Since the late 1970s, the town of Yountville in Napa Valley has been the region’s premier destination for gourmet dining. In addition to the famed French Laundry, this tiny town is also home to the (French bistros) Bistro Jeanty and Bouchon, Bouchon Bakery, (Italian restaurants) Bottega and Redd Wood, (New American family-style dining) Ad Hoc, and (fusion cuisine) Redd; all told the town, which is largely centered on one main street, boasts four Michelin starred restaurants. Over the years its appeal has only grown, as more restaurants, wine-tasting rooms, shops, and luxury hotels have opened.
Now, one could spend an entire weekend in Yountville and never eat at the same restaurant or drink at the same tasting room twice. For those who stay at the AAA-Four Diamond Villagio Inn and Spa, that area of exploration could be even smaller as the hotel offers so many luxurious amenities, it can be hard to pry yourself away from the grounds to explore the rest of the town. It’s a predicament I happily found myself in one weekend in early November.
The Entrance to the Villagio Inn and Spa
The Villagio is located right across the street from Bistro Jeanty in a large lot shared with the V Marketplace, Bottega restaurant, the Napa Valley Railway Inn, several tasting rooms, and the hotel’s sister property, the French-country themed Vintage Inn. So, a guest could conceivably eat lunch, do some shopping, visit four tasting rooms, and have dinner at a different restaurant, all without leaving the block. On the hotel grounds, there’s even more to do.
Upon arrival, my husband and I were greeted with a lavish complimentary afternoon tea service of cookies, sandwiches, pastries, coffee and tea. The tea service is served every day, as is the complimentary bottlomless mimosa (or bloody mary) brunch with an even bigger spread that includes pastries and breads, eggs, potatoes, meats, cheese, and fruits, as well as made-to-order omelets. There’s nothing like starting your day (or ending your trip before check-out) with a glass of bubbly to make you feel pampered. On weekends, the lobby hosts a complimentary evening wine tasting (with cheese and other light bites served) as well as occasional special events like art shows. The lobby also houses a full-bar for those who have had their fill of wine.
The hotel grounds, which are perfectly manicured and dotted with olive and lemon trees, bubbling fountains, Roman-style statues, and plenty of private nooks and grottoes, contain 112 guestrooms and 26 mini suites in scattered two-story buildings built to evoke the image of a Tuscan village.
Villagio Inn Fountains
There are tennis courts, a 24-hour swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs and cabanas, meeting space for 175 people, and a separate spa building with 16 treatment rooms and five private spa suites all equipped with state-of-the-art technology, relaxation lounges with
indoor and outdoor fireplaces, Swiss showers, steam and dry saunas, and outdoor hydrotherapy soaking baths. The spa building itself is equally stunning as the rest of the property. Designed to look like a private estate, its opulent decor still has a warm and welcoming feel. Guests can book private or couples treatments; the personal spa suites are ideal for couples treatments and include outdoor space with fireplaces and dual soaking tubs.
Spa Villagio Loft Spa Suite
Rooms offer similar levels of comfort and style. Each one is decorated in muted golds, beiges and browns, with a fireplace, deep tub, dual sinks, and a private patio or balcony. Each room is also stocked with a complimentary bottle of wine; rooms service, nightly turndown, and movie rentals are available, as are bike rentals (for a fee) and concierge services to help guests plan their stay.
I stayed in a king room on the second floor, with a patio that overlooked the manicured grounds as well as vineyards in the distance. Upon arrival, staff was extremely helpful in getting my bags to my room, and in switching out the bottle of wine waiting in my room from white to red at my request. Though I would have loved to have whiled away the evening sitting on my balcony enjoying a glass or two, instead I opted to take advantage of the hotel’s perfect location, heading out to do some wine tasting and shopping at the V Marketplace before dinner.
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King Room at the Villagio Inn and Spa
Napa Valley is an ideal destination for relaxation, and if you plan to really relax – and not worry about driving – there’s no better place to stay in Napa than Yountville. It offers the perfect location with easy access to world-class restaurants, great shops, and a variety of tasting rooms, all within easy walking distance from the Villagio Inn and Spa.
Despite its location right in the center of Yountville, the Villagio’s landscaping and design makes it feel far removed from the charming downtown, and its architecture and decor transports you from Napa Valley to the vineyards of Tuscany (just without the jetlag). It’s an ideal spot for those looking for luxury accommodations, a unique spa experience, or easy access to all the delights of Yountville.
Rates start at $280-$520 for a perimeter courtyard, $315-$600 for an interior courtyard and $400-700 for a suite. Check prices online at Hotels.com.
I was a guest of the Villagio Inn and Spa, but all opinions are my own.
