This was one of the most disappointing customer service experiences I've ever had. I've stayed at…read morethis hotel many times over the years and have referred countless friends, family members, and clients who have also booked stays here. Because of that history, I never expected to be treated this way. We experienced a genuine family emergency that forced us to leave early and requested a refund for our unused Sunday and Monday nights. These were weekday nights not a weekend or holiday, and the hotel kept 100% of the charges for both nights despite us not being there. What made the situation even worse was the amount of time we had to spend going back and forth during an already stressful family emergency. The front desk staff repeatedly told us they understood and agreed a refund was appropriate, but the owner instructed them not to issue one. For several days, staff members seemed confused about the situation, while the owner/manager refused to respond to phone calls or text messages. We were left waiting, following up repeatedly, and receiving no direct communication from the person making the decision. I understand businesses have cancellation policies, but there should also be room for compassion and reasonable discretion, especially for LOYAL, repeat guests who have spent thousands of dollars over the years and have personally referred many others to stay here. Unfortunately, this experience erased years of goodwill. Customer service is tested when something unexpected happens, and this hotel failed that test. We will NEVER stay here again, and after this experience, I can no longer recommend it to friends, family, or clients. What a HUGE disappointment Cottage Grove. Not the way you treat your loyal customers.

I recently stayed three nights at Cottage Grove Inn in Calistoga, paying about $1,997 total. The…read moreproperty is charming at first glance--beautiful garden setting, cottage-style rooms on a tree-lined street, and very friendly, warm service. The grounds are well kept and the inn is clean, with clear potential to be a truly special place. However, at nearly $700 per night on a weekend, the experience fell well short of expectations. The property feels underinvested. The furnishings are dated and worn rather than intentionally antique, and the bathroom is significantly outdated. Towels were also visibly old and frayed. The biggest issue was the bed. It was extremely uncomfortable--more like old, degraded foam than a supportive mattress--and made sleep difficult, with noticeable motion transfer even with a partner. We pulled back the bedding and found an old foam topper over a worn, stained mattress. Using a photo of the manufacturer's label, we determined the mattress was manufactured in September 1996 and likely purchased at Square Deal Mattress Factory in Chico, CA. If accurate, that would make the mattress over 30 years old, which is far beyond any reasonable replacement cycle for a hospitality property at this price point. Breakfast was also disappointing--limited, mostly store-bought items such as stale croissants, basic English muffins, and very weak coffee with minimal quality or attention to detail. In summary, Cottage Grove Inn has a beautiful setting, clean rooms, and excellent staff, but the lack of investment in core comfort elements--especially beds, bathrooms, and furnishings--makes the value difficult to justify. I would not return at the current price level without significant updates.

This is a very quaint historical building with lovely appointed rooms!…read more The check-in is convenient and easy. I would definitely recommend!!!! Close to the wonderful downtown Calistoga (walking distance).

We are big fan of weekend getaways in the Napa Valley. We have stayed at several properties over…read morethe years up and down the valley for wine tasting and dining out. As well as attending concerts, New Years parties, and just relaxing. I found this cute property in Calistoga online and after reading the positive reviews on several booking sites I decided to book the Oakville room. Right after booking the reservation, I started receiving personalized text messages confirming my registration and providing me detailed information about my stay. They even did their best to accommodate an early check in for us. When we arrived we were able to park right in front of the property. We picked up our personalized envelope with our key to our room on the front porch. The Oakville room is located upstairs and is small but very clean , and decorated nicely. The room opened to a small outdoor patio with a table and two chairs.. Something to note- this particular room does not have a TV in it however other rooms at the Inn do have them. No ceiling fan overhead but a personal heater/air conditioning unit is in the room. A nice comfy bed with a fluffy white duvet made for peaceful sleeping. Now the best part- location! On the corner of Lincoln the main street in Calistoga you can easily walk to botique shops, tasting rooms, restaurants and bars. It is next door to Busters BBQ which has really good casual bbq.. Finally each directly booked stay includes 2 vouchers for Calistoga Roastry. This is a cute coffee shop where we enjoyed an iced latte, smoothie, BLT, and breakfast sandwiche. It is just a 5 minute walk from the Inn. We throughly enjoyed our stay here and highly recommend if you are visiting Calistoga.

