This Napa Resort Connects to the Valley’s Oldest Winery, But There’s More to It Than Wine

Adults-only luxury in St. Helena: First impressions of Alila Napa Valley

The adults-focused resort is part of the Hyatt-owned luxury Alila brand that in Indonesia and has only three US locations (the other two, also in California, are in Big Sur and Encinitas). Over the course of three days, I was surprised by how much there is to do at the property, which is located in St. Helena, known as Napa Valley’s “Main Street” and home to some of the region’s oldest wineries. From getting up close and personal with a falcon (more on that later) to enjoying several dinners prepared by Alila’s Executive Chef, Mark Shoemaker, I learned that at Alila, you can get so much more out of Napa than just wine tasting.

Pulling up to the property, I was greeted by a Georgian-style farmhouse with big white columns and a wraparound patio. Once a private manor built in 1907, the building now houses Alila’s two restaurants, Salvia Terrace & Bar and Violetto. Additionally, it’s where I checked in for my stay. The manor house evokes St. Helena’s beginnings and contrasts with the rest of the resort’s modernist design. The Acacia Lawn, with a design mimicking vineyard rows, sits sandwiched between two barn-style buildings, the spa and an event space. It allows for an unobstructed view out to the pool, where glass paneling showcases the rolling hills and vineyards of the neighboring estate winery, Beringer, which is the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley and conected to Alila by a footbridge.

A scenic night’s sleep: The rooms at Alila Napa Valley

The resort has 64 luxury hotel rooms and suites with rates starting at around $800 per night. I stayed in a Vineyards View Terrace Floor King room. The terrace had a couch and rocking chairs surrounding a bowl-shaped fire pit and led right into the natural landscape in front of the vineyards.

The room had a calming effect, with varied wood grains and neutral gray and white accents. There was a separate toilet room with an ultra-expensive Toto toilet from Japan. Paying homage to Alila’s Asian roots, the bathroom featured a hinoki-style wooden soaking tub within the walk-in shower.

Every detail in the room points back to wellness and sustainability. The hotel’s general manager, Heidi Miersemann, shared that Alila is the only property in Napa to offer 100 percent cotton sheets, free of synthetic or plastic blends. At the end of the bed lies a wool “100 Year Blanket,” a name meant to reflect its intended longevity. Every room has low-maintenance houseplants, which help oxygenate the space. Blackout shades, an off-function on the room’s iPad, and solid wooden bedframes to absorb sound are all there to promote better sleep. After a few glasses of wine, it’s just the place you want to be.

Forest bathing, falconry, wine tasting, and more: Offerings at Alila Napa Valley

Alila Napa Valley offers a level of walkability unlike that of many of the region’s upscale hotels. There are 13 wineries and tasting rooms within walking distance of the hotel. I strolled into town for a breakfast sandwich from Model Bakery, known for its English muffins. Beyond all you can do on foot, the hotel offers a free ride to any wineries within a four-mile radius from the property.

My first wine-tasting of the trip was in the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, Violetto, which is typically closed for lunch. My group participated in the Ehlers at the Table Lunch Experience. Hosts from Ehlers Estate, the only Napa winery owned by a nonprofit (the Leducq Foundation), brought several of its sustainably produced wines, which we enjoyed alongside a flawlessly prepared four-course lunch by Chef Shoemaker.

Prior to that, we began the day with a visit to nearby Bothe-Napa Valley State Park to partake in the Japanese practice of forest bathing. Led by our ebullient guide, Ping-Ping, we strolled along the Redwoods Trail, highlighting the sights, sounds, and bounty of the forest. The hotel provides this experience to its guests every Tuesday for an additional fee.

Falconry was the activity on the itinerary I was most surprised by. My group met with David Pfeffer of Authentic Abatement for a falconry demonstration and birds-of-prey presentation. A bit fearful of the peregrine named Barb and immediately taken with the screech owl, Beaker, I found David’s presentation insightful and at times hilarious. We all put on gloves and took turns letting the birds sit on our arms.

On the second day of my visit, I tried the spa’s Talisman massage. The spa director, Gena Price, instructed me to create my own herbal mix for the masseuse to use at the end of the treatment. A symbolic ritual, these herbs were made into a tea that was then used to wipe my lower legs and feet, symbolizing the release of what no longer served me. The Swedish-style massage also integrated gua sha.

Later in the trip, I returned to the spa for Scented Escapes: A Bespoke Ritual and South Healing Meditation. Perfumer Jess Mennella captured the inextricable connection between scent and memory. With that, we created our own scents that were significant to each one of us. Then, we lay back in the plush loungers while the spa director played crystal vibration bowls, immersing us in sound.

Other experiences guests are able to book range from yoga, pilates, and tai chi to cycling tours and tarot readings.

Two restaurants, one impressive chef: The food at Alila Napa Valley

After honing his craft at Michelin-starred kitchens in Chicago and spending two years learning cheesemaking at Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery in Illinois, Chef Mark Shoemaker brought his talents to the culinary program at Alila in May 2025. He is currently revitalizing the resort’s gardens to grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs for his cooking.

Shoemaker values relationships with local vendors, such as the team at nearby Tenbrink Farms. I dined at Salvia Terrace & Bar, the more casual restaurant of the two at Alila, and Shoemaker excitedly spoke of the salmon dish; a local fisherman had brought him a species of salmon that hadn’t been caught since 2022. The restaurant also serves the only N/A menu in St. Helena. I enjoyed the Mexico City Margarita, which was a nice change from wine.

The next evening, I dined at Violetto, the property’s fine dining restaurant, and Napa Valley’s only Italian tasting menu. The dishes were a masterclass in texture. The caviar gnudi with horseradish cream — as well as the asparagus, tuna, white strawberries, and pumpernickel crumble — were the start to a perfect meal. The restaurant offers either a four- or eight-course prix fixe option and, as it is Napa, a curated wine list.

On my last evening, the hotel hosted a reception-style dinner for my group on the Acacia Lawn, where we watched the sunset over the vineyard while enjoying a family-style menu featuring plenty of fresh vegetables and Italian-inspired dishes. A similar meal, Dine Among The Vines, is available to guests of the Vineyard King Pool View Balcony Suite for $250 per person.

Before my trip ended, I had afternoon tea on the veranda. I chose from several loose-leaf teas to accompany our tower of treats. This experience is available to guests at 11:30 AM on Saturdays and Sundays.

Arrive in style: Getting to Alila Napa Valley

If traveling from Los Angeles, JSX has seasonal (spring/summer) flights from Burbank (BUR), Orange County (SNA), and Santa Monica (SMO) to Napa County Airport (APC). JSX also flies to Buchanan Field Airport (CCR), which is 50 miles from Alila.

Major carriers fly to San Francisco Airport (SFO), Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK), Sacramento International Airport (SMF), and Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport (STS).

Upon arrival, you can rent a car, as the hotel offers valet parking for $35 per night. Alternatively, the hotel recommends Pure Luxury for transport to the hotel. Additionally, rideshares are available, but book in advance as finding a driver can sometimes be difficult.