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NYT Finds Too Many Kinks at Napa Valley's Solage Calistoga

Where: 755 Silverado Trail [map], Calistoga, CA, United States, 94515

Since Solage Calistoga set up shop in Napa Valley more than a year ago, the reviews have been a decidedly mixed bag. Take TA reviews, for starters, where some folks love the relaxing and hip vibe while others still complain of opening kinks that haven't quite worked themselves out yet. This past weekend, the New York Times joined the fray with an official review.

Run by the operators of Napa Valley grande dame Auberge du Soleil, Solage Calistoga is intended for a younger, more design-forward wine-swilling crowd. (NYT points to the Verve Remixed soundtrack in the pool area as proof.) The "New Urbanist's boutique hotel" has simple cottages linked by landscaped paths leading to the mammoth pool, restaurant, spa, and sunken bocce court.

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Tags: Napa Valley Hotels / Hotel Pools / Auberge Resorts / → All Tags

A Happening Pool Scene in Napa Valley

Where: 755 Silverado Trail [map], Calistoga, CA, United States, 94515

Napa Valley has a lengthy list of 5 star properties tucked in the hills and throughout the downtown areas that cost major coin. Although most have high design, finely appointed rooms, no one boasts a big, sexy pool like Solage in Calistoga.

Solage, part of the Auberge Resorts collection of properties, located in Calistoga, the Northernmost town in the valley, was completed at the end of summer 2007. They cater to a younger, more aspirational crowd that isn't ready to shell out the big coin for Auberge du Soleil and the pool is a reflection of that.

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Tags: Eco-Hotels / Green Hotels / Napa Valley Hotels / Auberge Resorts / Pet-Friendly Hotels / → All Tags

The Newest Napa Getaway for Eco-Conscious Wine Lovers

Where: 755 Silverado Trail [map], Calistoga, CA, United States, 94515

If you saw the Oscar winning film Sideways you might remember the fun loving Miles asking his more soul-searching Jack, "Can't we just... go back...and hang out?" Well, Jack would have said "yes" if they were staying at the comfortably cool Solage Calistoga resort and spa, a new diamond in the Northern Cal-i-forn-i-a rough.

After checking your bags and the locations of the local wineries, you'll discover just how green your Napa Valley experience will be. The charm of the resort and spa is obvious from the get-go, with a choice of 89 cottage-like rooms in five different layouts, from studios to spacious suites.

After a day of wine-tasting you can come back to contemplate the universe on your semi-private patio under the stars. [Ed. Note: Or do what we would probably do--keep drinking.]

Before you're ready to hit the lights, enjoy the flat screen TV, high speed WiFi access, DVD/CD player or the IPod docking station. The next day, wake up and get yourself a private cabana by the pool and just chill. There's also a spa on-site which includes a mud-bar and bathhouse, a fitness center, the Solbar restaurant and Bocce courts. And the place takes pets too.

At the hotel's website the online rates range from $350 to $800 per night, and a number of all-inclusive packages with added luxe value for one or more nights also are available. Also, the hotel has a pair of bikes for you to tool around in. Eco-friendly and fun.

[Photo: Neeta Lind]

Tags: Hotel Openings / Auberge Resorts / → All Tags

Auberge Resorts Spins Off with Moana Chain

Where: 755 Silverado Trail [map], Calistoga, CA, United States, 94515

Auberge Resorts which has hotels like the Esperanza in Mexico, is planning a spin-off brand called Moana. According to the San Francisco Business Times, the first property has already opened, the El Dorado in Sonoma although we can't find mention of that on either web site. But the newest hotel will be built from the ground up. The Solage Hotel expected to open this July in Calistoga, Northern California.

Prices are around $400 to $700 per night, but that hasn't stopped the hotel from putting forward sweaty perks like mountain bikes and on-site cardio kickboxing.

Sheesh, these Californians and their mountain biking. Moana under president Rob Goldberg (who recently ran PlumpJack wine and restaurants with SF mayor Gavin Newsome and who did a stint with Hard Rock cafes) hopes to open one hotel per year by 2011, which including Solage, is five hotels total. The locations include Mammoth and Cabo San Lucas and all of these hotels will appeal to younger, active but obviously very wealthy guests.

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