Visitors have flocked to the Napa Valley seeking respite and rejuvenation in nature since the 1800s. In the upper part of the valley around St. Helena and Calistoga, natural mineral springs bubble from the earth. In the 1860s, entrepreneur and consummate host Samuel Brannan completed a railroad between San Francisco and Calistoga to make it easy for guests who didn’t have motor cars to make the journey to his hot springs resort. Meanwhile, the White Sulphur Springs Resort, a magnet for the well-to-do, opened in St. Helena in 1852. Guests stayed in cabins tucked into the Mayacamas Mountains and spent their days taking healing baths in the sulphur-rich waters, enjoying the waterfalls, wildflowers and wild deer.
The resort was sadly lost in the 2020 Glass Fire, but it had set the template for the ideal Napa Valley vacation: a plush place to relax and reconnect with nature. Meanwhile, down-valley establishments such as The Magnolia House in Yountville were better known for their entertainment, which included gambling, wine and women (not necessarily in that order).
Fast-forward to today, and Napa Valley’s best hotels are still focusing on highlighting the region’s natural beauty, but the entertainment is now concentrated around a civilised appreciation of one of the area’s unique attractions: wine. Whether you’re seeking restorative spa treatments, a palatial room with vineyard views, or conveniences like world-class dining just steps from your room, there’s a Napa Valley hotel to fulfill your every wish. And all of the resorts and hotels on this list offer the added perk of wine experiences. With the right booking you could find yourself unwinding with a complimentary tasting at golden hour, meeting a legendary winemaker or enjoying special access to private experiences at the top Napa Valley wineries.
14 of the best Napa Valley hotels for wine lovers
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Solage Calistoga
Calistoga
A member of the Auberge Resorts Collection, Solage Calistoga evokes the past with traditional 1920s Craftsman-style cottage accommodations outfitted with luxe-modern amenities. Whether the view is of the pool or the mountains, cottages offer airy vaulted ceilings, serene neutral decor and private patios. Soak in a bath in front of the fireplace in the King Studio or choose the Silverado Suite with separate living rooms and a hot tub for two on the terrace. Poolside Picobar offers light bites and mountain views, while Solbar sees Chef Gustavo Rios specialising in California cuisine with the freshest seasonal ingredients. Thanks to the hotel’s impeccable connections, guests can enjoy complimentary tastings at partner wineries including Faust, Ballentine, Darioush, and Alpha Omega. Solage doesn’t sleep on spa offerings either, with five geothermal pools and a detoxifying mineral mud bath to leave guests feeling brand new.
755 Silverado Trail North, Calistoga, CA 94515
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The Four Seasons Napa Valley Resort & Residences
Calistoga
Instead of a large building, The Four Seasons Napa Valley spreads itself across a series of townhouses perfectly integrated into the surrounding hills. Guests might feel like wine country denizens as they settle into their chic dwellings decorated in striking black-and-white tones, with natural wood and equestrian accents, a nod to the Silverado Trail’s ranching roots. The Japanese-inspired soaking tub is the focal point of the expansive bath suite, which has a long vanity stocked with Le Labo toiletries. Along with complimentary nibbles, the minibar is stocked with everything from kombucha to Kistler Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon by Elusa, the onsite winery helmed by Thomas Rivers Brown and Jonathan Walden. Drop into the casual Truss restaurant for a burger and a glass of wine, but don’t miss out on the Michelin-starred degustation menus at Auro. Chef Rogelio Garcia’s menu features seasonal ingredients with Japanese and Latin flavours.
400 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, CA 94515
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Harvest Inn
St. Helena
This charming inn ringed by vineyards is set within 3.2 hectares of gorgeous gardens and redwood trees. Though the original inn dates back to 1975, a major renovation has since seen rooms upgraded and the lobby refreshed with a smart bar and sofas. Each room comes with a complimentary bottle of red wine from Leonardini Whitehall Lane, the family-owned winery next door. Harvest rooms include queen-size beds and soft robes, or upgrade to a Vineyard View suite for the chance to luxuriate in a private hot tub while gazing at the Leonardini vines. Guests can enjoy gratis tastings at partner wineries including Hall Wines, Freemark Abbey, Turnbull, and V. Sattui. It’s also worth noting that parking is complimentary, given that the hotel partners with a rental service affording access to Lincoln, Porsche, Rivian, Maserati and Jaguar vehicles.
