Exceptional, Indulgent – the Ideal Napa Valley Retreat
When folks say ‘Napa,’ pretty much all anyone hears is “adults only.” It honestly seems like one of those idyllic, sun-soaked, resort locales where everyone is getting a spa service and playing golf while sipping the region’s renowned varietals. Simultaneously. Not to deter you, if that’s what’s on the menu for a weekend of rest and relaxation. But if you’re looking for an ideal locale to travel with the kids in tow or even the entire extended family, look no further than the Silverado Resort (silveradoresort.com). A AAA-Four Diamond award winner since 1976, the property is the perfect “home base” for grownups to indulge in a bit of age 21+ recreation with an abundance of activities to keep the younger set entertained. Such was the case on a recent getaway for our family of four.
Calm and quiet, or hustle and bustle: Choose your neighborhood. Stay in the center of activity at the Mansion Estates. A golf enthusiast? Opt for either Cottage Drive (located along the rolling expanses of the 7,166-yard PGA North Course rated one of the “Best Resort Courses” by Golfweek in 2021) with sweeping golf course views while The Grove offers a tranquil retreat under sun-dappled centuries-old oak trees. Regardless of which you choose each of the resort’s thoughtfully appointed 117 guest rooms and 228 suites showcase custom decor, classic furnishings and carefully curated amenities.
For our part, we elected to keep the chaos contained in Oak Creek, a gated community where the resort’s most spacious of accommodations overlook the south fairway’s rolling green lawn and offer plenty of space to spread out. Minutes from the pools, tennis courts, and more, this is where the squeals of happy children of all ages reverberate over spring break and throughout the summer months. Our teens loved having the run of the place – strolling over to the Silverado Market & Bakery for fresh baked pastries and mochas in the morning and then back again for home-baked snacks and sandwiches.
Outdoor enthusiasts have no shortage of options at this expansive 1,200-acre resort – swimming pools, a pair of world-class championship golf courses, 10 plexi-paved tennis courts, a trio of bocce ball courts, daily fitness classes, hiking and biking trails and more.
Particularly ideal for the 6-12 age range is the resort’s Summer Golf, Tennis and Swim Camp led by award-winning instructors who help develop their charges interpersonal skills, sense of fair play, and hone friendships on and off the courts and the green.
Truth be told, I’m also more of an indoor enthusiast when seeking a relaxing weekend away and few things sound more up my alley than a luxurious massage, skin or body treatment. Surrounded by gorgeous garden courtyards and scenic golf course views, the Silverado Spa is a 16,000-square-foot state-of-the-art haven for healthy rejuvenation. On the agenda this trip? The 24 Karat Body and Face Treatment – an uber indulgent body wrap of extracts of Artemisia and passionflower which according to the description, “detoxifies, hydrates and boosts elasticity – I certainly felt a few years younger and lighter.
Not that I need one, but Silverado Resort is serving up a pretty compelling reason to plan a return trip this summer as the property is partnering with the globally acclaimed Blue Note Jazz Festival (July 28 – 30) to showcase the musical stylings of some of the world’s most talented and revered artists.
Another reason to revisit? The resort is literally surrounded by stellar vintners – from internationally known brands to endlessly charming family-owned operations. Of the latter, we were tickled to have been personally greeted upon arrival by Ace, the resident labrador retriever. What followed was a lovely, leisurely afternoon spent on the gorgeous patio, sampling a flavorful flight of varietals at Whetstone Wine Cellars (whetstonewinecellars.com).
Originally from South Carolina, owner Jamey Whetstone was instantly captivated by the community, culture and lifestyle when he initially arrived in wine country in the late 1990s. A Napa native, his wife Michelle owned an interior design business before joining Jamey in the wine business. Today, the couple’s influences, pride and passion are evident throughout the 19th Century chateau and two-acre grounds they call home.
