You’ll rest easy after checking into The Westin Verasa Napa. The 180-room luxury hotel is situated in the perfect downtown Napa location and offers a one-stop-shop experience. No matter what your specific needs are, this contemporary property on Mckinstry Street has you covered.
We’ve picked out our five best reasons for why you should stay here, from the property’s Running Concierge program to La Toque Restaurant, its tasty dining establishment.
1. Downtown Napa is walkable from the hotel. Thanks to the hotel’s prime locale, downtown Napa will be at your fingertips from the moment you step through The Westin’s glass doors. Just a quick five-minute stroll down the street and you’ll find yourself at the popular Oxbow Public Market, where snagging breakfast at resident Catherine Bergen’s C Casa is a must-do. Her gluten-free taqueria menu abounds with delicious plates, including our favorite — the C Casa breakfast (two eggs cooked any style with a side of roasted fingerling potatoes and two soft white corn tortillas).
When you’re done, stop at a few other spots in the vicinity. Some choice places include Lucero Olive Oil, where tasting everything from its Three Star Blend cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil to the strawberry white balsamic vinegar will leave your taste buds very happy. Plus, a visit to the family-owned Trahan Winery is in order. You can’t help but love owner Chuck Custodio’s 2009 Sadie’s Red Wine, which was named after his German shorthaired pointer who recently passed away. This particular vino is a flavor combo of plum, grape jelly, mocha, black currant, blackberry, vanilla oak, grape Jolly Rancher, watermelon and more. And last but not least, be sure to saunter along Main Street on Napa’s Riverfront (near Marie Lyall Shoes) for a quick lesson on how to do the cha-cha. Just look down toward the sidewalk for the silver-plated numbered footprints and move your feet to the beat. Just remember, it’ll be extra difficult to get moving in the right direction after stopping by a few tasting rooms.
2. Go for a run with Sara Southam. If you’d like to take a jog through one of the neighborhoods but just aren’t sure where to go, let Sara Southam, The Westin Verasa Napa’s owner relations and property manager (and running concierge) be your guide. She’ll meet you in the lobby of the hotel with a towel and bottle of water in hand before accompanying you for a run. Now, if this sounds enticing but you forgot to pack your sneakers or gym clothes, don’t worry. The Westin brand has a partnership with New Balance so you can borrow a pair of kicks (foot inserts are changed after each person), a T-shirt, shorts and socks before hitting the pavement (for just $5 during your stay). And although moving about at a rapid pace in nearby Alta Heights can be energizing, should you want to slow things down a bit, a brisk walk around Lakeview Park’s trail will do the trick. Whatever you’re in the mood for, Southam will oblige. One of the perks of tagging along with her is that when people walk out of their front doors, everyone says, “Hi, Sara!” Southam’s friendly face is known about town, and it’s reassuring to have a local like her lead the way.
3. Stop by the lobby for a snack. You won’t want to miss out on the property’s Westin Unwind event, which takes place daily from 5 to 7 p.m. in the lobby. Depending on which night you show up, a representative from any of the local wineries (think Robert Mondavi Winery and Duckhorn Vineyards) will be there for you to sample a variety of vinos alongside tapas prepared by the chefs at La Toque. It’s a great way to meet other guests and exchange chatter about your favorite Napa haunts. Grab a seat on one of the comfy dark brown couches with vibrant lime green cushions or step outside and lounge poolside with your glass of wine.
4. Treat yourself to La Toque. Everyone in town raves about chef Ken Frank’s fresh seasonal fare, and you will too once you sit down for dinner (open daily, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.) to savor his multicourse “Options” menu, which goes hand-in-hand with wines presented by sommelier Richard Matuszczak. Standout dishes created in the establishment’s open kitchen include the ricotta espelette pepper ravioli with butter beans and wilted chicories (accompanied by the 2009 Tascante made from Nerello Mascalese grapes and sourced from the Tasca d’Almerita vineyard in Mt. Etna, Sicily), and the sliced Niman Ranch rib eye with Fiscalini cheddar pearl tapioca and Rutherford red wine sauce (paired with a cab, of course — the 2006 Parador from Hossfeld Vineyards in Napa Valley). When making your reservation, be sure to ask for the table for two directly in front of the fireplace. Not only does it set the scene for a romantic evening, but it is the best table in the house. There’s also a patio area but if the temps are high, you’ll most likely want to dine indoors.
5. Do the R.E.A.L. Napa. As part of downtown Napa’s drive to get travelers to soak up all that the area has to offer, the Do the R.E.A.L. Napa campaign has been launched. Its focus is on the “R.E.A.L.” (restaurants, entertainment, arts and lodging), and several properties in town such as The Westin Verasa Napa are offering specials. If you book the property’s Cabernet Package (starting at $184 per night), you’ll receive a room upgrade at the time of check-in, a delivery of chocolate truffles to your room upon arrival, a complimentary wine tasting for two at Peju Province Winery and one cabernet flight per person (four different tastings are available) at the hotel’s Bank Café and Bar.
Photo Courtesy of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc.
