Things To Do at Meadowood Napa Valley
When you’re planning a getaway in Napa Valley, nine times out of ten, you’re going for the wine. The good news: you can still taste cabernets and chardonnays to your hearts delight and get complete peace of mind—if you stay at Meadowood, that is.
STAY
Meadowood is a 250-acre property located just two miles outside of stunning St. Helena in the heart of the Napa Valley. It isn’t hard to believe that the resort was once designed as a country club given its current pedigree: it’s owned by two major power players: Bill Harlan of Harlan Estates and Stan Kroenke, who owns just about everything (including the big daddy of Napa wineries, Screaming Eagle, the St. Louis Rams, the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche sports teams). It is also the home of the Napa Valley Vintners, who host the most exclusive wine event of the year—Auction Napa Valley—here. So essentially, this is the hotel to beat.
The property is forested and a bit off the beaten path, which gives it that extra sense of serenity. After you’re ferried through the tree-lined, guarded entrance, you’ll be shown to reception where you’ll grab a glass of wine and be shown to one of the 85 cottages, suites or lodges onsite. Regardless of where you stay, know that you’ll feel like you’re staying in the lap of luxury. All rooms have decks and terraces overlooking wooded areas, the golf course or croquet lawns. You’ll have your own terrace or patio; sit here at sunset in a rocking chair and sleepily watch the sun go down over the Valley. At night (it does get cold) turn on your wood-burning fireplace and relax in front of the fire. Oh, it’s bliss.
Naturally, of course, there is a best suite on site: the Estate Suite. Book the Estate and you’ll find a cozy gourmet kitchen with marble countertops, two warming drawers, an espresso machine, a wine refrigerator (naturally), a private terrace with seating for ten, two gaming areas, a gaming table, two built-in window seats, a powder room, a fireplace, heated bathroom floors, a two-person soaking tub with a few of the suite’s private garden, an outdoor shower, fairway views, two fireplaces and elegant furnishings such as including sisal carpets covered by wool rugs, French doors leading out into the wilderness and walk-in closets. Even better: you can receive certain spa treatments here. If you’re so inclined, you don’t even have to leave the room. So haute!
RELAX
There are a plethora of ways to relax here, though the most obvious would be a spa. The spa, however, is in the midst of undergoing a massive reconstruction. The new and improved facility will host more private treatment rooms, even more beautiful outdoor views and both carry and use Caudalie products, which heavily utilize vine and grape extracts from the vineyards of Bordeaux, Champagne and Burgundy. Appropriate for wine country, no?
Until the new spa opens, enjoy the current facility: an 11,000 square foot work-out, treatment and relaxation space. The Health Spa includes sauna and steam rooms, six treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art exercise facility, including classes ranging from cardio circuit to yoga.
Additionally, you can clear your head by diving into one of the two heated swimming pools: one of which is a 25-yard lap pool. Those who would prefer to chill instead of do anything that might be construed as strenuous will be pleased to find two bubbly whirlpools where you can lounge to your hearts content.
DINE
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, we’re just going to assume you’ve at least heard of The Restaurant at Meadowood, which, thanks to its gorgeous decor and out-of-this-world fare prepared by master chef and ‘Cookbook of the Year’ winner Christopher Kostow, has been awarded the prestigious three-Michelin star award (Kostow is the third youngest chef and second American-born chef to ever receive the honor). Kostow is big on highlighting the best of the area, so expect to find items that are indicative of the Valley, such as grapes, honey, beeswax and olives in his dishes.
Though the Restaurant is clearly the resort’s fine dining option, it’s second restaurant, The Grill, is also a casually elegant affair. It’s breakfast now offers the very healthy, very SoCal-friendly green juice options (as well as wellness shots), while dinner options include items like the heavenly garden pesto pappardelle with Delta asparagus, pancetta and burrata and Snake River Farms beef with morel mushrooms and spring panzanella; The Grill is also open for lunch.
PLAY
OK, so you might be coming to Meadowood for peace and quiet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself, does it? It would be a mistake to miss out on the numerous on-site activities available to you here. There’s a nine-hole walking executive golf course as well as a driving range and “golf studio”: the patented TrackMan technology will transform your game, monitor your swing and help you to become a better golfer. In addition, Meadowood offers something unbelievably cool for the golf aficionado in its “hickory golf.” You’ll walk through the course accompanied by a golf professional while using vintage equipment from the early 1900s; hickory shafted clubs and a replica gutty percha golf ball will be provided.
You should also experience the croquet lawn while at Meadowood but when you do, don’t forget to wear white! There are also seven hard-surface tennis courts on site, 4.5 miles of hiking trails and bicycle rentals available. We’re already dreaming about when we can come back!