Highlights: Meadowood Napa Valley

•The Meadowood Napa Valley is situated on 250 wooded and hillside acres in the heart of Napa Valley

•Charming rooms and suites feature fresh country décor

•Delicious gourmet wine country cuisine incorporating homegrown and local ingredients

•Resort’s small size allows staff to provide exceptional personal attention to guests

•Grape- and wine-themed spa treatments

•Nine-hole walking golf course, seven tennis courts, and other recreational activities

Amenities: Meadowood Napa Valley

• 85 rooms, 2 story. Check-in 4 pm, check-out Noon. High-speed Internet access, wireless Internet access. Two restaurants, three bars. Children's activity center. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Outdoor pool, children's pool, whirlpool. Golf, 9 holes. Tennis. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Meadowood Napa Valley

California wine country is synonymous with laid-back living. Its rolling hills and golden sunshine are conducive to rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. You don’t even have to be a wine connoisseur to fall in love with this magical region. Located in the heart of the famous Napa Valley and nestled into a 250-acre wooded valley, Meadowood perfectly captures the wine country’s laid-back luxe. This stunning estate is home to seven tennis courts, a nine-hole golf course, hiking trails, croquet lawns, a full-service spa, and just 85 delightful rooms and suites. Founded as a private club 40 years ago, this resort respects its traditions. Meadowood’s taste of the good life continues at its restaurants, where deliciously fresh produce, much of it grown on the estate’s grounds, takes center stage.

Meadowood is a perfect retreat for world-weary souls who need to get away from it all. It’s an ideal destination for couples celebrating special occasions, but its charm is appropriate for all adults with an appreciation for beautiful scenery, a restful pace, and a prime wine country location. Golf, tennis, and croquet are among the available activities, but Meadowood is largely a spa destination.

While single travelers are welcomed, the resort tends to appeal more often to couples, so self-conscious types might feel slightly out of place at meals or in the other public facilities. Additionally, it’s not a place that would appeal to travelers with young children because of its sophistication, but a family-friendly pool is located on the property. Since the Napa Valley is a renowned vacation destination, Meadowood is also an unlikely choice for business travelers.

(+) Beautiful estate can serve as a peaceful location for getaway and romantic travelers
(-) Renowned vacation destination and small size in secluded area isn’t ideal for business travelers

Guest Services: Meadowood Napa Valley

Meadowood looks like a resort but acts more like a bed and breakfast. Its small size allows staff to pay careful attention to each guest, and visitors feel truly cosseted at this special hideaway. While providing standard Four-Star services, Meadowood goes beyond the traditional to offer its guests such unique amenities as an on-staff wine educator. Wine neophytes need not fear a trip to the renowned Napa Valley with this staff member on hand to educate and provide insight to wine and wine tasting.

In keeping with the region’s commitment to the arts, Meadowood maintains its own cultural affairs calendar. Guests are treated to a truly memorable experience at this one-of-a-kind wine country resort. Meadowood’s private club ambience is no mistake‑-guests are invited to become members, though membership is not necessary for staying here.

(+) Resort’s smaller scale allows for attentive, personalized service; several unique region-specific services make for a memorable stay

Guest Rooms: Meadowood Napa Valley

Meadowood Napa Valley features 85 guest cottages, suites, and lodges nestled into the hillsides of this glorious Napa Valley estate. The décor here is contemporary country, with beadboard, rattan furnishings, and stone fireplaces in each of the cozy accommodations. Fresh flowers and nature-based toiletries show the resort’s commitment to its spectacular setting. Large, lush beds topped with comfortable duvets in crisp white linens are particularly inviting.

Since all of the accommodations are sprinkled within the property, the views are enchanting. From leafy green trees to luscious flowers, the surroundings are especially soothing. All of the rooms feature porches, decks, or terraces for further relaxation. These accommodations are the kind that you never want to leave, and indeed, many guests stay on the grounds instead of venturing off the property.

From the welcome bottle of wine from a local Napa Valley vineyard to the hearty country breakfasts served in the privacy of your own room, Meadowood knows how to spoil its guests.

