The best hotels in Napa Valley, from a Stagecoach stop-turned-boutique hotel to a luxe Italian-inspired stay
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Northern California's bucolic valley, dotted with sprawling manicured vineyards and more than 400 wineries evocative of Old World European castles and ultra-modern boxy, glass-and-steel estates, can be likened to a fairytale, or a real-life Hallmark movie. Thanks to farmer and fur trapper George C. Yount, who first planted grapes in the area in 1839 (Yountville was named after him), the Valley, just an hour north of San Francisco, is a premier destination for world-renowned vintners and celeb chefs, including Thomas Keller and Masaharu Morimoto. Comprised of 15 towns from bustling downtown Napa to down-to-earth Sonoma, it's no wonder Wine Country has become a top travel destination for honeymooners, girls' getaways, and even families. And it is having an even larger moment of late, especially downtown Napa, with a slew of new tasting rooms (there are approximately 50 and counting in the city of Napa alone), specialty shops, restaurants, and retail giants coming on scene or doubling in size within the last year or two. Longtime San Franciscans and Bay Area techies have also migrated north, trading frenetic schedules, parking woes, and sky-high rents for solace and country life (myself included).
For visitors planning a trip, there truly are the best hotels in Napa Valley for every type of traveller, whether it's a former stagecoach stop-gone-boutique hotel that hugs the Napa River near downtown, or an eco-luxury property in Yountville paying homage to its original Italian-born owners. Here, we present the top resorts and hotels in Napa Valley.
Courtesy of Farmhouse InnhotelFarmhouse Inn
$$Purchased in 2001 by brother-sister duo and fifth-generation Sonomans Joe and Catherine Bartolomei, who spent weekends at the former homestead established by their great-grandfather, the 84-acre inn teems with storybook-like charm. Comprised of 25 country chic rooms enveloped by abundant country-style gardens, the retreat features a Wellness Barn for facials and bathing rituals using locally sourced botanicals and herbs; an eponymous Michelin-starred restaurant; an outdoor swimming pool; and a house car for jaunts to nearby wineries and art galleries. At the nightly wine hour, sample wines from hand-selected local vintners, and after dinner, pick up a complimentary s'mores kit to roast marshmallows to perfection by an outdoor firepit.
Courtesy Bardessono Hotel and SpahotelBardessono Hotel and Spa
$$Situated on the site of Lucy and John Bardessono's former homestead just steps from downtown Yountville, the 62-room eco-luxe hotel – with an on-site spa and garden-to-table-inspired eatery, Lucy Restaurant & Bar – was constructed using salvaged Tufa stone from the original family home; a 200-kilowatt solar energy system; and low volatile compound for all adhesives, finishes, paints, and carpets. The LEED Platinum-certified sanctuary is divvied up into spa suites (ideal for couples with 800 square feet of space including a fully-enclosed furnished courtyard or patio); Steam Spa suites with an indoor shower-gone-steam room and an outdoor shower; and Tufa suites akin to wine country townhomes with massive living rooms, abstract art, and outdoor patios with flat-screen TVs.
STEVEN ROTHFELDhotelMeadowood Napa Valley
$$$For more than 50 years, the 250-acre woodsy, wine country oasis – that screams five-star luxury – has lured the likes of A-listers, couples, and wine enthusiasts with an ample roster of offerings from private tennis lessons with a pro to therapeutic mustard baths in a hand-hammered copper tub at a treehouse retreat within the spa. Comprised of 36 rooms and suites in varying types from the spacious family-friendly Hill House burrowed into the hillside to cottage rooms with wood-burning fireplaces and enclosed porches, amenities here include complimentary car service to downtown Yountville and St. Helena; daily parking; and in-room mini-bars stocked with curated snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.
Stanly Ranch, AubergehotelStanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection
Adopting its name from vintner Judge Edward Stanly, who first graced the area in 1856, the 712-acre retreat epitomises wine country elegance in true Auberge fashion with 135 standalone cottages and suites set right within rolling farmland. For more space, book one of two two-bedroom villas replete with daily breakfast, full gourmet kitchens and wine fridges, and access to a fleet of Mercedes-Benz for cruising around town. Highlights include a wellness compound, Halehouse, featuring a robust menu of spa treatments and a Springhouse circuit program implementing innovative bio-hacking technologies, including a circulation-boosting hyperbaric oxygen chamber (advanced reservations required) and a giant cedar sauna for relaxation. Whatever you do, don't miss a meal – whether it's dinner at renowned restaurant, Bear, or a housemade confection by pastry chef Harry Flager at Gavel.
