In Your Element
Napa Valley is unquestionably adept at setting a high bar for excellence. So it is no surprise that it is home to some of the best hotels we’ve ever had the pleasure of checking into.
THE GRANDE DAMES
Auberge du Soleil
180 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford | (707) 963-1211
Catching your first glimpse of this French storybook outtake from the Silverado Trail below is an unforgettable sight. A sultry thicket of olive trees and chateaux terraced down the valley’s most breathtaking hillside, Auberge du Soleil is so unabashedly romantic, it’s the site where one of us tied the knot. It has been a staple atop industry “best” lists for the better part of its 25-year existence, but it isn’t just the stunning rooms and top-tier service that sets Auberge apart. From the moment you walk into their warm, understated foyer, you are truly welcome and well received. It’s hard to imagine, but that view – justifiably the most lauded in all of Napa Valley – is simply the icing on the cake.
Bardessono
5626 Yount Street, Yountville | (707) 204-6000
Yountville’s greenest hotel is also its most luxurious, the creativity in its sustainable modern aesthetic matched by five-star service and amenities. The LEED Platinum certified resort doesn’t skimp on style; quite the opposite since its spa-like rooms with garden spaces act as a personal oasis. Bardessono’s prime digs in the heart of centrally located Yountville (a stone’s throw from Bouchon and Bottega, no less) make it a natural choice for your Napa home away from home.
Solage Calistoga
755 Silverado Trail North, Calistoga | (707) 266-7534
Laying eyes on Solage’s spotless, palm-dotted property after a magnificent vineyard drive is a “pinch me” kind of arrival, its modern farmhouse look and high-style yet relaxed vibe an instant draw. The well-appointed cottages come equipped with inviting patios and a pair of beach cruisers encouraging post-tasting relaxation and exploratory rides to cute-as-a-button downtown Calistoga. And Solbar and Spa Solage – the Michelin-starred restaurant and restorative spa onsite – are two of our favorite Napa Valley destinations in their own right.
The Carneros Inn
4048 Sonoma Highway, Napa | (707) 299-4900
The Carneros Inn is an ideal choice for an all-in-one retreat or for those seeking equal proximity to both Sonoma and Napa county exploration. A sprawling compound offering an array of luxe cottages, two tasty restaurants and a tranquil, romantic spa, we’ve always said this would be an ideal home base for a large group getaway. Morning walks through the Inn’s bucolic orchards and afternoon bike rides to neighboring wineries make this an idyllic country daydream.
CHARMED, WE’RE SURE
Hotel Yountville
6462 Washington Street, Yountville | (707) 967-7900
We were regulars at this spot back when it was the adorable Yountville Inn. Now that it has undergone an extensive renovation, reimagining and upgrade, there is that much more to love about the gracious Hotel Yountville. The generously sized rooms and vineyard-adjacent location at downtown Yountville’s edge allows you to be both in the center of it all and a world away at any given moment.
Villagio Inn & Spa
6481 Washington St, Yountville | (707) 944-8877
A slice on Tuscany in the middle of downtown Yountville, Villagio Inn & Spa is a surprisingly serene retreat. The pretty lobby is a hub for Gather-tested guest perks like nightly wine and cheese tastings and a complimentary breakfast buffet (well hello there, omelette bar). Even the standard rooms are sprawling havens complete with roaring fireplaces and sunken tubs, and the proximity to the darling V Marketplace is an added bonus.
North Block Hotel
6757 Washington Street, Yountville | (707) 944-8080
Forgive our pun in advance but this chic boutique was a welcome new kid on the Yountville hotel scene. Intimate and packed with photo-ready details, a stay at this 20-room, Redd Wood-adjacent spot appeals to all the senses. A twinkling courtyard is the heartbeat of the North Block, a buzzy artery connecting the restful rooms to downtown’s main drag.
