Embassy Suites Napa Valley

I planned a romantic weekend in wine country for my wife and I. We had an event to attend there on a Saturday and so I flew us in on a Friday morning to SFO and we drove up to Napa. To make it special, I thought I'd go a little higher end and book the Embassy Suites in Napa. I am a frequent business traveler (I'm at Hilton Diamond status) and stay at Hiltons all over the US and Canada. I used points, and although 70,000 points per night seemed pricey, I thought, what the heck, it's a romantic getaway and my wife will be impressed. I booked early, and even reached out to the hotel in advance to let them know we were coming, that it was a romantic getaway for us, we would be arriving early in the day and we were so looking forward to coming. Once we got there it was a bit downhill. We arrived early knowing there might not be a room available yet, but to let them know we were in fact there and in town. There wasn't anything available at the time we checked in, but that they would text us when a room as ready. We said fine, we would head into town (an easy 1 mile walk away) and get lunch and taste some wines. While we wee tasting we did get a text that our room was ready and asking if there was anything else they could do. I responded that we were in town and we would be there as soon as we were done, and OBTW, since I was diamond status could they please find us a room in the courtyard area (same thing we asked when we checked in). From there, I got 5 or 6 more texts from the same number but with different staff names added, all seeming oblivious to my responses. We got back tot he hotel to get our room keys to find that we were in the "atrium" area, room 350, and that they were full, and that there were no more courtyard rooms available. We also found out that in addition to our 70,000 hotel pts per day we would be paying $20/day to park at the hotel, a hotel with ample parking and which was 1 mile away from the city center. Disappointed, but still optimistic we trudged off to our room to find that it was just about the farthest room from the lobby that was possible. The room, like the hotel was a bit dated and a little dingy. Yes, it was a two room suite. Not large by other Homewood Suites or Embassy Suite standards. It was 55 degrees outside but very stuffy in the room. We turned on the air-conditioning down to 68 degrees (and then later even lower to 64 degrees) but it never got there. And, the air that came out only seemed to come out in the main room, never getting to the bedroom. There was a TV in each room - but the TV in the bedroom had a lot of static on the same channels that were clear on the TV in the main room. How is that even possible on a digital TV? The fridge in the room was the size of a dorm room fridge. The Wi-Fi signal in the room was weak and so we end up turning off the hotel Wi-Fi while in our rooms when we were researching the area. The bed was comfortable even thought the bedroom was very stuffy. Once nice feature, even though it looked odd was an extra sink and mirror in the bedroom. OK, on to some semi-pluses: Location was pretty good - and we don't mind walking, so the one mile trip to the downtown area wasn't bad at all - it was cool weather when we were there and it was side-walked all the way. Breakfast was similar to a Hampton Inn except for these two wonderful ladies in a "hut" in the middle of the atrium who made fresh pancakes and custom omelets. Unfortunately the atrium was a cold place to eat and your hot food would turn cold by the time you finished. We ended up wearing our jackets in the atrium. There was a reception from 5-7 each night, kind of like a Homewood Suites, but the food was basically chips and salsa, some cubed cheese, and maybe a simple salad, where a Homewood Suites had something much more unsubstantial for their evening reception. The drinks were better as there was an open bar, although it was limited to one red one, and one white wine, and non-top shelf liquor. In addition there were frozen margaritas, and homemade sangria made by the wonderful, charismatic bartender Fran. Fran was certainly the highlight of the hotel. Good to drink at the hospitality because the regular bar prices were pretty high. For a nightcap one night I ordered a double bourbon on the rocks and paid $31 (Ouch!). Remember, or maybe you didn't know it, alcohol in CA is CHEAP and you can buy it at grocery stores. Next time I'll stay at the Hampton for 30,000 pts and buy my liquor at the Safeway in town. We've stayed at the gorgeous Double-tree in Sonoma before and at their evening reception (although it's not every night) management staff walks around greeting everyone, asking how everything is and if everything was OK. Apparently the management staff here doesn't need the lobby, they just know how to text. As for the hotel being completely full (why they couldn't give us a better room) - maybe, maybe so - but the parking lot was never full while we were there. Other than collecting more money from the patron, I don't understand was the $20 parking fee was for. So a very mixed review. I think this hotel lives off being in "Napa" and feels it can just glide along. I certainly didn't feel appreciated as a guest, and definitely not at my diamond status. My advice is skip this one and try somewhere else - maybe all of Napa is like this? We'll go back to the Double-tree in Sonoma on our next visit. Read less

We are repeat guests at this hotel, but its really fallen down. The two biggest issues are the temperature of the rooms, and lack of Wifi. Room temp was the bigger issue for us at this hotel. We stayed during a fairly unseasonable cold spell, and when the exterior temp drops below a certain point, they turn the AC to the rooms off (common areas were always cool). This is great for cost savings at the hotel, but terrible for guest experience, as the hotel’s only solution to a hot room is to open a window. That would work, if the unscreened windows actually opened, but on the ground floor, they only open about 18 inches. If you're on an upper floor, you get the listen to the noise of traffic running on Highway 29. Our room temp at night was in the low 80’s. Next issue is that Wifi signal doesn’t cover the entire room, only the living room half. So no internet in bedroom. In 2019. Front desk and corporate were responsive with excuses, but not with solutions. They sent up a box fan, and suggested using the internet in the living room. “Getting fixed later this year” was the common excuse. This when they are charging over $300 a night. We typically love Embassy Suites, but for the price there are much better options in Napa. Ones that have AC running for a cool insect-free night, and with a wifi signal that covers the entire room. Read less

Good morning! I was asked to rate the hotel and give comments on line but decided to do it privately because your personnel were so kind, accommodating, and helpful. Please forward my comments to management. Critique: Maid service: Put water in room each day ( like towels), keep trash cans out in each room instead of putting them away in a cabinet each day. Put stir sticks in the room with coffee supplies.(I had to use a brush handle) AC: Rooms have a heat pump unit. If it’s cool outside the AC doesn’t work well. We were way too warm. Closet: Clothing rack is way too low. Safe: Move to top shelf at eye level! Down where it is, one has to stoop down, move clothing that hangs over the front in order to access to the safe. Cleaning service: I suggest you change from Greene because although they picked up promptly, which I appreciated, the clothes weren't clean. Reviews on the internet weren't good either. Bar: Had a drink at the bar. $15 is way too high for a mixed drink even though it is NAPA, known for high prices. Internet Access: MOST aggravating thing! Dealing with it on a daily basis is frustrating. It would help if you gave an orientation of how to connect when people check in. Other hotels connect ONCE and you're set. Overall, a good value for the rates and as I said, the cordial personnel at the front desk made up for the hotel's shortcomings. Read less