history Archives - El Bonita Motel

The American era of Prohibition followed the success of the Temperance movement, and we’ve all seen and heard the stories of bootleggers, bathtub gin, and moonshine. But what about the wine? What about those Napa Valley Prohibition days? Continue reading “The History of Prohibition in Napa Valley: a Lot of Raisins & Grape Juice”

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Google Rating

4.3

El Bonita Motel

4.3

Kody Bowen

04:33 17 Jun 17

Big rooms. New renovated. Very clean. Good service. Ideal location for vineyards.

Darcy Randolph

00:08 24 May 17

Hotel staff was friendly, rooms were clean and efficient. Best price in town! My husband & I will be coming back!!!

Kevin Heward

20:01 12 Apr 17

This motel was the best I had ever stayed in. The safe was very nice, and kept the rooms and common areas very clean. I would definitely recommend anyone to stay there. The price was very affordable for the area in which the motel is located.

Ryan Glass

12:52 03 Apr 17

Clean rooms, friendly staff. TV doesn't get many channels and was surprised the minibar wasn't stocked. Would stay again if Harvest Inn is full.

V Pace

19:54 31 Oct 16

The end unit we had at first was very noisy due to traffic. Then the smoke alarms went off at midnight so we had to switch rooms. While we were out doing activities the next day, I learned that the room they had moved us into was apparently occupied for the night. (The night manager had assured us we would have that room both nights.) So we had to move another time to a third room for a two night stay. Finally their bill was laid out deceptively. I ended up paying significantly more than I thought because the big bold number was not the total due but rather an average rate without tax. Never was I actually told the remaining balance that would be charged to my card until I saw it on my bill.

Claire Chung

03:01 05 Jul 17

Great room (we stayed at Le Port), with a cute patio view, kitchenette with Keurig, microwave and mini fridge. Super comfortable bed. Complimentary breakfast was alright but nothing to rave about

Ari Wilson

00:07 05 Jul 17

Amazing room and service. We had a bit of a mix up on our check in but they handled it with aplomb. Two thumbs up!

Troy Racki

15:11 15 Aug 17

Very good interior, modern bathroom with an elegant shower. Don't let the older exterior turn you off. Excellent rates considering the cost to stay at other locations in St. Helena.

John Suydam

03:23 26 Aug 17

Nice place, it has a pool, Jacuzzi, sauna. Nice rooms with fridge, coffee maker, the only thing is the beds were hard and lumpy, the rest was great.

Becky King

15:47 28 Aug 17

Rooms are quite cozy but clean and neat. Bathrooms cozy but with heated floor. Continental breakfast very basic. Price is right. Just have to know what you are getting and what you want.

James Deininger

23:20 17 Sep 17

Just checked in. The place is very nice and quaint, especially for the price. Upgraded bathrooms, nice lobby. Rooms in the front building are a little small -- but we're here to drink wine, not hang out in the room all day. Cheers ?

David Xu

05:33 24 Sep 17

Good rooms. Parking. What else can you ask for for a cheap stay in Napa Valley

Robert Royster

18:52 25 Sep 17

Fine. Close to lots. Front desk staff need some happy pills. Not very friendly or happy to see you. Need to put the control of the fireplace at the front desk.

Candi Cantrell

03:46 11 Oct 17

We Love this place! The rooms are clean and comfy. The grounds are very pretty and the staff is very sweet. Can't wait to go back!

David Tai

01:06 31 Oct 17

Room was fine for the price and location. Skip the included continental breakfast and go into town to get something to eat. Stale donuts, croissants and fruit is all that is up for grabs. Would stay again just for the price.

Serdar Pekun

05:00 27 Nov 17

Very cute, clean, nice location, nice stuff specially front desk. Big bravo.

Ken Klages

17:08 20 Dec 17

It is a cute little place that was probably built in the 50s. The rooms are small but fixed up as nice as possible with refrigerator, microwave, tv with lots of channels, and a very small bathroom but good sized shower with very nice time and a heated floor. There is a pool and hot tub, and they include basic breakfast of cereal, fruit, yogurt and pastries. The motel is next to the main road so you can hear some noise, but not too bad. A great choice for a low cost place to stay in Napa

Will Graham

06:43 28 Dec 17

Very clean, very nice. Would stay there again. Limited breakfast.

