DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Napa Valley - American Canyon

The exterior of this hotel is quite unusual, with an arched entryway supporting a fanned awning that juts out at an angle, flanked by two squat columns that resemble stubby grain silos. Luckily, its style isn't representative of the pleasant, Asian-influenced decor found inside the property's common spaces. The lobby is somewhat sparse, but there's a large, wooden Buddha statue and Eastern pottery set on a console behind and a bamboo screen, and seating areas with contemporary furniture. This peaceful hotel has beautifully landscaped grounds, centered by a lovely lagoon with a waterfall and covered tables. Guests are commonly seen enjoying a glass of wine here, or on their private patios. Expect to see a mix of Wine Country tourists and business travelers attending events at the hotel.

The DoubleTree is located in American Canyon on Highway 29, which runs north to Napa and other winery towns. There’s little of interest in the immediate area other than the Napa Valley Casino (a two-minute walk) and a couple of restaurants within five minutes on foot. Without traffic, it’s about a 15-minute drive to downtown Napa attractions, such as the Napa Valley Wine Train and the famous Oxbow Market, where local food and wines are sold. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom amusement park and Napa County Airport are both an eight-minute drive. Approximate drive times to Oakland International Airport and San Francisco International Airport are 50 minutes and one hour, respectively, depending on traffic.

The lack of vibrant colors and eye-catching accents, and the basic, functional furniture make these guest rooms drab and dated. A melange of browns are used for carpeting, drapes, and bed throws, and walls are a bland, neutral cream. The crimson armchairs and ottomans add a hint of energy, but the Wine Country-theme artwork is generic and boring. Also, some pasts guests have noted maintenance issues and general untidiness. Still, units are comfortably sized and well-equipped. Standard rooms come in King and Double Queen options, and Junior Suites feature separate seating areas with sleeper sofas and small dining tables. The nicest aspects of some ground-floor rooms is their private patios that overlook the lagoon in the back of the property. Many units on upper floors also overlook the lagoon, while others face the busy highway, which can generate ambient noise. Standard amenities include Keurig coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi, but there are no microwaves or safes. Bathrooms are of average size, with black granite vanities and shower/tub combos framed by salmon-colored tile. All contain hairdryers, irons, and individual toiletries in addition to wall-mounted soap and shampoo dispensers in showers. 

In addition to the amenities that DoubleTree hotels typically offer, this property features Spa GAIA, a full-service facility with salon services, eight treatment rooms, and a diverse menu of skin and body treatments. There's a heated outdoor pool and whirlpool surrounded by covered tables and landscaping, but they’re on the small side, as is the 24-hour fitness, which is sparsely equipped with only three Precor cardio machines and free weights. For dining, Table 29 Bistro & Bar serves breakfast (fee), lunch, and dinner, with a focus on locally-sourced, organic cuisine. It has an outdoor patio overlooking the hotel’s lagoon, and it offers daily happy hour specials that include its extensive list of Napa wines. Free coffee and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies are on offer, and room service is available. Other amenities include event space that can host groups of up to 250 people, a 24-hour business center with two computers and a printer that can be accessed remotely from guest rooms, and valet dry cleaning and laundry are among the concierge services. On-site parking, daily newspapers, and Wi-Fi throughout are all free.