Visiting boutique wineries, charming cafes and Michelin-starred restaurants is all well and fine, but they can be even better experiences when shared with loved ones. Whether you’re planning a family reunion, milestone birthday, bachelorette party or work off-site, we’ve done the homework for you with this list of some of our favorite hotels in Napa Valley for group getaways, heading from the southern gateway of Napa to the classic hot-springs destination of Calistoga.
Featured Photo: The Meritage Resort & Spa
Harvest Inn
In the heart of St. Helena, choose from 81 rooms and suites spread across five “neighborhoods” on eight acres. Some offer views of Whitehall Lane’s Leonardini Family Vineyards and the Mayacamas Mountains, while others overlook tranquil gardens, fountains and courtyards — many have fireplaces and some have private hot tubs on their patio. The lush grounds with 320 California redwood trees also include two secluded heated pools and hot tubs.
Highlights: Dine al fresco at Harvest Table, which serves farm-fresh California cuisine for breakfast, weekend brunch and dinner. Guests receive a bottle of wine at check-in and complimentary tastings at several neighboring wineries.
Senza
The owners of Napa Valley’s Hall Wines in St. Helena and Rutherford took over this former bed-and-breakfast just south of Yountville in 2006, gradually transforming it into one of the most sophisticated boutique hotels in Napa. Today its 43 rooms are spread over five buildings on two acres, featuring gas fireplaces, heated bathroom floors, Nespresso coffee makers and other luxurious amenities. Book the Senza Loft and adjacent Senza suite for a two-bedroom, three-bath spread with a sofa bed in the living room and a professional-grade kitchen.
Highlights: The complimentary breakfast includes pastries from renowned Bouchon Bakery; there’s also a nightly wine and charcuterie reception. Cabanas and daybeds make lounging by the pool and hot tub tempting, with a spa treatment room for even more relaxation.
Silverado Resort and Spa
Once a private estate, with so many things to do at Silverado Resort, choosing what to enjoy first might be the toughest part of your day. Along with two PGA championship golf courses, there are three pools, 10 tennis courts, a trio of bocce ball courts, spa, and fitness center. All 345 rooms offer condo-style accommodations and include a full kitchen.
Highlights: Along with year-round golf and tennis instruction, Silverado offers seasonal golf, tennis, and swim kids’ camps. Forno Pizza at Silverado Market is one of resort’s three restaurants. Wood-fired pizzas require little wait and make for an easy group dinner around the pool.
The Francis House
With just five rooms, a stay at The Francis Resort is more like getting together at a friend’s house than checking into a hotel. Its petite but luxe setting makes it especially attractive for groups considering booking an entire property. When you’re not out and about wine tasting in Calistoga, you can lounge poolside, relax in the infrared sauna and salt room, or play a game of tennis on the property’s private court.
Highlights: The included gourmet breakfasts crafted by Dina Dwyer are noteworthy. She and her husband Richard make sure guests are never in need of anything. Don’t hesitate to ask them for suggestions on how to spend your time in Napa Valley — they’re happy to share their favorites.
The Ink House
Dating back to 1885, The Ink House in St. Helena was originally built as the home of Theron Ink. Groups that buy out the boutique hotel have access to six bedrooms, all with private bathrooms and vineyard views, and a gourmet kitchen. Owned by French vintner Jean-Charles Boisset and his well-known winemaking wife Gina Gallo, there’s more than one wine fridge stocked with sought-after bottles of vino. The property’s beautifully manicured grounds include a garden, grapevines, bocce ball court, fire pit, and numerous bubbling fountains.
Highlights: Music fans in the group will want to stay in The Elvis Room. In 1960, Elvis Presley reportedly stayed at The Ink House while in Napa Valley while filming the movie, Wild in the Country. The themed room features a movie poster, black and white pictures of Elvis and co-stars from the flick, a record player, and a selection of his albums.
The Meritage Resort & Spa
The 322 rooms and suites of this resort on the rural outskirts of Napa overlook 9 acres of hillside vineyards with hiking trails, shared with sister resort Vista Collina next door. Premier guest rooms include sofa beds as well as king beds and outdoor dining furniture. Onsite dining options include Crush Lounge, a lively sports bar with a six-lane bowling alley — a Wine Country rarity — as well as Olive & Hay, an Italian-inspired, locally sourced restaurant with indoor-outdoor dining for all three meals.
Highlights: Unique in its wine cave setting, serene Spa Terra holds 12 treatment rooms, including four couples’ suites. The Meritage’s adults-only pool and hot tub benefit from seasonal poolside bar service; parents can take the kids to Vista Collina for “family pool” access. Adults are also welcome to sample the tasting rooms at Vista Collina’s the Village compound.
Vintage House
This is one of two hotels on the Estate Yountville, a 22-acre landscaped compound that includes boutiques and restaurants in V Marketplace, chic Hotel Villagio and the luxurious, 6,600-square-foot, five-bedroom Villa at Estate Yountville vacation rental. The residential-style rooms and suites all have spacious seating areas and patios or balconies; loft suites (550 square feet) offer even more room to sit or spread out. Yountville’s renowned restaurants are within walking distance, but you can also hop on a complimentary bike for your excursions.
Highlights: The complimentary Italian-inspired continental breakfast from Michael Chiarello’s Ottimo restaurant can be expanded to include delectable hot dishes. Take advantage of the heated pool and the Spa at the Estate, which boasts lounges with indoor and outdoor fireplaces and 12 treatment rooms, including five suites with private steam showers.
Vista Collina Resort
Across the street from the Meritage, its younger sibling Vista Collina adds another 145 guest rooms and suites and the Village — a central culinary compound with nine tasting rooms, upscale grocer and exhibition kitchen/restaurant. Rooms are large, starting at 425 square feet, with a balcony or patio to enjoy your welcome bottle of wine, but groups will appreciate the one-bedroom suites, whose 850 square feet includes a full kitchen and living room, and the ability to add a second bedroom with king or double queen beds.
Highlights: Vista Collina hosts a “family fun” pool, with grownups invited to lounge at Meritage’s adults-only pool. The Meritage’s Spa Terra will deliver a DIY kit to your room if you don’t want to visit the underground spa across the road.
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