The Meritage Resort and SpaHome away from home for the holidays. In Napa Valley, the experience can be as cozy or as luxe as you wish and, depending on your idea of the quintessential idea of the holiday season, here in Napa Valley, there is a perfect spot to call home…away from home. For many of us, planning a December-timed vacation is a break from the norm. Traditions, by their very nature, run deep and it can be a bit “out of the box” to consider breaking from your norm – not preparing your own holiday meal in your own home with your own family and friends. But, on the flip side of that, not doing any of those things can be quite liberating.
Check out this handy list of lodging and hotel properties which features a sampling of the range of options to satisfy your idea of home…away from home…for the holidays.
Calistoga
Looking for a rustic and lavish holiday? Head north…and we’re not talking about the North Pole. At the northern end of Napa Valley in the town of Calistoga, find cozy and even ultra-lux spots to name as your homebase for the winter holiday. The town of Calistoga is aglow with twinkling lights and Lincoln Avenue is the perfect spot to do your Christmas shopping. Book your visit in early December to catch the Lighted Tractor Parade! Be sure to purchase the Winter in the Wineries Passport for wine tastings at 19 wineries and discounts at Calistoga lodging, spas, and shops.
Here’s a few options for staying within walking distance of downtown Calistoga:
The relaxing and inviting Carlin’s Cottage Court is the quintessential Calistoga hotel, located in a quiet neighborhood just 4 blocks from downtown Calistoga. This family-owned hotel has charming cottages perfect for couples or families. Enjoy a dip in the warm pool or hot tub, or a relaxing soak in your own jacuzzi bath, all fed by Calistoga’s famous mineral springs.
Mount View Hotel & Spa sits in the center of Calistoga’s Lincoln Avenue – the perfect spot for exploring Calistoga, and for watching the Lighted Tractor Parade! For Art Deco enthusiasts, this hotel’s interior will certainly delight. Don’t forget the on-site True Spa, which offers elevated services and mud treatments.
If your style is more mid-century modern, the conveniently located Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs is perfect for you. Indulge in healthy comfort food at House of Better – you can’t leave without trying their exceptional pie! Take a soak in the spring-fed mineral pools or detox in the Calistoga volcanic ash mud baths at the Spa & Baths. The Doc's Winter Revival Package is just what you’ll need to get rejuvenated.
For anyone looking for a holiday deal, Cottage Grove Inn is offering Holiday Cheer 15% off + 1 Free Winery Passport.
St. Helena
The City of St. Helena transforms into a festive wonderland during the holiday season, making the perfect home base for your Napa Valley holiday visit. Bring your friends and family to Main Street for holiday photo ops. You’ll find a 26 foot tall sparkling giant snowflake and a 36 foot tall wine barrel holiday “tree” crafted entirely from repurposed Beringer Vineyards wine barrels. Kids will get to meet Santa on December 9 and decorate cookies and ornaments on December 16. Purchase the Little Book of Big Experiences for VIP access to 12 wineries near St. Helena, featuring elevated experiences, unique wine and food pairings, and estate tours.
Find these options for staying within walking distance of downtown St. Helena:
Looking to indulge in world-class tranquility and wellness? Enjoy all the amenities and luxury benefits of Alila Napa Valley, an adults only resort. Oversized balconies with vineyard views, private outdoor soaking tubs, and fire pits make for the perfect way to cozy up to the holidays with your significant other. If you’re looking to experience signature wellness, step into Spa Alila for one of their unique spa treatments. Make reservations for a holiday dinner at Acacia House, which features a spectacular seasonally driven menu, and some of the best cocktails in the valley.
If you're looking more for a quaint boutique inn, look to the Inn St. Helena. Located on Main Street with picturesque views, it's the ideal location for taking a stroll through downtown St. Helena. This 8-room boutique hotel is perfect for anyone craving a charming and historic holiday themed stay. Inn St. Helena also offers gift packages for any special occasion.
Yountville
Experience the “Brightest Town in Napa Valley” with six weeks of holiday fun for the whole family in Yountville! From special wine tastings, make-and-take crafting, winter wonderlands, gift shopping, cooking classes, open houses, and opportunities to give back – there’s something for everybody.