1 Main St., St Helena, CA 94574
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Poetry Inn
Napa
The Poetry Inn is one of the best Napa Valley hotels for those looking for an intimate stay with personalised service. Originally built by vintner Cliff Lede, the inn takes its name from his nearby Poetry Vineyard. It features just five suites named after American poets and with individualised décor, although each feature stunning valley views, heated bathroom floors, and blush-coloured marble surrounding the bathtubs. The Emily Dickinson is a serene space in blue and white with natural accents, while the Robert Frost suite, decorated in tones of charcoal and sand, offers two terraces including one with a suspended daybed that’s ideal for afternoon napping. Guests can enjoy complimentary wine upon arrival and by-appointment tasting experiences at sister property Sullivan Rutherford Estate, which specialises in Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine- or Tequila-pairing dinners can be arranged with private chef Jim Leiken for an additional charge.
6380 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
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Wydown Hotel
St. Helena
Wydown Hotel feels like staying at the home of a friend, albeit one with eclectic and exceptional taste in art, furnishings and décor. Local hotelier Mark Hoffmeister personally curated the public lounging spaces and 12 guest rooms in this circa-1886 building to create a modern wine country stay. Think king-size beds, large flatscreen TVs, Nespresso machines and Geneva sound systems. In the mood to get physical? Stroll down to Health Spa Napa Valley with your guest pass. Besides breakfast, guests are treated to nightcaps, afternoon tea and freshly baked cookies. Take advantage of hosted Friday wine tastings and discounted visits to winery partners including Cakebread, Grgich Hills, Honig, Salvestrin, Spence Vineyards, Schweiger and Titus.
1424 Main St., St. Helena, CA 94574
Meadowood Napa Valley
St. Helena
When Meadowood opened in 1961, it was one of the valley’s original cottage-style resorts. Financier Bill Harlan bought the ailing resort in 1979 and has been on a quest ever since to make it the finest luxury resort in the US. Guest cottages at Meadowood are expansive and yet designed with cosy nooks that invite relaxation. Turning on the fireplace and getting comfy on the sofa, curling up in the window seat with a book or slipping into the deep tub and letting stress float away are equally appealing options. There’s plenty to do outside the room: tennis, hiking, golf, indulgent spa treatments or exploring a favourite varietal at a wine education centre that’s exclusive to guests. Kelli A. White, the centre’s education director and an esteemed wine historian and author, is as approachable as she is knowledgeable. The Forum restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a quiet spot for an expertly prepared cocktail and conversation. The concierge team can also create curated wine tour itineraries for each guest.
900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574
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Maison Fleurie B&B
Yountville
Guests who spend the night at Maison Fleurie may feel like they’ve landed at an estate in the French countryside, especially when taking a stroll around the manicured paths and gardens. Perhaps it’s a good thing the walls can’t talk: this was once the site of The Magnolia House, a popular hotel circa 1873 that was rumored to be a bordello. These days, the maison is all about peaceful repose in one of the dozen rooms appointed with fireplaces, antiques, terraces and toile de jouy textiles, or perhaps a dip in the tiled outdoor hot tub hidden behind vine-covered walls. Guests can enjoy a complimentary wine-and-cheese happy hour every evening, as well as 50 percent off any wine bottle purchases.
6529 Yount St. Yountville, CA 94599
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The Bardessono and Spa
Yountville
The Bardessono is the quintessence of zen, a certified sustainable temple of understated luxury. The name is a tribute to the family who once grew plums and walnuts here; the hotel maintains its connection to nature with its Japanese gardens and the Lucy restaurant, which sources herbs from its own kitchen garden. Biophilic rooms invite nature in with floor-to-ceiling windows, private courtyards, fireplaces and al fresco showers. A £1.5M refresh in early 2024 saw rooms upgraded with decorative brushwork above the beds inspired by Japanese calligraphy, plus custom-made seating and stone surfaces. Bath suites are large enough for in-room spa treatments (like the grape seed scrub). But it’s the gracious service that will make this a favourite Napa Valley stay. Guests are greeted by their wine varietal of choice and a cheese plate. The best wine amenity, though, is a private one-to-one on-site tasting of Heitz Martha’s Vineyard with Erik Elliott, the Master Sommelier who runs the iconic cellar.
6526 Yount St., Yountville, CA 94559
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Auberge du Soleil
Rutherford
Born in Algeria and raised in France, founder Claude Rouas never intended to become a hotelier, but guests at his exquisite French-Mediterranean restaurant wanted a place to stay and he obliged. When guests drive up the hill leading to Auberge du Soleil and finally arrive at the glorious resort, there’s no doubt they’re in for a special experience. The auberge is a collection of 50 private rooms, suites and standalone maisons, all filled with sumptuous furnishings, linens and décor to evoke a luxe estate in Provence. No detail is overlooked, down to aligning the fountains at the spa with the views of Mount Veeder in the distance. Guests are welcomed with a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon, bubbles or rosé and during warm weather from May to August, complimentary wine tastings can be enjoyed in the courtyard. Bathing aficionados will want first dibs on a garden suite with an outdoor soaking tub.
