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There’s an ever-growing lineup of hotels to choose from when planning a stay in Napa Valley. Two big considerations are budget and where in wine country you want to be based. If you think the city of Napa might be the right place to rest your head, The Grand Reserve at The Meritage, (formerly named Vista Collina at The Meritage) should be on the list of possibilities.
Located a bit less than five miles from downtown Napa, The Grand Reserve is the sister property to The Meritage Resort. Located across the street from one another, the properties share a number of resources including a spa, restaurants, and even a bowling alley.
The Grand Reserve offers 145 rooms and suites; the property has a big footprint, but it doesn’t take long to learn your way around the hallways and grounds. I stayed in a One-Bedroom Suite on the third floor. It’s Tuscan-esque décor felt a bit dated, but was notably spacious.
In addition to a seating area with sofa and chair, the main living space featured a well-stocked kitchen with refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop, and microwave. The only thing missing was an oven. Along with counter seating, there was a dining room table with comfortable seating for four people.
The bedroom featured a canopy bed, desk, second television, and sitting area. An alarm clock atop one of the bedside tables provided access to USB ports, but reaching an electric outlet on the other side of the bed required moving furniture.
The bathroom offered a dual sink vanity with room for two, walk-in shower, and deep, free-standing soaking tub. Opaque glass walls surrounding the toilet provide a bit of privacy. I was happy to see toiletries provided in large, refillable plastic bottles.
The balcony stretched the length of the room and could be accessed from both the living area and bedroom. Along with views of the Grape Crusher sculpture and vineyards, the balcony provided a bird’s-eye-view into The Village.
The social hub of the resort, The Village boasts a few wine tasting rooms, a brewery, grocery with large selection of prepared foods, and a food truck. All locations spill out onto a large lawn area with ample outdoor seating. During the winter holidays an outdoor ice skating rink and thousands of twinkling lights give the setting a festive feel.
Along with a hot tub, the pool at The Grand Reserve is heated year-round. The 24-hour fitness center is impressive by hotel standards and includes a pair of Peloton bikes.
The property’s location at the southern end of Napa Valley is a good choice for travelers that are also interested in visiting neighboring Sonoma County wine country. The San Francisco International Airport is about a 60-mile drive. Plan on at least 90 minutes to make the trip.
Rates for One-Bedroom Suites start at $629, Wi-Fi included. You can go to Booking.com to compare rates and make your reservation with them if you find a better rate. A $35 daily resort fee covers valet parking, (self-parking is also available) welcome glass of champagne at check-in, nightly turndown with sweets, bottle of wine, and a number of other offerings. Pet-friendly rooms are available for an additional fee.
Electric car chargers are available at The Meritage, however they are slow and noticeably higher priced than faster alternatives in Napa.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by The Grand Reserve at The Meritage, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
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