Napa Valley TS/Exchange Co Info Sought

[IngridN]

We are planning on spending a week in late January/Early February 2014 in the Napa Valley. There will be 2 couples so we need a 2 bedroom TS. II offers RiverPoint and Vino Bello. Which one would you chose and why?

Are there other TS resorts in the Napa Valley that are available through one of the other exchange companies? Also, is II the best exchange company to deposit our 2 bd Marriott Shadow Ridge to snag one of these resorts or do one of the other companies specialize in, and therefore, have more availability in the area?

Many thanks for your input.

Ingrid

 

[buzglyd]

If you can get over the fact you are in two trailers, River Pointe is a great location. It is a short cab ride to downtown Napa. We even walked one day.

We now refer to it as Candyland because of the colors. Even the teens liked it.

 

[mjm1]

Between the two I would opt for Vino Bello. It is a much more traditional resort and is very nice. It is just south of Napa.

As mentioned elsewhere, RiverPoint is a resort made up of trailors. We stayed there once and it was OK, but the trailor, which makes up a 1BR unit is pretty tight. The people were friendly and there is a little trail along the river for walking.

That said, they remove many of the trailors during the late fall and winter because the river can overflow and they are required to reduce the number of units on the land. Since you are planning your trip for Jan/Feb that could present an issue.

Given everything, I would definitely go for Vino Bello if you can get it. Good luck and have a nice trip.

 

[sue1947]

Worldmark has a resort at Windsor, just north of Santa Rosa. It trades in RCI but you could try for an exchange with a Worldmark owner or they sometimes are rented out on Expedia. It's a nice resort with good sized units and plenty of 2 BR. I like the easy access to Healdsburg.
Sue

 

[buzglyd]

It really comes down to location vs faciility.

River pointe has a great location.

Vino Bello is nice but stuck in a business park. Check it on Google map.

I'm in my 40s with teens. The trailers didn't bother us. Candy land was kind of charming.

 

[IngridN]

Thanks for the input. It appears Vino Bello may be a better choice due to the potential for flooding. That area can have some problems and I would hate to have our vacation ruined due to flooding (we have enough of that with our house!).

I'll check into Windsor and some other nearby areas to see if those are also possibilities as we will have a car so location is not that much of an issue. Even though we live close by, I'm not that familiar with the area. We've stayed in Sonoma in a hotel a few years ago, but am not aware of any TSs in that area as we trade through II.

Are there other exchange companies that have better availability in the general area that we should consider?

Ingrid

 

[Rent_Share]

IMHO if you want to visit the Napa Winneries, Windsor is not convenient

North Santa Rosa

 

[Luanne]

IMHO if you want to visit the Napa Winneries, Windsor is not convenient

North Santa Rosa

What's wrong with visiting the Sonoma wineries?

 

[Rent_Share]

Nothing, they are smaller and more intimate, hower, DW wanted to visit some of the better known names . . . . .

I love the drive along the Russian River to the Korbel Facility

 

[Hawaiibarb]

Worldmark in Windsor

I also stayed at this TS and enjoyed it. We drove over to Napa a couple of days, and it was a pleasant drive, so we explored there a good bit. As mentioned earlier, the units are large, very comfortable....even have a grill on your own lanai. I'd love to go back.

 

[anteween]

I live only a few miles from the Windsor resort. It is very nice and lots to do. There are so many wineries in both locations, it is hard to pick. More to see and do in the Santa Rosa/Windsor/Healdsburg area. State park to see the redwoods, not far from the beach and all the wineries you can imagine.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Shell's Vino Bello is very impressive, but you aren't going to get a 2 bedroom through II. Shell even took that option out of its online reservation system, for whatever reason. If you want a 2 bedroom, you have to book the 1 bed and studio separately. Not cheap either.

We settled for a 2 bedroom for May 30th of 2014 at Riverpointe through II. I could have used Shell points to get Vino Bello, but it was quite a bit. I think the 2 bedrooms at Riverpointe only have 1 bathroom. Is that true? I think I remember that correctly. Not good for 2 couples, but we are traveling with our son and his wife, so not big deal for us.

 

[eal]

I own a 2-bedroom unit at Riverpointe and there are two bathrooms.

 

[Ann in CA]

We live in Healdsburg, about 7 miles north of Windsor, and have been to Vino Bella, but not to River Pointe or the Windsor place. Last week, it took less than an hour to drive from our house to Rutherford,right in the heart of Napa Valley, although still north of the city of Napa. From Windsor, just south at Larkfield, there is a short-cut over the mountains (low mountains, big hills) that ends up in Calistoga, only about half an hour drive. So a two bedroom in Windsor, with the option of visiting some of the awesome Sonoma wineries, would not be a bad idea.

Although we are slightly prejudiced in favor of our Sonoma County wineries, one of our favorite restaurants is in Napa. If you love views and great food, a splurge would be Auberge du Soleil, (on the terrace if possible) in Rutherford, and another favorite is in Napa, Bistro Sabor, owned by the Ceja (Winery) family where you order at the counter but are served at your table. Very casual, but very good! I won't even start on our more "local" Sonoma County favorites.

There are really so many great restaurants in Sonoma and Napa Counties, that it would be very hard to choose, so start your list now! And if you want the French Laundry, make your reservation now! (actually, not sure exactly how far ahead they take them, and plan on 3 hours and $$$$$)