March 18-19 2009, here we are once more; AAA rate $132.00 + 15.84 taxes, double base points offer.

(For location, directions, etc. please see previous posts.)

No major changes - this HGI is well maintained and clean, close to everything (Yountville 9 mi, downtown Napa 3 mi, etc.) and friends who are 2 miles away (they work at Bouchon and Elements,) and Bayleaf still offers 1,000 Open Table Points and Rewards Network / iDine miles.

The room: We were upgraded to room 320 (they were full - and our preference is a King bed, plus no people with disabilities were booking when we checked in early evening.)

Room 320 is a fully accessible "suite" sized corner room, spacious, Garden Sleep System king bed, sofa bed (same room as bed, no dividers or the like,) low closet rod, huge bath with roll-in shower and hand shower nozzle, Jacuzzi tub, everything well set for 'chair users with the possible exception of the standard height sink (a bit high for some wheelchair users) and tricky entry into the Jacuzzi. (Note this hotel has 87? rooms distributed on three floors, but only one lift / elevator.)

Excellent strength Ethernet HSIA allowing me to update Windows Vista to SP1 in a short time, (did not try the WiFi this time - hopefully better now that they have presumably addressed the problems mentioned in previous reports, and they do offer PrinterOn remote printing to the Business Center.) This room also has a balcony, though it is not accessible, and the window (oriented to the southwest) looks out on the local high school sports field (could be noisy during game time?) but the room seems well soundproofed. A wall with shuttered window separates the bathroom from the room.

A doorbell can be activated / inactivated by a switch. The below-window HVAC is fairly quiet, but is tricky - most HGIs require you to activate the HVAC with the wall-mounted thermostat; this one allows you to change settings on the wall-mounted thermostat, but after you become frustrated and read the small print, you realize the actual controls are under a flap on the HVAC system itself just under the window.


Great American Grill still offers dinner and room service, and has extended the breakfast offerings - as befits Napa (the short order cook described previously as somewhat surly is still here and seems friendlier):

Continental style: fruits (cantaloupe and honeydew melon chunks, pineapple chunks,) hot and cold cereals, juices, yoghurt, breads, etc.

Crepes: Milan, Denver, Chicken Pesto, Sweet Apple Pie as well as Fruity Nuttella Chocolate

Omelettes: To your specifications, as well a Spanish, Roast Vegetables, Italian and Ham and Cheese

French Toast, Belgian Waffles, Buttermilk Pancakes

This puts this property in a tie position with HGI Monterey in terms of extensive breakfasts, and of course it's included got Golds and Diamonds (full price for others USD $11.95 + tax, and yes, in the USA tips of $1.00 per person each to the waitperson and cook will be appreciated; our laws allow these people to be paid below minimum wage, and they often are.)

The Pavilion Lounge is open 5:00 - 10:00 PM and an extended selection of local wines, as well as other beverages and appetizers. The Pavilion Pantry offers beer and wines until 2:00 AM (bar closing time in California.)

All in all, a good value for this property, we are treated well, and the facilities for those of us with disabilities seem reasonably well thought out.