My husband really wanted to do something special for my 60th. I dithered, but did not resist. Most of all I wanted to go away with him somewhere new. So we spent the weekend of my birthday at Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley.
You check in at the top of a hill. The building houses the dining room, the bar, the reception and, hey, sculpture!
But you are well-advised to let yourself go downhill from there.
The rooms are housed in many small buildings. Clusters of rooms, I suppose one might say, or bunches, like grapes, since we’re in Napa. All of them open directly to the out of doors.
The landscaping is gorgeous.
The entire resort, a sculpture garden.
Full of old native trees, Mediterranean plantings, and winding paths.
To be fair, depending on your location and what you like to do, you may also spend some time walking the resort road. Surrounded by olive trees. And, if you are decidedly non-glam me, you will be quite happy in high-waist jeans, tee, Birkenstocks, backpack and hat. Bring a big warm scarf for chilly mornings.
Not to worry, the day warms up and you can spend a few hours by the pool. Or on it. It’s back up the hill near the restaurant/check-in/hub.
I’ll wave to you if I see you. It’s a little noisy at the pool, celebrants at the restaurant do tend to laugh a lot. Hermits like us might prefer to spend time at the spa. Not necessary to spa-ify per se, although I did get a really good massage. The little courtyard is very pretty.
And you can camp in the hot tub, or the warm one, or the cold one for that matter, and gaze at the sky at the temperature of your choice. Sigh.
You can even order room service and eat there, sitting on a bench or probably the tile if you so choose. The sky doesn’t mind.
Probably best to go back up to the hub for food. There are two places, right next to each other, the Restaurant and the Bar & Bistro. The terrace is kind of a scene. International visitors, rehearsal dinner guests, people lining up for the one-Michelin-star food. You may like glamorous hubbub, as I said, we tend toward hermithood. The first night we ate at the bar, inside, where it’s quieter.
The prime beef was amazing. I now eat red meat only once a week. This, my friends, was worth it.
But you can see why people like Auberge’s terrace. We ate breakfast there both mornings. The view is not dramatic, but it’s rich, detailed, and changes with the light and moisture of the day. Serene but not still.
Kudos for the little complimentary pastries. Yum. You can see on the menu, they also offer different breakfasts for different cultures. Nice touch. We humans vary greatly by breakfast.
Way more people like ketchup than you might think.
One night we had dinner in the Restaurant, on the terrace. Food is modern French, I recommend the corn soup. I wore the dress from my own wedding rehearsal dinner, by Christopher Kane, with these Stuart Weitzman shoes. And yes, that is lace and tape, and that is transparent, and no, I regret nothing. Transparent over a slip, to be clear about the actual level of bravado.
My favorite meal, however, might have been the teeny birthday bundt cake that greeted us in our room on arrival.
About that room.
We booked last minute. As a result, the only room available was really fancy with a lot of descriptors. Private Deluxe Garden. Looks regular above, but below you can see the outdoor bathtub and shower. Not regular.
Good place to hang a bathing suit, outdoor showers. And the bathtub a good place to spend a late evening.
But wait that’s not all. Behind the shower wall, a little breakfast nook. I confess, we never used it. But I love the color of the walls, and the woven chairs.
And, I don’t quite know how to say this, there was a full bathroom inside too. Separate shower.
And, just in case, another bathtub. I’m waving at you in the mirror. Hi guys.
Auberge du Soleil is spectacular, and despite the French cuisine, deeply rooted in Napa. It’s a good deal shinier than our usual spot, the Carneros Inn. As I’ve said, Auberge sports a bit of a scene at the bar but you can very easily find peace and quiet if you prefer. Do note that your check-in may be delayed if the person in the room before you is an American Express Platinum member, but do note also that the hotel may do something really nice like pay for your dinner one night in recompense. Such a thoughtful gesture.
And honey, thank you so much. I had a wonderful birthday.
Note: Auberge also owns the Calistoga Ranch, which looks to be more rustic and private, and Solage, which looks to be less stratospheric in price. I wouldn’t be surprised if we were to visit one of these, if we can, in future.
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49 Responses
We did a fancy hotel stay for my 50th and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Looks serene, restful & romantic – like you! With a dash of pastry and red meat ;)
@Patsy, I am glad you had a good 50th. And romance with a dash of pastry and red meat, what could be better? Add a little red wine, I guess…
Beautiful place to spend a significant birthday. I’ve never been to Napa. It’s on my list!
@Linda Pakravan, You’d love it. The aesthetic would also suit you.
Love that place. Have eaten there but never stayed there. Perfect for a celebration of any size be it birthday or bash. Love that view over the valley. Happy Birthday!
@Sandra Sallin, Thanks! And Auberge definitely feels celebratory.
Thanks for the virtual trip. What a lovely spot to celebrate!
@Rhonda Gilmour, My absolute pleasure!
Oh my, so lovely and romantic. Your husband is a keeper.
@Mary anne, Such a keeper:).