Diena Fox

19:17 10 Jan 18

Reasonable price for a clean simple room. Friendly helpful staff.

Brian Tang

01:08 15 Jan 18

Location was perfect to explore Calistoga with plenty of wineries and smalltown doings

PGon Fishin

18:50 19 Jan 18

Very nice and affordable. Clean rooms and bathrooms. Would definitely return.

R S

03:32 30 Jan 18

Carpets in Rm #20 was filthy, and when we saw flea spray under the sink we should have ran out the door. We stayed 1 night, we had reservations for 6. This motel was suggested by local hospital, we will inform then of the poor condition of this rm. I can only guess the condition of other rooms. We moved across the street to Vineyard Courtry Inn. Yes it's more expensive, (but so worth it) totally clean, with friendly staff, fireplace, lovely breakfast (they give a discount for Dr. Coons patients) and I won't be worried about infections from the filth on/in the carpets after surgery. Please take a good look at your room. I only give it 1 star because I couldn't post without a star.

Todd Westra

15:03 30 Jan 18

surprisingly wonderful little spot! wasn't expecting it to be as nice as it was.. very cute and quaint little spot with a nice pool, hot tub, and sauna. will stay there again!

TJ Mc

02:39 05 Feb 18

Everything was fine, not great not bad but fine. What wasn't right was that they entered my room for turn down service despite my having the privacy sign on the door. I've stayed at many hotels across the country and this is the first time I have experienced this. Thank you for making the bed but I purposely placed the sign on the door as I did not want anyone in my room.

Kera Yankish

22:00 13 Feb 18

Love this place! I'm a regular and they are always friendly and give me great rates!

Chelle Linderman

03:07 21 Feb 18

Very helpful. Handicap friendly. Nice rooms with discounted price for people with family at the hospital. No shuttle but can Uber or taxi.

Michelle Linderman

20:51 13 Mar 18

Very helpful. Nice rooms. Discounted rates for family of patients at St Helena Hospital.

Jo Szram

03:02 18 Mar 18

Well located, complimentary wifi and continental breakfast. In room coffee maker. Extremely clean. Good shower. Only downside - beds a bit soft, didn't quite get hang of heating.

Tyler Hooker

11:32 15 Mar 18

Everything was exceptionally clean, the beds were comfortable, the pool, hot tub, and saina were welcome, and the grounds we're inviting with many spots for relaxing.

Robert Tabares

03:53 29 Mar 18

Centrally located in St. Helena. Walking distance to several wineries. Yes, walking.

Rae Ann Caparelli

04:52 22 May 18

Great place. Super cozy and clean. Big room...kitchenette! When you drive up you think “i dont think so” BUT HONESTLY....this is a nice place! Highly recommend it!

matthew masters

02:40 27 May 18

"budget" accommodations in a very expensive part of the country. Definitely the nicest motel I've stayed in.

Robert Rodrigues

15:55 23 Jun 18

Nice small hotel in the middle of the vineyards, within walk distance to some nice restaurants.

Brian Kreitzer

03:40 01 Jul 18

Perfect for an overnight stay in St Helena. Budget stay if you take the poolside rooms, more upscale in the back. Pool and hot tub are great in the evening.

Amanda Caringi

17:22 05 Aug 18

Great location and great price for Napa. Rooms were large, updated, and clean. Pool was nice, back patio and firepit were a wonderful end to the day. We would definitely stay again.

Alan Kelley

03:17 14 Aug 18

Loved the place. Worth every penny.

Bianca G Toribio

03:21 02 Sep 18

Location, location, location. And this always comes at a hefty price but in this case, this is one of the rare instances where it doesn’t have to. If you are looking to spend your bucks on wine and not on your stay, look no further. This place is perfect to rest from a long winery hopping day and stay in the heart of St. Helena. Beds are comfortable and the bathrooms are updated. The down side is that the hotel is right on the highway so you’ll hear cars going by if the AC is not on. Also, my AC unit wasnt working but the two nights I stayed were cool (in the 50 degree level) so we were just fine without it. Book in advance tho since its a steal and fills up quickly around holidays!

