Need an escape from the Bay? Head up to the Napa Valley for some pampering, a little wine, and indulge in the ease and serenity of small-town life. Our partner magazine, 7×7, has compiled a delightful list of the best spas in Napa. Welcome to this week’s relaxed edition of Date Night.
There are few things better than starting (or ending) a day in the wine country with a lavish spa treatment. While I prefer a deep tissue massage to finish off a day of wine tasting, others like to escape for weekends at a time into mud baths, facials and detoxifying soaks. No matter what your pleasure, there is no more opulent place to spa than amidst the vines, where creative treatments range from mineral-enriched clay and volcanic skin detoxifiers to cabernet baths for couples. Here is a list of my favorite spots for treatments in the Valley.
The Spa at Meadowwood is about as private, peaceful, relaxing and exclusive an environment as you can find. They offer everything from inclusive spa escapes that come with a 3-course dinner to wraps, massages, and restorative yoga. If you’re really looking to immerse yourself in wine country, try the “Cabernet Crush,” a warm cabernet grape-seed skin-polishing treatment followed by an application of fragrant, vitamin-rich grape-seed oil.
Spa Solage is the lesser-known sister to famous Auberge Du Soleil and has a touch of the posh desert resorts of Arizona, but with vineyard views. At their Mud Bar & Bathhouse you can enjoy their signature Mudslide and geo-thermal soaking pools. Solage is also known for their seasonal specials and fiery restaurant/bar Solbar.
Kenwood Inn and Spa is like something out of Frances Burnett’s novel, The Secret Garden. It’s winding paths of flowers and vines lead to private nooks and pools, but you’d never know any of it was there from the road. Cozy as it comes, the spa, cuisine and general pampering are considered among the Valley’s best. I highly recommend the rooftop couples massage after some wine and soak in the massive hot tub.
The Spa at the Carneros Inn sits in the middle of 27 acres of grape vines, farmland and orchards. Like the Kenwood Inn, it has a very convenient location but you may find yourself not wanting to leave. Here, the spa is all about the “natural setting” and their treatments incorporate elements from flowers to olives found in the local environment.
Spa Terra at the Meritage Resort is entirely underground in a 22,000 square foot Estate Wine Cave. Hidden within a hillside, the spa rooms are spacious, ceilings high, and services decadent. They’ve got a mix of options for couples and seasonal specials but the signature treatment, Solo Vino, comes paired with wine, cheese and all kinds of pampering.
The Spa at Silverado has a long tradition of elegance and class and they’ve been busy making a lot up upgrades lately. The grandiose, 16,000-square-foot, Roman-inspired spa may lack a little of the ambiance shared by others on the list, but they make up for it with special girl packages and a renowned and recently remodeled golf course (just in case anyone in the group prefers sport to pampering).
There are great day spas all over the valley like Greenhaus (which is downtown) and first-rate inns and resorts like the Millikin Creek and Indian Springs (check out their hot spring pool).
Have a favorite Napa Valley spa I haven’t mentioned? Let everyone know in the comments.
By Ian White
This is our weekly guest post from our friends at 7×7, a site that keeps you up on the best of SF. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a fantastic Date Night idea each week. Be sure to check out their blog for hourly doses of the best of SF.
