It’s no secret there is a lot to do in Napa Valley, but finding time for a bit of luxury is something everyone deserves regardless of where their travels take them. Luxury may have a different meaning for different people. For some, it can be extravagant adventures and for others it can mean a spa treatment. But usually, luxury travel means taking time to learn more about a travel destination and enjoying a bit of extra pampering and care. Take in some personal time with these luxurious things to do in Napa that work with almost any budget.
Become Part of Family at The Inn on First
From the moment I checked in at The Inn on First, I knew I was in for something special as I was taking in luxurious things to do in Napa. While I have been to Downtown Napa a few times now, I could sense that this award-winning bed and breakfast was different.
I was welcomed by bright colors and an open airy feel from the moment I entered, then was warmly greeted by The Inn on First owners, Jim and Jamie. Every moment of my stay was tended to with the utmost attention, which is key to luxurious travel. But my husband and I always say that our definition of luxury is a bit different. More often than not, we seek a down-to-earth luxury feeling. One where we can be comfortable in easy California attire (including flip flops!), but feel luxury in our surroundings and service. This is The Inn on First in Napa.
Tastes Like Home
Jamie prepares a warm and fresh breakfast each morning. Amazing, right? There’s more. He also keeps notes of what he made each guest so that a guest experiences a new dish each time she visits.
After a morning kayaking Napa River, I went back to my room to freshen up and grabbed a warm chocolate chip cookie that I could smell the moment the door opened. In the evening after an amazing day of wine tasting, sipping a glass of Port which Jim and Jamie keep on hand in the front room ended each day with perfection. The Inn on First quickly made me feel like part of the family that they care for deeply. That’s why this inn earns a special place on the list of luxurious things to do in Napa.
Experience the History of Napa at Vintner’s Collective
One of Napa’s oldest buildings houses a collective. This collective brings together some of the best winemakers in Napa and is known as the Vintner’s Collective. A “vintner” is the official term for a winemaker. Instead of being a single winemaker, Gary Murphy, the owner of the Vintner’s Collective, decided he would bring the best together.
The perfect place for this collective was the oldest building in Napa, a place filled with rich history that had a historic look and feel. As I tasted smaller batch wines of Napa at Vintner’s Collective, my appreciation for the people of Napa deepened when I learned all that had happened in this one imperfectly perfect building. In fact, the facade of Vintner’s Collective laid in ruins on Main Street after the 2014 earthquake. But this resulted in a building – and collective – that are stronger than ever.
Get a Spa Treatment at Meritage Resort and Spa
Is there really any better way for a woman to soak up a bit of luxury than with a spa treatment? I don’t think so either. After a lovely wine tour and a glass of wine, feeling the cool of the earth as we entered the doors to the hillside that houses Spa Terra 40 feet underground was complete perfection. The Florentine architecture and finishing touches add great detail to the tranquil environment of Spa Terra. The spa itself is over 22,000 square feet, which left me alone with my thoughts. In this busy world that alone is a luxury.
Meritage Resort and Spa is situated just outside of Downtown Napa and is currently undergoing a massive expansion project. I can’t wait to go back and see how it looks when complete.
Sip Wine at Whetstone Wine Cellars
There is so much to love about Whetstone Wine Cellars. I am not sure what struck me first, but I do know it had to do with texture. Have I mentioned I love textures, especially when I travel? I take in so much of life through this sensory path. So when I approached Whetstone with the gravel grinding under my feet and looked up to see a breathtaking old French-style chateau surrounded by oak and cedar trees, there was an immediate connection.
During our tasting experience, we had the opportunity to meet Jamey and Michelle Whetstone. This is where the experience completely resonated with me; they are business owners who have every right to look busy. Instead, sitting with Michelle in the front of Whetstone as she talked and genuinely asked questions about our lives, I felt like I was taken back in time to a simpler time when people connected face to face – without technology. We sipped wines and enjoyed each other’s company in one of the most relaxed and comfortable wine tasting environments I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.
If you want to experience one of the best luxurious things to do in Napa, visit Whetstone Wine Cellars.
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