FOUR SEASONS NAPA VALLEY

Upon entering our expansive three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath residential villa at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley in Calistoga, I almost wished I had more friends and family nearby to join us. This was the house of my dreams. Set in Calistoga with a backyard facing rows of vines from the resort’s on-site winery, it was even more special as my husband and I shared it with our two young adult daughters.

The 2,500-square-foot villa sleeps six adults, making it ideal for families with adult children or couples traveling together to Napa. The resort boasts 85 hotel rooms and suites, and 20 two-, three-, and four-bedroom expansive villas. Some of the villas also include an outside hot tub or private pool. A stay comes with the elevated level of service you’d expect from Four Seasons.

DINE IN OR OUT
With an extensive gourmet open-concept kitchen, living room, dining room tables inside and out, plus an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue and nearby fire pit, you can easily entertain or eat your meals within the three-bedroom villa we stayed in. Better yet, the resort can send a family picnic for lunch or dinner to your door, or in this case, your backyard table, to enjoy the sunset as it dips beneath the vines. Dine on charcuterie, sandwiches, and cookies, washed down by your choice of wine—all that arrives in a lovely picnic basket. An in-room dining menu is also available 24/7. Or why not opt for resident chef service and enjoy authentic in-room personal dining?  

On-site restaurants include TRUSS for casual dining throughout the day, plus snacks, wine, or cocktails. It was our go-to place for lunch for its salads, sandwiches, and pizza selection. CAMPO Poolside for Mexican cuisine offers an option by the resort’s two outdoor swimming pools. For fine dining, make reservations at the intimate Auro, a Michelin-starred restaurant for a seasonal, seven-course tasting menu that changes weekly. 

GRAPE ADVENTURES
Napa Valley’s more than 400 wineries and over 90 tasting rooms are close by, but one winery not to be missed is the Four Season’s on-site 4.7-acre Elusa Winery, literally right outside your door. Most of the resort’s accommodations have views of vines, offering a true sense of place.

The Elusa Winery was our first stop upon arrival at the hotel after the thrill of seeing our beautiful accommodations. We opted for the 90-minute “The Evolution of Elusa” guided tour and tasting. We felt as if the winery belonged to us as we were driven a short way back and forth via golf cart to the organically hand-farmed vineyard, followed by a walk through the wine-making facilities and storage area. We were even shown where the residential villa owners keep their own private collections. When it was time to sample Elusa’s vintages, we were treated to an excellent selection paired with snacks in the winery’s relaxing and well-appointed Tasting Salon. The table featured a lovely touch of a personalized menu that outlined the wines we were trying and the accompaniments.

RELAXATION & WELLNESS
The resort’s two pools—one for families and one adult-only—include two hot tubs. We opted to rent a Super Cabana at the adult pool one day. It comes with sofa seating and a flat-screen TV, but more importantly, a dedicated cabana host who delivered amenities such as fresh fruit and a selection of beverages. This allowed us to relax inside the cabana for some additional family time in between dips in the pool.

When it’s time to truly be pampered, Four Seasons Spa Talisa delivers. The host of treatments includes traditional treatments, such as Serenity Massage, and others that incorporate local ingredients, like the Vineyard Scrub with grape seeds or the Bountiful Earth Wrap using the thermal mud the area is known for. Be sure to also enjoy your time in the Spa Garden and the outdoor heated whirlpool. A fitness center and Yoga and other fitness classes offered on the weekends continue the wellness vibe.

For more information on Four Seasons Napa Valley, visit fourseasons.com/napavalley 

EXPLORING NAPA VALLEY
Napa Valley is a testament to nature’s artistry and human cultivation. The rolling hills, blanketed with meticulously tended vineyards, stretch as far as the eye can see. The emerald rows are punctuated by stately oak trees and picturesque wineries. Wildflowers paint the landscape in vibrant hues, while olive groves and lavender fields add their own charm to the pastoral scene.

The valley’s Mediterranean climate nurtures world-renowned grapes and a diverse ecosystem. For those seeking unique experiences, the Castello di Amorosa offers tastings in a replica of a 13th-century Tuscan castle, and the Sterling Vineyards aerial tram provides breathtaking valley views. The historic Inglenook, restored by filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, combines Hollywood glamour with old-world charm.  

Napa Valley offers more than just wine---it also has farm-to-table restaurants and outdoor activities. Yountville is a paradise for food lovers, housing The French Laundry, while Calistoga is famous for its hot springs and mud baths. If you’re an early riser, keep an eye out for hot air balloons gliding above the misty vineyards, providing stunning views of the valley below.