While there are lots of places I would love to stay on my trip to Napa/Sonoma in a 2 weeks, I am trying to save my money for the wine and food! I have found 2 hotels for ~150 a night---the Fairfield Inn in American Canyon (which I have stayed at before and know it is clean, etc) or the Best Western Elm house in Napa. Best Western is usually a chain I try to stay away for so am not sure about this choice but it was rated highly in Trip Advisor and if PR/reports are to be believed a little nicer as far as things outside the room go. Anyone have experience with or knowledge of both places and can advise me which reservation to keep?

Of course recommendations on other similarly priced hotels would be appreciated too though I assume they would be fully booked at this point.
I am considering traveling to the Russion River area.

Brenda,

Don't stay in American Canyon. It's too far from everything that you want to do, unless a nice tour of the Vallejo ghetto is on your itinerary. Look at the AC hotel location location on a map - see where the 37 and 29 meet? Anywhere south of there is a war zone.

I haven't stayed at and know nothing about the BW you mentioned. Location wise, it's right off the 29 in Napa and seems pretty convenient. You are very close to Carneros and the Sonoma Valley from there, too.

You might want to extend your search to St. Helena, further north in Napa Valley. There have been other posts in this forum recommending inexpensive lodging in that area (El Bonita motel?). From St. Helena/Calistoga, you can easily get to the RRV via a number of the roads that cross the mountains into northern Sonoma Cty nearby.

I would recommend Windrose Romantic Cottages near the town of Windsor in Sonoma County. They have some reasonably priced cottages...especially during the week. For more info: http://www.cheers2wine.com/Windrose-Romantic-Cottages.html

If you are in this part of Sonoma, be sure to make reservations to dine at Restaurant Mirepoix...it's fabulous.

Stay at the Best Western Elm House Inn.

This may, literally, be the easiest question I've ever had to answer. It is just about the best value hotel I've stayed at in the States. Note it's trip advisor rating.

Also note: It is basically a B&B with abuot 20 rooms, but if that sounds like a good option, take it.