Auberge du Soleil – the name alone conjures images of sun-drenched Provençal hillsides, yet here we are in Napa Valley! From the moment you wind up the olive tree-lined drive, you know you’ve stumbled upon something utterly transportive.
As a self-proclaimed spa enthusiast, let me tell you why this resort tops my destination list. The spa sanctuary – and I mean sanctuary – is a Zen-inspired haven where those three perfectly aligned stone fountains seem to whisper “slow down” as they draw your eye toward Mount Veeder in the distance. My absolute must-do? A morning yoga session in La Pagode, a Japanese ryokan-style pavilion where finding your zen is as natural as breathing in the valley air.
The property unfolds across 33 acres of heritage olive and oak trees, with 50 rooms tucked into maisons named after French villages (how delightful is that?). Each space opens to what has to be the most coveted view in wine country – a mesmerizing panorama that shifts with each passing hour, making you want to cancel all your plans and simply watch the light play across the valley floor.
Speaking of canceling plans – the exclusive-to-hotel-guests spa begs for a week-long stay. Between the temperate soaking pools (heaven!), infrared sauna, and customized treatments, you might forget there’s a Michelin-starred restaurant waiting to dazzle you with Executive Chef Robert Curry’s locally-sourced creations.
For the wellness-minded, the options are deliciously varied: vinyasa flows, Tai Chi, Chakra Balancing, or my personal favorite – a meditative walk through Parc du Soleil’s sculpture garden. And if you’re feeling guilty about all this indulgence? Don’t. The resort’s commitment to environmental initiatives means you can luxuriate with a clear conscience.
Those Forbes Travel Guide 5 Stars and Michelin Stars didn’t appear by accident, and that #1 Napa Valley hotel ranking in US News & World Report’s “Best Hotels of 2018” simply confirms what you’ll know within moments of arrival – this is California wine country luxury at its most sublime.
Clean Cred: Locally and regionally sourced organic restaurant ingredients, biodynamic and organic wine selections, Oek-Tex certified linens, in-house filtered water system, biodegradable cleaning products, low VOC paints property-wide, water conservation messaging, aluminum water bottles replacing single-use plastic, renewable power sourcing (solar, wind, geothermal), comprehensive recycling program including wine cork recycling through ReCork.com, bulk-dispenser organic bath amenities, energy-efficient lighting (CFL and LED), Energy Star certified equipment, integrated water management, food composting participation, California Green Business Network certification, Napa Valley Vine Trail support through guest donations, Deep Green zero emission power commitment, Green Spa Network Planet partnership
Bona fide: Forbes Travel Guide 5 Star award, Michelin Star award, #1 Napa Valley hotel in US News & World Report’s “Best Hotels of 2018.”
