Hotel Review
Silverado Resort and Spa, Napa, California
THE BACKGROUND: A grand colonial-style mansion house graces the end of the drive and it’s here that guests check-in to one of the 435 ‘private cottage suites’ dotted around the resort’s 1200 acres; all clustered around hidden courtyards, swimming pools and the Silverado’s two golf course fairways. Each of the suites has its own unique décor, balcony or patio and private entrance. Across the road a spa complex provides additional facilities. The property has had new owners for the past year, who include professional golfer Johnny Miller.
WHERE IS IT? A perfect base to combine activity, especially golf, and the pleasures of wine in the 200-plus Napa Valley wineries.
CHECK IN Efficient and friendly with our escort standing by to whisk us and our luggage on an electric golf cart to our room.
THE HOTEL: A compact lobby area and lounge that belies the size of the rooms to come. Hotel staff are friendly and efficient and a small concierge desk will arrange all the tours and theatre bookings your clients might want.
THE ROOM: There are six categories of room. Ours was a one-bedroom fireplace suite. It offered a comprehensively furnished living/dining room with a long sofa and armchair, round table with four chairs, incidental chairs, wide-screen TV and corner fireplace. Separated by a breakfast bar was the fully-equipped kitchen with outsize fridge and freezer, cooker, microwave, dishwasher, coffee-making machine, etc. The bedroom had two queen beds, TV and antique-style sideboard. The bathroom has a bathroom, separate shower and toilet and comes with Gilchrist & Soames toiletries.
BARS AND RESTAURANTS: The Grill at Silverado is open for all-day dining and cocktails. The Main Lounge is the place to sip some fine Napa Valley wine by a logfire in winter or an outdoor patio in the summer. Overlooking the golf course, The Royal Oak Steak and Seafood offers ‘wine country chic’. There's also a pool-side grill.
THE FACILITIES: Two golf courses – with the North course recently upgraded – are the resort’s main raison d’etre but there are also 13 tennis courts, two main swimming pools, a hot pool and a 16,000 sq ft spa complex which includes a fitness centre, studio, heated lap pool, spa café, shop, 17 treatment rooms including three outside for summer days and three bocce ball courts (like boules). Bikes are available.
RECOMMEND TO: Golfers in particular who will enjoy the two 18-hole golf courses but also sporty types, spa lovers and those who simply want to tour the Napa Valley’s many superb wineries. It will appeal to couples although the spacious accommodation makes it a good base for families too.
THE COST: From $179 or from $319 for a one bedroom fireplace suite.
THE DETAILS: 1600 Atlas Peak Road, Napa, California 94558 Tel: 001 707 257 0200;
The Verdict
Exceptional
Pass
Loved It!
Farce
This is an upscale American resort with very spacious and well-furnished rooms, great sport, spa and dining facilities that will appeal to golfers. It's an ideal base for the Napa Valley.
Alan Orbell
Managing editor, Selling Long Haul
