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180 Rutherford Hill Rd.
Rutherford
(707) 963-1211
1605 Atlas Peak Rd.
Napa
(707) 257-5555
1030 Main St.
St. Helena
(707) 967-8800
3100 White Sulphur Springs Rd.
St. Helena
(707) 963-8588
315 E. Cotati Ave. Suite D
Cotati
(800) 792-0555
Little River Inn
Little River
(707) 937-3099
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With spas in the Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties to proliferate
at a record rate, a dedicated sybarite could devote a fair portion
of their life visiting one after another. In this section we make
the first visit for you, returning with brief updates on what’s
good, what’s not, what is unique and what to expect. From then
on it’s up to you to go and enjoy.
The new spa at the Auberge du Soleil may have set a remarkable standard
for delicious indulgence when they recently teamed up with French
champagne maker Perrier Jouët to offer a special package that
combines exquisite spa treatments (in a stunning setting) with chocolate
and champagne. After a pure chocolate exfoliation follow a path
of rose petals to a tub in which floats more petals; then a bottle
of sparkling wine is added, along with cocoa-butter, while a glass
of mango tea and a Gatsby chocolate truffle appears alongside the
marble tub. If this sounds like almost more hedonism than a person
could stand, our reviewer assures it was a perfect balance, down
to the soft music and the chirping of crickets in the acres of gardens
and woods below the infinity pool. Follow this with a massage with
grapeseed lotion and the only difficult part of the process is leaving.
The Spa du Soleil has a full range of treatments; the Perrier Jouët
experience, in celebration of the champagne house’s centennial,
is available through the end of the year.
Though new, this luxurious facility has taken on the mantle of grande
dame of spas in the Napa Valley. If it is a spa treatment in luxe
surroundings you are after, the Spa at Silverado will do everything
you can imagine and more. Rather than even begin to list their offerings
here, give them a call and let them extol their own virtues. They
are well earned, and that may be a great understatement. Set aside
a half day or a day and get pampered. You’re worth it.
The message from our spa reviewer on voicemail said, “I’m
never leaving here. Send money.” We found out later she had
just finished with the 50 minute Abhyanga treatment, where two trained
therapists work in synchronized motion for what manager Eric Chesky
calls a “four hand massage.” Add in the warm bindi oil
they use and you’ll understand her sentiments exactly. Weather
permitting, they also have outdoor treatment rooms in a garden setting.
Just reading the comprehensive list of treatments is therapy in
itself. Are you worth it? Of course you are.
This is a step back in time, and a delightful one at that. No Roman
columns, no New Age music, no mosaics on the walls, you are there
for a relaxing, therapeutic treatment surrounded by the woods above
St. Helena. Towering fir trees, a babbling brook and the sounds
of birds (and the unique smell of sulphur from the springs –
you get used to it) make up the ambience. If you want relaxation
without the frills, this getaway of a spa may be the answer, and
at a reasonable price.
No matter how good the restaurant down the street or across town
might be, sometimes when you check into your hotel what you really
want is room service. And so it is with the Sonoma County massage
provider known as Massage, Inc. Based in Cotati, they have their
own facility, but they will also “deliver” by coming to
the inn, b&b or other lodging where you have settled for the
night or weekend. With a few hours notice they can provide a whole
range of massage techniques and other treatments to you in your
room. Established close to 20 years ago, they offer a convenient
and affordable way to decompress without ever leaving your room.
The venerable Mendocino hostelry, the Little River Inn, has entered
the spa arena with a new state-of-the-art facility offering everything
from hot rock massage and aromatherapy wraps to parafango and hydration
restoration. There is also the full menu of facials, manicures and
the like, all done in a setting that will relax the spa goer from
the outset. One advantage, particularly if you are in the area for
a wedding or other special event, is that hair care and styling
is also available under the same roof. With the area around Mendocino
becoming one of the hottest spots for outdoor weddings this is not
a small consideration. Service is efficient, but with the friendliness
you would expect to find along this stretch of the Pacific coast.
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