley, California, helped you to find your dream hotel.
Taste as many wines as you can in the beautiful vineyards of Napa Valley, enjoy the gourmet food, and have fun with the downtown attractions!
A final reminder from me, do not forget to make your reservation in advance as these hotels can be sold out way quicker than you think!
If it is difficult to make a choice among so many hotel recommendations, let me sum up. Here are my 2 absolute favorite hotels that have amazing reviews and great locations:
- Andaz Napa by Hyatt – Centrally located in Napa City, it is one of the best hotels that have glamorous suites and a fancy restaurant
- Cedar Gables Inn – A great place to stay in the center of Napa City offering a great breakfast and free parking
Enjoy your trip to Napa Valley, California, and let me know If you have any other suggestions or questions about it by leaving a comment below. I will be more than happy to reply. Hope to see you soon on another journey!
Have an amazing holiday,
Eylul
Hello I am planning a last minute trip to napa. Flying into San Fran on a late flight this Friday (in at 11:30 pm. )Should I stay in San Fran for the night or rent car and drive to napa. The hotels you suggested are sold out . Any advice appreciated
Hi Maria!
Too bad the hotels are sold out, that’s why we always remind people to book as much in advance as possible – the good hotels are rarely available last minute.
You could either find something yourself from whats available, but if it would be up to me, I would probably stay in SF overnight, probably somewhere close to the airport and then start from new day fresh. This way you will also not be super exhausted from the road (but as always, it is up to each individual preferences).
We have a hotel on Where to stay in SF, and a whole section there on where to stay near the airport, check it out here, hope it helps!