Bardessono: A Sustainable Luxury Oasis Rooted in Napa Valley’s Agrarian Heritage

Located in the heart of downtown Yountville, Napa Valley’s Bardessono Hotel and Spa is the embodiment of a modern yet charming wine country retreat. Inside this almost cinematic escape, guests are greeted by a living wall covered with air plants and natural elements like stone and wood. The atmosphere is more reminiscent of a sanctuary than a hotel lobby.

The five-acre property features low two-story wood-and-steel buildings, with water features and artwork, including outdoor sculptures and indoor contemporary pieces, spread throughout the space. Bardessono stands out as one of only 14 LEED Platinum-certified hotels in the U.S., highlighting its commitment to luxury and sustainability. The hotel was constructed using 100,000 square feet of salvaged wood, abundant glass windows and walls to reduce electrical lighting needs, and roofs covered in solar panels.

Bardessono offers 62 rooms and three villas, all designed as personal havens. Each accommodation is a suite with outdoor living areas, such as balconies or enclosed courtyards. Every room is a Spa Suite, allowing guests to enjoy tailored body treatments in the privacy of their own space. The b Spa at Bardessono, though intimate with just four treatment rooms, offers a seasonally inspired menu of services like purification and renewal treatments in the spring.

Guests staying at Bardessono can take advantage of in-room spa options, with a variety of treatments available only in guest suites. The spa is popular among both locals and returning guests, so advance reservations are recommended. The hotel is also dog-friendly, offering a Bone Appetite Menu for four-legged friends.

Suites at Bardessono feature smart technology with sensor-controlled window coverings and hidden button-activated gas fireplaces. The walls are painted a rich buttery pale yellow, reminiscent of a superb glass of chardonnay, and decorated with iron wall hangings and oversized pictures of nearby vineyards. The plush beds are outfitted with all-white, 100 per cent Egyptian cotton Fili D’oro linens, and the bath products by Ren are found in the spacious bathrooms, which double as private spas.

The property is divided into five groves, each named after a plant or tree growing in that section. Accommodations are categorised into three types: Spa Suites, Steam-Spa Suites, and Tufa Suites. Each suite type offers luxurious amenities like soaking tubs, enclosed patios or balconies, steam rooms, and expanded outdoor courtyards. The Maple Grove Villas provide even more privacy and space, making them ideal for VIPs and large families.

The dining experience at Bardessono is equally impressive. The Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Lucy Restaurant and Bar serves a farm-to-table menu with dishes like hand-rolled gnocchi coated in kale pesto made with fresh kale from the resort’s onsite edible garden. The restaurant’s menu celebrates Napa’s farm-fresh fare with plates like Dungeness crab and citrus salad or a duo of pork served with slow-roasted shoulder apricots and white cheddar grits. The outdoor dining area, complete with water and fire features, is perfect for enjoying snacks alfresco. Breakfast at Lucy is a must, with globally inspired dishes like Sonoma duck confit hash and guava and cream cheese-stuffed French toast.

The B Spa at Bardessono offers a range of treatments, including a salt stone massage using warm Himalayan salt stones and age-defying oxygen facials. The spa carries an exclusive line of skincare products by London-based Linda Meredith, making it the only spa in the state to offer these treatments. For guests who prefer to stay in their rooms, the spa provides a massage table in each room closet for added convenience.

The location of Bardessono is ideal, situated within a five-minute walk of Thomas Keller’s Bouchon and its adjoining bakery. For those looking to explore further into the valley, a fleet of Lexus vehicles is available for two- to four-hour time blocks. The resort’s walls are adorned with striking works of art curated by the San Francisco-based Andrea Schwartz Gallery, and each piece is available for purchase.

For further information, visit bardessono.com