My company booked our room at Cal Spa for a Friday night in early December. I agree generally with the reviews I see here, but I rate the place higher than most reviewers. Here's why: Yes, it lacks the glitzyness normally associated with Napa Valley lodgings. The decor, while not offensive, is nothing special. But I think that's the charm of the place--it's friendly and homey, not pretentious and snooty. Our room was very clean, with a nice kitchenette and a great, large shower in the bathroom (two shower heads). The rooms face the inner courtyard which is pocked with little alcoves containing picnic tables and barbecues. The combination of kitchenette inside and pools and barbecue outside provides a family-friendly oasis in the Napa Valley. Unlike other NV lodgings, you could stay here and save a lot on food by preparing many meals yourself. Many restaurants and a grocery store are steps away. Pools were great in the evening. All employees we encountered were friendly. One quirk: Even though it was chilly outside, the room got quite hot, and we had to run the air conditioner. No problem, really, but we felt funny running the A/C in the winter. We enjoyed our stay--it was like a mini-retreat for us.

I have been to this hotel over five times and am still very pleased with it. The moment you enter this hotel you feel as if you are in a spa. Yes, I will admitt that the lobby and rooms are outdated, but they are comfortable and pleasing to the eye. The pools are just wonderful. There are four pools-each one suiting a persons needs. There is also a pool bar where you can buy a bag of chips or water. The Rooms are quite large- each has a kitchen with small dining table. The bathrooms are clean and also quite large. There are plates, knives, and etc. in the kitchen as well. I love the outdoor hallways that lead to your rooms. They are filled with fragrant flowers and benches as well as barbeques that several people use in the evenings. The hotel has no restaurant but there are several wonderful ones two minutes away on the main road.

On my third stay last May, I spent 11 nights at the Hot Springs. It's so convenient base to Napa via the back way on Silverado Trail. It's also an easy drive to Healdsburg in Sonoma through the Alexander Valley in Sonoma. It's motelish, but walking distance to wonderful restaurants, food markets, wine stores and other shopping. The mineral pools are heaven on earth. After dark take a bottle of wine to the upper pool deck and stare at the stars. The rooms are drab but it's still good value.

Although the pools were great, the room was shabby and ugly. Not very romantic. The TV was at least 30 years old, the towels thin and worn, and the decor very bad a70's style. Other than being old and outdated, the room was right by the street, and very noisy. For almost $200 a night, it was a rip-off. It's better to stay somewhere nice, and just come there for the use of the pools.