Carneros Resort | even better with age

landscaping matured: Harvest Suite at Carneros Resort, November, 2016

What a difference eight years can make! I last visited Carneros in September, 2008 (see my review here). At that time, the resort was sparking new ... as well as the landscaping. See the picture below from 2008 — very small plantings in front of the porch, and none of the newly planted trees were large enough to provide any meaningful shade or to frame the starkness of the new buildings.

eight years ago — Cottage in September, 2008

I recently spent two nights at Carneros Resort (the name just changed from Carneros "Inn"), and I can report that the landscaping is maturing nicely and will only get better with time. We enjoyed our stay very much. We stayed in Sycamore 7, a Harvest Cottage in the Sycamore group of cottages. This is a much requested location, as it's closest to the adult pool, spa, and guest-only restaurant.

All cottages have 450 square feet of indoor space featuring two easy chairs facing a gas fireplace and wall mounted television and a King or two double beds in the sleeping area, Brazilian cherry wood floors. The large bathroom had dual vanities, soaking tub, step-in shower, and WC. There is also 500-700 square feet of private outdoor space — ours had an outdoor bathtub and outdoor shower, although it was too chilly during our stay to take advantage. For a splurge, go for a Harvest Suite — 800 square feet of indoor space and a fire pit in your private garden.

Carneros Resort is at the southern end of the Napa Valley and has a convenient location for visiting wineries both in Napa and Sonoma Counties. Virtuoso amenities get even better in 2017 with a daily $60 breakfast credit per room (up from $40), a $100 spa credit, and upgraded room if available at check-in.


copyright (c) 2016 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.