Carla Wilson

04:01 07 Sep 18

Great motel! Clean, comfortable and quaint. Good location. If you are staying here because you are receiving medical treatment at Adventists Health they offer a discount if you call them directly to make your reservation. Will always stay here.

Matt Pagel

13:32 17 Sep 18

A nice quiet little motel in St. Helena. The rooms are nice and clean. Rooms in the back building are more spacious than the front building. Lots of little places to sit outside and enjoy the evening over a glass of wine

Elisabeth Colucci

21:53 21 Sep 18

We stayed in room #1 and the whole place smelled like urine. The bathroom was gross, there was a car freshener tag hanging from the pedestal sink to mask the urine smell (which only made it worse, think urine + sickly sweet perfume), and the water from the sink and shower smelled mildly sulfuric. When we turned on the shower, the smell emanating from the drain was disgusting. Almost as if people have been consistently peeing the shower. I don’t know how this place has any good reviews. We must have been assigned the worst room in the whole facility. It was really, really bad and we feel completely ripped off.

Austin Holmes

04:31 01 Oct 18

The location was ideal for what brought to St Helena- short drive to most shops/restaurants and even walking distance to some. Rooms and bathrooms were bigger than expected. Our first-floor room opened to a back patio and a quiet grassy area behind the building, for a nice place to sit. The staff and service we're superb and very accommodating of our early arrival.

Scott Kinder

00:09 16 Oct 18

Great stay at El Bonita. The room is great - spacious, very comfortable beds, a balcony and, very clean! The staff is very friendly and check in was fast and easy. The location is terrific and convenient to everything. We will definitely stay here again.

Peter Altaffer

02:04 07 Dec 18

Always a pleasure to stay at El Bonita Motel. Clean rooms, nice staff, hottub, sauna, pool, and in the heart of St. Helena!

candice newton

03:07 15 Jan 19

El Bonita was super cute and exactly what we needed for our trip to Napa

Eric Abrial

09:38 31 Jan 19

Very nice motel, quiet and very well maintained. Very well located in St Helena. Very good value , You just can’t beat it. Plus you get that feeling of old time traveling ?

Pamela Trautner

06:32 03 Feb 19

Tried and true. Clean, basic, breakfast, pool, hot tub...all good. Great location!

Kyley Weaver

23:28 28 Feb 19

Too much furniture in the rooms made it hard to get around with luggage. But loved that we could park right in front of our door! Pastries were good in the morning.

Melissa Carrillo

18:26 28 Mar 19

The spa and pool where amazing love the room so beutiful and comfortable

Lee David

20:16 30 May 19

Very nice hotel...convenient to wineries

Ken Fong

03:07 26 Jun 19

Decent motel in the heart of wine country.

Shannon Meadows

18:18 21 Jul 19

We stayed in St. Helena one night as we traveled between San Francisco and Mendocino. El Bonita is a quaint little place and in a convenient location to wineries, restaurants (get to Farmstead, if you can!), and St. Helena's "main" street. We stayed in one of the rooms facing Main Street, just behind the pool and jacuzzi area. The only downside was our room had too much furniture in it for its size. It felt really cramped even for just two people. If management could move or remove the mini table/chairs, the wing-backed chair, or the all-in-one dresser console, it would help quite a bit. The room's bedding was dated and not super comfy, so that added to some of the disappointment. The bathroom was small, but it was updated nicely and was not an issue for us. We liked generous complementary breakfast and the small courtyard off the front office we ate it in. The fire pit and seating out back was a perfect place to drink a glass of wine and meet new friends in the evening. We would try El Bonita again if we're traveling in that area in the future!

Linda Fitts

19:24 24 Jul 19

Quaint older motel. Very clean, nice outdoor pool. Free continental breakfast.

ryan lanteigne

03:20 15 Aug 19

Stay here for the headboards alone. Good fruit selection at breakfast. Walls and ceiling are on the thin side, so pray you don’t have loud neighbours. Super soft beds, if you’re into that. Carpets weren’t super clean. Great shower.