The Meadowlark in Logan Square is the kind of place that quietly ruins other cocktail bars for you…read more Tucked into a historic building on a quiet stretch of W. Palmer Street (look for the little bird silhouette--no need for a scavenger hunt or a password), it feels like a proper neighborhood speakeasy without the forced mystery. Step inside and the world softens: dark, intimate, candlelit, exposed brick and weathered wood, plush seating that encourages lingering. It's small enough that the room stays cozy rather than cramped, and the vibe is relaxed in the best way--an eclectic mix of people who actually seem happy to be there, chatting low over thoughtfully made drinks instead of shouting over a DJ. What truly holds the room, though, is the bar itself. Watching the bartenders work is half the pleasure. There's an obvious, almost meditative pride in every pour, stir, and garnish. No flashy theatrics, just focused craft that makes the process feel mesmerizing. The menus rotate with thoughtful themes (birds of the Midwest, the 1893 World's Fair, childhood pleasures reimagined for grown-ups), and the cocktails deliver--balanced, inventive, and deeply considered without tipping into pretension. You'll find everything from bright highballs to boozy, contemplative sippers, plus solid bar snacks if you want something to nibble. It's dark enough to feel like a secret clubhouse, intimate enough for a date or quiet conversation, and welcoming enough that you never feel like an outsider. Not hard to find once you know the address, easy to settle into once you're there. A genuine standout in Chicago's already strong cocktail scene.

Such a great, relaxing getaway. Everything went well during our stay and that's because of the…read moreamazing host, Kurt. When we first arrived, we drove through a bridge and then we were surrounded by planted gardens and fruit trees with a few chairs and tables spaced apart. We called Kurt and he came right away to help us, directed us to a good parking spot, and then showed us around. We arrived around 10:00AM and it was still quiet with only one other couple by the pool. Kurt showed us where the switches for the hot tub jets were, the switch for the sauna, towels, bathroom, water, etc. The rest of the day was extremely relaxing. People slowly trickled in and seemed to hit peak occupancy around 1:00PM. There were beautiful views of the hillside and trees. Everything clean and neat. Plentiful umbrellas for shade. A quiet atmosphere with friendly conversations. There were always lounge chairs to choose from. I loved the layout of the place. The pool, hot tub, and sauna were all spacious and never felt crowded. Around 6:00PM the pool area starts emptying out, and weather quickly gets cooler. I'd recommend bringing a cooler with drinks and snacks to maximize your relaxation time. An amazing place to be and we'll definitely be back whenever we need to let go of any stress.

When we arrived the staff was very friendly and helpful. They explained the different amenities,…read moreand how the soaking tub in our room worked and the usual check in/out process. We stayed in one of the soaking rooms and it was wonderful. We were provided with towels and salts to use specifically for the soaking tub. The tub was conveniently located in the main room with a view of the large screen TV which also could be pulled out from the wall and angled towards the tub and bed. We were a little confused about how the tv worked since it seemed that other guests were signed in to the streaming platforms, but that was likely user error. Perhaps a little note about logging in to streaming services next to the TV might be useful for others in the future. We were also able to access live channels. The room was clean, and had a microwave and mini fridge for our leftovers after eating out or for small grocery items from CalMart. The location is great and a short walk to downtown Calistoga. We were provided with robes at check in which were useful for the hot tubs and pools. There are two mineral water hot tubs of different temperatures and one large mineral pool for swimming. There are showers and changing rooms available in the pool area as well. They provided bicycles and helmets that we could take to ride during the desk hours. We would definitely stay here again.

