Vintage Napa Valley - hotels and restaurants - Recipe - Directory

Sunset, Oct, 2000 by Andrew Baker, Lora J. Finnegan

Auberge du Soleil. Perched on the slopes of Rutherford Hill, Auberge du Soleil is like an elegant little Mediterranean hill town, complete with olive grove, vineyard, and 50 rooms and suites, most in separate villas. Most rooms have a private terrace, fireplace, refrigerator, and wet bar. Bathrooms are grand-each has a huge tub (some jetted) surrounded by candles and topped by a skylight. On the grounds there's a pool, new spa and gym, and a sculpture garden. Even if you can't afford to stay here, drop by the bar and drink in the valley view. From $550; private cottages from $2,500 (ask about packages). 180 Rutherford Hill Rd., Rutherford; 963-1211, (800) 3485406, or www.aubergedusoleil.com.

Lavender Bed and Breakfast Inn.

For a lower-key yet sybaritic stay, try one of the newest inns. The exterior is tastefully country French; the eight rooms are brightly trendy (eggplant-colored walls in some bathrooms). Rooms have fireplaces, and a winsome teddy bear and a bottle of wine await guests. From $250. 2020 Webber Ave., Yountville; 9441388, (800) 522-4140, or www.foursisters. com.

Meadowood Napa Valley. With its 85 rooms and suites dotting 85 wooded acres, Meadowood specializes in luxurious solitude that's made it a favorite with celebrities. Part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux group, the resort offers room service around the clock, and a concierge assigned to each guest will work in advance to secure hard-to-get restaurant reservations. Play at the on-site croquet lawn, tennis courts, nine-hole golf course, pools, restaurants, and spa. From $420. 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena; 963-3646, (800) 458-8080, or www. meadowood. com.

Silverado Country Club & Resort. Built in the 1870s, Silverado's main building is reminiscent of a Southern plantation house. Nearby, Silverado's 280 condominiums are surrounded by 1,200 acres of lush vineyards and rolling hills. This resort is best known for its two championship 18-hole golf courses, but it also has 14 tennis courts, 9 swimming pools, and 3 first-rate restaurants: Royal Oak, Vintners Court, and Bar & Grill. A new spa offers massage therapy, skin-care and body treatments, a fitness center, salon, and lap pool. From $165. 1600 Atlas Peak Rd., Napa; 257-0200, (800) 532-0500, or www.silveradoresort.com.

Villagio Inn & Spa. A sister (and neighboring) property to Vintage Inn (below), Tuscan-inspired Villagio offers garden settings, rooms with fireplaces, and bountiful buffet breakfasts. From $250. 6481 Washington, Yountville; 944-8877, (800) 351-1133, or www.villagio.com.

Vintage Inn. The Vintage Inn is more like a chateau; its 80 rooms, set in clusters, have just undergone a $1.5-million renovation, adding sunken jetted tubs, French country decor, and 18th-century antiques. From $250. 6541 Washington, Yountville; 944-1112, (800) 351-1133, or www.vintageinn.com.

Bargain

If you want to save your travel pennies for fine food--or wine--it's good to know you can find reasonably priced lodging in Napa Valley. What's considered a bargain? When a night at a top resort can cost the equivalent of a car payment, a room rate of $120 or less per night sounds pretty darn good.