Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [225]
1711 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, CA 94515. www.cottagegrove.com. 800/799-2284 or 707/942-8400. Fax 707/942-2653. 16 cottages. $275–$445 double. Rates include continental breakfast and evening wine and cheese. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. In room: A/C, TV/DVD, fridge, hair dryer.
Moderate
Chanric Inn ★★ Channing McBride and Ric Pielstick, life partners and co-owners of Chanric Inn (get it? Chan-ric?), take B&B hospitality to the next level at their Calistoga gem. Splendid decor, little touches like gourmet biscotti and Aveda bath products in the rooms, and Ric’s unforgettable cuisine are merely starting perks. Adding to the allure is a downstairs wet bar that’s open 24/7, outdoor pool and hot tub with a view, and daily three-course breakfast (think trademark muffins, red Anjou pear with sabayon mousseline, and a soufflé of wild mushrooms and Gruyère cheese). Cooking classes are often offered on the premises and the resident golden retriever, Dinnegan, is always around to further ensure that you’re enjoying yourself accordingly.
1805 Foothill Blvd., Calistoga, CA 94515. www.thechanric.com. 877/281-3671 or 707/942-4535. 6 units. $209–$349 double. Rates include breakfast. AE, MC, V. In room: Hair dryer, free Wi-Fi.
Christopher’s Inn ★ A decade of renovations and expansions by architect-owner Christopher Layton has turned sweet old homes at the entrance to downtown into hotel rooms with a little pizzazz. Options in this nonsmoking spot range from somewhat simple but tasteful rooms with colorful and impressive antiques and small bathrooms to huge lavish abodes with four-poster beds, rich fabrics and brocades, and sunken Jacuzzi tubs facing a fireplace. Most rooms have fireplaces, and some have flatscreen TVs and DVDs (with cable). Those who prefer homey accommodations will feel comfortable here, since the property doesn’t have corporate polish or big-business blandness. The lobby features a 6-foot-high fireplace and a cappuccino machine, making it a great place for an afternoon pick-me-up pit stop. The two rather plain but very functional two-bedroom units are ideal for families, provided you’re not expecting the Ritz. An expanded continental breakfast is delivered to your room daily.
1010 Foothill Blvd., Calistoga, CA 94515. www.christophersinn.com. 866/876-5755 or 707/942-5755. Fax 707/942-6895. 24 units. $165–$395 double; $330–$350 house sleeping 5 or 6. Rates include expanded continental breakfast. AE, MC, V. In room: TV, hair dryer, free Wi-Fi.
Euro Spa & Inn ★★ In a quiet residential section of Calistoga, this small inn and spa provides a level of solitude and privacy that few other spas can match. The horseshoe-shaped inn consists of 13 boutique hotel rooms, a spa center, and an outdoor patio, where an expanded continental breakfast and snacks are served. The rooms, although small, are pleasantly decorated and come equipped with whirlpool tubs, decks, gas woodstoves, and kitchenettes. Spa treatments range from foot reflexology to minifacials.
1202 Pine St. (at Myrtle St.), Calistoga, CA 94515. www.eurospa.com. 707/942-6829. Fax 707/942-1138. 13 units. $107–$247 double. Rates include expanded continental breakfast. 7 package discounts available. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Amenities: Jacuzzi; outdoor heated pool; spa. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, kitchenette, free Wi-Fi.
Inexpensive
Calistoga Spa Hot Springs ★ Very few hotels in the Wine Country cater specifically to families with children, which is why I recommend Calistoga Spa Hot Springs if you’re bringing the little ones: They classify themselves as a family resort and are accommodating to visitors of all ages. In any case, it’s a great bargain, offering unpretentious yet comfortable rooms, as well as a plethora of spa facilities. All of Calistoga’s best shops and restaurants are within easy walking distance, and you can even whip up your own grub at the barbecue grills near the large pool and patio area.
1006 Washington St. (at Gerard St.), Calistoga, CA 94515.