14 Hotels in Napa Valley for Every Type of Traveler
While the Napa Valley is renowned for its exquisite wine experiences, its top hotels cater to diverse preferences. Some provide extraordinary spa services, while others shine in art and design; several focus on the rejuvenating qualities of the region’s natural springs. Many boast culinary programs that have gained national acclaim.
Recently, the local hotels have faced challenges due to climate change. One notable example is Calistoga Ranch, which was lost to a devastating wildfire in 2020. That same year, Meadowood also experienced significant damage but reopened in 2021, although its three-Michelin-star restaurant remains closed.
As California's premier wine region gears up for the summer season of 2023, its accommodations are rebounding stronger than ever. Discover the highlights of 14 of Napa’s top stays, perfect for every kind of traveler.
For ultimate spa luxury
Image courtesy of Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection
Stanly Ranch, part of Auberge Resorts Collection
In April 2022, Stanly Ranch opened its doors on 712 acres in Carneros. This resort, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, includes 133 cottages and suites. Most of the accommodations feature sliding glass doors that lead to a private patio with daybeds, perfect for relaxing afternoons. Wellness enthusiasts rave about the resort’s Halehouse Spa.
Expert specialists are available to tailor experiences focused on hydration, nourishment, sleep, and movement. Typically, packages include massages using locally grown herbs. A circuit program that features a cold plunge, tepidarium, and saunas employs contrast techniques to enhance physical performance and well-being. The movement studio offers HIIT classes, outdoor activities, physical therapy, and more. The spa pool, renowned for its stunning views of San Pablo Bay, never disappoints.
Rachel Weill, Dinogo Media
Meadowood
In St. Helena, Meadowood is on its path to recovery following the 2020 Glass Fire, which ravaged the restaurant and much of the northern section of the 250-acre estate. The property currently features 36 rooms and suites, designed by renowned Napa architect Howard Backen, blending rustic charm with lavish elegance. Most accommodations boast vaulted ceilings and cozy wood-burning fireplaces.
The spa, which was mostly spared by the fire, underwent renovations in 2015 and remains the only all-suite spa in Napa Valley. It has since established itself as a premier wellness destination in the region. Signature treatments utilize local elements such as soil, flowers and herbs, and grape leaves.
In addition to the treatment suites, the Tree House Retreat specialty room provides another private area within the spa. Open to the outdoors in part, this room features a fireplace and a hand-hammered copper tub for a personalized bath experience that incorporates local elements like milk, mustard, and sea salt. Meadowood also offers a range of signature massage therapies and nine distinct facial treatments, including two specifically designed for men.
Discover more reviews of Meadowood.
For a culinary experience
Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley
The Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley launched in Calistoga in 2019, featuring 85 spacious guest rooms and suites equipped with built-in dressers, gas fireplaces, and large soaking tubs. The majority of accommodations are distributed over two levels.
The resort’s chef, Rogelio Garcia, originally from Mexico City, has gained fame as a contestant on Top Chef and has trained under culinary legends like Douglas Keane and Thomas Keller. He has developed a loyal following in Northern California and is currently making waves in the culinary scene with Auro, the property’s upscale dining option, alongside the more relaxed and seasonal Truss restaurant and Campo, an elegant Mexican cantina located by the pool.
The tasting menu at Auro is updated weekly to reflect seasonal ingredients; winter selections might feature sunchoke velouté, sweet Maine lobster with fennel, and 100-day dry-aged Flannery Beef New York served with bok choy ravioli, while spring offerings could include heirloom tomatoes and king salmon. Pair these dishes with wines from some of the region’s top winemakers.
Rachel Weill, Dinogo Media
Solage, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection
Located across the street at Solage, also a member of the Auberge Resorts Collection, there are 100 contemporary suites and studios featuring concrete floors, rock-floored showers that soothe your feet, private patios, and bicycles available for exploring the area. Solbar made history in 2010 by becoming Calistoga’s first restaurant to earn a Michelin star.
Although the restaurant lost its star in 2021, Chef Gustavo Rios continues to provide an extraordinary dining experience. His dishes are crafted around the freshest seasonal ingredients, making his menu renowned for its variety of vegetarian and vegan options in Napa Valley.
