Hands-Down The 5 Best Affordable Stays In California's Napa Valley, According To Reviews

Napa Valley's allure is unmistakable. Elite wineries aside, this region in Northern California is coveted for its quaint destinations and upscale lodging options, ranging from luxury resorts to vineyard stays. In fact, it's not uncommon to pay $500 a night or more for accommodations. According to reporting by the San Francisco Chronicle, hotel prices in Napa Valley increased by more than 30% between 2019 and 2025. Factor in the high cost of tasting experiences, other activities, and essentials, and a Napa Valley getaway can quickly become a splurge.

But if you're on a tighter budget, there's no need to put a visit to wine country on the back burner just yet. It's not at all impossible to find wallet-friendly accommodations. Using reviews from Tripadvisor, Google, and Yelp, we identified five affordable stays in Napa Valley where you can unwind for less than $400 per night. 

To further cut costs, consider planning your Napa Valley vacation for wintertime, the region's low season. Not only will you save some bucks, but you'll also witness the wild blooms of Mustard Season. 

El Bonita Motel in St. Helena

St. Helena is a wine country city with lavish sips, resorts, art, and views. It's also home to some of the best Napa Valley wineries you can visit without a reservation. Travelers can experience it without overspending at El Bonita Motel. Ranked highly on Tripadvisor, its nightly rates start under $200 as of this writing, with many reviewers mentioning its affordability and complimentary breakfast. Describing itself as a motor court, El Bonita Motel is illuminated by a neon sign and oozes vintage vibes. 

Although it offers no-frills rooms with basic comforts such as a coffee maker and microwave, a past guest on Google, where El Bonita Motel holds a 4.4 rating based on more than 400 reviews noted, "Cute and the price is right! They surprisingly have lots of amenities! Pool, hot tub, breakfast and nice picnic area." Another person shared, "Combined with the motel's great location and what we felt was a great deal, the El Bonita offers exceptional value."

Located on St. Helena's Main Street, the motel is within walking distance of downtown tasting rooms and restaurants, including the top-rated Cliff Family Winery. Pets are welcome for an additional fee, and some rooms are accessible only by stairs.

Golden Haven in Calistoga

Napa Valley is a destination where you can recharge and relax — and not just with wine. Enter Calistoga, known for its hot spring serenity and small-town charm. The city is home to Golden Haven, a family-owned hot springs spa and resort. Imagine starting your day with a dip in Calistoga's famed thermal waters before setting off for an afternoon of wine tasting. This motel-like space and Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award winner features a hot springs pool where you can do exactly that. It also offers minimalistic modern-style accommodations that won't put too much of a dent in your wallet. 

As of this writing, a standard room with a king-sized bed can set you back less than $300 a night, while larger superior king rooms or suites remain under $400 before taxes, depending on seasonality. Featuring a 4.2 rating on Tripadvisor, a reviewer declared, "Love this [g]em of a place! We have been coming to Golden Haven for years. Why? It's delightful. It's not fancy—but neither are the prices. It's just what we need."

Golden Haven also offers packages that bundle spa treatments, including mud baths, with overnight stays. "Everyone was wonderful. Room was spacious. Spa services were amazing. If you are looking for a down home, affordable and all around well-run spot, this is the place," penned a reviewer on Yelp, where it has a 4-star rating. While Golden Haven does not have on-site dining, it does have bikes you can use at no extra charge to ride to nearby restaurants and cafes.

RiverPointe Napa Valley in Napa

At RiverPointe Napa Valley, you can stay in a colorful, cozy cottage on a tree-lined property that arguably looks more like a residential community than a resort. Listed as one of the best cheap resorts in Napa Valley on Tripadvisor, guests can choose between a light-filled studio or a one-bedroom space with a queen-sized bed, equipped with everything one might need for the duration of their stay. Plus, if you've ever been interested in tiny house living, RiverPointe Napa Valley provides a taste of this lifestyle.

