Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa

This Napa Valley branch of the Marriott Hotel chain sits in an unobtrusive two-story building with a tan stucco facade and stone accents. The spacious lobby sets the tone: this is a hotel where guests are meant to relax and hangout awhile after a day of touring wineries. Its color palette is warm and earthy -- tan and dark brown accented with a few wine-colored pops of red -- and there's a Napa farmhouse vibe. Details include a concierge desk propped up on wine-barrels and a halo-shaped wrought iron chandelier set over a lobby lounge with a fireplace and stone wall. It's tasteful and contemporary throughout the common areas, guest rooms, and grounds, which were at the tail end of renovations during our mid-2016 visit. Still, tell-tale signs of a chain property show through, with pleather seating and brightly patterned carpeting. As part of a well-known brand, it delivers a certain level of comfort that guests expect, attracting families, couples, and business travelers.

The hotel is situated in a suburban neighborhood, just off the main freeway for easy access to area attractions by car. A nearby commercial strip, about a five-minute walk from the hotel, offers a few grocery stores, a Target, and a handful of chain-food style dining options, but not much else is within walking distance. Downtown Napa is about a 10-minute drive and many of the Sonoma and Napa valley vineyards are within a 20-minute ride of the property. The Napa Valley Wine Train, Alston Park, Napa Opera House, and the Oxbow Public Market are all within a 15-minute drive. San Francisco International is about a 70-minute drive. 

Guest rooms follow cues from common area decor: handsome and contemporary, with an earthy color palette of beiges, browns, soft grays, and a few wine-red accents. Rustic-chic details speak to the region, like gray barn-house doors over the bathrooms and wood headboards with insets that suggest hills and valleys. Bathrooms are basic but contemporary, with white-tiled shower/tub combos (upgraded rooms have walk-in showers).Units have air-conditioning, seating areas, desks, and flat-screen TVs with bluetooth connectivity and options for connecting to personal accounts on Netflix, Hulu, and other applications. They're also equipped with coffeemakers, mini-fridges, safes, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, and free individual toiletries. Wi-Fi is included in the hotel's resort fee. Upgraded Concierge Rooms are slightly more spacious. Views are of the pool, garden, or parking lot.

Extra features here are aimed at relaxation, though there's a resort fee attached. Wellness facilities include an outdoor pool and pool bar, and a patio with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and food service from the on-site restaurant. A small spa has treatment areas and a steam room and whirlpool, but they're only free for guests before noon. There's also a small boutique in the spa with cosmetics and other items. The fitness area is open 24-hours for guests, and has cardio machines with individual screens and weightlifting equipment. A well-liked extra: yoga classes in the mornings, conducted by the pool in good weather (covered by the resort fee). The restaurant and bar, VINeleven, uses herbs and produce from its own garden and serves up local wines in addition to cocktails and draft beers. A la carte breakfast is offered for an extra fee, and there's outdoor seating on a patio that has a fire pit. Room service with limited hours is available. Guests in concierge-level rooms get access to a special lounge, which includes a free continental breakfast and other perks. Other amenities include concierge service, a 24-hour front desk, laundry service, and self-service laundry. There's extensive on-site meeting and event space, plus a business center with computers and printers. The resort fee also covers daily wine tastings, tours of the hotel's garden, morning coffee, Wi-Fi throughout, and on-site parking.