Alex Hayden/Courtesy Archer Hotel, NapahotelArcher Hotel Napa
Located within downtown Napa's First Street, a 325-square-foot multi-use development with more than two dozen specialty boutiques, restaurants, and tasting rooms, think of this 183-room hotel as your home base to the Valley. Opened in 2017, the hotel features an upscale steakhouse, Charlie Palmer; a rooftop spa; a robust art program with works by local and regional artists curated by New York art advisor Deborah Goodman Davis; and guest rooms and suites in six different layout configurations ranging from 285 square feet to 780 square feet. After a day at play exploring nearby wineries or a hot air balloon excursion (the concierge can arrange either), head upstairs to the open-air restaurant and bar, Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar, for a cocktail and sunset-watching by a firepit.
Lisa Romerein/Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & SphotelFairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
$$Distinguished by light terra-cotta walls, clay tile roofs, and multi-tiered stone fountains, the 97-year-old Spanish Colonial Revival-style inn (a member of the Historic Hotels of America) once served as a rest stop for weary soldiers and sailors in World War II. Now, the storied property – with accommodations ranging from 264-square-foot Fairmont rooms with Le Labo apothecary products, to a one-bedroom Legacy Suite fashioned with furniture by Williams Sonoma Home – boasts a spa, modeled after a Roman-style bathhouse with three outdoor mineral pools heated between 92 to 102 degrees; and five on-site dining options including California-French fusion restaurant, Santé, headed up by executive chef Jared Reeves.
Milliken Creek InnhotelMilliken Creek Inn and Spa
$$Tucked just off the Silverado Trail (blink and you'll miss it), this secluded hideaway is Napa's best hidden gem. Located a six-minute drive from downtown Napa and Oxbow Public Market, the 11-room secret garden-like oasis features walking paths, cascading fountains, and romantic seating areas for two perched along the Napa River. Revamped in 2021 by Indigo Coast Interior Design in Los Angeles, you might feel as though you've been transported to Europe, or your most stylish friend's estate with rooms outfitted with king beds, gas fireplaces, large soaking tubs, and select rooms with private balconies and firepits. Meet new friends and swap stories in the lobby every evening for complimentary wine and cheese (plus accompaniments like grapes, toasted crisps, and crackers), and freshly baked cookies.
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Courtesy Hyatt CalistogahotelCalistoga Motor Lodge & Spa
Take a road trip without having to brave traffic or comb campgrounds with RV hook-ups at this retro roadside motor lodge in downtown Calistoga. Revamped in 2017, the retro retreat features two heated outdoor geothermal pools; a spa designed as a wink to a glamorous bygone bath house; and an Italian-inspired eatery serving up wood-fired pizzas. Book a deluxe room with a king or two queen beds and private terraces, or reserve a family-friendly Camper Suite decked with a travel trailer-style banquette and hydraulic table that easily converts into a separate sleeping space. Head to the front desk-gone-trading post for provisions – a bottle of Oberon Cab, caramel-covered popcorn – or a vintage board game.
Courtesy Auberge Resorts CollectionhotelAuberge du Soleil, Auberge Resorts Collection
$$$Regarded by return guests as the kind of place where a need is met before even requested, what sets this lauded Northern California-meets-South of France refuge apart is the slightly remote location perched on a sun-drenched hillside olive grove in the unassuming town of Rutherford, and unparalleled sophistication. Designed by San Francisco–based interior designer Suzanne Tucker, maison rooms and villas resemble light-and-airy French chateaus with light oak floors and hand-carved headboards, while the newly reconceived bar and Michelin-starred restaurant also reflect Tucker's touch with bronze-framed floor-to-ceiling doors and windows to accentuate sweeping valley views. In the Parc du Soleil sculpture garden, explore more than 100 works by 60 California artists, or soak up the rays by a 72-foot-long ozone pool that uses a water-purification system to reduce harsh chemicals and pathogens.
