Finding Senior Discounts in Vintage Territory

It’s fitting that the first big meeting on senior travel for Northern California was held in the wine country of Napa Valley, where there is a deep appreciation of the maturing and aging process.

The meeting was sponsored by the newly formed northern chapter of STRAC--Senior Travel and Recreation Assn. of California, the original and southern chapter of which is based in Los Angeles.

STRAC was organized to promote trips, tours and recreational activities, chiefly by working through the thousands of senior clubs and organizations in the state. STRAC works with more than 2,200 such groups in Southern California; the new northern chapter has almost as many in its part of the state.

STRAC members, from attractions, accommodations, transportation services, tour and travel agents, cities and resorts, realize that senior travel should not be limited to those 65 and older. Nor should all such discounted travel opportunities be restricted to group tours.

Age Limitations

One of the requirements for membership in STRAC is that members must provide discounts for both group tours and the individual traveler. The size and scope of such savings are left to the members, as are age limitations.

Most members now recognize age 55 as the starting point for discounts and special rates, though it can vary from a low of 50.

The Northern California chapter already has scores of new members within San Francisco, plus others in Lake Tahoe, Mammoth, San Jose, Monterey, Reno and Mesquite, Nev., as well as several in the Napa Valley.

Here’s a quick rundown on Napa Valley discounts for mature travelers (group rates are available):

The Clarion Inn, on the northern edge of Napa, is part of Quality International and has 191 rooms. It’s one of the largest facilities in the area, and is popular both with tour groups and business people, who meet in the adjoining conference center.

The Clarion has just started its own Senior’s Vintage Club for travelers 55 and over.

Special rates are $60 a night double in peak season (now through mid-November) and $40 a night double from mid-November through March. The rates are applicable Sunday through Thursday, and reservations are a must in season.

“Also,” says Marcia Brandt, club coordinator, “members will get a ‘Fun Pack Guide’ that highlights not just the many wineries in the valley, but also antique shops, historic attractions, museums and galleries. We also provide a listing of Napa merchants who provide discounts on goods and services for our Senior Vintage Club members.”

The Clarion, already popular with senior tour groups, has a large heated pool, a spa, two lighted tennis courts and a dining room with “light and lively” meals recognized by the American Heart Assn. For more information about the inn’s Senior Vintage Club, call (707) 253-7433, extension 1353.

Closer to town, the Napa Valley TraveLodge, with 44 rooms, provides a 15% discount off regular rates or the chain’s super-saver rates, whichever is lowest. But the super-saver rates are mostly offered in the off-peak season.

Also in town, and profiled in this space March 31, is Embassy Suites Hotel, which provides travelers age 55 and over with a two-room suite, complete with breakfast, for $75 a night. This one is subject to availability, so reservations are required.

The 68-room Best Western Inn, also in the heart of Napa, offers a 10% discount to mature travelers who are members of AARP and other national senior organizations. The eligible age is 50 and older.

At the northern end of Napa Valley, in the delightful old spa town of Calistoga, are two new STRAC members with discounts for mature travelers.

The new Comfort Inn, a 54-unit, motel-style spot that is a member of the Quality International chain, provides a 10% discount off rates that range from $48 to $85. This is offered to mature travelers 50 and over.

A membership card in AARP or another major senior club is asked for occasionally. Rates include a complimentary continental breakfast as well as use of the mineral water whirlpool, steam room, sauna and heated outdoor pool.

Tucked away in a semi-residential section of Calistoga is Golden Haven Hot Springs, which has full spa facilities and a variety of accommodations in 30 units, some of which have kitchens and private saunas or Jacuzzis.

Rates vary from $42 to $85 depending on the choice of accommodations, but all include use of the hot mineral pools as well as the regular pool. But a 10% discount is limited (at least for the present) to seniors who are at least 65.

The discount is also applicable to the resort’s many optional spa treatments such as mud baths, massages, facials and European body wraps. For complete information about the program, write to the spa at 1713 Lake St., Calistoga, Calif. 94515, phone (707) 942-6793.

The Napa Valley also has California’s largest selection of bed-and-breakfast inns, numbering almost as many as the ubiquitous wineries in the area. Probably due to the few rooms available at most B&Bs;, I could find none, nor could the local tourist offices, that provide a senior discount.

Reservation Service

For these the Napa Valley Tourist Bureau in Yountville, operated by George Altamura and a staff of four helpful women, provides a free referral and reservation service for more than 100 of the valley’s bed and breakfast inns.

All of the B&Bs; are inspected and approved by the staff. The bureau also helps with advising on sightseeing itineraries, and offers to make free reservations for dining or winery tours.

For more information on the Napa Valley, write to the Napa Valley Tourist Bureau, P.O. Box 3240, Yountville, Calif. 94599, or call (707) 944-1557.

Still another new STRAC member in the Napa Valley is the exciting concept of the Napa Valley Wine Train, which will run both rail excursions and gourmet dining train rides from Napa to St. Helena at a yet-to-be-determined date.

For more information, write to the Napa Valley Wine Train, 1275 McKinstry St., Napa, Calif. 94559, phone (707) 253-2111.