From: jojo@leland.Stanford.EDU (Joanne Spetz)
Subject: Calistoga summary
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Distribution: ba
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 93 22:50:34 GMT

Thanks to all of you who responded with ideas about Calistoga.  I did some
calling and looked in AAA guide as well.  

The Mt. View Hotel has rooms ranging from $90 to $165.  They just opened
cottages with decks and private jacuzzis for $145 a night.  They have two
spa packages:  one is called "motorland" and includes one night in a standard
room (you can add the extra $50 to get the room with the deck), a bottle
of wine in the room, dinner at the restaurant, and two half-hour massages.
The package is available mid-week only for $214.  Their other package is
"Fall" which includes dinner, one night in a standard room, two half-hour
massages, facials for two, herbal wraps for two, access to the fitness classes,
breakfast, and two t-shirts.  $542, mid-week only (Sun-Thurs).  

The Rancho Caymus is rated highly, and has rooms with fireplaces for $135 on
weekends.

Any other information I found is repeated below in the responses I received.

I'm not sure if this trip will be a holiday gift, but I'm sure we'll go
up there sometime this year, probably this winter.

Joanne
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From: ann@stratus.swdc.stratus.com (Ann Summers)

For mud baths, I recommend Dr. Wilkinsons spa. Of course, I
was last there about 5 years ago, so it may not be the same.
They do the whole thing...shower off, mud, shower off,
mineral whirlpool bath, sauna, blanket wrap, massage.

They have a wonderful masseur named Doug. 45 minutes of pure
heaven...best massage I ever had.

If I remember correctly, it cost $50 per person. You need to
make the reservation well in advance. 
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From: "Evelyn Ubhoff" <Evelyn.Ubhoff@forsythe.stanford.edu>

On your Calistoga trip you definitely should not miss at least one
dinner at the Mt. View Hotel. They do an extremely  nice job.It is
in the expensive range, but the food is excellent(with really
interesting menu choices) and the service and atmosphere were both
tops on the occasions I've eaten there(which unfortunately has not
been for awhile).The rooms,on the other hand are very over-priced
and should only be considered(if at all)in the summertime as the
pool is very nice-with poolside cocktail and lunch service,but in
January I'd skip it.
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From: james@cats.ucsc.edu (James C. Bohem)

I just gave my SO a Calistoga weekend, which was really nice.

I called LOTS of B&Bs, almost all of which were > $100. We 
settled on a nice place called Oakwood from the CSAA B&B book.
It was $85+tx and very nice and well-run. It's about 3 blocks walk
to the center of town, nicely appointed, with a good light
(fruits, pastries, juice & coffee) breakfast, a fridge in
room (stocked with wine, cheese, and crackers for your arrival),
and very private (2 separate cottages, each with bath and a deck).

The All Seasons Cafe is very nice in the ~$75-100 range for
two with dessert and wine. Excellent food and service, but 
go early - they had run out of most of the specials (which
sounded great) before 9.

We went to Dr. Wilkinsons, and we weren't thrilled. Another place
(Grand or Great something?), on Lake St. I think - was recommended
to us.

Also worth a drooling stop on the way up or back is the Oakville
Grocery (in Oakville, right on the highway) - great place to
pick up picnic supplies.
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From: PMB%SLACVM.BITNET@forsythe.stanford.edu (Patricia)

I've stayed at the Calistoga Spa and enjoyed it.  It's a modern 2 story motel
arrangement with big, clean rooms and kitchen facilities in some rooms.  It
has one Olympic sized unheated pool, one regular sized pool heated warmly and
one large group sized hot tub with jacuzzi areas.  Also offers full treatment
of mud baths, massage, equipped exercise room and classes, etc.  I stayed
there a few years ago and paid about $70 a night for two over a weekend in
March or April.

 You might also try the Indian Springs Spa.  I've not been there, but my
boyfriend has and says that while it does not look as good on the outside
the facilities are nice and also clean.  I believe that it might be cheaper
there as well.

Call the Sonoma County Chamber of Commerce for more information.
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From: Paul Rasmussen <rasmusse@parc.xerox.com>

The Calistoga Spa used to be a great place to stay.  (I haven't been
there in a few years).  Its right in town and has 2 hot spring fed pools
on its grounds.  One is fairly large and not real hot.  The other is
smaller and is usually pretty hot.  They also do mudbaths and (I think)
massages there, but I haven't tried them.  I don't know what they charge
now, but they used to be pretty reasonable in cost.  The rooms are nice
and the beds are comfortable and most (all?) rooms have fully equipped
kitchens.  The only problem with this place is that the last time I checked
you have to reserve a room a long time in advance (it may already be too
late if you want to go in early January).  I've never found anyplace to
eat in Calistoga that I thought was particularly wonderful - we've usually
cooked most of our meals in our room when we've gone - but like I said, I
haven't been in a few years now.
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From: wiemert@tara.esd.sgi.com (Christopher Wiemert)

         My SO and I like to eat at the Calistoga Inn. Great food, decent
 prices and they brew their own beer!.  The Inn
 is also a Bed and Breakfast. We have not slept there yet, but I believe
 the rooms are about $ 55.00 per night. Could be a "shared bath down the hall"
 kind of B&B, not sure.

 We usually visit in the summer. We camp at the State Park  3 miles from
town "Bothe Napa State Park". We usually get a day pass from the main spa
downtown behind the hardware store next to the glider field. A day pass is
good from 8 AM to about 9 PM for about $7.00 you get unlimited access to the 
pools, showers, lockers, a key so you can come and go as you wish. I believe
the main spa is "The Calistogs Spa". Everyone's taste is different, we try
not to spend the big bucks when not needed, besides we like to camp. You can
get a mud bath and massage at the main spa, I believe. My SO is a massage
therapist by profession, so it's not something I usually need to look for.
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From: jdavis@ssf-sys.dhl.com (Jim Davis)

IF you can get in, the Foothill House B&B at 3037 Foothill Blvd, Calistoga
is OUTSTANDING!  Prices are $100 - 150 or so but worth it.  Doris Beckert, the
wife is an outstanding cook and a fun person.  Gus, her husband, keeps the
place in top shape.  They can give you all the info you want re: places to eat,
mudbaths, etc.   BUT, the trick is getting a reservation.  They are usually 
booked long in advance.  Good luck!

Their phone number is (707)942-6933
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From: rrosen@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Randy Rosenberg)

My wife and I were pleased with Dr. Wilkinson's.  They have both
accomodations and mudbath, spa and message facilities.  We stayed
at the Dr. Wilkinson's Hide-a-way cabins which are run by the same
poeple, just a block or two off of main street.  They have packaged
deals where you can stay in one of their cabins for a night or two
and receive a complete treatment or two...give them a call for the
specifics.  We will go there again!
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From: Dave Kiddoo <davek@hpsadm1.sad.hp.com>

For GREAT pasta in Calistoga try Bosco's. Very casual, GRRReat food, sawdust
on the floor and great selection of local wines. It is located on the North
East corner at the first stop light on Main St.



















-- 
Joanne Spetz				Department of Economics
jojo@leland.stanford.edu		Stanford University

"Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they're yours."  -R.Bach