aubergeresorts.com/aubergedusoleil
180 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford, CA 94573
The Setting Inn
Napa
This boutique inn set in a historic 1901 farmhouse, offers a blank slate for whatever kind of experiences guests desire. If a romantic just-the-two-of-us weekend is in order, then guests will be perfectly content in spacious, traditionally designed suites with plush beds, soaking tubs, fireplaces and terraces with mountain views. Meanwhile, a self-contained cottage with two bedrooms and a pair of baths makes an ideal set-up for a family with children, couples traveling together or a getaway with the girlfriends – who can come together in the Barn, a rec room with plush seating, games and a guitar. Morning brings pastries from Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery and coffee from Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company. The Setting also owns a winery that specialises in Bordeaux blends and Sauvignon Blanc made by acclaimed winemaker Jesse Katz of Aperture Cellars. Schedule a tasting onsite or take the scenic hour journey to Healdsburg where the wines are made.
1205 Hillview Lane, Napa, CA 94558
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Archer Hotel
Napa
Staying at the Archer Hotel puts guests in the heart of all the action in Napa, which is currently the most vibrant city in the valley. You’re steps from scores of great restaurants, shops, more than 60 wine tasting rooms and scenic attractions such as kayaking on the Napa River. The Archer offers six different room types, including suites with balconies. And all guests are supplied with Frette robes, Nespresso coffee and turndown treats. The best amenities are outside the room, though. Head to the rooftop spa for a hot stone massage or visit Sky & Vine Rooftop Bar to enjoy lobster corn dogs and Margherita pizza. Don’t miss cuisine curated by American celebrity chef Charlie Palmer at his eponymous steakhouse. Guests can also enjoy complimentary tastings at the Vintner’s Collective, a downtown tasting room, or redeem discounted tastings at wineries including Merryvale, Ballentine, Jessup Cellars, Cakebread, Rutherford Ranch, and Cliff Lede Vineyards. Alternatively, choose from more than 100 special bottlings at the hotel’s Whisky Bar.
1230 First St., Napa, CA 94559
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The McClelland House B&B
Napa
Stepping inside the McClelland House, you feel the thrill of what it must have been like to live in a stately Victorian mansion. Originally built in 1879, Napa Valley’s first woman doctor once called this landmark residence her home. Historic features including the stained-glass door, sweeping front staircase and tiled fireplaces have been lovingly restored. Current owner Choolwe Kalulu has worked with a designer to add harmonious modern décor and features to each of the five suites. A favourite is the Bond Suite, with a starburst chandelier, pale-blue ceiling and plush orange velvet slipper chairs inspired by a vintage Hermes scarf. Guests enjoy a welcome wine service with their choice of red, white or sparkling wine, plus a nightly wine-and-cheese happy hour and full hot breakfast cooked to order and served in the grand dining room.
569 Randolph St., Napa, CA 94559
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Senza Hotel
Napa
For guests who like a balance between serenity and being close enough to the action, the Senza Hotel is an ideal choice. Guests drawn to relaxation can take a dip in the pool, stroll in the rose garden or book a spa treatment featuring local grape seeds. Yet the hotel is steps from Bistro Don Giovanni and Ashes & Diamonds Winery is just a short drive away. Guest rooms, which are spread among a handful of grey wood buildings, feature understated décor with colourful accents. Couples can curl up in a Senza Suite with a loft bedroom, while families may prefer a Queen Suite that accommodates four overnight guests. All rooms feature good natural light, fireplaces and espresso machines. Stop by the hotel’s Library Cafe from 6 to 7pm most evenings for complimentary tastings by wine brands including Venge Vineyards, James Cole and Bella Union.
4066 Howard Lane, Napa, CA 94558
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Carneros Resort and Spa
Napa
Carneros Resort and Spa feels like a world apart from the rest of the Napa Valley. The expansive vineyards, wide open fields and inlets ringed by fog-shrouded mountains are instantly soothing. In past eras, the picturesque landscape was once grazing land for dairy cows and sheep that lend the region its name (carneros means ‘the rams’ in Spanish). Farmhouse-chic guest cottages decorated in soothing colour palettes feature bedrooms that open onto a private back terrace with fire pits and chaise longues. Groups travelling with friends or children will want to consider a two-cottage suite with a shared living space and patio. Elevated amenities in Harvest Cottages include beds with sleep-enhancing technology (pressure relief sensors adjust to prevent you from waking) and soaking tubs on the terrace, while all guests can enjoy complimentary daily wine tastings and transport to wineries within an 8km radius.
4048 Sonoma Highway, Napa, CA 94559
