If you’re looking for where to stay in Napa Valley, this is the place to be.
Where to Stay in St. Helena California: Alila Napa Valley
I just want to quickly preface this by saying that two days is not enough for a getaway in Napa Valley. If it were up to me, I’d honestly stay here forever.
What Makes St. Helena So Special?
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St. Helena, California, sitting in the heart of Napa Valley, is a beautiful small town known for its wineries, scrumptious food, and picturesque landscapes. Just imagine rows of vineyards surrounding a vibrant little town where you can sip locally-produced wine while soaking in the surrounding natural beauty.
When you’re not on a vineyard tour or wine tasting, downtown St. Helena is the perfect place to peruse around because it’s known for its unique boutiques, art galleries, and historic buildings. As a foodie destination, you’ll find top-rated restaurants and quaint farm-to-table spots where you can indulge in locally sourced ingredients paired with the region’s best wines. Gott’s Roadside and Charter Oak are two of my favorite restaurants in St. Helena.
For outdoor lovers, you can explore the nearby trails with a hike, or hop on a bike and ride through the breathtaking countryside. Basically, St. Helena is a wine enthusiast’s paradise that boasts a chill and sophisticated small-town vibe.
If you’re looking to escape the city bustle and experience a change of scenery, St. Helena, California, offers a rejuvenating experience that combines wine, food, and nature in one unforgettable package.
When is the best time to visit Napa Valley?
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When I was invited to visit Alila Napa Valley, a boutique hotel and luxurious retreat providing the perfect adult-only getaway for couples searching for a combination of romance and relaxation, I knew this was the perfect place to visit in January. You might ask, “Well, why January? Isn’t it cold and rainy in Napa Valley during that time?”
And that’s exactly why. If you’re into small town charm, views of vineyards, mysterious, gloomy mornings, then this is the place to be.
Fortunately, Napa Valley is one of those places that are beautiful all year round. You can’t go wrong with a visit in January, April, or October. There is no proper “best time” to visit. It’s all entirely up to you and what you want!
Because I’m dramatic and live for the vibes, a winter weekend escape from San Francisco was calling out my name. I love Napa when it’s raining. It’s such a different mood in comparison to going on a sunny, beautiful day. It makes you want to cozy up with a book, read on the balcony, journal your heart away, and listen to the rain fall.
An Honest Review of Alila Napa Valley: The Best Hotel in Napa Valley
Checking In To the Alila Napa Valley Resort
Checking in to Alila Napa Valley was seamless. We arrived late in the evening (11PM) and were greeted with so much warmth on an otherwise very cold evening – and I’m not just talking about the heater in the lobby area. We were shown to our room and had our luggages taken to the room as well. Although it was late at night, I already knew this resort was going to be a feast for the eyes once daylight came.
Room Tour of the Vineyard View Suite at Alila Napa Valley
Alila Napa Valley prides itself in its 64 meticulously designed rooms and suites, each offering a uniquely indulgent and extravagant retreat. The suites are meant to capture the essence of luxury living, providing everything from spacious oversized balconies and wraparound terraces to private outdoor soaking tubs and intimate fire pits.
During our stay, we enjoyed the charming Vineyard View Suite that provided an intimate retreat while overlooking the majestic Beringer Vineyard. The hotel room came with several fantastic features, such as:
- A wrap-around balcony boasting an array of seating options, an outdoor dining table, and a private firepit for those cozy evenings under the stars
- Floor-to-ceiling drapes, adding an elegant and spacious feel to the suite
- An ultra-comfy, king-size bed that seemed to embrace you like a cloud, ensuring a heavenly sleep
- An opulent bathroom with decadent touches: heated floors for ultimate comfort, a state-of-the-art heated toilet seat with bidet, a rejuvenating rainshower, and a luxurious bathtub
To elevate the experience even further, the hotel provided premium Le Labo bath products for our indulgence throughout our entire stay.
Every corner of the suite tells a tale of tranquility and luxury, seamlessly blending light wood paneling, suave bronze fixtures, and expansive glass doors that beautifully blur boundaries between interior and exterior spaces.
With every thoughtful detail and luxury amenity, the Vineyard View Suite ensured a remarkable and unforgettable time in Napa Valley.
During my stay there, I thought to myself: this is a pretty hard-to-beat hotel in the area. Well done, Hyatt.
