Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Napa Valley

This causal hotel caters to Wine Country tourists -- mostly couples and families -- who are on a budget. Like most limited-service properties it has a modest lobby, but high ceilings and plenty of light keep the space cheerful and bright, and tropical plants add some color. A small seating area with a TV and a rack of tourist brochures is off to one side, and the adjacent breakfast room has a fireplace and small, pleasant patio with seating. There’s nothing special about the public spaces, but they’re perfectly acceptable for a value hotel where guests generally stick to themselves and don’t tend to linger beyond breakfast.  

The Hawthorn is situated near the intersection of Highway 121 and Soscol Avenue near the Napa River, about one mile south of downtown Napa. It’s a busy, mostly commercial area with a large strip mall nearby and several restaurants within five minutes on foot, including Starbucks and Chipotle Mexican Grill. It’s about a six-minute drive to downtown attractions such as the Napa Valley Wine Train and the famous Oxbow Market, where local foods and wines are sold. Highway 29, which connects all the towns in the valley, is about seven minutes away by car. Some wineries can be reached in as little as a 10-minute drive, and notable vineyards along the Silverado Trail are about 15 minutes away by car. Napa County Airport is a 10-minute drive, and it takes approximately two hours by car to reach San Francisco International Airport, depending on traffic.  

Dim lighting, small windows, and a general lack of vibrant colors make these rooms rather dark and drab. Two-tone brown carpet with a leaf pattern matches light-brown accent walls, beds have white linens with gray bed throws and bed skirts, and there's wood furniture with a reddish-brown finish. The King we saw had a studio-style layout that included a love seat and wet bar with a microwave, mini-fridge, and a coffeemaker. Free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs are standard, but there are no safes. Like many past guests have commented, our room was generally clean but dated and worn, with chipped paint and furniture that had obvious signs of wear. Bathrooms also need a refresh, but the wide, granite vanities placed just outside make them less cramped and more functional. All contain shower/tub combos, hairdryers, irons, and Mineral Fusion bath products. Suites with in-room whirlpool tubs also are part of the hotel's inventory. Some rooms have views of the Napa River, while others simply overlook neighboring commercial properties. Units at the back of the hotel away from the busy road tend to hear less ambient noise.

This budget-friendly hotel’s most popular perk is its free hot breakfast buffet, which includes eggs and breakfast meats, served in a room that has an outdoor patio where guests can dine in warm weather. Free coffee and cookies also are available in the lobby, and vending machines sell soft drinks. The heated indoor pool and whirlpool are small, but they’re housed in a pleasant room with lots of windows and a large mural of vineyards. Three pieces of cardio equipment wedged into a cramped space serves as the fitness center, and the lobby has a computer with a printer. The hotel also has one small meeting room that can host 14 people. Valet dry cleaning and laundry service is available, and there's free on-site parking and Wi-Fi throughout.