Eileen M

16:02 23 Aug 19

For decades - friend's parents owned and ran this sweet little motel.They did a great job! It was where we stayed for wine tasting week-ends. Through the years- owners changed.Still a terrific location.

Olga Millermen

02:56 09 Sep 19

Nice places to stay, staff are friendly, and the amenities are. Great.

Garett Merk

03:34 22 Sep 19

Great room and atmosphere. Enjoyed sitting outside by the fire pit having some wine before bed.

Rez Alborz

16:29 19 Oct 19

It's one of the nicer motels I've stayed in.

Alexandra Baker

04:46 10 Jan 20

What a great motel. The staff is friendly and helpful. So greatful for the discount for those with relatives in the hospital. Pool, sauna, hot tub. Close to town. Quiet and very clean. Thank you El Bonita for everything.

Lily Lau-Enright

02:24 28 Dec 19

Cool retro style motel in the heart of five-star land. Can't beat the value, fresh tasty continental breakfast is an added bonus. It is our go-to when we don't need fancy-schmancy.

Kaustabh Sarkar

19:34 28 Dec 19

Excellent motel and service. It was probably the best hotel in st. Helena. Would highly recommend staying here.

Thuy Nguyen

23:15 21 Feb 20

We got the suite right next door to the lobby. The living room is spacious. The staff are very hard working and were available when we told them the pool lift and coffee maker weren’t working, and when we called them in the evening for spoons. The downside is that the pool lift never got working even though they changed the battery for it. And over all I think the room rate + taxes got pretty high for the suite. The total ended up being $270 ($235+taxes) for 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and a living room. You’re much better off just having shared 2 beds in 1 room for $145+tax. Also, upon check out, I had asked if there were any outstanding balances, and they said no. Then after check out we got charged an extra $70. They said upon booking I deposited $200, and so they still needed to charge the remaining $70. But they literally didn’t tell me that at check out so I just get peeved when we’re not told up front how much more will be charged. It really kills the experience to be charged well after you’ve checked out you know? This location is the best for us, however. Next to Sutter Homes, V Sattui, Rutherford Grill... our favorites!

D Furrs

16:35 09 Feb 20

Good price, clean, bed is a bit small and stiff. The hot tub is great.

Kimberly Moore

18:45 28 Feb 20

Love the location, staff is friendly, the rooms are very clean and have super comfortable beds! A great value for the area. The only issue was the noisy neighbors on the second night, but the road & parking noise was blocked out. Would stay here again.

Joanna Blama

21:10 11 Mar 20

Love this little motel. We always stay here every time we go to Napa.

Joyce Adams

21:42 01 Jun 20

Beautiful place. Everything is immaculate, including the pool. Excellent rates for the area. Would recommend highly

John Shelter

23:48 05 Jun 20

very nice stay, very friendly staff. I will be staying there again.

Vlad Fantana

04:31 04 Jun 21

Much better than expected from a motel . Large rooms with bathtub , kitchenette, big screen TV and comfortable bed. pool, jacuzzi and a nice lil bonfire in the court. Would certainly come back.

Grace Hanson

04:47 04 Jun 21

Found a cockroach, a bit overpriced. Continental breakfast was awful. Other than that, nice motel with great outdoor seating.

Mikki Fesmire

17:25 02 Apr 21

This is a great spot, and close to the hospital since we come often. Make sure to latch the top door lock though, my fault I didn’t, I know. This last stay I did the drop off to the hospital, got back to the hotel around 7am, went in the lobby for breakfast, double checked what time check out was, and the lady at the desk checked me out. The cleaning people knocked, and I kept saying “hang on!!” They walked in while I was changing! I had the ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ tag on the door also. No apology either, he just wanted to sit there and argue about how I turned my keys in (when both keys were in my room) at that point I felt obligated to leave, so I waited in the hospital parking lot for 3 hours. Other than that, it’s a great spot.

Eileen Hayhurst

14:54 11 Mar 21

Very quiet, bed was super comfortable. Would definitely stay there again.

Sunni Frost

02:54 18 Feb 21

Such a cute little place. The staff is polite and helpful. The grounds and rooms are charming. Will stay here again.

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The History of Prohibition in Napa Valley: a Lot of Raisins & Grape Juice

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