Solage Calistoga

Solage Calistoga's creamy-yellow-colored cottages look like they belong on a farm, but inside they're purely modern and comfortable. Sitting on 22 acres, it has the feel of being out in the country, but is actually so close to the town of Calistoga that you could walk there.

Calistoga's location at the north end of Napa Valley gives it a warm climate and makes it the perfect spot for outdoor swimming pools. Separate areas for families with kids under 13 and for adults give everyone the chance to enjoy themselves and poolside service is so pampering that you'll be tempted to lounge around there even if you never go in the water.

You could easily check into Solage Calistoga, park your vehicle and not budge for a weekend (or longer), enjoying the daily fitness classes, getting a spa treatment, eating in the restaurant and lounging by the pool. If you're feeling restless, grab the eco-friendly coaster bike parked outside your door and pedal into town or to a nearby winery.

We stayed in a studio room with a king-sized bed, gas fireplace, outdoor patio with table, comfy patio furniture and soothing water feature, alongside a private hot tub.

Inside, greens and earth tones created a relaxing feel, with large rugs covering much of the concrete floor. The simple flooring material facilitated an easy return from the outdoor hot tub and lent a nice, cool tactile experience to bare feet on a hot day. If you go in cooler weather, comfy slippers are waiting in the closet.

Solage Calistoga's Solbar restaurant has gathered its own set of accolades, including a Michelin star in 2010. They serve three meals a day and are busy every night of the week, with weekday specials drawing a more local crowd. In fact, we've heard that Tuesday night dinner at Solbar is one of the best places to see some of Napa's celebrity winemakers in person. Main course prices are on par with many restaurants serving much less-delicious cuisine, making it an excellent value for money.

Overall, Solage Calistoga is one of the nicest places we've ever stayed and we're not the only ones who think so. It gets some of the best reviews we've ever read at Tripadvisor and lots of awards from all kinds of publications. We'd love to give it five stars, but we experienced several little lapses - any of them by themselves not enough to be important - that nevertheless add up when evaluating a high-end property with a price tag to match. Among them: overflowing trash can and towel basket in the swimming pool changing area and a dining room hostess who may have been inexperienced and trying to appear sophisticated, but instead appeared to be looking at everyone as if they weren't good enough to be in her restaurant.

Their rooms may seem similar if you read about them, but layout and location variations make a difference. You'll have the best chance of getting the perfect spot if you take your hands off the keyboard and call 866-942-7442 to discuss your plans with an on-site reservationist.