Ah. How lovely. As I think you know, Auberge du Soleil’s deck is one of my favorite places. Each time I visit the Napa Valley, I go to have a drink on the deck at least once. I like a glass of Schramsberg sparkling wine, or the Auberge version of a champagne cocktail. My manager at one of my tech companies went there with her husband for their anniversary during Auberge’s early years, circa 1989 or 1990. They loved it. Soon after, my ex and I began staying there once a year on our anniversary. We loved the cottage rooms with their private decks. We would hang about our own room a lot of the time. In Auberge’s earlier days, up through the early 2000 years, they were luxurious, but much less dear and much less of a scene. There were always guests from all over the world, which I loved. I particularly enjoy the deck at Christmastime. They decorate the hotel entrance (the area where one leaves the car with the valet, and where there is the sweet side garden) and hallway to the bar beautifully, and if you bundle up, it is a lovely experience to gaze into the smoky evening valley. The view looks like Italy, with the olive trees and the green valley below. I am glad you and your husband celebrated your birthday there.
@Katherine C. James, I do remember you talking about Auberge, now that you mention it. I can absolutely imagine Christmas there, the smoky valley, and maybe wreaths of olive branches and fairy lights on every door. <3
Looks as if you did it up right (understatement!) for your 60th! Thanks for sharing — it looks wonderful.
@Frances/Materfamilias, My pleasure! And I guess we did do it up right:).
What a lucky lady you are and I am sure incredibly well deserved. It looks truly fabulous, a belated happy 60th x
@Our French Oasis, I do my best to deserve it, because I am very lucky and grateful. Thank you.
Spectacular indeed! Happy, happy birthday!
@Leslie K, Thank you!
So happy you had such a wonderful birthday, how perfect is this hotel for the occasion! Happy 60th Lisa XO
@DaniBP, Thank you! Maybe some day you’ll take a warm weather getaway out our way!
It looks like a really, really lovely place to celebrate. Your husband is a jewel. The dress you chose looks beautiful on you. Glad that you had a wonderful birthday!
@Jane, Thank you. And he is indeed a jewel. xox.
This looks like it was a wonderful birthday celebration. Thank yo for the tour!
@Susan D., It was lovely, and you are very welcome. Thank you for reading along:).
Good to know about. What a wonderful place to celebrate a special birthday!
@Cathy, It was. Well worth a visit.
I love to do the same thing – a quiet weekend away for my birthday. Usually Ojai, so no flying, which makes it more peaceful.
Your quiet celebration looks absolutely wonderful. It’s a beautiful place.
A general question though: What’s happened to people using their “restaurant voices”? Do you notice that everyone talks so loud at these places where most people are seeking some privacy and peace? Yikes what a geriatric observation on my part, but it sort of drives me nuts.
@Kathy, Ha! Restaurant voices. I do not know. Let’s have a moment of silence for the Restaurant Voice. And I agree, not flying makes the whole thing much more relaxed.
Looks fabulous! Love Kathy’s comment on “restaurant voices” – I had dinner at a swanky place in NYC the other week and the braying! too much
@amanda, Braying. Yes. Indeed;). I hate to be annoyed at people for having fun but I realize it’s not their fun I mind, it’s the self-centeredness and lack of consideration for others.
looks like a fabulous birthday break.
@Mardel, <3
Ooh la la…your resort looks perfect and I hope that you enjoyed the celebration.
In France there is no music played in the restaurants and no one speaks loudly…it is so much more romantic to whisper!
You look very happy!
@Bungalow Hostess, Whispering is so romantic:). And I was very very happy, thank you.
did you see that the carneros inn just rebranded to the carneros resort and spa? wondering if it will feel the same. hoping that it will.
@jane, It is already changing:(. First they paved the paths. Then they astroturfed and Tiki-ed the apple orchard. Now they are adding cabana chairs. Sigh.
Good golly, Miss Molly! What a beautiful joint. Yes, the price must’ve been dear. But as one of our archangels once said, “Life’s a banquet ….”
@Ann, Time to rewatch that movie, methinks. xox.
What a wonderful way to spend your birthday. Thank you very much for sharing! Suz from Vancouver
@Suz, My pleasure!
It’s the perfect time of year to spend time in Napa Valley as the weather is beautiful and autumn is in the air and all around. So glad you managed to get away and enjoy your birthday. What a thoughtful husband you have. Belated birthday wishes to you Lisa.
@Chronica Domus, Thank you. And I do have a very thoughtful husband:). One more thing to add about visiting Napa at this time of year. Prices do rise – the crush is on. But the sounds of the trucks hauling grapes rumbling by serve to keep Napa from turning into Las Vegas, so it’s kind of wonderful.
Oh,I love it all!
Beautiful place to celebrate your birthday!
Dottoressa
@dottoressa, Thank you so much!
Fantastic birthday escape! What’s not to like? Truly perfection in every way. Happy day! You are one lucky lady…
@Susan, Thank you. And yes I am!
My husband and I honeymooned in Napa / Sonoma / San Francisco and it was so nice. So long ago!! Thanks for sharing the pics.
@Karen, My pleasure! And I hope you visit again some day.
What a perfect place to celebrate a significant digit birthday.
Just looking at the photos made me think of you. I know we haven’t met and I know that this may sound awkward. It just looks like the kind of place you’d enjoy immensely.
SSG xxx
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