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Cute Hotel Animals / Green Hotels / Napa Hotels / Auberge Resorts / → All Tags

Eco-Friendly and Cute: Babydoll Sheep Replace Lawnmowers at Calistoga Ranch

Where: 580 Lommel Road [map], Calistoga, CA, United States, 94515

Everyone all together now, "Awwww...." Yes, these babydoll sheep at the Calistoga Ranch in Napa are so adorable. But they actually serve a very important purpose at the resort. The sheep have replaced lawnmowers as a way to reduce the resort's carbon footprint.

No more lawnmower emissions, noisy machines, or a large carbon footprint--the Babydoll Sheep munch their way through the tall grasses behind the lodges and near the Valley View Trail. They'll be surrounded by a solar-charged electric fence that will protect them during their stay at Calistoga Ranch.

The sheep are less than two feet tall and are extremely docile in nature known to be extremely docile. And um, incredibly cute!

The resort has also replaced water bottles at turndown service with handmade glasses and pitchers made by a local artist and potter and last week on Arbor Day, guests were greeted at check-in with their own individually potted miniature olive tree.

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Hotel Restaurants / Embassy Suites Hotels / Napa Hotels / → All Tags

In Napa, Even Embassy Suites Goes Gourmet

Where: 1075 California Rd. [map], Napa, CA, United States, 94559

Travelers to Napa Valley are used to the finest wines and freshest foods around, so in order to keep up with the gourmet competition and cater to its demanding guests, even the Embassy Suites (which in the town of Napa itself) is taking its food and beverage operation upscale.

Starting now, the 205-room all-suite hotel, which is managed by Hilton, has brought in a new food and beverage management team headed up by Napa native Christy Gianelli, who has worked with a who’s who of Napa hospitality including Wine Adventures, the ultra-luxe Silverado Resort, and the Napa Valley Conference and Visitors Bureau.

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Napa Hotels / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Hotel Hype / → All Tags

The City of Napa To Get a Ritz-Carlton

The city of Napa, gateway to the famous Napa Valley has long been the angry stepchild to the illustrious Napa Valley destinations of Yountville, Rutherford and St Helena.

However, the city of 75,000 has been making a dedicated effort to gussy-up their river front downtown area.  With the recent opening of foodie-heaven Oxbow Market and mainstay food and arts center Copia already in place, it was only a matter of time before a major hotel player came into the cards and that prayer was answered this spring by Ritz-Carlton.

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Luxury Hotels / Napa Hotels / California Travel / Design / Architecture / → All Tags

Napa Valley's Poetry Inn: From The Inside Out

Where: 6380 Silverado Trail [map], Napa, CA, United States, 94558

A couple weeks ago we told you about the Ultimate Birthday Bash package offered by Poetry Inn located in Yountville, CA, about an hour fifteen minutes north of San Francisco.

Having Chef Thomas Keller cook you and 9 of your most intimate friends dinner sounds grand beyond all expectation, however, the 5 rooms and suites that make up Poetry Inn embody a classic simple elegance that speaks to quality and homeyness above all else.

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Insane Hotel Packages / Luxury Hotels / Napa Hotels / Thomas Keller / Hotel Restaurants / → All Tags

To Die For Foodie Package: The Poetry Inn's Ultimate Birthday Bash with Thomas Keller

Where: 6380 Silverado Trail [map], Napa, CA, United States, 94558

Picture this, you and 9 others, be it 5 couples or 10 close friends, (it's a big modern world, we know, we're with you,) arrive at the drippingly luxurious and refined Poetry Inn located on a vineyard hillside just outside downtown Yountville in Napa Valley.

Everyone checks in to their rooms and you all meet on a balcony overlooking the sprawling valley floor and Mayacamus Mountains to the west. It's cooling down to 65 degrees as the amber sun sets and a light breeze blows through your hair.

You: "It's lovely having you all here on this important day."
Friend 1: "I just want you to know that 40 is totally the new HOLY BALONEY IS THAT THOMAS KELLER!?!?"
You: "Oh yeah, he's cooking dinner for us tonight, cool huh?"
Friend 2: "We're going to one of his restaurants!? You little sneak."
You: "Not quite, he and his French Laundry staff are cooking for us here at the Inn, a private dinner."
Friends 1 and 2:OMFG. For realz?

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