Checking In: The Westin Verasa Napa
Photo courtesy of The Westin Verasa Napa
Nestled on the banks of the Napa River, in the heart of California’s premiere wine growing region, The Westin Verasa Napa is a serene, relaxing haven seamlessly blended with natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
The property sits proudly on a plot of riverside real estate, surrounded by the famous Napa Valley Wine Train on one side and desirable downtown Napa nightlife, restaurants and shopping on the other.
Photo courtesy of The Westin Verasa Napa
The concept
The Westin Verasa Napa was built in 2008 and while its decades-old bones are still evident, overall the McKinstry Street hotel feels contemporary—and as relevant as ever. The Westin likes to blur the line between home and away, so imagine you’ve come home to Napa, downtown and walkable. The property offers more than 180 guest rooms, 160 of which are suites with either full kitchens or kitchenettes. The grounds are impeccably manicured and there is a real commitment to sustainability here, including a heated saltwater pool, energy saving heating and cooling systems, and low water landscaping. All guests can experience the famous Westin Unwind experience, seven nights a week with a complimentary wine tasting in the hotel lobby.
Photo courtesy of The Westin Verasa Napa
The scene
As you might expect, this is a largely "grown-up" resort. Expect to see baby boomers in golf shirts and sandals, and younger couples on honeymoons or weekend getaways from San Francisco. Its draws are its laidback, sophisticated style, its top-tier service, and its proximity to the wining and dining of downtown Napa.
Photo courtesy of The Westin Verasa Napa
The service
The grand sense of arrival is quickly followed up with the service levels you would expect of a 4 diamond hotel. Free and fast Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel—not that you’ll want to use it while on vacation here. Also, it may seem like a small thing, but valet parking is supremely helpful—it's difficult to find street parking around the hotel
Photo courtesy of The Westin Verasa Napa
The room
Rooms are spacious and minimalist, with some stunning views of the city (especially in the corner suites). There are standard amenities and, more importantly, Westin's signature Heavenly Bed. Outfitted with cozy furnishings, it's easy to drift off to sleep and almost impossible to get out of bed in the morning. You probably wouldn't, if you didn't want to miss the freshly baked pastries from the highly rated Model Bakery down the footpath. Book the one-bedroom larger suite with king bed for a true home-away-from-home experience. At 650 square feet, the room is loft-like with a private balcony, massive bathroom, kitchen, and living and dining areas.
What we loved
The on-site restaurant, La Toque, is among the best in Napa Valley—which is saying something.
In a valley full of expensive hotels, this one earned its reputation as a gem.
This spot gets high marks for a convenient location and laid back vibe.