[caption id="attachment_42949" align="alignright" width="350" caption="The latest addition to the Vino Bello Resort timeshares in Napa."][/caption]
NAPA -- Vino Bello Resort in Napa has completed a $10.1 million, 66-room expansion, bringing the total amount of rooms to 182 across three buildings.
The resort at 865 Bordeaux Way, which sits adjacent to The Meritage in Napa, was granted a certificate of occupancy on Oct. 6 for a third building and has been completing interior finishing touches on the 55,553-square-foot wing.
Vino Bello is owned by Illinois-based Shell Vacations, a privately held company that operates seven other similar luxury and timeshare resorts around California -- three in San Francisco, one in Anahiem and two in San Diego -- and 25 across the U.S.
Shell Vacations has about 115,000 total members in its Shell Vacations Club, according to Karen Buttice, executive vice president of business development.
The resort in Napa was first built in 2006, with 116 rooms in two buildings. Construction on the third and newest building began in 2009.
"Having this third building will be great for us," Ms. Buttice said.
[caption id="attachment_42950" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Vino Bello"][/caption]
As is common throughout the industry, Vino Bello and The Meritage, being neighbors, often work with one another when space is limited at either resort. Michael Palmer, general manager of The Meritage, said that it's in both resort's interest to succeed, which in turn fuels more demand. More rooms opening in the Napa Valley means more transient occupancy tax and tourism improvement district revenue, which benefits the entire region, said Mr. Palmer, who manages Vino Bello for Shell Vacations.
The Meritage itself is undergoing a $40 million expansion, expected to be completed by April 2012, that will essentially double the size of the resort, from 158 rooms to 323 rooms.
Guests at The Meritage can be booked at Vino Bello if it is sold out, and Vino Bello guests have access to amenities at The Meritage, such as the spas and restaurant.
Construction at Vino Bello was done by Vacaville-based Hearn Development, which constructed the original two buildings in 2006.