Find these options to stay in Yountville during the holiday season:
With a prime location in Yountville, North Block Hotel offers a sophisticated, well-appointed, and comfortably chic option to get situated for the holidays. Whether staying in a room on the ground floor with a patio or in an upstairs room with a balcony, you’ll have views of the rolling hills and vineyards beyond downtown Yountville. Enjoy a peaceful and luxurious day at the Spa. And you won’t need to go far to experience a Michelin-rated meal at the Restaurant at North Block.
For a Vintner Wonderland holiday experience, stay at The Estate Yountville, also located near wine tasting rooms and restaurants in downtown Yountville. Every detail of your stay is infused with festive warmth, from a hand-selected seasonal welcome beverage to mint milk chocolate truffles at turndown, from Thursday and Friday wine tastings to gingerbread man kits for the kids. If you stay here on December 17, be sure to enjoy a Mimosas & Mistletoe Holiday Brunch.
Downtown Napa
Looking for a place to stay with plenty of Christmas shopping spots, wine tasting rooms, restaurants, and nightlife within walking distance? Staying in Downtown Napa puts you in the center of the action. Visit the downtown Christmas tree, stroll down First Street Napa for shops adorned in lights, take the Wine Trolley’s Holiday Lights Tour, or ride the Wine Train’s Santa Train Jolly Journeys.
Here’s some options to stay in Downtown Napa during the holidays:
Whether you're looking for a romantic holiday escape or a festive family getaway, the Archer Hotel is the perfect blend of luxury, holiday cheer, and the convenience of being close to the heart of downtown festivities. As an added holiday treat, enjoy a 15% discount on your stay and a generous $50 credit to drink and dine seasonal libations and holiday eats. Head upstairs to the sixth floor at Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar for panoramic downtown views and cozy fire pits. This gathering spot is decked with festive neon photo ops and tinsel-covered trees for Up On the Rooftop. Toast the season with holiday-themed cocktails and treats.
For a cozy, quaint, and meticulously appointed homebase, book your holiday vacation at The McClelland House. Located in a historic, residential area of Downtown Napa, a stay at The McClelland House will certainly make you feel relaxed and comfortable…just like home, yet unexpectedly pampered. Someone else preparing the morning meal and squeezing freshly made orange juice AND doing the dishes? Yes, please! After spending your day downtown, walk “home” with a comfortably full tummy and heart, and have some warm Christmas cocoa, coffee, and cookies by the fireplace. Want the whole house to yourself or to throw a holiday party on-site? The McClelland House can do that for you, too.
Napa
Planning to celebrate the holiday season with the whole gang? Great! The more the merrier at these resorts located a short distance from the city of Napa.
The Meritage Resort and Spa offers options to keep everyone busy, from the little kiddos to the big kids. Skate with the family on the ice-skating rink, toast marshmallows on the rinkside fire pits, or cozy up in a VIP igloo with a bottle of bubbles. Or, while the kids are on the ice rink, the adults can get some spa therapy at Spa Terra, a unique spa housed in a wine cave! Browse the gift shops on property or enjoy wine tasting at The Village. Plan a Christmas or New Year’s Day Brunch by the ice rink for your group, or a New Year’s Eve dinner in the grand Estate Cave. The Meritage Collection has your entire entourage covered!
Silverado Resort offers many festivities that are sure to get you and your family in the holiday spirit. The whole family can enjoy a festive ride on the Santa Train around the beautifully-decorated Mansion Circle. Have breakfast at The Grill with Santa himself, who makes a special appearance every Saturday! Adults can indulge in a round of golf on two PGA championship courses, or swing a racket on multiple tennis and pickleball courts. Stock up on holiday sweets at Market and Bakery – sweet tooths will find Christmas sugar cookies, peppermint bark, and chocolate yule logs. Extend your stay through the New Year and enjoy a party with a DJ, open bar, small bites, and a midnight balloon drop.
American Canyon
American Canyon, at the southern tip of Napa Valley, is an approachable home base for exploring Napa Valley and beyond. You’ll find a few branded hotels conveniently located here. Take a day trip to San Francisco during the holiday season, and stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa. An onsite spa, outdoor pool, and Table 29 Bistro & Bar make this an easy stay for the whole family. And don’t forget about the freshly baked DoubleTree chocolate chip cookies on arrival!
During the holidays, Napa Valley can be everything you want for the holidays. And homebase can be just like home or nothing like home – it’s really all up to you. So, whatever your seasonal style might be, the holiday spirit in Napa Valley will be a highlight of your holiday wishes. And, who knows, it may even be the start of new holiday tradition. Cheers!
