Hotel at a Glance: Mount View Hotel & Spa

After exchanging their vows, newlyweds Stephanie and Michael Woods fell in love with their reception venue, Mount View Hotel & Spa in Calistoga. In fact, they were so enamored that they decided to buy the boutique hotel. From the moment you enter the hotel’s airy lobby, it’s easy to see how one could fall in love with this place. A thorough face-lift in 2007 has rejuvenated this 100-year-old dame of a hotel, which has seen its share of celebrities, including early Hollywood starlet Jean Harlow. Art-deco light fixtures hang from the tall ceilings, and funky furniture competes with retro wallpaper for attention.

• Where you'll stay: a sleek guest room or an artist's cottage.
• Soak up some sun by the heated pool.
• Raise a glass of a Napa Valley wine at the onsite wine bar, Indie Blue Salon.
• Treat yourself with a trip to the hotel's spa; services include the Deep Muscle massage or Radiant Glow facial.

Calistoga, California: Down-to-Earth Hamlet in Northern Napa Valley

The story goes like this: 19th-century developer Samuel Brannan wanted to create a West Coast version of Saratoga Springs (renowned at the time for its mineral spas), but he had been drinking when he made the announcement and so the name came out garbled as the "Calistoga of Sarifornia." This origin myth sounds a little fishy, but nevertheless, Brannan's vision of creating a relaxing-and-therapeutic Napa Valley getaway was eventually realized. Thanks to the area's natural hot springs, a slew of spas sprang up, offering restorative mineral soaks and mud baths. You can still find many such businesses peppered among the restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries lining Calistoga's quiet main street, which is set against a backdrop of rolling hills.

Those hills are home to some of Napa Valley's more than 400 wineries, many of which lie within a short drive of downtown Calistoga. The curious wine lover can choose from an array of vineyard experiences, ranging from tours to tastings at wineries modeled on English castles and Tuscan villas. One word of warning: many of these places require reservations, so be sure to book in advance.

Other Details

Room Details

King Room

• One king bed
• Standard occupancy: 2
• Maximum occupancy: 2

Queen Room

• One queen bed
• Standard occupancy: 2
• Maximum occupancy: 2

Artist Cottage

• One queen bed
• Private patio with personal hot tub
• Standard occupancy: 2
• Maximum occupancy: 2

King Suite

• One king bed
• Standard occupancy: 3
• Maximum occupancy: 3

Queen Suite

• One queen bed
• Standard occupancy: 3
• Maximum occupancy: 3

Hotel Policies

• Check in: 4 p.m.
• Check out: 12 p.m.
• Parking: free
• Smoking policy: no smoking inside the property.
• Pet policy: pets are not allowed inside the property.
• Accessibility: please contact property for handicap accessibility requests or options.
• Room upgrades: upgrades may be available during booking or at check-in for an additional cost.