Originally when we set out to do site visits, we were only planning on seeing 3 properties.  2 in Napa and 1 in Sausalito.  We just left Silverado and were heading out of town and really hoping that the 3rd property we were going to see was going to be the home for this meeting.  We saw positives and also negatives of the previous 2 properties, but weren’t sold that we had found it.

I decided to call my Preferred Hotels rep and have her give a quick call to the Carneros Inn (located in Napa) – just to see if they had availability.  I told her to have the sales person call me on my cell phone right away because we were in town and if they did have the space, we would make a u-turn.

She called and we chatted for a few minutes.  I told the client – the Carneros Inn has the availability – you HAVE to see it.  So we flipped the U and arrived about 15 minutes later.

The Entrance to the Carneros Inn

We actually didn’t meet our sales person at the main entrance to the Carneros Inn.  Instead we met her at the Market which is on the property and open to the public.

Inside the Market

When you arrive at the property, you are at Town Square – the heart of the property.  The Market, Farm (one of the restaurants), Bocce Ball Courts and the Pavilion are all right there.  Below is a picture of the Pavilion outside of Farm.

The Farm

The Pavilion

Can you just picture yourself networking at the Pavilion after a day of meetings.  Yes they have heat lamps for chilly weather.

The decor of the entire property is amazing.  It’s a cross between Restoration Hardware, Room and Board and Roost Home Furnishings.  The best way to describe it is – you feel like you’re at home.

The ideal size of group is 10 to 60.  The property has 86 cottages, including 10 suites and 24 luxury villas.  5,000 square feet of flexible meeting space along with outdoor space.

Everything about this hotel is pretty – even the meeting space.  Even the prefunction space looks like a living room and open and airy.

Prefunction Area

Section of the Ballroom

Above is 1/3 of the ballroom.  OK – even the airwalls are pretty with the wood paneling.

The Carneros Courtyard is in between the ballroom and additional meeting space.  This is a great area for outdoor lunches, cocktail receptions or dinners.  They do have to rent special tables that don’t “sink” into the ground.

Carneros Courtyard

There are 3 restaurants on property, Farm which is their signature restaurant featuring local organic products, Boon Fly Cafe which is a lively roadside eatery and the Hilltop Dining Room which is only open to guests of the hotel.

Inside the Farm

Hilltop Dining Room

The picture that I took of the Hilltop Dining Room doesn’t even come close to doing this room justice.  It is truly stunning and the views are breathtaking.

So now onto the cottages.  All I can say – is that I want to move in.  All of the cottages have private decks, HEATED bathroom floors, alfresco (that means OUTDOOR) showers…and for those that don’t want to shower outside – do not fear…they have indoor ones as well.  All of the rooms have coffeemakers, but the suites have espresso machines.  Also the mini bars are stocked and ready for you to enjoy (no charge!).

Outside of the adorable cottages

Standard Cottage

Alfresco Shower

Outdoor Patio

Espresso Machine in Suites

When you actually arrive at the property, you enter through a gate so when you get to the entrance of the hotel – the staff is ready and waiting for you.  You drive to the top of the Hill which is where registration, the Hilltop Dining Room, the Spa and the main pool are located.  We actually did the site backwards – we started at the bottom and worked our way up.  When we were heading up – I saw the most beautiful rainbow and snapped this picture.

Somewhere over the rainbow

This property is absolutely stunning.  The attention to detail is beyond words.  This property is unique because they are corporate sales driven during the week and leisure sales driven over the weekend.

Rates: Spring weekday dates – $280-$315, Spring weekends – $450-$550.  Summer and Fall – weekday dates are in the high $300-mid $400 and the weekend is just crazy expensive.

Ideal Client: Executive Retreats up to 60 people.  Small incentives.

Drawbacks: I would say the only drawback is the rate, but really…it’s worth every penny.  If you are budget conscious – look at winter and spring.

My client fell in love with this property and I told her that this is the perfect time to get into a property like this because in the spring or fall, it will be outside of reach.  You honestly can’t go wrong at this property.

I’m so happy we made the u-turn so we get a taste of what they had to offer.

Part 1 of the series can be seen here – The Meritage Resort.

Part 2 of the series can be seen here – The Silverado Resort.