As of March 3, 2021, Napa County is currently under a Red Tier in regards to the State of California’s COVID-19 restrictions. There are no quarantine requirements for arrivals in California, however the United States has prohibited arrivals from several countries if you have been there within the last 14 days (see list here). Please note that this blog post serves as a reference for travel later in the future. Nonessential international travel is not recommended at this time.
“Did you pack the umbrellas?” That was a question I asked Tor about one hour into our six hour drive to Napa for my birthday. The forecast had completely changed on us than originally planned, but we weren’t letting that stop us though, since we knew Napa is a destination that can be enjoyed rain or shine. As soon as we pulled up to our hotel Meadowood in St. Helena, we knew this getaway would be one of the best. Tor and I are no strangers to Napa – my father lives just over an hour away and we even considered Napa Valley as a potential wedding venue site when we were searching for wedding locations. However, this was our first time spending the night in the valley. We were looking for a spot that was off the beaten path but still centrally located, something private but still feel a sense of community, and something cozy. So when Tor and I began to look into where to stay while away for my birthday, we noted that Meadowood ticked every box. Meadowood is a very unique hotel in which it isn’t just one massive building filled with guest rooms. It is a very spaced out resort amongst the trees and hills of Napa Valley.
Guest rooms are scattered amongst different lodges throughout the property, which gave us the feeling of having our own little cabin in the woods. Since we live in Los Angeles, switching out a view of urban life for nature was just the perfect escape we needed.From the moment we arrived, we noted how each guest was treated like royalty. They knew our names as soon as we pulled up from our long drive from LA, and then we were immediately treated to hot cider and fresh chocolate chip cookies by a roaring fire in the lobby before we even checked in. We were then escorted to our lodge suite just up the hill that was high enough to overlook the tops of trees. I am a sucker for hearing birds sing, and they gleefully began singing upon our arrival. There were many highlights to our suite, including a massive patio that made Tor and I immediately consider another trip up with friends, as well as a large, cozy window seat that was SCREAMING my name from the minute I first saw it (I LOVE window seats and am trying to figure out how we can build one in our new house).
The forecast called for rain for our ENTIRE trip, but then as soon as we got there, the forecast completely changed. We woke up the following morning on my birthday to sun and some clouds after a heavy overnight rainfall. The sun coming out made us change our morning plans (we initially just planned on ordering room service until our spa appointment). We got dressed and headed down to The Grill for a decadent and delicious breakfast before wandering Meadowood’s grounds (including their famous croquet lawn!).
After our morning exploring, we headed towards the spa for our couples’ spa appointment. Let it be known that I think – no, I know – that Meadowood’s spa is the most unique and luxurious I have ever been to. From the moment we entered, we were immediately welcomed and seated in front of a cozy fire and offered chamomile tea as we filled out notes for our massage therapists. We were then escorted to our couple’s suite. Yes, suite. Meadowood’s spa is unique in that your treatment room is not only where you receive your spa treatment but also where you can relax, change, etc. Our three-room suite featured a sitting room to relax in before and after our massages, as well as a very large changing room that featured a deluxe steam room that we would sit in with our assigned oils before our massage. The final room was our treatment room, which felt so cozy yet intimate.
After our sixty minute massages that felt like we were transported to another planet, we enjoyed some orange, carrot, and cayenne elixirs in our sitting room. We most certainly did not want to leave. The beauty about Meadowood’s spa is all of their features can be used on the day of your treatment. For example, after our massage treatments, Tor and I had a food and wine tasting appointment to get to, but we were able to come back afterwards and use the men and women’s relaxation gardens until 8 pm. We did just that, spending about 90 minutes each in our respective gardens that featured a hot mineral pool, outdoor sauna and steam room, and a cozy corner full of blankets to cozy up in.
One other feature that we really liked at Meadowood is their hotel car service. Tor and I had made dinner reservations in town for each night we were there, and since we were in wine country and planned on drinking and being merry, we were excited to see that Meadowood offers a car service to and from the hotel to restaurants, vineyards, and more around St. Helena until 10 pm.
There was even one night where the car service wouldn’t be available to bring us to dinner until our actual dinner reservation time, so the hotel moved the dinner reservation for us by 15 minutes before confirming our car service time without us having to stress or worry. Every single detail at Meadowood is given incredible attention, even the room service on our final morning was laid out attentively. One service I will have to try next time? Their picnic service!
We could not have picked a better spot to enjoy my birthday getaway. Finding gems like Meadowood can be rare, and we can not recommend them enough to anyone who wants to visit Napa Valley and enjoy more than just wine tasting. That was our initial reason for visiting Napa in the first place for my birthday – just to taste wine. But our visit to Meadowood made this trip so much more than that.
Tor and I are already talking about visiting Napa Valley and Meadowood again in the summer to enjoy the summer activities that they have to offer (with a wine glass full of delicious local Napa Valley wine at the ready, of course!). With that said, I highly recommend Meadowood for your next Napa visit. It will always be at the top of our list!
Check out my 27th birthday in Napa recap here, as well as my Napa Valley travel guide.
Thank you to Meadowood Napa Valley for hosting us. Although we were guests of Meadowood, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Photos by Torrance Coombs.
This place looks like paradise ! I love the fact that it’s surrounded by nature, it seems so peaceful.
Your suite looks amazing and I am also LOVE window seats !
I hope you had the most wonderful birthday getaway !
PS : Your second look is perfection !!
Thank you! It truly was a nature’s paradise! We spotted eagles, too. It was extremely peaceful.
Wow this place looks like heaven ! Perfect spot to celebrate a birthday !
I’m in love with the window seat in your bedroom ! I saw on your pictures there was a book you were currently reading. What is it? (from the cover something about Elizabeth II maybe?). I would love to see a blog post about all your favourite books 🙂 (especially about history and british royalty since I know you love that).
My favourite look was the last one. That dress is gorgeous !
Hi Marie! It truly was heaven! And thank you!
If you’re not already subscribed to my newsletter, I highly recommend subscribing. I just started a new Weekly Reading series where I share my favorite books each week. Last week’s newsletter featured this Queen Elizabeth II book! Email me at thealistmedia@gmail.com and I will forward you the email. In the meantime, make sure to subscribe on my homepage under “Are You On The List?”
Thank you I will do that 🙂 !
Absolutely STUNNING photos. Happy belated birthday! 🙂
Kendal // Life With Kendal
Thank you, Kendal!
Place looks stunning!! Looks like you had a great Birthday🎂
Thanks, Debbie! I certainly did!
Some really nice clicks!
Love them 🙂
MyFirstSaving
Thank you, Ksenia!
Just stumbled across your blog and found this post. Meadowood is there my husband and I went for our honeymoon in 2015. We are currently in the process of planning a trip back this year. I wanted to ask which room you stayed in during this trip? The pictures above of the room look darling!
Taylor | http://www.livingtaylored.com