That said, the petrale sole fish tacos have earned their reputation for a reason, and locals rave about the Reuben made with house-cured corned beef. On sunny days, the spacious patio is an inviting place to enjoy lunch (or cocktails) with friends. Every Sunday, Solbar hosts a three-course 'Sunday Supper' that highlights fresh local produce. The menu for April 2023 included cucumber prepared in three different styles and roasted rockfish with gochujang glaze.
Discover more reviews of Solage.
For breathtaking vineyard views
Image courtesy of The Setting Inn
The Setting Inn
At The Setting Inn, a charming five-room bed-and-breakfast with a nearby private cottage, grapevines grow almost right outside your windows, conveniently situated between Napa and Yountville. The rooms feature hardwood floors and spacious beds adorned with antique headboards, while the bathrooms are bathed in natural light. The renovated farmhouse, built in 1901, and the cottage are nestled between two separate cabernet sauvignon vineyards owned by a private producer who supplies many well-known labels.
Savor a breakfast of warm chocolate croissants and flaky kouign-amann from Bouchon Bakery in your room before borrowing one of the inn’s electric bikes to ride west along Hillview Lane, passing countless acres of vineyards. Later, enjoy a private tasting of award-winning wines from The Setting Wines in the Barn, which also serves as a communal lounge for guests.
Senza Hotel
Nestled among the vineyards across Highway 29, the Senza Hotel offers 43 accommodations featuring fireplaces, inviting sitting areas, and private patios or balconies that provide vineyard views in nearly every direction.
Begin your day with a leisurely walk among the vines, then schedule a post-lunch tasting at Ashes & Diamonds, a trendy winery just a short stroll away. After relaxing by the exclusive pool for guests, take another walk along the vineyard rows to Bistro Don Giovanni for some of the finest northern Italian cuisine in the area (be sure to try the beet salad and branzino).
If you plan accordingly, you can return to your balcony just in time to witness the sunset over the endless rows of vineyards.
For art and design enthusiasts
R Inn
Artistry is on display throughout the R Inn, a boutique hotel located in downtown Napa that features five loft suites, 10 rooms surrounding an open-air courtyard, and a standalone bungalow. Originally an office building, this midcentury-modern structure has been refurbished and adorned with striking contemporary chandeliers and eclectic decorative pieces.
Much of the artwork, including striking sculptures, is the work of a local artist named Rags, whose distinctive style is featured prominently throughout the property. The walls of guest rooms and shared spaces display photography by various Valley artists. Guests can enjoy communal amenities such as a small kitchen, outdoor gathering areas, and cozy living rooms. There's even a dedicated 'Zoom room' for remote workers who prefer not to mix business with the comfort of their hotel accommodations.
Image courtesy of Bardessono
Bardessono
At Bardessono, design is at the forefront, making it one of Napa’s most eco-friendly hotels. This design-centric resort is among the seven hotels in the United States that have earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s (LEED) Platinum certification, the pinnacle of sustainable design standards.
The 65 guest rooms feature stylish concrete floors, steam showers, and private patios or balconies that create a serene retreat. The rooftop pool, situated above the chic yet welcoming Lucy restaurant and bar, boasts some of the finest views in Yountville. An underground geothermal system is used to regulate the heating and cooling of guest rooms, the spa, and the hot water supply.
On the rooftops of the guest buildings are 940 solar panels that fulfill a substantial portion of the hotel's energy needs. Additionally, occupancy sensors in the rooms help reduce energy consumption when guests are not present.
For a true escape from the hustle and bustle
Image courtesy of Auberge du Soleil
Auberge du Soleil
Nestled on 33 scenic acres above Rutherford, the 50-room Auberge du Soleil is enveloped by vineyards and natural landscapes, providing a true getaway from the hustle and bustle below. Guests can enjoy postcard-perfect views of the Valley from any of the pergola-covered patios and terraces that accompany the suites and private maison.
Guest room features include outdoor tubs or showers, and the property offers a wealth of activities to fill an entire weekend. Guests can play tennis, stroll through the sculpture garden, soak up the sun by the on-site pool, or dine at the recently updated restaurant. The lobby provides convenient access to a network of hiking trails that meander through towering redwoods.
Bann Napa
Nestled in the Oak Knoll district, Bann Napa embodies the artistic minimalism of Thailand while being celebrated for cultivating some of the finest cabernet in the world. This intimate three-room inn is the creation of chef Lalita Souksamlane, who is also the visionary behind Osha Thai restaurants in San Francisco.
