Set just up the road from Oxbow Market in downtown Napa, the Westin Verasa Napa is one of few area hotels operated by a large chain. With 180 rooms, it’s one of the valley’s larger hotels, but what it lacks in intimacy it makes up with services and amenities that caters to groups and those planning a longer vacation.
First, the location can’t be beat. It’s easy walking distance (less than five minutes) to Oxbow Market and the many restaurants and tasting rooms of downtown Napa. Complimentary valet is included as part of an added resort fee. The hotel is also pet-friendly, has a RUN Westin program, and offers gear lending and a complimentary house car.
When my husband and I arrived around 1pm, our room wasn’t ready (check-in time is 3pm) but we were given a key to access the pool and the receptionist took our phone number to call us when our room was ready, which turned out to be just one hour later.
The pool and jacuzzi area is lovely, with a seasonal bar serving beer, wine, and cocktails, including fruity frozen drinks perfect for a hot day. There are plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas as well as several cabanas with curtains that can be drawn for privacy. On the hot August Saturday of our visit, the pool area was quite busy with a bachelorette group, a group of several families with kids that seemed to range in age from 5 to 15, and another large group of adults. While the pool never felt over-crowded, if you’re looking for a quieter adults-only experience, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Inside, there’s a small fitness room, a spa, communal lounge where the nightly complimentary wine-tasting is held, and the BANK bar and restaurant, the more casual dining option of two onsite (the other is the one-Michelin-starred La Toque). We sampled some spicy fried shrimp (delicious) and some lobster-buttered popcorn (less so) as well as a few excellent cocktails.
The hotel has several room categories, ranging from Traditional King Rooms (the smallest option) to Two Bedroom King Suites. All rooms, except the Traditional rooms, have small kitchenettes with mini-fridges, electric two burner cook tops, microwaves, sinks, and dishwashers. We were in a One Bedroom King Suite, which, true to its name, had a separate sleeping area with Heavenly King bed, living area with sofa-bed and flat screen TV, and four-person dining table in the kitchen area.
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Premium One Bedroom King Suites have full kitchens and full balconies, plus an extra half-bathroom, offering more space for groups of four. Since it was just the two of us, we found our room had more than enough space.
For those traveling with a larger group, the Two Bedroom King Suites are an exceptional deal. Up to six people can share the space, which has a breakfast bar and dining table, and living room with sofa bed. And with a full kitchen, guests can save money by cooking some meals in the room. While the Westin Verasa lacks some of the intimacy and romance of smaller resorts in the area, its location, large rooms, kitchenettes, and full-service amenities make it ideal for groups and for those planning a longer stay.
If you go: Room rates start at $199 per night. Make your reservation through the Westin Verasa website, or compare rates and book with your favorite booking site such as Booking.com.
