The sound of popping champagne corks and applause welcomed visitors on Thursday night to the grand opening of Napa’s first four-star hotel, the Westin-Verasa.

The $100 million dollar condo-hotel project on McKinstry Street is part of a burgeoning group of developments in the Oxbow district, including the Oxbow Public Market, surrounding businesses, the Wine Train depot and the proposed Ritz-Carlton resort across the Napa River from Copia.

Accepting numerous congratulations, handshakes and pats on the back, Westin Verasa General Manager Don Shindle, joined by his wife Peta and two girls, beamed at the crowd.

“We’re proud to be part of the renaissance of downtown Napa,” Shindle said. “It’s been such a hectic pace that we haven’t had a lot of time to think, but we’re finally open, and three months ahead of schedule.”

However, the work doesn’t end today, he said. “It really just starts today.”

“There was never a dull moment,” said Forrest Huisman, development manager with Intrawest Placemaking, the project developer.

“Now that we are celebrating our grand opening, I couldn’t be any happier to see it come to fruition,” he said.

Ed Sowers, general manager of the Intrawest property Honua Kai in Lahaina, Hawaii, joined the party. Admiring the new hotel, he said, “If I can’t be in Maui, I’d love to be in Napa.”

Janis Adams of Napa came to the grand opening because La Toque restaurant, relocated to the Westin from its long-time location in Rutherford, is her favorite, she said. “It’s a fabulous new venue,” said Adams, holding a glass of Champagne.

“It adds to the cache of Napa. It’s just what downtown Napa needs.”

“We’ve been waiting a long time for this,” said Napa Mayor Jill Techel. “Two years ago there was just a tent at this site. You had to close your eyes to imagine it. Today, if you open your eyes, you see it all.”

Wearing a sparkling red beret, Lil Witten of Napa visited the Westin with two of her lady friends. Witten is a member of a hotel loyalty program and wanted to see the new property for herself.

“I love it,” said Witten, looking around. “It’s beautiful.”

Marcie Pelowski works at an information center at Copia and came to check out the new arrival. “I like to be able tell people about what’s happening in Napa,” she said.

“It’s wonderful to have a four-star hotel in Napa,” she said. “Now visitors don’t have to go all the way Upvalley to find a four-star place to stay.”

“This place has everything,” said Carol Hinrichs, who works at the Napa Valley Visitors Center. “We get a lot of requests for lodging and I would definitely recommend this.”

“We’re excited to have this new offering in Napa,” said Lisa Batto, executive vice president of Napa Chamber of Commerce. “Having such a premiere property to bring in the business traveler and corporate meetings to downtown is what our community needs to support a strong local economy.”

The Westin Verasa features 180 rooms, and underground parking for 232 cars. Hotel rates start at $299 per night. Condo-hotel units can be purchased from $400,000 to $1,174,900 for a two-bedroom unit, enabling owners a certain number of overnight stays a year.

 

Copyright © 2008 Napa Valley Publishing, a member of Lee Enterprises, Inc.