Each room features dark wood decor along with tiles and textiles sourced from various regions in Thailand. Guests will enjoy lofted ceilings and bell-shaped light fixtures that reflect Eastern aesthetics. Every morning, a delightful five-course Thai breakfast is served, offering dishes such as Thai rice soup with egg and shrimp.
Guests can relax by a small saltwater pool and hot tub with views of the surrounding vineyards. With prior reservations, Bann offers an exquisite nine-course chef’s table dinner experience showcasing some of chef Lalita’s most intricate flavors, including zesty curry and sweet lemongrass.
Discover more: Napa’s in Bloom: How to Plan the Perfect Spring Weekend
For a metropolitan experience
The Archer
Situated in the vibrant heart of downtown Napa, the Archer features 183 rooms, most of which are compact yet enhanced by their floor-to-ceiling window alcoves. The lobby, dimly lit and evocative of a wine barrel, is adorned with large couches that encourage cozy conversations, while a topographical map of the Napa Valley captivates onlookers.
Adjacent to the lobby, you'll find a Charlie Palmer steakhouse, and atop the building is Sky & Vine, Napa's inaugural rooftop bar that draws a lively crowd of both visitors and locals. It's an ideal place to relax by a firepit after a day of wine tasting, and you can cap off your evening with “Reverse Happy Hour” drink specials starting after 9 p.m.
Courtesy of the Wydown Hotel
The Wydown Hotel
Located about 30 minutes up the Valley in St. Helena, the charming 12-room Wydown Hotel is positioned right on the main street, just a block away from local favorites like Woodhouse Chocolate, Model Bakery (don't miss their English muffins), and Cameo Cinema. Established in 1913, this historic cinema screens arthouse films and holds the title of California’s oldest continually operating single-screen theater. The rooms are bright and spacious, many featuring cozy reading nooks or skylights. Guests enjoy a continental breakfast with baked goods from Model and afternoon chocolate-and-wine tastings in the lobby.
One of the major advantages of staying at The Wydown is that each guest room comes with its own parking space at the back—an invaluable asset, particularly during the busy summer and harvest seasons when St. Helena can become quite congested.
For revitalizing mineral waters
Rachel Weill, Dinogo Media
Indian Springs Resort & Spa
For many years, the northern Napa Valley town of Calistoga has been recognized as a destination for those seeking the area's therapeutic mineral spring waters—these springs are what attracted 19th-century author Robert Louis Stevenson to the region. Today, a top choice for wellness enthusiasts is the family-run Indian Springs Resort & Spa, featuring two expansive spring-fed pools and a spa that offers rejuvenating mud baths. While private tubs are available for use, the best way to experience the warmth of Indian Springs' pools is by grabbing two pool noodles and floating leisurely in the soothing waters.
The main pool, established in 1913, welcomes families and is open until 10 p.m., while a separate adults-only pool provides a more upscale atmosphere. The 116 accommodations range from spacious adults-only rooms in the Lodge to modernized cottages from the 1930s that are perfect for families. The resort is conveniently located just a five-minute stroll from downtown Calistoga and boasts a popular on-site eatery, Sam’s Social Club, which offers a seasonal menu.
Read more reviews of Indian Springs Resort & Spa.
Courtesy of Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs
Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs
Located just a quarter mile down the road, the midcentury-modern Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs offers a similarly relaxed atmosphere. It features a pool filled with mineral spring water and a spa that focuses on mud treatments utilizing the renowned water. True to its name, the resort includes a recently renovated courtyard area equipped with bistro tables, lawn games, and a makeshift cocktail bar crafted from a repurposed shipping container.
While enjoying the pool, don't miss the vibrant, custom murals painted by local artists adorning the hotel's exterior. Constructed in 1952, many of the 50 rooms are compact; however, a renovation in 2019 and 2020 has introduced modern amenities like Galanz mini-fridges and electric kettles for boiling water.
Accommodations vary from classic hotel rooms to a spacious five-bedroom Victorian house built in 1924, which features stylish bunk beds and can accommodate up to 15 guests. The property showcases vintage clawfoot tubs, framed photographs from the resort’s early days, and original brick walls that harken back to a different era.
Evaluation :
5/5