Sea RanchhotelThe Sea Ranch Lodge
Originally constructed in 1963 on a former sheep farm as a gathering spot for residents in the area, the iconic architectural gem was masterminded by Lawrence Halprin, Al Boeke, Joseph Esherick, and design group MLTW. The Lodge – surrounded by jaw-dropping views of misty-covered jagged cliffs – was completely overhauled by San Francisco-based firm NicoleHollis with 17 revamped rooms echoing calming and earthy hues in the adjacent rugged coast with wooden walls, freestanding midcentury-inspired fireplaces, upholstered window benches, woven wall hangings, and organic bath products by Bathing Culture. Pick up picnic supplies and merch at the general store and take a hike to one of six public access trails in The Sea Ranch.
Courtesy Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa ValleyhotelFour Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley
Poised within its very own working vineyard, Elusa, the two-year-old newbie – with an industrial modern architectural bent – is located just a half-mile from Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection, and a short walk to Calistoga, but feels worlds apart. Designed with 17 different villas, rooms, and suite types for couples, travelling groups, and, believe it or not, families, the property boasts two pools (one for adults only, and one for families with kiddos); a bocce ball court; a spa; and Polestar EVs for guest use. For an unforgettable dining experience, book a table at Michelin-starred restaurant Auro, with a five-course tasting menu artfully prepared by Top Chef alum Rogelio Garcia.
Courtesy Solage CalistogahotelSolage, Auberge Resorts Collection
$$Located a short bike ride from downtown Calistoga – known for its bubbling, thermal hot springs and low-key locals – the easy, breezy, modern-meets-country refuge with an on-site spa and 130-foot heated outdoor swimming pool underwent a major multi-million-dollar renovation in 2021 replete with 11 new studios, and a poolside Mexican-inspired eatery, Picobar. The resort's 100 rooms span 515-square-foot studios all the way to two-bedroom suites with three firepits and outdoor showers. Design the itinerary to be as packed or as relaxed as you like with numerous complimentary fitness classes offered daily (options include meditation, aqua aerobics, and pickleball on two new outdoor courts), and experiences from hot air balloon excursions to mezcal and tequila tastings.
Carneros Resort and SpahotelCarneros Resort and Spa
$$Taking cues from the rolling hills, vineyards, and ranchers hauling hay bales along the adjacent highway, the modern country-influenced resort is peppered with 100 free-standing cottages arranged in neighbourhood-like configurations with vaulted ceilings, fireplaces, heated bathroom floors, and individual front porches with rocking chairs; a spa exclusive to resort guests; a 3,000-square-foot fitness center; two pickleball courts with an adjoining Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar & Lounge; a family-friendly pool; and an adults-only heated outdoor pool perched on a hilltop overlooking the Valley. Quench your thirst by sampling local wines in the newly opened tasting room, Post, or dine in one of three on-site eateries. Guests can also enjoy a daily complimentary breakfast buffet with selections prepared by executive chef Jeffrey Jake.
Karyn MillethotelMacArthur Place Hotel & Spa
$$Established more than a hundred years ago as a family estate, working horse ranch, and vineyard, the farmhouse refuge – with a black-and-white chevron-patterned ceiling installation by Joshua Tree-based woodworker Aleksandra Zee, a new Artist's Cottage, and an-on site Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, Layla – feels like a large private residence with individual dwellings, or 64 guest rooms, suites, and premium suites layered with sliding barn doors, mudcloth-style accent pillows, and club chairs. Select Premium suites feature outdoor showers, patios, and fireplaces. Lounge by the revamped outdoor pool or work up a sweat in the new fitness center with a pair of Peloton bikes. The brand new Spa at MacArthur, designed by Kes Studio (of L'Ermitage Beverly Hills), offers one-of-a-kind treatments including Sanctuary of Flowers, a 100-minute ritual combining an exfoliating body polish, full-body massage, and scalp treatment using wildflower essences concocted specifically for the spa by alchemist LotusWei.
Courtesy North Block HotelhotelNorth Block Hotel
$$Tucked along Yountville's main drag, the idyllic hideaway mimics an Old World Mediterranean oasis with ivy-covered stucco and stone walls, tranquil stone fountains, and a cosy lobby with a vintage reception desk, marble-lined fireplace, and orb-shaped pendant lamp. Anchored around a central courtyard, each of the 20 guest rooms are appointed with leather tufted armchairs, 300-count linens, and patios. Second-story rooms have balconies with valley views. The revamped eatery, The Restaurant at North Block, serves up coastal-inspired fare from wild mushroom flatbreads to halibut with autumn puree, heirloom carrots, olive salt, and Syrah-pickled grapes. For brunch, order the lemon ricotta pancakes.