Trying to squeeze in property site visits can be difficult – but it is so important.  The only time I wouldn’t do a site visit is if it’s virtually impossible or if budgets don’t permit.  I don’t like going to properties and being surprised by the venue.  I like to know what I’m getting myself or the client into.

The weather has been crazy here in the Bay Area and this past Wednesday, I met our client and we headed to Napa and Sausalito in search for the perfect venue for their upcoming Executive Retreat.

First stop – The Meritage Resort.

This is the one of the closest properties to all the major Bay Area airports (Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose) with a ton of meeting space (22,000 square feet to be exact).  If you are looking for a lot of meeting space – this property is actually the largest in the valley.  Unveiling in 2012 will be an additional ballroom and Cafe.  They also have an estate cave that boasts a tasting room, spa and function space.  There is a great outdoor patio area that is heated for winter functions and the views are lovely looking directly at vineyards.

Entrance to the Estate Cave

Function Space - Estate Cave

Terrace

There are two buildings (a third is completed, but not yet furnished) that house sleeping rooms.  However, only the rooms in the main Meritage building are owned by the Meritage.  Meritage has 158 guest rooms.  The other building is part of a time share with 116 rooms.  The Meritage has access to those sleeping rooms though.  So if you have a group that is bringing families – these rooms would be ideal.

Timeshare Room Living Room

Timeshare King Bedded Room

Timeshare Kitchen

The decor in the timeshare rooms and the Meritage rooms are similar.  One of the big differences between the 2 room types are the view.  All of the Meritage rooms face the vineyard and the timeshare rooms face the vineyard or the office park.

King Bedded Meritage Room

Kitchen in a Meritage Suite (3 suites have Kitchens)

View of Vineyard from Meritage Sleeping Room

Currently the meeting space a grand ballroom that divides into 10 rooms, 3 smaller boardrooms, the Vineyard Terrace and the Estate Wine Cave.

Section of Grand Salon

There is one restaurant currently at the property ~ The Siena.  We had lunch here and I was a bit surprised by the menu.  I was expecting the menu to have a bit more variety.  When I think of Napa, I think wine (of course) and culinary excellence.  The food was good ~ I was just expecting more.

Ideal Client: Because of all the meeting space, this property is great for associations or even corporate clients that are wanting to have Napa but are space intensive.

Rates: Spring – $149-$169

Drawbacks: The hotel is situated in an office park.  So if you are trying to get that Napa feel ~ you really won’t get it with the drive up.  I would actually love for them to build a wall around the property so you don’t see the office park.  The biggest issue that people have with this property is where it’s located.  You can either get past it or you don’t.