The Bergson

In many ways, the Bergson resembles the quintessential Calistoga cottage escape. It occupies a cream-colored two story house with columned and balcony accents. Save the continental breakfast, the ambiance here reads a bit like a bed-and-breakfast. An open, window-lit lobby, which doubles as a breakfast room, offers a modern pairing of light wood floors, dark wood furniture, and white walls. It’s a slightly more contemporary version of guest room decor, where vintage accents make a stronger showing. The coziest spot in the lobby is in a living-room like corner, where beige couches flank a long wood coffee table set in front of a beautiful fireplace. While kids are permitted, guest rooms are ideal for two, and amenities -- like bathrobes and whirlpool tubs -- make it a popular choice among couples on romantic getaways. 

The Bergson sits on the southern edge of downtown Calistoga, the most Northern town on the Napa Valley wine circuit. Offering the charm of a pre-tourist-boom town, the area has banned fast food franchises and features simple, two-lane roads. But old elements have been subtly revamped, like the 1930s gas station across the street, which was converted into a winery. (There’s also an actual gas station next door.) The town’s main street, Lincoln Avenue, is just a two minute’s walk from the hotel, and it’s lined with restaurants, bars, cafes, antique shops, and hot-spring spas. For guests planning to hit the wine circuit, the hotel is about a five-minute drive from main roads, like the scenic Silverado Trail. Starting at this northern end of the trail, guests can hit wineries all the way down to Downtown Napa, about a 40-minute drive. There are wineries close to the hotel, too, like Chateau Montelena and Castello di Amoroso, which can be reached in about five minutes by car. Sonoma County Airport is about a 30-minute drive, while San Francisco International Airport is about two hours.

Charming guest rooms are perhaps the highlight of this boutique property, where modern and traditional pieces pair up to convey a style that’s both homey and playful. Walls accented with trellis-patterned wallpaper and striped carpeting make a bold backdrop for ornate gold frames and vintage furnishings, which range from opulent accent chairs to canopy bed frames. Bathrooms may be simple white-tiled affairs with showers or combo showers and tubs, though some upgraded rooms add separate showers and whirlpools. Lots of rooms, even some of the snug entry-level ones, have cozy fireplaces, while more spacious upgraded rooms might add sitting areas or private balconies or patios. All rooms have featherbeds, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and coffeemakers, but no minibars. Bathroom amenities also include plush extras such as robes, hairdryers, and a mix of individual and dispensed L’Occitane toiletries. 

While this boutique property doesn’t have a slew of extra on-site features, there is a homey lobby that doubles as the breakfast room. The breakfast spread is simple continental fare -- cold food only, such as cereal, hard-boiled eggs, and pastries -- but it’s included in the room rate. The other notable feature on the premises is the hotel's outdoor space on the patio with cafe tables, a fountain, and columned arbors. Freebies include Wi-Fi and parking, and staff offer some concierge services, including bookings at geothermal spas. The hotel also provides free passes to a local shuttle taking guests to Calistoga attractions, though some guests report having to request the passes specifically. Note that the front desk isn’t open 24 hours, so late checkins should notify the property in advance.