It happens to me every fall. Right about now. Something about the changing leaves, the crisp sunny days, that late-afternoon light... I suddenly have the urge to make like a J. Crew catalog cover and wear wool and wander country roads, lounge by the fire and drink red wine...
The thing is, so does everyone else. And Napa knows this. And exploits this, by raising what are already ridiculous room rates to astronomical levels. I mean, who can blame them? When people, yes, even In These Times, are willing to pay $600, $800, $1,000 a night.
Well, high season-shmigh season. It's time to get clever, folks. Forget about how amazing it would be to stay in Napa right now. Instead, plan ahead. Give yourself something to look forward to: Winter in Napa! Green. Cozy. Uncrowded. Sure, a little cold, but—get this—affordable.
One of my favorite places to stay is near Yountville, two miles from the Michelin-star mecca: The Cottages at Napa Valley. (Which, at $455 a night peak-season is almost a bargain in these parts.)
But come winter, rates plummet at these private, Provencal-style cottages: Eight cute-as-a-button (but not irritatingly so) colorful cabins scattered around a grassy lawn, complete with Adirondack chairs and indoor and outdoor fireplaces, French-press coffee and supercomfy beds, baskets of flaky croissants from Bouchon delivered to your front porch in the mornings and complimentary wine hour in the courtyard in the evenings.
And December 1st through February 28th, you can stay three nights for the price you'd pay for one this very weekend. So bust out your wool, winter in Napa isn't so bad.
Book it: Winter special, three nights for $495; or two nights for $495, including dinner for two at Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc restaurant, a private owner-led tasting tour at O'Brien Estate, and s'mores fixins for roasting marshmallows outside your cottage; www.napacottages.com.
Got a--gasp!--affordable lodging recommendation in Napa? Tell us! Please!
