THREE HAPPY NIGHTS: Film festival goers are a dedicated lot. Nope, it isn't about quantity, it is about quality, and yet? They want to see a lot of movies in one glorious three- or four-day swath. Which means this: Asking a festival fan to lock down to three nights for a long weekend of tucked-in, wend-the-day-away film watching is an easy thing to do. Few fans want to come to a fest, see a single film, then split. That is, in part, what makes special offer from several Napa area lodging properties so tempting: Book three nights during the Nov. 13-17 Napa Valley Film Festival at a participating hotel and get a ticket to the Thursday, Nov. 14 gala.
SWEET? SWEET: Very sweet, because galas can so often be solely about filmmakers, studio people, and other cinema-involved sorts looking to do some convivial hobnobbing. But the straight-up, true-blue fan? Not necessarily a staple at a fest gala. So thank you, Napa Valley Film Festival, for changing up this paradigm. Perhaps other fests around the world will make the gala more fan-forward (and cheers to those who already do).
DATES AND DETAILS: There's a clock on this one, like in any solid thriller flick: You'll need to book your stay by Friday, Sept. 20. The hotels that have gone all-in include the Westin Verasa Napa, Old World Inn, Andaz Napa, and other nice spots. But getting that gala ticket as a thank-you for booking three nights isn't the only lovely perk; discounts on your stay, festival gift bags, complimentary desserts, half bottles of wine upon arrival and such fill out the lengthy list. (And it is a good one, not paltry in any shape or form.) The add-ons just depend on where you book. Discounts, a gala ticket, treats await, cinema buff.
