If you’ve dreamed of spending the night at a vineyard estate, consider booking a night at Alila Napa Valley the next time your travels take you to Northern California wine country.
Minutes from downtown St. Helena, this adults-only property features 64 rooms and suites; most accommodations offer balconies with fire pits and vineyard views.
Accommodations
Rooms and suites are spread throughout a trio of buildings. I stayed in a 1 King Vineyard View High Floor Balcony room located on the third floor. When I entered the room for the first time, I was immediately drawn to the balcony.
The views are stellar — like something from a postcard — and thanks to a fire pit that ignited with the simple twist of a knob and cushy furnishings, I had everything I needed to make myself comfortable.
The actual room sported a neutral but still modern color palette, with natural wood furnishings, gray accents, and a bed dressed in crisp white linens. High ceilings made the 570-square-foot room feel even more spacious.
The spa-like bathroom was split into two spaces. The water closet, with a high-tech Japanese Toto toilet and sink, was near the room’s entrance.
In a separate space closer to the actual living area, there was a second sink with a large vanity, walk-in shower, and large soaking tub.
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All accommodations are equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine, electric tea kettle, and a small refrigerator. Water is provided in striking, refillable glass bottles.
Public Spaces and Facilities
Alila Napa Valley guests typically have busy wine country itineraries. The property’s St. Helena location is within easy driving distance from hundreds of top-notch wineries. An added perk, neighboring Beringer vineyards is accessible via a footbridge.
That said, there are reasons you might want to linger at the hotel. The outdoor pool is heated year-round and features vineyard views. A fitness center with treadmills, TRX equipment, Peloton spin bikes, and more is open 24/7.
Complimentary experiences, including Tai Chi, Vinyasa yoga, and meditative south baths, are offered on specific days of the week. Activities like falconry, painting lessons, and bike rides with winemakers can be booked for an additional fee. At Spa Alila, you can reserve a variety of treatments, from massages and facials to body scrubs.
Dining Options
Violetto restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as Saturday and Sunday brunch. Possibilities to fuel the start of the day might include an almond and banana tartine, chilaquiles, or seasonal breakfast pastries. Lunch options encompass a smash burger with a secret sauce to beef tartar and preserved tuna Nicoise with smashed avocado.
It’s well worth setting aside an evening to enjoy dinner at Violetto. The main dining room presents a four-course prix fixe menu or seven-course tasting menu. Don’t be afraid to venture a bit out of your dining comfort zone; it comes with rewards. You’ll be talking about dishes like Potato Rosti and Caviar, Foccacia della Violetta with cracked olives, Vellutata di Castagne (chestnut soup with celery), and Smoked Costine di Short Rib and Blistered Broccoli Rabe long after the meal is complete.
For dinner guests seeking a more casual affair, the lounge and veranda spaces offer an a la carte menu. Salvia Terrace & Bar serves light bites, wine, and cocktails.
Event Opportunities
Alila Napa Valley offers event space for gatherings of up to 120 guests. Options include the Acacia Barn, Acacia Lawn with vineyard views, and a smaller boardroom.
Good to Know
San Francisco International Airport is a 78-mile drive; Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport Oakland is less than a 30-mile drive but boasts a smaller selection of flights.
Rates for a Vineyard View High Floor Balcony Room with king bed start at $990. You’ll also need to budget for the $65 daily resort fee; it covers a list of offerings, including Wi-Fi, nightly turndown service, electric vehicle charging station, welcome glass of sparkling wine, and shuttle service to downtown St.Helena.
Check rates online for the Alila Napa Valley at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com
Guests at Alila Napa Valley must be 18 or older. Only service animals are permitted.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Alila Napa Valley, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