Alila Journeys: Embrace the Charm of Northern California Wine Country
My favorite part about Alila Hotels? Alila Journeys. These are a series of experiences tailored for those looking to reconnect with nature, explore local artist-led experiences in St. Helena, savor the flavors of farm-to-table dining, or indulge in luxurious wine tastings in the heart of Napa Valley. Highlights include Beringer Veranda wine tasting, forest bathing at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park, and sound baths inside the spa.
Due to the weather, I didn’t partake in any of the Alila Journeys, however it’s more of the reason for me to come back in the future. I heard the sound baths are splendid, and that’s the first thing on my list I’d love to cross off on my return.
V. Drink & Dine: Savor Culinary Experiences in Napa Valley
Another thing I adore about Alila Hotels is their unwavering commitment to sustainability. I appreciate how they emphasize locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices at their on-site restaurant, Acacia House. This acclaimed establishment offers guests a mouthwatering farm-to-table dining experience, truly reflecting the essence of Napa Valley.
Acacia House is nestled within a quaint Georgian farmhouse, providing a picturesque setting. Helmed by the talented Culinary Director, Thomas Lents, the restaurant is renowned for their creative dishes featuring rich, unforgettable flavors.
Additionally, an enchanting old-world porch lends the establishment an extra layer of charm. Overlooking stunning vistas, it sets the perfect ambiance for a whimsically romantic date night.
Imagine this: it’s a summer evening and you’re wearing a white dress, you’re tan and golden from spending the afternoon wine tasting with the love of your life, and you’re ending the day at Alila Napa Valley’s delicious restaurant, having the branzino with a glass of white. It’s the perfect backdrop to a beautiful summer vacation!
The Best Spa in Napa Valley
The Spa Alila Napa Valley is absolute perfection. This sanctuary is perfectly made to put you at peace; a treat for the body, mind, and soul. I loved how calming the entire spa was, with its soft, ambient, warm lighting, the plush chairs in the common area, and the calming music with the water fountain running in the background.
This holistic spa experience goes beyond traditional treatments, and it incorporates wine country wellness inspired by Napa’s vineyard rows, verdant woodlands, and meandering valley paths. Upon entering, you’re invited to fill up a sachet with dried flowers and herbs, which will be steeped during your treatment, and soaked up by a towel. The towel will be used to wipe off all of your impurities to end off your treatment. I LOVED the welcome ritual. It was so thoughtful and a great way to start my relaxing morning.
I had the pleasure of experiencing the Talisman Massage – a rejuvenating herbal poultice and warm oil Swedish massage. This treatment is perfect for the winter as it revitalizes and detoxifies the body and features the healing power of herbs and massage oils that gently seep into the skin through specially crafted warming poultices. The treatment begins with lymphatic gua sha work, which prepares the skin for the massage as the therapist meticulously applies pressure to the poultice. The Swedish-style massage invigorates and strengthens, releasing tensions and promoting balance between the muscles.
Ginger is a key component of the massage and works to alleviate muscular aches and pains, as well as bolster the immune system. Lemongrass, on the other hand, soothes the nervous system, tones the skin, and aids in detoxification. Peppermint adds a stimulating and calming touch, easing tensions in both the mind and the body and providing anti-inflammatory properties. This truly immersive experience at Spa Alila Napa Valley left me with a renewed sense of well-being and balance.
The Spa Alila Napa Valley is absolutely perfect and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to book a stay at the property. The spa also has a steam room, which is available for all guests, allowing you to go in first thing in the morning for a quick detox moment before exploring Napa Valley.
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Alila Napa Valley: The Best Hotel in Napa Valley for a Romantic Getaway
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Alila Napa Valley is more than just a resort – it’s the ultimate hideaway for those seeking a relaxing weekend away from the city. There is so much beauty to see and experience in Napa Valley, and this hotel is the perfect place to call home for your getaway.
I hope your search for the best hotel in Napa Valley ends here.
Disclaimer: While I was invited to stay at Alila Napa Valley, all opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own, formulated from my personal experiences during the stay. They are given in good faith and are not influenced in any way by the management or staff of Alila Napa Valley. It is important to remember that what I have experienced may be different from what you might experience because each guest’s stay is unique.
Please note, this blog post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase or booking through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps me continue to bring you detailed travel content and guides. As always, I only recommend products and services that I truly believe in and think you would find useful.