I booked a trip to Calistoga with my family for a mini weekend vacation and spa trip. I really…read morewanted to swim in the natural mineral pool at the Golden Haven, so I booked a hotel suite for a night and spa reservations for the family. We arrived in Calistoga and checked into the hotel and spa. While a few of us checked in for our massages, my daughter and partner checked into our room. The massages were wonderful, we were very relaxed and went back to the room to change to swimwear. Note: The flavored waters near the spa are delicious, try them all. Our room was a really nice renovated King Suite, that also has a Queen bedroom attached. A little kitchen area, fridge sink and table, then the restroom area with added storage and seating. The pool is amazing, the water is so fresh and relaxing. The two hot tubs are heated to separate temperatures, it was just so nice to spend time going there. I found the early morning swim to be the best way to start my day. On my departure day, I decided to try a mud-bath treatment with my sister and although it was not my first time, I realized that mud baths are just not my thing. Staff was great, the spa was fantastic, hotel and pool were so relaxing. I would definitely book another weekend at the Golden Haven and recommend you treat yourself too.

Our stay at Okaeri Hotel was truly one of the most memorable travel experiences my wife and I have…read moreever had. The co-owner personally welcomed us and gave us a tour of the property while sharing its fascinating history. That personal touch immediately made us feel at home and added so much character to our stay. The hotel itself is absolutely beautiful. The garden is peaceful and meticulously maintained, and the indoor lounge is unlike anything we've seen before-it features a stunning swimming pool that has been transformed into a large koi pond, with each koi fish even having its own name! The hotel also has a fun karaoke lounge, beautifully renovated rooms, and a relaxing Japanese-style soaking tub. The entire property reminded us of the elegant Japanese home featured in the Drops of God Apple TV+ series, complete with an impressive wine cellar that adds to the hotel's unique charm. To top it all off, breakfast the next morning was exceptional--a delicious three-course meal thoughtfully prepared by the chef. Every dish was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. This was, without question, the best hotel experience my wife and I have ever had. We can't wait to return and bring our friends and family so they can experience it for themselves. Okaeri Hotel deserves a perfect 5 stars. Highly recommended!

We booked this trip to Calistoga to celebrate my wife's birthday. We discovered Okaeri, a recently…read moreopened Japanese-themed bed and breakfast. The entire B&B is very clean, quiet, and tranquil. I appreciated the onsite ChargePoint EV access. Be careful when pulling out of the parking lot. The exit is steep and can bottom out your car if you do not leave at an angle. We were greeted by Craig, who manages the B&B. He was very friendly and gave us a tour. The dining room was built over a full-sized pool, now converted into a koi pond. He even has a name for each of the fish. The rooms are all unique. Ours had a nice porch overseeing the trees. The soaking tub was the highlight for us. It is a beautiful wooden tub. It is perfect for one person and very relaxing. I love how the tub drains onto the floor into the shower area. The upscale breakfast was a nice feature. The food was delivered right to our table in the koi pond dining room. The mango-infused dish was light, creamy, and perfectly balanced with a hint of sweetness. The smoked salmon eggs Benedict was rich and flavorful. It featured perfectly poached eggs, fresh spinach, and silky hollandaise on toasted English muffins. My wife and I had a very special day staying at Okaeri. We will definitely be back to enjoy another relaxing stay.

My partner and I had just the most wonderful visit at CdV this past weekend to celebrate his…read morebirthday. We stayed in the Carriage House, and it was so quiet, beautiful and secluded. The morning breakfasts were delicious and hearty! The staff and chef Carlos were all delightful and accommodating. I highly recommend this place for a special event. It's a bit pricey but very worth it for an important occasion.

I'll start by saying that, just as I did, you'll probably be able to get a much better stay in…read moreCalistoga in another property for a fraction of the price. Despite property descriptions and their website, I did not witness anything luxury about this place, apart from the diner. I was at the property for only a couple of hours but that was more than enough. -Photos are a bit deceiving - everything in real life is a lot smaller, especially the pool and bathrooms. I sat down on the toilet and my knees were bumping against the bathroom door. Pool size was not fit for the amount of guests the property can accommodate and looks twice as big in the photos. -No sound isolation whatsoever. You can hear people sneeze/talk/get changed in the rooms next to yours, no sense of privacy whatsoever. To add to this disaster, each room is operated by a PIN code rather than a key. In our case, rather than showing or handing us the PIN, the host just said the PIN out loud for us to try out from the hallway - the implication being that other people probably heard it and our room was essentially unlocked for everybody. I had more privacy when I lived in student halls at uni than at this ''luxury'' chateau. -I had a query about our reservation where we initially wanted to stay an extra night at the property, however, it was near impossible to get hold of the property - 3 contact numbers, 2 email addresses and Booking messaging system later, we finally received a 1-sentence response via Booking messenger with the property completely misunderstanding our request and providing the wrong advice which completely paralysed our options when it came to our time in Napa valley. Their attempt to remedy the situation was a bottle of wine - which we explained we're unlikely to be able to accept as we're due to catch a flight back and our luggage was already full. No other offers or solutions to rectify the poor customer experience. Overall, not worth the money, especially considering the service.

