Life’s been a bit stressful lately and so my husband and I decided to get away, just for one day and one night, to focus our minds on nicer things. Given that Napa is only thirty minutes from our house, it seemed an inspired choice.
But … where to go? There are so many options in California’s Napa and Sonoma Wine Country both for wedding locations and for lovely places to stay. We decided, just this time, to forgo the spa/resort route (though, I love me some spa!) and instead chose the super-cozy and yet boutiquey Cottages of Napa Valley.
Within minutes of entering our sweet, private cottage—complete with small (and yet well-outfitted) kitchen and sitting area, I knew that this would be my new recommendation for a honeymoon location in the Napa area. The Cottages are just the perfect spot for those first few days after your wedding: You have everything you need to stay inside and not see the light of day for as long as you want, but, if you do decide to leave your getaway, it’s close to tons of great wineries and restaurants. And, it’s well priced for the region.
We indulged in a wonderful in-cottage couple’s massage, which the folks at the Cottages of Napa Valley set up for us. The friendly Cottages staff also made our dinner and lunch reservations (we had fantastic meals at Tra Vigne and Brix) and gave us helpful, insider tips for the best places to do some shopping and wine-tasting. (We loved Nicholson Ranch—which, by the way, is a great wedding location, too.)
Bonus: each morning, a large basket of yummy baked goods, fruit, and juices from Bouchon Bakery is delivered with the day’s paper. A lazy morning, husband at my side, book, coffee, baked goods close by … That’s about as relaxing as things can get and just what we needed.
By Meredith Monday Schwartz, Managing Director, HereComesTheGuide
Photo: Cottages of Napa Valley