(+) Fresh country décor and thoughtful touches feel luxurious and relaxing

Facilities & Activities: Meadowood Napa Valley

If there is a place that takes relaxation and play very seriously, it’s Meadowood Napa Valley. From the secluded wooded valley to the serene spa, this resort knows how to banish stress. Just sitting back on your private terrace in your beautiful guest room makes every day worries vanish, but guests who prefer to indulge in activities will find plenty to keep them busy.

The resort’s private club roots are seen in the traditions still cherished here. Don your white attire and try your hand at croquet. This time-honored tradition isn’t just for kicks. The resort is home to two tournament-ready lawns and a resident pro. Meadowood also entices with seven tennis courts, nestled among leafy oaks and towering pines. A nine-hole walking course is a scenic way to enjoy some time, and since the average round takes just under two hours, there’s time to enjoy other pursuits as well. A practice putting green and driving net are provided, and private lessons from the on-site pro may be arranged.

Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will delight in the 4.5-mile hiking trail, known as the Meadowood Loop. This trail promises stunning views and inspiring exercise. Those who prefer to take their workout indoors will discover a well-equipped fitness center. Personal well-being is a large component of Meadowood’s philosophy, and the fitness center reflects that dedication. Whether you want to get your heart pumping or just want to slow your mind, the center offers a number of group fitness classes. Step aerobics, guided walks, pilates mat classes, and meditation are among the many featured classes. Two pools, one with a focus on serenity and the other with a family-friendly feel, invite guests to be as active or restful as they choose.

The Spa at Meadowood is a destination unto itself. Many guests stay here just for the spa experience, but even those who book just one treatment won’t be disappointed. Many of the treatments are regionally-inspired and use the wine country’s products and ingredients in a number of treatments. Grapeseed body polishes and revitalizing Cabernet crush body treatments are just two of the locally inspired therapies. There are nine different types of massage therapy offered, including a sensational treatment completed by two therapists for a four-hand massage. Other wonderful varieties include Thai, cascading stone, and couples massages. From deep-cleansing and rejuvenating to conditioning facials, skin care treatments are diverse and tailored to the specific needs of each guest. The Spa at Meadowood Napa Valley is truly the grand dame at an already wonderfully relaxing spot.

(+) Offers the perfect balance between active and relaxing pursuits

Dining & Lounge: Meadowood Napa Valley

California wine country has been known as a gourmet destination for many years now, but guests staying at Meadowood don’t even need to leave the grounds for a fantastic meal. In addition to its delightful in-room dining that raises the bar for standard room service, the resort has two distinctive venues. The Grill is open throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while The Restaurant is a dinner-only venue. Poolside dining is also available, and picnics are even packed for those guests who want gourmet-to-go while exploring the surrounding area.

Tucked inside a cute, cozy house, The Grill focuses on delicious meals crafted from items fresh from the garden. Everything from omelets to pancakes is available at breakfast, sandwiches and salads are the focus at lunch, and dinner features a tempting array of casual gourmet dishes. The Restaurant shines each night with its inspired menu. Three-, four-, and five-course menus as well as a chef’s tasting menu are available, and wines are paired with each course. If artisanal cheeses, grilled wild fish, and double chocolate brownies are your pleasure, be sure to ask for a picnic lunch.

The resort’s Napa Valley location makes it a perfect choice for gourmands and wine lovers. The resort even offers customized wine education programs, and staff is always on hand to help plan visits to area wineries. Naturally, the area is filled with countless restaurants, and those who dine off site will find plenty to whet their appetite.

(+) Gourmet wine country cuisine on site as well as fantastic area choices

Business Services: Meadowood Napa Valley

Meadowood is popular among visitors seeking an escape from the business world. Its gentle pace and location in a region well known as a vacation destination makes this resort an unlikely choice for business travelers. It’s more often chosen as a place to celebrate special occasions, and its distance from major business centers, as well as its lack of business-focused amenities, makes it a poor fit for businesspeople. It would be an ideal option for smaller corporate retreats, though.

(-) Meadowood is a place for relaxation, not business