Inside California Wine Country: A Publisher's Exclusive Tour of Top Hotels and Deals
At Travelzoo, our publishers review dozens of deals each week, curating the standout offers that arrive in your inbox. While we champion the best deals and craft compelling descriptions, we seldom experience these hotels and destinations firsthand.
To change that, our West Coast team—Karyn Strauss and Peter Vanden Bos—toured California Wine Country, a member favorite, alongside regional sales director Grace Huang. We visited beloved hotels showcasing what makes this destination irresistible.
Standouts included rooms opening onto vineyards, cozy fireplaces, outdoor showers, scenic wedding venues, and exclusive private-label wines. (Wine enthusiasts, rejoice!)
With harvest season ending and summer crowds gone until next year, Napa and Sonoma offer prime deals now.
Here's what impressed us most at each property:
Inn at Occidental
Nestled in the historic 1800s mining town of Occidental amid towering redwoods—yet just 10 minutes from the coast and Sonoma wineries—this B&B features uniquely themed rooms adorned with rare antiques. No two lamps are alike. Our favorite: the Safari Room.
boon hotel + spa
Eco-focused with a solar-heated saline pool and modern vibe, this Guerneville gem offers free bikes for exploring the Russian River, town, or Pinot Noir wineries.
Applewood Inn
This 1920s Mission Revival B&B in Guerneville exudes romance with unique room layouts, custom Frette linens, and new optional private wine/picnic tours in Fiats.
Best Western Dry Creek Inn
Belying its budget brand, this family-run Healdsburg spot evokes a Tuscan villa with renovated rooms boasting fireplaces and jetted tubs.
h2 Hotel
In LEED-certified downtown Healdsburg, eco-features like a living roof, solar panels, and no plastics pair with chic décor. Enjoy still and sparkling purified water on tap per floor.
Safari West
Home to 700+ animals including giraffes, rhinos, and zebras, this glamping haven offers educational safaris focused on conservation. Meeting Susie the giraffe was a highlight for animal lover Karyn.
Vintners Inn
In Santa Rosa, European elegance meets vineyard views, private courtyards with marble fountains, and intimate buildings. Savor the acclaimed John Ash & Co. restaurant.
Calistoga Ranch, An Auberge Resort
A celebrity hideaway with freestanding canyon lodges, indoor-outdoor spa, stunning pool, and complimentary Mercedes Benz for exploring (availability-based).
Napa Valley Lodge
In Yountville near Bouchon Bakery and The French Laundry, enjoy tranquil vineyard views and nightly turndown cookies from local favorite Annie the Baker.
Bardessono
LEED-certified luxury in Yountville with private grounds, rooftop pool, and spa suites designed for in-room treatments.
The Carneros Inn
Secluded cottages on 27 acres feature indoor-outdoor showers and patios. The adults-only hilltop pool offers sweeping vineyard vistas—just an hour from San Francisco.
