The Napa Valley hotel market continues to be one of the hottest markets in California, and several projects made significant progress in 2018. Hotel revenue for 2018 reached about 274 million dollars in Napa County in the first eight months, up 3.2 percent from the year before. The average room rate in 2018 was about $310 per night. In October alone, Napa County hotel revenue reached 49.3 million dollars - a healthy rebound from October of 2017, when revenue reached only 29.9 million due to the wildfires.
Aetna Springs, a historic but rundown resort in the remote area of Pope Valley was purchased by Alchemy Resorts, which plans to transform the property into a luxury wine country destination, restoring 28 historic craftsman-style structures and building a 12,000-square-foot lodge. The historic Aetna Springs resort dates back to the 1870s, after the discovery of nearby warm mineral springs.
Stanly Ranch, a proposed 150-room resort, gained a new investor who contributed 45 million dollars to the south Napa development. Plans include hotel rooms spread across dozens of small, single-story structures made from metal, wood, and stone to create a farm-like atmosphere. Six larger buildings would house a restaurant, cafe, spa, banquet hall, and conference center. Cycling and pedestrian paths will crisscross through the resort property. For more color on the development you can watch or listen to my interview with Mark Harmon, Founder of Auberge Resorts Collection.
Developer James Keller continues to move forward with plans for a boutique hotel at the former Franklin Station Post Office on Second Street in downtown Napa. In October, the citys Planning Commission endorsed the development agreement and re-zoning needed for the 163-room hotel. The original Art Deco-themed post office first opened in 1933 but was facing demolition after the South Napa earthquake severely damaged the building in 2014.
SENZA hotel at Howard Lane in north Napa plans to add 12 more hotel rooms bringing its total number to 53. SENZA is owned by Craig and Kathryn Hall of St. Helenas Hall winery. The plan is to expand two existing hotel buildings and add a new building with eight rooms over two stories. The proposed project would add more than 9,500 square feet.
Westin Verasa Hotel owners recently acquired a parcel of land south of the property near the Oxbow Public Market. The 180-room hotel near downtown Napa plans to expand with a new three-story structure housing a 15,000-square-foot spa, 30 additional guest rooms, two more suites and a top-floor 30-seat restaurant overlooking the Oxbow district.
Other Oxbow neighborhood hotel proposals include the multistory Black Elk hotel (already endorsed by the Planning Commission), plans from the Napa Valley Wine Train for a 148-room resort hotel on McKinstry Street to replace the main station house, and a proposed 66-room four-story hotel called the Foxbow. For more information on the Napa Valley Wine Trains plans, you can watch or listen to my interview with co-owner Scott Goldie who is involved in many fabulous developments throughout Napa Valley.
Four Seasons Resort in Calistoga is moving rapidly toward completion.
Vista Collina, part of The Meritage Collection added 145 rooms and nine tasting rooms in south Napa.
The historic Francis House opened as a boutique inn in Calistoga.
Vintage Estates in Yountville, known as Hotel Villagio and Vintage House were renovated.
The Ink House in St. Helena was completely remodeled and has reopened.
The Wine Country Inn in St. Helena completed its remodel.
The Archer Hotels Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar opened and is a new hotspot with panoramic views, cozy seating, and crackling stone fire pits. Nearly a dozen new stores opened in the commercial space known collectively as First Street Napa which adjoins the Archer Hotel.