Who's Going
Geri Hallowell, Victoria Beckham, Martha Stewart
Reason to Stay
Gourmand Eatery, Stylish Crowd, Romantic Location
Hotel Type
Luxury Retreat
Secluded in a 33-acre olive grove on the slopes of Rutherford Hill on the convenient eastern entrance of the Napa Valley, Auberge du Soleil captures the tranquility of a country inn with the inner styling of a sophisticated hotel that was one of the area's first luxury lodges. Just off the Silverado Trail 65 miles north of San Francisco, a 80-minute drive from the Golden Gate Bridge, the hotel is located in the quiet winemaking town of Rutherford hidden inside a collection of 3-story villas surrounded in wooden terraces that capture distant valley views. An architectural lodge blends soothing colors of the valley with rustic wood ceiling and floors offset with splashes of colorful upholstery and modern sofas and club chairs with an open patio or terrace never more than a few steps away.
Sprawling gardens are terraced along hillside walkways that wind through olive groves and 110-piece I. Wolk sculpture gardens that meander to a nearby resort deck surrounded in marble tiles and canopied settees that ooze of Tuscan chic. The hotel is home to 1-Star Michelin Auberge du Soleil Restaurant and bar by Chef Robert Curry who creates Napa-theme cuisine with locally sourced ingredients in a spectacular dining room from one of the valley's highest peaks. The 7,000 square foot Spa du Soleil bring the outdoors into the treatment rooms with infinity edge soaking pools and treatments that feature ingredients indigenous to the valley. Even non-spa seekers are given access to an outdoor whirlpool, steam rooms, fitness center and tennis court as well as easy access to nearby golf courses, riding stables and miles of hiking and biking trails.
The Room
Like staying at a private home where you don’t have to worry about the quality of the sheets or echoes from adjacent bedrooms, 50 one-bedroom suites are captured in rustic-yet modern and earthy spaces bathed in natural light with private terraces that open to views of the working vine-lined valley. Each room features comfy seating area with well-stoked wood fires and nearby refrigerator stocked with regional wines and cheeses. Open-style bedrooms are arranged for romance with fluffy oversize pillows and creamy matelasse bed-covers. Bathrooms feature deep-soaking tubs and separate stall showers with double sinks and extra-soft terry cloth robes for long morning where check-out is often extended till 3pm. Upgraded suites come with the added perk of extra TVs in the bedroom and bathroom as well as private entrances and larger terraces at select hillside cottages.
Preferred Room
Upper Valley View
Special Features
1-Star Michelin Eatery, Romantic Resort, Wedding Hotspot
Amenities
Restaurant, Lounge, Bar, Pool, Spa, Tennis