This Napa Valley Hotel Is The Crème de la Crème
If you think Auberge du Soleil sounds like a forgotten French palace that just happened to wind up in Northern California, you wouldn’t be far from the truth. Tucked into the verdant hillsides of Napa with unparalleled views of the valley below, Auberge du Soleil balances a Mediterranean-like luxury with open air vistas, infusing the space with quintessential nature-based charm and the incomparable outdoors aesthetic for which the region is celebrated.
A gorgeous Relais & Châteaux property in the most fertile region of California, Auberge du Soleil is a top Garden Collage destination for beautiful, relaxing West Coast getaway.
Founded by visionary restaurateur Claude Rouas in 1981, Auberge du Soleil began as Napa’s first fine dining restaurant– but with immediate and popular acclaim, Rousas and his business partner, Robert Harmon, opened an inn as a complement to food.
“Auberge du Soleil brought a new style of informal elegance, luxury and service to the world of hospitality 25 years ago,” remarked George Goeggel, Managing Partner, on the occasion of Auberge du Soleil’s 25th anniversary. “For many, it embodies the perfect retreat, and we’ve been pleased to see how many guests have returned again and again throughout the years… At 25, the Auberge is better than ever.”
Today, Auberge du Soleil is the only Forbes Five Star Rated hotel in Napa Valley, and with good reason. Between the extensive outdoor sculpture garden, fitness center, yoga pavilion, and thermal pools, guests are left with little to want and everything to do– and we haven’t even gotten to the food and wine. A Michelin star restaurant– of course featuring exclusively seasonal dishes– is complimented by a staggeringly extensive wine cellar of 15,000 domestic and international bottles, selected by Wine Director Kris Margerum. It is considered the most comprehensive wine list in the Valley– which is a serious assertion in wine country like Napa.
For those who prefer cocktails, there is a menu of seasonal selections (October’s cocktail of the month was comprised of Knob Creek, Clear Creek apple brandy, ginger syrup, french sparkling cider, and fresh sage leaves).
When you’re looking to retreat from the world, the guest rooms are decorated with an airy, sunny elegance, and each with their own fireplace and outdoor terrace from which to soak up the astounding views. The spa– which opened in 2001– similarly offers state-of-the-art relaxation, and is based on Zen designs, offset by three stone fountains acquired from a centuries-old French monastery. Plus, there’s no need to feel guilty about unwinding in the luxury– the hotel has a commitment to sustainable practices, and embraces planting a native landscape.
With incredible views of a landscape that even French royalty would be envious of, Auberge du Soleil is the ultimate in vacation leisure. Just 65 miles north of San Francisco, the hotel is within driving distance of Bay Area’s many attractions, promising both the bucolic peace of the countryside and the urban excitement of cities to the modern traveler– for a decadent weekend stay, there is no other option.
To learn more about Auberge du Soleil, or to make a reservation, visit their website.
