Finding the perfect resort can be just as tricky as figuring out the destination. Sometimes, you get quality food, but the lodging isn't on par. Other times, the accommodations are eye-catching and comfy, but the food and beverage is a bit basic. Enter the Auberge du Soleil in California's Napa Valley. As delicious as it is comfortable, the property boasts a MICHELIN One Star restaurant (for 15 consecutive years) while the spaces deliver on style and luxury—they were just awarded their 10th consecutive Five-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide. Below, executive chef Robert Curry breaks down the secret sauce behind the wine country favorite.
The premise of Auberge du Soleil is to be the ultimate getaway. “Our goal is to ensure hotel guests and dining patrons come away with a deeply personal connection to the property," says Curry, adding, "[and that] their experience with us creates a long-lasting memory.” Amping up that feeling are the dishes produced on property—from the six-course tasting menu to the freshly shucked oysters. “Many of our guests comment that it's like being in Provence without the need for a passport.”
At One Star The Restaurant, diners can expect French-inspired cuisine with a California flair. But the Auberge du Soleil is so much more than a restaurant: it's an agricultural community. The wine is grown from the vineyards directly below, and the seasonal produce is sourced each week at the local Farmers’ Market. And while the menu is filled with new options every season, staples like the local spiced lamb, gnocchi with wild mushrooms, pea shoots and parmesan nage, and the Auberge du Soleil torte au chocolat remain most popular.
Elevating the experience is the equally distinctive luxury hotel. Here, like the restaurant, quality is paramount over quantity. With 50 rooms, interiors feel more residential and are equipped with refined punctuations including private outdoor spaces and indoor fireplaces. Floor-to-ceiling, iron-framed windows and French doors ensure the maximum amount of natural light for a sun-kissed finish.
Outside, guests can choose from a variety of excursions including personalized winery tours, hot air balloon rides over Napa Valley, and leisurely picnics amongst the ground's olive groves. If it sounds too hard to choose, we understand, that's why we asked Curry to share his dream itinerary.
According to Curry, the day should start off on a delicious, and flaky note with some homemade pastries served poolside at La Plage. Follow up with a late afternoon soak and a relaxing treatment at Spa du Soleil, and then head over to The Bar and enjoy an apéritif. After a quick change, finish off the night with a delicious multi-course meal and Grand Cru champagne at The Restaurant.
And while there aren't many places where one can experience the MICHELIN Guide from soup to nuts at its highest level, the Auberge du Soleil has delivered for years. “It truly is a romantic, relaxed-sophistication, and exceptional experience,” says Curry. The only question left to answer is, how fast can you pack your bags?
Hero image: Auberge du Soleil, Auberge Resorts Collection
All photos courtesy of Auberge du Soleil, Auberge Resorts Collection
