Calistoga Hotels and Wineries

Located at the north end of the Napa Valley, the town of Calistoga was named by Sam Brannon. He coined the name hoping that his development would be similar to the New York resort of Saratoga Springs. In 1859, mineral springs were discovered here, and it's been a popular destination ever since.

Many Calistoga hotels still offer full-service spas so their guests can take advantages of the water's healing properties.

Much more laid back and low key than some of the other Napa and Sonoma Valley towns, Calistoga has a funky charm. The main street has cute shops and a few good restaurants. And there are several good wineries a few minutes from town.

One, Chateau Montelena, produced the Chardonnay that beat the French wines in a blind taste test in 1973. The movie "Bottle Shock" told the story. The winery is in a 19th-century chateau that's surrounded by beautiful gardens and a pretty pond. It's a lovely place for a picnic lunch.

Also in Calistoga, Clos Pegase winery was designed by architect Michael Graves in 1986. He envisioned a temple of wine, and the grounds are decorated with modern sculpture and formal gardens. Clos Pegase is best known for their Pinot Noir and Sauvingon Blanc.

Champagne drinkers should visit Schramsberg to taste California sparkling wines and see how they're made. The tour here includes tunnels dug in the 19th century by Chinese laborers. It's one of the best in the valley.

Calistoga hotels.

Calistoga has several really luxurious properties. Calistoga Ranch, which is a member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World group, is set on 157 beautiful acres. The accommodations here - called lodges - are cedar-shingled bungalows with indoor and outdoor living spaces. Most have outdoor showers, and some have outdoor living rooms with fireplaces. The 2,400-square-foot, two-bedroom lodges have all the comforts of home, including state-of-the-art entertainment centers. They've done a great job locating the lodges so that they're private and take advantage of the magnificent views.

Solage Calistoga has 89 contemporary-style rooms with outdoor patios, concrete floors, and fireplaces. With a 20,000-square-foot spa, a huge, heated pool, fitness center, and yoga studio, there are plenty of ways to stay active. Or you can rent a bicycle for a ride through the valley. If you're a star-gazer, telescopes are available for guests - you can see a lot of stars here. And the property is pet-friendly if you want to bring Fido along.

The original Calistoga resort - developed by Sam Brannan in 1861, Indian Springs Resort and Spa is a great place to take a soak in the mud. The resort's Olympic-size, spring-fed pool has been in operation since 1917. It's kept at 92 degrees in summer and 102 degrees in winter. Accommodations here are in some cottages that were built in the 1940s and in the Spanish-style lodge that used to be known as Nance's Hotel. The owners purchased the lodge in 2004 and completely restored it. You can walk to the shops and restaurants in Calistoga from here.

Travelers who prefer to stay right downtown will appreciate the Mount View Hotel and Spa. In a National Historic Landmark that was built in 1917, it has 32 rooms and suites, plus an Artists' Cottage that has a Jacuzzi and private patio. There's a heated, outdoor pool with cabanas, a day spa, and two restaurants as well.

Find more Calistoga hotels here.
Or Yountville hotels here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4098738