The Spanish Villa Inn is a great value stay in St. Helena. Roy, the owner, and his innkeeper, Phil,…read moreare both wonderful, welcoming hosts. The villa is homey, the tree-filled grounds are well kept and the St. Helena location is a short drive from more great wineries than you can shake a stick at. I like this type of B&B, one more focused on welcoming you and making you feel comfortable than killing you with cuteness, doilies and teddy bears. I really liked the Barcelona room. Like a lot of the rooms, it has a private patio. It was sweet to lounge in the sun and read with the sounds of cooing doves and songbirds in the air. It's rare that I stay at a place with a comfortable bed worth noting! This one was a luxurious California King. Nice sized room, with nice touches. It's not quite Architectural Digest, but I like the villa's vibe. The bathroom was large, featuring a shower/tub with good water pressure. The toiletries are only halfway to upscale, but don't people who care the most about shampoos and lotions bring their own anyway? The wifi worked well. Cell service is spotty - but that's the valley. I was happy with everything about the room and facility. And I didn't even take advantage of the bocce ball court! The highlight of the breakfast included with your stay is the house-made granola prepared by Roy's wife. It's served with fresh fruit and yogurt, juice, coffee, a selection of bagels, English muffins and hard boiled eggs. There are tables in a couple of rooms and outside, so you can chat with other guests or keep to yourself. I think the timing was 7:30 - 9:30. Roy is a retired language professor and a hoot to converse with. How often do you meet a real polyglot? And he does some great accents. Here's my take on staying here versus other options. If you're feeling flush, the Harvest Inn across the valley has an even more beautiful setting and a more extensive brunch spread. But sometimes, you don't want to empty your wallet just to visit the slice of heaven known as Napa Valley. Or maybe you just want to have dollars left to buy more bottles of wine... You may want to take advantage of the discount Spanish Villa Inn offers if you pay with a check or cash, instead of a credit card. You'd pay a little less and get a lot less in return at some of the "bargain" B&B's and hotels around these parts. Roy's villa is quiet, clean, comfortable and inviting. And being in St. Helena, instead of down in Napa is a huge advantage for really enjoying the entirety of the valley!

Stayed at the Spanish Villa Inn last night. We stayed in the owners space and the place had food…read morestacked in the kitchen and a tv with few stations. It was sloppy at best. A wedding party stayed there also and played their music very loud while playing a drinking game. Closing the balcony door didn't help. Would not stay there again. Also, could not lock the door when we left. No key and someone tried to come in our place in the morning. Overpriced as well.

Ed was wonderful. Stayed up for our check in. He was very understanding since we drove up from Los…read moreAngeles. Best bed and breakfast ever. They have 3 rooms. Serene and comfortable. A patio with beverages and a deck upstairs ( all with ample seating). Great view of the vineyard and lots of foliage. Breakfast made by Maria. Strong coffee and plenty of food for everyone. The deck upstairs is perfect for stargazing. They have blankets and twinkle lights. The patio also a nice place to sit and read or relax and bird watch. Breakfast is served out on patio every morning. We found this place using airbb. But they have a website too

Such a wonderful place! I love everything about it and all the people there, Ed, Polly, and Maria…read morewere all so nice and friendly! Maria cooked great breakfast and even poured us mimosa! Great ambient, lovely patio and outdoor area, quiet and peaceful environment