Sometimes, a hotel defines a destination. In Napa Valley, that hotel is Auberge du Soleil. Set high above the Silverado Trail in Rutherford, this adults-only retreat delivers exactly what discerning travelers want from Northern California wine country. If Napa has a gold standard for quiet luxury, this is it. You’ll find privacy, refinement, and sweeping valley views.
Overview
Spread across 33 acres of hillside vineyards and olive groves, Auberge du Soleil feels intentionally removed from the rest of the valley. A gated entrance, limited public spaces, and just 50 rooms ensure it never feels busy, even when at full capacity. The architecture recalls a relaxed Provençal estate, while the service is unmistakably Napa. Warm, assured, and unassumingly impeccable.
Atmosphere
Arrival sets the tone immediately. A former olive orchard frames the property, with lavender-lined paths and “Parc du Soleil,” a short garden trail punctuated by rotating sculptures curated by ÆRENA Galleries. It’s serene, artful, and subtly dynamic. Return visits never look quite the same.
The lobby is intentionally intimate, offering morning coffee and pastries and evening cordials. It has just enough seating to encourage a relaxed interlude by the fire. Beyond the restaurant and bar, the resort is designed for semi-seclusion. Guests tend to retreat to the swimming pool, the spa pools, and their own terraces.
Rooms
Auberge’s 50 rooms and suites are housed in French-inspired maisons, each containing four guest suites. Two standalone cottages, Cannes and Monaco, offer added privacy, along with special touches. We’re talking chilled Dom Pérignon on arrival and in-room breakfast service.
Inside, rooms are bright with high ceilings, soft natural light, and vineyard or valley views. Amenities are thoughtful and incredibly generous. Nespresso coffee, complimentary bottled water and house wine, gourmet Napa-curated snacks (such as Woodhouse chocolates), and a refrigerator full of beverages. Everything is refreshed daily, so snack and imbibe to your heart’s content. Gas fireplaces and private terraces elevate mornings and evenings, while deep soaking tubs and bath salts turn winding down into a relaxing ritual. It’s easy (and even encouraged) to spend an entire day without leaving your room.
Spa
The spa is one of Auberge du Soleil’s quiet triumphs. Six treatment rooms are complemented by indoor and outdoor relaxation spaces. There is also a seamless thermal circuit that includes steam, sauna, and outdoor pools. The infinity-edge hot tub, located high above the valley, is the star. Especially at sunset, when the hills are aglow with fading sunlight.
Before or after treatments, guests can peruse the spa boutique, a beautifully curated space stocked with resort-ready clothing, refined accessories, skincare, and personal items. The adjacent fitness center is equipped with Peloton bikes, rowers, and free weights.
Food + Beverage
The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil holds a Michelin star, as it has for 18 consecutive years. It’s easy to see (and taste) why. Executive Chef Robert Curry’s menus evolve with the seasons, with lunch offered as two- or three-course options, and dinner unfolding through elegant prix fixe experiences.
The dining room’s fireplace adds warmth, while the terrace delivers uninterrupted valley views. A rolling Champagne cart (stocked with both domestic and international labels) is a signature flourish, and the 15,000-bottle wine cellar has earned Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award” for nearly three decades.
The Bar, popular with both guests and locals, offers a more relaxed setting for cocktails, casual dining, and sunset watching. For something more personal, you can arrange Picnic in the Park experiences with full culinary service, complete with linens and décor, in a private hillside setting. This is one of the region’s most memorable ways to dine.
There are many places to stay in Napa. There is only one Auberge du Soleil. For those who want the valley at its most refined, this is the stay that continues to set the standard.
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FAQs
Q: Are children allowed at Auberge du Soleil?
A: No. The resort welcomes guests ages 18 and older, which preserves its serene, retreat-like atmosphere.
Q: Does the resort charge for parking, and is there a “destination” fee?
A: No. Parking is complimentary and you’ll park right near your maison for ease. There is no destination fee.
Q: Do I need a car during my stay?
A: A car is helpful but not essential. The resort offers complimentary use of Mercedes-Benz house vehicles for up to four hours, making it easy to visit nearby wineries and explore St. Helena.
