Napa & Sonoma: Where to Stay: Luxury: Auberge du Soleil

Auberge du Soleil

For years I had heard that this was one of the most romantic hotels in the country, and when I finally visited four years ago, I was not disappointed. Set in an olive grove on thirty-five hillside acres with an exceptional view of vineyards, “Inn of the Sun,” as its name translates, consists of the main house (with two rooms and an award-winning restaurant), a spa and fifty individual maisons. Provence and its art de vivre clearly inspired not just the name of the hotel but the splashes of sunny color within the rooms, which adds warmth to the contemporary design. My favorite rooms are the hillside ones with fireplaces and patios with views, but all have amenities like flat-screen TVs in the bedrooms and the bathrooms and extra-large tubs. Special touches include the walking trails that wind through a sculpture garden and to the pool area, and a concierge who will arrange anything from horseback riding to helicopter tours. The spa, which is accessible only to hotel guests, offers indoor or outdoor massages, depending on the weather, and it’s worth arriving early for an appointment to soak in the heated, infinity-edged pools that overlook the valley. Rooms from $500.