The Meritage Resort and Spa Underwent a Huge Renovation

Whereas Napa Valley has no scarcity of stylish stays, The Meritage Resort and Spa holds a particular place amongst them. For twenty years, the sprawling property, nestled amongst sun-drenched winery hills simply 45 minutes outdoors of San Francisco, has been a bustling hub of oenophile exercise, drawing visitors and locals. And after a multi-year, $25 million makeover accomplished this month, the resort is prepared for its subsequent chapter.

With grounds that span 36 acres, together with 9 working vineyards, the property claims the title of the biggest in Napa Valley, and the newest renovation has touched nearly each a part of it. From the 467 guestrooms and suites reimagined to mirror the vacation spot’s pure setting to the growth of its culinary program and leisure amenities, vacationers can examine in and by no means have to go away the resort’s grounds.

“Our objective is to seize the spirit of the vines that so typically entice folks to the area whereas redesigning the general resort expertise to attraction to the discerning traveler with a ardour for locations that present a well-balanced mixture of pure magnificence, restfulness, journey, and togetherness to attract them again repeatedly,” Joe Leinacker, managing director of The Meritage Resort and Spa, instructed Journey + Leisure.

Visitors at the moment are welcomed into a sublime foyer with sloped ceilings, uncovered wooden beams, and a grand double-sided fire that completely epitomizes the resort’s rustic stylish aesthetic. The property’s new foyer bar now options extra seating and serves a curated collection of handcrafted cocktails (together with mocktails), small-batch bourbons, and shareable plates of charcuterie, appetizers, and hand-tossed pizzas.

For the rooms, Pacific Hospitality Group, the resort’s proprietor, teamed up with famend hospitality design agency HBA San Francisco, who created two distinct ideas. The Meritage rooms are awash in impartial tones with leather-based accents, built-in millwork, and bespoke furnishings that create a complicated ambiance, complemented by luxurious facilities like Frette linens, touchscreen lighted mirrors, walk-in showers, and personal balconies with lounge furnishings.

The Bordeaux lodging add extra shade to the inside design scheme — deep reds, greens, browns — and likewise incorporate nature with natural finishes. Improve to a specialty suite with idyllic winery views, a separate lounge with a fire, and a fully-equipped kitchen. Any such room class additionally has a big toilet with a walk-in bathe, a bath, and a spacious balcony.

The resort’s new meals and beverage venues are one other spotlight and deal with showcasing one of the best and freshest native elements — each from its on-site backyard (and hen coop) and regional distributors supplying the property’s a number of eating places and markets. 

Ember, a steakhouse, is making its debut overlooking the resort’s grand garden. The moody eating area is clad in darkish woods, leather-based, and stone accents. Right here, chef Cary Roy serves prime cuts and dry-aged beef sourced from northern Californian farms, paired with one of the best bottles of reds and whites from Napa and past.

Additionally new is the ethereal and stylish Sora, providing bubbly wines, champagnes, and cocktails in a vibrant tasting room stuffed with enjoyable pops of shade. Returning visitors will discover the resort’s renovated bowling area, Crush, to be sleeker and extra elevated. Right here, between video games, patrons can take pleasure in a menu of sports activities bar classics like smash burgers, tacos, and indulgent boozy milkshakes, a particular crowd-pleaser.

The resort has additionally utterly revamped its pool deck with iconic views of the vineyards, probably the most standard spots for rest on-site.

Leinacker defined that the adults-only deck (there’s a family-friendly pool, too) was expanded, and the variety of lounges has now greater than doubled.

“That is going to develop into an amazing focus. We’ve DJs out on the pool. It is only a chill vibe out and really enjoyable—you are mendacity there in your lounge, wanting up on the winery and the [Grape] Crusher statue. It is an iconic Napa expertise,” he added.

The Meritage’s different current eating venues, reminiscent of its Italian eatery Olive & Hay, the market and deli, Fivetown Grocery, and three wine-tasting rooms, are nonetheless lively and stay unchanged.

The resort additionally continues to supply probably the most complete actions packages in Napa Valley with year-round occasions reminiscent of a summer time live performance collection and a winter ice skating ring (which, in keeping with Leinacker, makes the garden appear like a “Hallmark film”), yoga courses within the vineyards, and, in fact, themed wine tastings. 

Visitors can reap the benefits of the complimentary every day shuttle service to downtown Napa, a brief ten-minute drive from the property.

Nightly charges for the brand new Bordeaux and Meritage visitor rooms begin at $379, and you’ll ebook your keep right here. The resort additionally launched a particular “Uncover Winery Class” package deal, which features a $200 resort credit score to encourage visitors to discover the resort’s expanded facilities.