HotelChatter - Yountville

'Dive Bar' Wednesdays at The Bardessono Pool

EricRosen — 2009-11-04T09:29:21-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/Bardessono_Pool.JPG" class="top"> Cant afford even the low-season $300 a night rate at Yountvilles new eco-resort, <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+Bardessono/local/1499">Bardessono Hotel</a>? Fear not. The exclusive resort opens up its guests-only rooftop pool to non-guests on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-9:00pm for its punny Dive Bar, so even Napa townies can enjoy the stunning mountain and vineyard views while enjoying a dip and a drink while DJ's spin tunes near the bar. The secluded pool is usually open only to resort guests, who come to lie in piece and quiet in one of the screened off day-bed cabanas. Come Wednesday evening, though, anyone can stop by the rooftop cement pond, and they're encouraged to come in their bathing suits to take a dip between

Inside Napa's Bardessono Hotel

EricRosen — 2009-11-03T09:34:21-05:00

<![CDATA[<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1321361467" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=47696643001&playerId=1321361467&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed>Last week, we had the good fortune to spend a glorious fall day amongst the sun-warmed vines and valleys of Napa. Between wine-tasting rendezvous, we managed to invoke the tiniest bit of professionalism and took a tour of <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/MTM%20Luxury%20Lodging">MTM Luxury Lodgings</a> new <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+Bardessono/local/1499">Bardessono Hotel</a> in Yountville, which aims to be the greenest hotel in America. By the looks of it, theyre well on their way, but judge for yourself based on our video tour of one of their rooms. Besides conventional eco-resort initiatives like LEED certification, controls that turn off the electrical systems when guests leave a room, and an organic garden that provides produce for

Hotel Luca Will Open in Yountville Later This Fall

globetrotting gourmet — 2009-07-14T16:45:36-05:00

We apologize in advance for any hurt feelings. Living on the Monterey Peninsula (aptly dubbed the land of the newlywed and nearly dead) seemed like a grand idea, but was ultimately a mind-numbingly boring exercise nwhich we ended up enduring for nearly five years in the name of love. (Visiting is a whole different scenario.) We despise golf, dig live music and culture, appreciate diversity and don’t have a trust fund.

We also like to eat out past 9 p.m., which was a difficult feat until restaurateur/hotelier David Fink opened instant restaurant hit, Cantinetta Luca. That single smart business decision played a major part in making our social life on the Monterey Peninsula more tolerable.

Spend The Night in Napa in a Train Car

EricRosen — 2009-02-06T10:21:20-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/NVRI.jpg" class="top"> No, were not suggesting you become a hobo, riding the rails cross-country, stopping in a Podunk town every now and then to take in the view and scrounge for scraps. But that doesnt mean you cant find your bliss by sleeping in a converted train car at the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Napa+Valley+Railway+Inn/local/1458">Napa Valley Railway Inn in Napa</a>.This unusual lodging establishment is located within a couple miles of the Stags Leap, Oakville, Oak Knoll and Rutherford districts, in the almost oppressively manicured hamlet of Yountville, ground zero for foodies and oenophiles alike. The hotel itself is a breath of fresh air with converted railway cars for guest rooms that sit along actual railway ties from the now defunct Napa

Thomas Keller to Open The Aloysius Inn Across From French Laundry

juliana — 2008-08-15T14:32:41-05:00

<![CDATA[<img align="right" src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/tk_aloysiusinn.jpg" class="imgborder"> Foodies and lovers of <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/tag/Thomas%20Keller">Thomas Keller's</a> culinary skills rejoice! A luxury hotel across the street from Keller's French Laundry restaurant has been approved by the city of Yountville, Calif., reports <a href="http://sf.eater.com/archives/2008/08/11/kellerwire_thomas_kellers_luxury_inn_finally_approved.php">Eater SF</a>. The inn is a Keller project and would be run in conjunction with the foodie mecca. From the <a href="http://www.napavalleyaddress.com/thomas-kellers-luxury-inn-gets-yountville-council-approval.html">Napa Valley Address</a>:<blockquote>The general look of the new inn will be flat roofed buildings with a minimalist, geometric form, built of simple, humble materials said John Frame, the architect. The inn's name was originally submitted as the Aloysius Inn and should break ground next spring.</blockquote>The inn will have only 20 rooms and a dining/lounge area, although no details are out on that yet.