Several years in the making, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley has finally opened its grand farm doors to the public. The property debuted quietly in November 2021 but has quickly attracted the attention of locals and globe-trotters alike for its warm hospitality, delectable cuisine and restorative spa.
If you’re planning to visit wine country, booking a reservation here is a no-brainer. Here is everything you need to know about the Four Seasons Napa — and five reasons we love spending time at the Calistoga hotel.
The Location
The resort sits on the northern tip of Napa in Calistoga, a charming town with a quaint downtown that still throws an old-fashioned tractor parade in the winter and a concert series in the summer. Calistoga is a 90-minute to two-hour drive (depending on traffic) from San Francisco; avoid it by flying into the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport, a short 30-minute drive to the Four Seasons.
The resort’s location is noteworthy because it straddles both Napa and Sonoma counties. You can taste world-class pinots in the Russian River Valley one day and sip exceptional cab savs on the Silverado Trail the next — without ever having to travel more than an hour. Other areas in the region don’t offer this luxury.
The Spa
When you pull into the stone-lined driveway of the resort, the first building you notice is the spa. It’s a peaceful and inviting stone structure surrounded by olive trees. A stunning water feature provides a cooling calmness, and it’s impossible not to feel relaxed.
The spa’s name is Talisa, a term that translates to “beautiful water” in Wappo, the language spoken by the Native Americans who originally came from this region, and the subtle use of water is featured throughout the 6,000-square-foot spa. There’s a soaking pool nestled beside an ancient rock — that the Four Seasons built the resort around — and treatments that employ local marine algae and thermal mud. Our favorite experience involves a facial with the best botanicals the valley has to offer; it’s seed-to-skin wellness at its finest.
The spa also is the first in wine country to offer customized facials from cult-favorite French skincare brand Biologique Recherche.
Cozy up to the fire. Credit: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley
The Rooms
The 85 guest rooms are grouped into two-story units that surround the pools with views of the vineyard or mountains. Each accommodation has a patio or balcony, white wooden walls and décor made from winery-related items like miniature old vines and equestrian details such as horse bridles. The overall look is chic and masculine, with farmhouse vibes. Think massive wooden headboards, geometric fabrics and metallic light fixtures.
Bathrooms are spacious with a generously sized tub, and the technology (lighting, temperature, etc.) is abundant and easy to use. The entire experience is just what you want from wine country. It’s relaxed but refined.
The Food
Truss is the resort’s signature culinary destination. It has two dining spaces: one is an all-day living room that serves drinks and hearty snacks, and the other is the fine-dining restaurant. The latter has yet to open, but Calistoga’s Living Room turns out superb California cuisine. The housemade onion dip is whipped to a light, airy perfection. It pairs wonderfully with the crunchy potato chips and a glass of Elusa sauvignon blanc (it doesn’t get any more local than wine made at the resort). The duck ham, cracker-thin sausage pizza and cacio e pepe are all phenomenal.
Of course, you can’t go wrong with room service. For breakfast, the huevos rancheros are spicy and satisfying. At lunch, enjoy Campo, a taco joint between the adult and kid’s pool with sensational achiote chicken tacos, tuna aguachile and margaritas.
The Winery
One thing that makes the luxury property unique is it’s set within a working winery, and estate vineyards dot the resort’s picturesque landscape. When you check in at the lobby, you would never know that Elusa Winery’s 16 fermentation tanks sit underground, but you’ll learn this at a tasting that involves a tour of the state-of-the-art winemaking facility.
Depending on the time of year, you could witness the magic of the winemaking process firsthand, from bud break to harvest to crush. It’s an intimate experience that won’t be found at another hotel in the valley. At Elusa, which means “keeping hold of something precious” in Wappo, winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown makes minimalist-intervention cabernet sauvignon. Everything from grape to glass is valued and held precious.
Once you’ve checked out Elusa, hop on one of the Four Seasons’ complimentary bikes and head to town for more wine tasting. At Vault, you’ll find wine from five different local producers among vintage winemaking tools and antiques. Or sample the natural wine movement in a repurposed old auto garage at Tank Garage Winery.
