Napa Valley holds a lot of surprising delights. They come in the form of cavernous wineries, seemingly non-distinct bold harvests, and explosive flavors from the humblest of garden greens. My favorite delight, however, is the winding roadways that tend to lead to majestic wineries and resorts, such as Meadowood. Nestled on a forest valley floor spanning 250 acres, Meadowood is an enchanting Relais & Châteauxresort long cherished byprominent local vintners and discerning international guests. The property unveiled a $60 million renovation just this October, making a post holiday season visit an ideal time to stay.
Meadowood already has racked up many of the world’s top distinctions, including a rare Three Michelin Stars for its on site restaurant, The Restaurant, Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold list, and Travel + Leisure’s 500 World’s Best Hotels. Now the property has added more reason to keep accumulating accolades: the addition of a spectacular spa and an extensive facelift of its Par 28 golf course.
The new 14,000 square foot spa is its own woodland Shangri-La, set on a sloping hillside of the resort with sweeping views of the moss-laced oak tree forest. A massive oak tree, surrounded by the Spa Boutique, reception, and Estate Boutique, is the centerpiece of the spa. The look is “Restoration Hardware” meets tranquil Tibetan monastery. (This is not a surprise, as the architects, Backen, Gillam & Kroeger, have designed the new retail spaces for Restoration Hardware, RH, as well as 60 plus projects within Napa Valley, promoting the signature barn chic aesthetic prevalent in the region.) Both rustic and regal, the spa blends harmoniously with the forest. It features reclaimed wood beams, oak flooring, olive green paneling, muted leather and burlap-like furnishings, and a plush grey Tibetan rug. The lobby has one of my favorite pieces, a black hand-forged steel fireplace, which is flanked by rows of glassed herbs and greenery. The men and women areas each have their own outdoor garden and mineral water pool warmed to 104 degrees, ideal after a cold plunge. Michael Conte, formally with the Spa at Montage Laguna Beach and Pelican Hill’s spa (both properties I’ve written about and love), is the Director of Spa & Wellness at Meadowood and should be expect some spa industry awards this year just for the design and architecture alone of this spa.
The spa has just eight suites, and I quickly ascertained why. Each suite is a mini spa unto itself with a cozy sitting area, spacious treatment room, and separate changing and shower room. The spa’s emphasis on tranquility and thoughtful reflection is carried out in these massive suites which allow guests to stay in the comfort of them for the duration of treatments. Each treatment begins with a pre-treatment indulgence, such as foot bath or dry body brushing, as therapists review an in-depth treatment consultation. Noting I was a runner, my therapist suggested I toss in chia seeds to my water to enhance my hydration, a tip I hadn’t known. After a 60-minute luxurious massage, my therapist rejoined me with a ginger carrot elixir, an ideal post-treatment “perk up” send off. The spa offers six spa “packages,” the most luxurious being the five-hour Meadowood Curated Collection.
The golf course, now rated by the United States Golf Association (USGA), is on par with the spa. The course features a dramatic 60-foot drop at Hole 4, new putting greens, and was designed by the internationally noted Jim Lipe Design firm. One can easily hike around Meadowood’s numerous forest trails and catch glimpses of golfers on pristine greens. Another “green” must-see at Meadowood is its professional croquet greens, staffed by full-time croquet legend, Mike McDonnell. The grass, trimmed to a precise5/32 inch, is often bustling with groups donned in crisp whites who strategize on the grounds on the backdrop of the charming Meadowood lobby porch.
Undoubtedly, The Restaurant is a signature feature of Meadowood. Reservations are nearly as difficult to obtain as those for the French Laundry, but a secondary option is the dark and alluring bar, staffed with superb bartenders who can offer a tasting menu of small bites that showcase the talent of the kitchen. The usual menu, concocted by Christopher Kostow daily, is a nine to 10 course chef’s menu. Like all Michelin Star restaurants worldwide (there are 14 currently in the US), one does not care what the menu entails because each is extraordinary.
If Kostow’s chef tasting is unattainable, another option just a few miles from Meadowood in the quaint town of St. Helena is Long Meadow Ranch’s low-key Farmstead restaurant. A Chef’s table menu is offered in four courses in a cozy group seated table. Long Meadow Ranch produces nearly all the ingredients showcased on the menu, from the grass fed beef and lamb, to the deliciously smooth olive oils and honey. The cuisine at Farmstead epitomizes why Napa Valley is culinary nirvana.
Napa Valley’s delights continue to entice the world over, particularly with the addition of Meadowood’s impressive spa, golf course, and Long Meadow Ranch’s Farmstead restaurant.
