First Step: Location-Location-Location

One of the most important decisions when taking a trip is where to sleep.  I know you're thinking, "Hey, I'm a low-maintenance person!  I just need a bed!" and this may be true for you, but the cheapest hotel/motel in town, may not always be the best decision (and could end up costing you more in the long run).

Find a couple locations near your destination.  In the case of Napa Valley, there's a handful of towns along the main road that are all near wineries and only one of them is Napa, CA.  Take some time and see what places are near your destination but maybe not directly in the town/city you're thinking about.  Smaller towns can be quieter and sometimes a lot cheaper.

When choosing a town, realize that you will want to venture out.  Will you need a rental car or do they have reliable public transportation?  Will you have trouble finding parking?  Your hotel may be just a place for your to sleep, but you also don't want to spend your entire vacation in the car or on the bus.  Find a balance between the location of your activities and lodging prices.  Get yourself a handful of location options and then move onto the fun of picking the hotel.

As far as our Napa vacation goes, we chose Yountville as our home base for the week.  It's quiet, peaceful and has three restaurants at which we would like to dine.


Up Next:  Choosing the perfect lodging.