Hilton HHonors - HGI worth $299 a night

I booked a honeymoon stay for my son this week using points. While the flights and hotels cost me a total of $20, I did want him to understand the value of what he is receiving (in terms other than 100 nights away from home) so I took his itineraries and fake-booked them for cash. One leg of the trip is 3 nights at the HGI in Napa. I do not stay at HGIs often, so I was surprised to see a rate of $299 a night with only a $15 AARP or $30 Net Direct break available. Is there something going on 9/20-23 in Napa or does this place normally cost that much?

Honeymoon at a HGI ??

I stayed here once last year and got upgraded to a huge suite with a jaquzzi tub. That was definitely worth $299 a night. But if you don't get that room, you're getting ripped off. This is a small hotel located off the beaten bath in an unattractive location by the railroad tracks. The general area, of course, is beautiful, but not so much for the HGI's specific location.

PS September 23 is the Custom & Classic Car Show in Napa. Not sure if this is why the high rate.

You could call the hotel, mention that they are on their honeymoon, and ask that they be upgraded, etc., if at all possible.

Honeymoon at a HGI ??

I don't know about you, but I can't describe the room where I spent my first 3 nights of married life. :D

They wanted Napa. I only have enough points with Hilton. The ES was not available. Fortunately, they're not as fussy as you. :D

The second 3 nights are at the San Francisco Hilton. It was also not my first choice, but I haven't heard them complain about that either.

I stayed here once last year and got upgraded to a huge suite with a jaquzzi tub. That was definitely worth $299 a night. But if you don't get that room, you're getting ripped off. This is a small hotel located off the beaten bath in an unattractive location by the railroad tracks. The general area, of course, is beautiful, but not so much for the HGI's specific location.

PS September 23 is the Custom & Classic Car Show in Napa. Not sure if this is why the high rate.

It must be the Car Show. Around here, an HGI would go for $100-150 a night. I think it's listed as a category 5. The location is somewhat important, because I don't want them driving any farther than necessary after various winery visits.

You could call the hotel, mention that they are on their honeymoon, and ask that they be upgraded, etc., if at all possible.

I will call and ask for that jacuzzi suite, but I'm sure hotels tire of hearing the honeymoon/anniversary/birthday/bar mitzvah can you upgrade me to your finest room request. I'm the Diamond - they have no status.

Even if they get no consideration from the HGI, I will call to arrange for flowers/champagne/chocolates for their arrival, if it can be done.

I stayed at that HGI in May, and the rate for a Sunday night was $200. I'm glad I have points, as that is a classic case of when to use them.

Napa is a huge draw, and has few brand properties. Rates are high no matter where you stay. September is peak tourist season.

Honeymoon at a HGI ??

One of my honeymoon nights was in a Hampton Inn. It happened to be down the street from Lambeau Field.

Yes, I took Mrs. Pinniped to a Packers game on our honeymoon and yes we are still married.

We stayed in a wide variety of hotels on that trip - a Marriott 087 & a Hilton ALON in Hawaii, the Fairmont next to Central Park in NYC with a cheapie corp rate and a big upgrade thanks to our travel agent who knew the right people, a bare-bones pensione in the Latin Quarter in Paris that we picked somewhat at random, the aforementioned Hampton Inn, plus a couple of other nondescript midscale hotels or B&B's that happened to be in the right place at the right time.

You take what you can get...at that time in our life, the points & miles were nearly unlimited but the cash wasn't, so we ended up with a mix of upscale & downscale properties.

I will call and ask for that jacuzzi suite, but I'm sure hotels tire of hearing the honeymoon/anniversary/birthday/bar mitzvah can you upgrade me to your finest room request. I'm the Diamond - they have no status.

Even if they get no consideration from the HGI, I will call to arrange for flowers/champagne/chocolates for their arrival, if it can be done.

I'm sure you can have the items delivered and awaiting their arrival. I would hope that if you called the GM and explained the situation, they would be willing to help. :)

The 3rd week of September coincides with the peak time to be in Napa. There is no higher demand time in Napa Valley. Be ever so happy that you got a room. There is no place nicer than Napa during the crush.

I want to repeat what was written by poster above. Late September to late October is the peak of peak season in San Francisco Bay Area and Napa.

There is no place nicer than Napa during the crush.

Well, Napa is just the ugly stepchild compared to Sonoma, isn't it?

Well, Napa is just the ugly stepchild compared to Sonoma, isn't it?

I like the T-shirts that say "Sonoma is for wine. Napa is for auto parts." :p

I enjoy both, but I have to admit my favorite wine-tasting memories are of Sonoma. Smaller vineyards, fewer tour buses, more wines to taste that I had truly never seen or heard of before. Someone staying in the area for three nights will surely have time to hit both. :)

At least, that was the case from about 5-6 years ago.

I do not stay at HGIs often, so I was surprised to see a rate of $299 a night with only a $15 AARP or $30 Net Direct break available. Is there something going on 9/20-23 in Napa or does this place normally cost that much?

The cheapest rate at the recently opened HGI at Kill Devil Hills, NC is $290/night plus tax at peak time.

Well, they checked out this afternoon after a very nice 3 night stay. I forgot all about calling to arrange a welcome gift. Oh well. They were offered free full breakfast each morning on the strength of my diamond status. They ate it each morning and said it was very good. They didn't offer any praise for the facility or location, but no complaints either. They're on their honeymoon - who knows if they noticed anything? Until Saturday, the crowds were minimal. They called from the road this afternoon and said the traffic had picked up considerably and they were in stop and go on their way to Carneros Domaine for a champagne tasting. They called tonight from the SF Hilton and they were definitely impressed.