As one Yelper explained, "I've stayed here twice recently and it's very good value for money." They added, "Not only do you get a lot of room, it's also appointed with a full kitchen: stove, microwave, coffee maker, fridge, and dishwasher." As such, you could potentially stock up on groceries, snacks, and drinks to limit how much you spend on dining out, which can be pricey in Napa Valley. Amenities include a swimming pool, complimentary parking, and Wi-Fi.

RiverPointe is located near downtown Napa, a trendy area with chic shops, eclectic art, and unmatched food. "I couldn't say nicer things about this place – it was affordable, especially for a week stay, was close to everything we wanted to do (wineries, downtown Napa, kayaking, hiking, the river walk, groceries nearby, the outlets)," wrote a past guest on Google. That begs the question: how much can you expect to pay at RiverPointe Napa Valley? At the time of this writing, nightly rates start at under $200.

The Inn on Pine in Calistoga

If Calistoga has caught your eye, The Inn on Pine is another wallet-friendly lodging option to consider in the renowned wellness destination. Top-rated and ranked on Tripadvisor, this modest hotel is surrounded by greenery and boasts guest rooms that feature a welcoming modern country aesthetic. "Our stay at the Inn on Pine was fantastic," wrote a Tripadvisor reviewer. They went on to add, "Most impressive was the price, which I found to be very affordable for the Bay Area. We'll definitely come back." 

Nightly rates frequently start under $200, though the inn's website notes that direct bookings may qualify for discounts. Complimentary amenities include Wi-Fi, parking, coffee, and tea, as well as breakfast. Tripadvisor reviewers say the breakfast spread was a highlight, which may include hard-boiled eggs, muffins, and other continental offerings.

"This is a lovely, affordable spot within walking distance of everything in Calistoga! The area was very peaceful and it was lovely to sit out on the porch in front of our room," noted another former guest. Another bonus? The Inn on Pine features a pool and hot tub that face sweeping Napa Valley scenery.  If you're considering a winter stay, you may want to look into Calistoga's seasonal "Winter in the Wineries" passport program, which typically offers bundled tasting access at participating wineries in and around town. 

Napa Winery Inn in Napa

Yountville, Napa Valley's "culinary heart," is a luxe getaway for world-renowned art and views. If you're looking for budget-friendly lodging in close proximity to this ritzy town, Napa Winery Inn is less than a 15-minute drive away. The contemporary-style boutique hotel is ranked as one of the best places to stay in Napa on Tripadvisor and even received a Travelers' Choice award from the platform. Likewise, it's rated 4.4 stars on Google, with reviews highlighting its accommodating staff, cleanliness, and affordability.

As one person explained, "This was by far the most cost-effective option I found in my search and it feels SO much nicer than you would expect for the price point." Another penned, "I can bypass high-end fancy. I wanted a clean facility, free parking, quiet location, complimentary perks, and a reasonable price." They added, "This inn checked all the boxes." Guests can also expect a complimentary continental breakfast, and reviews note that wine tastings are commonly held here and are open to guests at no charge.

Do you travel with your pets? Napa Winery Inn is cat and dog-friendly, but take into account that an extra $50 will be added to your bill. That said, rooms, equipped with flat-screen TVs and other essentials, are available at rates starting under $200.

Methodology

You shouldn't have to spend a fortune to stay in Napa Valley. These five properties were selected primarily based on strong ratings and rankings on Tripadvisor and Google, with additional consideration given to Yelp reviews. We checked these platforms for recent feedback mentioning overall affordability, complimentary amenities, and other conveniences.

To include a range of accommodations, from resorts to motels, we selected a price point under $400. It's worth noting that starting rates can rise during peak travel periods, especially from summer through harvest season in the fall. However, regardless of when you visit, you might find that these five places are generally more economical than other hotels or resorts in the area. To discover the region's other offerings, read more about the best things to do in Napa Valley.

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