Carneros Resort & Spa Napa Getaway
Editor’s Note: I wrote the first draft for this post while flying home from Napa on February 19th. Few people in the airport were wearing masks. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, his assistants, and his secret service were on our flight home and we wondered if they were in Sacramento for a COVID-19 related meeting. This trip feels like it happened years ago…can’t wait to go back.
For those seeking a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life, we highly recommend the Carneros Resort and Spa. My husband and I flew out from Los Angeles and into Sacramento, then drove about an hour and ten minutes to the hotel. Flying into Oakland is also an option and only adds twenty minutes to your drive, but the ease of getting a rental car from SMF and right onto a highway without any traffic makes the whole trip a breeze. It’s worth mentioning that there are more direct flight options into Sacramento than Oakland from LA.
The resort is super unique and made up of little cottage-like hotel rooms with exteriors that capture the rustic nature of Napa and essence of California during its gold mining days. There’s a large family and kiddie pool in an enclosed area that’s beyond perfect for travelers with little ones, and then there’s a gorgeous adults only pool that has the most stunning views of the countryside.
Famous restaurants like Ad Hoc and French Laundry are within driving distance if you’re a foodie on a quest to venture off campus. But there’s also no reason to dine anywhere but at the restaurants on the resort property. Within walking distance is The Farm, Boon Fly Café, the Pavilion, the Market, the Hilltop Dining Room, and in-cottage dining.
The first night we ventured to Yountville and dined at Ad Hoc. We’ve had their cook book for years now and were so excited to try the food. The atmosphere was lively, the bartenders were super attentive, and the wine was out. of. this. world. But the food?…disappointingly mediocre. I’m going to chock it up to an off-night and one day go back again but would probably suggest you just eat at the resort if you have a limited amount of time to vacation.
We loved the breakfast at The Farm (which apparently they don’t usually do but there was repair work happening with the other kitchen that morning) and for lunch grabbed delicious sandwiches and Pinot Grigio from the Market. For dinner on our second night we ate at The Farm’s bar and had the most incredible fried chicken, jidori chicken, and kobe beef burger. The wine was called Three Sisters and my next task will be having it delivered to the office because it was insane. For breakfast the day of our departure we sat at the counter at Bon Fly Café for a simple meal of donuts, eggs, and sausage. Delicious!
Traveling to Napa in February could be risky with the weather, but we lucked out and experienced two days in the low seventies. Apparently it’s totally packed from September to November but because it’s off-season there were very few people. We basically had the pool to ourselves and a very attentive staff. The spa, located next to the adult pool, is large and gorgeous. I treated myself to a ninety minute Swedish massage and had the entire facility to myself.
Tuesday we went for a walk along their four mile jogging trail. I highly recommend this stroll past beautiful vineyards, grazing sheep, and quaint farmhouses, but instead of making the loop, turn around before you have to take Old Sonoma Road. It’s extremely busy and there’s not much space to walk. A couple cars didn’t seem to notice or care that we were there and came uncomfortably close. The hotel also can loan you bikes and helmets if you’re up for a longer exploration of the country back roads.
Carneros Resort and Spa has a definite romantic vibe going on, but I’d argue that it’s also a great spot for a girl’s getaway weekend, a couples 40th birthday celebration (it’s expensive so maybe not quite for the thirty year old), or a place to hole up and work on that novel you’ve been trying to finish. It’s a beautiful, serine location that you should definitely add to your list of desired travel destinations!
