Looking for a quick change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the city? Look no further than a quaint retreat to wine country. This year, I wanted to slow things down for some much-needed rest & relaxation on my birthday. My partner and I decided on a weekend in Napa and had the privilege of staying at the Carneros Resort & Spa. Just a quick hour drive north of San Francisco is this relaxing weekend escape.
Quick Facts
Location: Carneros Region of Napa Valley
Hotel Rating: 5-Star
Average Price Per Night: ($$$) $700+
Best For: Couples, Girls Trip, Weekend Getaway
Website: carnerosresort.com/
First Impressions
The resort itself is situated right off a country highway among vineyards and is in close proximity to some of the best wineries Napa has to offer. Made up of 60-something private cottages, this is the home-away-from-home you’ve always dreamt of. Its the perfect combination of rustic comfort and luxury. Let’s call it “Farm Chic”. On arrival, your greeted by the wonderful staff with a glass of wine while you check in.
Our Room – Harvest Cottage
From the outside, the private cottages all include their own porches with rocking chairs. In my opinion, a cute touch that adds to the authentic Napa living you get here.
The interior of the cottage was elegant and cozy, yet felt spacious from the natural light provided by the many windows. As a welcome, the resort had a personalized card and bottle of wine waiting upon our entrance to the room. Each cottage comes with a gas fireplace and a large bathroom with heated tiles.
My absolute favorite part of the cottage was the large patio doors that open up into your own private outdoor space. Here we found an outdoor shower, soaking tub, lounge furniture, and a fire pit.
The Property
With all the amazing amenities the cottages include, it may seem like there’s no reason to leave them and explore the property. However, doing this would be an actual tragedy as the resort has 28 acres, 2 pools, a highly rated spa, and endless views of the countryside. Getting around the property is made easy (& fun) with complimentary bikes.
Food & Drink
Local Eats —
Boon Fly Cafe ($$) – Located on the resort property, we ordered room service from this roadhouse style restaurant on multiple occasions. They are known for their breakfast and lunch menu. A must-try is their bucket of donuts! (Acceptable any time of day)
Farm ($$$) – A fine farm-to-fork dining experience. Also located on the resort property is a great place to #treatyourself for dinner. It is on the pricier side and great for special occasions. We ate here for my birthday dinner and it was absolutely delicious.
Grace’s Table ($$) – Michelin guide recommended, so you know it’s good! Located in downtown Napa, about a 10-minute drive from the Carneros resort is this gem. Recommend getting here early for a Sunday brunch, as the lines can get long.
Local Wineries —
Madonna Estate Vineyards ($$) – a small estate focused on producing handcrafted organic wines with a variety to choose from. (0.5 miles away)
Domaine Carneros Vineyards ($$) – with a gorgeous chateau overlooking the vineyards, it is a landmark winery to visit that will make one think they landed in the French countryside. (1.1 miles away)
Artesa Vineyards & Winery ($$) – located right down the road from the resort, this winery is best known for their Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. (2.7 miles away)