The Most Exclusive Napa Valley Experiences

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Napa Valley is home to some of the world’s most exclusive, luxurious experiences. Opulent resorts, splendid meals, and one-of-a-kind wine tastings are yours to experience–if you know where to look. Explore our favorites below to get inspired for your next Napa Valley vacation.

1

Lodging / St Helena

Meadowood Napa Valley

Meadowood is the resort of choice for traveling winemakers, serious wine collectors, and those who simply love understated elegance. The resort is hidden among the trees and hills of eastern St. Helena, providing tranquility and privacy, and the pool, spa, croquet court, tennis courts, and 9-hole golf course are impeccably maintained, with a staff trained to anticipate your every need.

Insider Tip

The Estate Suite exemplifies Meadowood’s charm, with an indoor-outdoor flow between the airy rooms and sunny private balconies with fairway views. Thick wool carpets, wood-burning fireplaces, a two-person soaking tub, and heated bathroom floors are just a few of the luxuries in this opulent accommodation.

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2

Lodging / Calistoga

Calistoga Ranch, An Auberge Resort

Few locales in Napa Valley combine nature with luxury like Calistoga Ranch. Hidden inside a private canyon north of Calistoga, the ranch is the ultimate expression of the Napa Valley experience. Exquisite dining, deluxe amenities, and nature at your doorstep–private lake included–are just a few of the treasures on this 157-acre property. The creekside Estate Lodge is 2,400 square feet of secluded bliss, set against a majestic mountain backdrop near the shores of serene Lake Lommel. A private hot tub, shaded outdoor seating, concierge service, and much more, beacons.

Insider Tip

Experience the one-on-one dining experience of a private cooking class with the Executive Chef, or a “Dine on Deck” experience, where the chef will cater to you on your own private patio.

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3

Lodging / Oakville Rutherford

Auberge du Soleil

This splendid resort is the jewel in Napa Valley’s luxury crown, situated high above the valley with commanding views from Mount St. Helena to San Francisco. Everything–the water at check-in, the plush linens, the bar terrace with sunset views–is of the most exquisite quality

Insider Tip

The secluded, 1,800 square-foot Champagne Private Maison is the highlight of the resort, with French doors that lead to a private balcony adorned with a free-standing sculptural tub and outdoor shower, accented by sweeping views of the Napa Valley.

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4

Lodging / Calistoga

Solage, an Auberge Resort

Calistoga is famous for its restorative mud baths, and Spa Solage at Solage Calistoga provides the best version of this skin-and-soul treatment. The Bathhouse at Spa Solage houses geo-thermal pools for relaxing, and mineral-rich mud baths to heal, moisturize, and protect your skin.

Insider Tip

The Chocolate Ginger Orange Warming Wrap is the perfect way to round out this most luxurious of spa experiences.

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5

Lodging / Napa

The Meritage Resort and Spa

Spa Terra at the Meritage Resort is the only underground spa in Napa Valley. Located inside caves dug 40 feet under vine-planted hills, the spa has a hushed, protected atmosphere that provides an immediate sense of calm. In the private men and women’s lounges, Serenity Lounge, and 12 private treatment rooms, Florentine architecture and copper accents blend the resort’s Italian decor with rustic Napa Valley ambiance. A range of luscious facials, body scrubs, hair treatments, and massages are available to guests lucky enough to discover them.

Insider Tip

For the ultimate restoration, the Oxygen Facial treats tired skin with a powerful oxygen exfoliation and mineral-rich facial infusion, with add-ons for eye, lip, and scalp revival available.

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6

Spas / Napa

Bella Capelli Salonspa

The best in hair care, lash extensions, lash dyeing, pharmaceutical-grade facials, nail care, and makeup is available at Bella Capelli SalonSpa. Located in Napa and staffed with a professionally trained team of beauty experts, Bella Capelli is where those looking for the best in beauty come.

Insider Tip

The Skin Resurfacing facial is renowned for smoothing lines, and reducing wrinkles and spots.

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7

Restaurants / St Helena

The Restaurant at Meadowood

Boasting three Michelin stars, Meadowood is sometimes cited by Napa Valley locals as an experience on par with The French Laundry. Modern elegance, adventurous flavors, and perfect execution are staples here, where Chef Christopher Kostow is renowned for his attention to detail and envelope-pushing style.

Insider Tip

Book the Chef’s Counter for a unique dining experience: while seated in the kitchen, you’ll interact with the chef himself throughout 15 exquisite courses ($500). For another $350, the sommelier team will create wine pairings for each course. Come hungry and thirsty

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8

Restaurants / Yountville

French Laundry

Chef Thomas Keller’s Yountville restaurant is legendary, and certainly qualifies as one of—if not the—most exceptional Napa Valley experiences. Reservations are notoriously difficult to book at this Michelin-anointed restaurant: dining availability opens exactly three months in advance, and often fills up within the first few minutes each day. The food, wine, ambiance, and staff are held to the highest standards, and blend to create the dining experience of a lifetime.

Insider Tip

Arrive a few minutes early to stroll the restaurant gardens located across the street. Everything is served so fresh that you very may well see the salad that will later be on your plate.

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10

Things To Do / St Helena

Karen MacNeil

Let the only American to have won every major wine award given in the English language escort you to her personal Napa Valley favorites. World renowned wine expert and writer Karen MacNeil curates one-of-a-kind tours of Napa Valley, with unparalleled access to the most exclusive wineries, restaurants, and experiences you didn’t even know were possible.

Insider Tip

Share a few of your passions and let Karen MacNeil craft a unique experience for you, like a private library tasting of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons going back to the 1960s on top of Spring Mountain, while star gazing with a local astronomer through his half-million dollar telescope.

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