Napa Luxury Hotels & Destination
Napa California Luxury Destination
Breathtaking Napa Valley, located in charming wine country, features lush green rolling hills, majestic mountains and glorious sunshine filled skies. Napa is the ideal place for an absolutely fabulous luxury hotel getaway. Napa’s gourmet, first class restaurants, world renowned wineries and exciting activities, will make for an incredible luxury hotel retreat. A luxury hotel escape to the gorgeous Napa valley will consist of ultimate relaxation and phenomenal entertainment.
Napa Luxury Hotels
Napa Valley’s luxury hotel offerings are as varied as the wineries that populate the striking valley. Enjoy staying in the regions only underground spa or being welcomed with a warming fireplace stoked with the staves of oak barrels from local wineries. Perhaps a working ranch that has been beautifully converted to a luxury hotel is how you would like to experience Napa. Scrumptious far, refreshing wine and good cheer is woven into every day of your Napa luxury hotel stay. An award winning restaurant has expanded its offering to include 50 rooms and suites housed in sun and earth toned cottages. Since its opening, guests have been drawn to this luxury hotel for its fine food, privacy, tranquility and unmistakable romance. The variety of luxury hotel options means you can experience something new each time you return for a Napa luxury hotel getaway.
Napa History
The Napa Valley through the early years was inhabited by Patwin, Mayacomos, Callajomans, Ulcus and Soscol tribes of Naïve Americans. The Patwin tribe named valley Napa. Controversy surrounds the translation, but the most widely accepted meaning is 'house'. These tribes were seldom at peace, which made the subsequent occupation Napa by the Spanish much easier.
Spanish missionaries were the first Europeans to explore Napa in the late 1700's. The rich volcanic soil and an almost ideal growing season made settlement easy. When Mexico achieved independence from Spain, it repossessed much of the land that Spain had given to the missions and granted large land grants, called ranchos, to influential Mexicans. These ranchos were set up to encourage the raising of cattle and sheep. When the US defeated Mexico, California became a US territory.
The City of Napa was founded by Nathan Coombs in 1847. The town site was surveyed by James M. Hudspeth on property Coombs had received from Nicolas Higuera, holder of the original Mexican Grant Rancho Entre Napa. A saloon built by Harrison Pierce was the first business to be established in Napa. Nathan Coombs and other Napa founders rest in nearby Tolucay Cemetery. The tomb of Mary (Mammy) Pleasant who is considered the Mother or Civil Rights in California is also buried in this Napa landmark.
While the US honored the Mexican land grants in the Napa region, economic conditions after the war, meant the Napa ranchos were often forfeited and the land was opened up for new settlement. The California 'no fence law' of 1874 effectively ended ranching in Napa. Many farmers planted vineyards with cuttings provided by the Catholic priests from Sonoma and San Rafael. In 1861 Riesling cuttings were introduced into the valley. From this humble start, Napa has become a premier wine making region. Luxury hotel guests have many unique and exciting opportunities to discover Napa’s vintages and wine making history.
Napa Attractions
The truly great weather means Napa Valley is a Mecca for outdoor activities 365 days a year. Abundant sunshine and comfortable temperatures make this luxury hotel destination perfect. Get an overview of Napa from the gondola of a hot air balloon. Your luxury hotel concierge can arrange beautiful balloon excursions with a number of local companies. Due to the way the winds blow in the Napa Valley, balloon trips begin early in the morning and drift over the gorgeous scenery until it is time to put down for a leisurely picnic lunch.
With more than 300 wineries in the Napa region you won’t have to travel far from your luxury hotel to join in on an excellent winery tour and learn about wine making in general or sample the fruits of a particular grower. Choose from the famous to the not so well known, from grand producers to boutique labels. For Napa luxury hotel guests preferring a specific grape variety, go from vintner to vintner comparing the grape nuance. Your opportunities are limited only by your imagination and the time you have to spend on a Napa luxury hotel vacation.
A delightful way for luxury hotel visitors to experience Napa without little effort on your part is to take the infamous Wine Train. This elegant train offers gourmet dining on board as well as an on board wine store. Board the Napa train for an evening sunset adventure or the ultimate a themed excursion such as the Murder Mystery Dinner or the Moonlight Escape.
The Vintner's Collective features a wine boutique that is the first of its kind in Napa. Featuring the wines from twenty of the most experienced winemakers in Napa, luxury hotel oenophiles will find the collection housed in the historic Pfeiffer building in downtown Napa.
The Napa Valley Opera House entertains with live theatre and opened on February 13, 1880 with a production of Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore. The Napa Opera House has featured vaudeville, music and variety acts. When damaged during the 1906 San Francisco quake, it fell into disuse. In was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and in 1985 a non-profit group restored it to its current luster. Napa luxury hotel visitors can enjoy a variety of acts including plays, musical performance and dance.
Hiking the Napa trails is a great way for active luxury hotel guests to work up an appetite for a gourmet evening dinner. The varied topography of Napa valley means that there are trails for hikers of all skill levels. During your hike, you may see a few of the over 100 varieties of birds that make their home or transit the Napa Valley. Keep your eyes searching to catch a glimpse of coyotes, bobcats, deer or foxes.
Luxury hotel history buffs are not forgotten during a Napa experience. The Maisonry was originally built in 1904 as a private residence and now is a unique combination museum, art gallery and wine tasting retreat. Dedicated to promoting the cultural and environmental heritage of the Napa Valley luxury hotel guests will find it aptly named Napa Valley Museum.
Leaving your luxury hotel for the evening, there is no shortage of booming late night entertainment. Napa contains theatres and sports bars to appeal to the fans of all types. Jazz clubs offer a night of pairing fine music with fine wine. Napa Valley has long been known for the number and quality of the spas that are scattered throughout the region. Be sure to have your luxury hotel concierge direct you to the spa offering the relaxation and rejuvenation you deserve during your Napa stay.
Napa Shopping
In addition to the shopping at the wineries , luxury hotel shoppers will find all of the usual stores in the towns of the Napa Valley.
The long history of Napa makes for an antique shoppers delight. Items from the Spanish and Mexican settlements are especially enticing. As you wander from your Napa luxury hotel, you may discover an item or two from the Gold Rush days or a piece of wine making paraphernalia that will add interest to a special place in your home and remind you of your luxury hotel escape to Napa.
The historic Napa Valley Mill features award winning restaurants, retail shops and even a day spa. The Riverbend Performance Plaza provides luxury hotel visitors with an exciting outdoor backdrop for art, theater and music festivals.
Outlet malls seem to be springing up all over and Napa is no exception. Luxury hotel guests will appreciate the high end outlet malls meeting your shopping needs in both St. Helena and the town of Napa.
Napa Dining
Stepping out from any of Napa’s luxury hotel locations find fine dining experiences to suite every taste. The world class Napa wines feature prominently in both the cooking and accompaniment of the finest dining available during your luxury hotel sojourn. Select Italian, Spanish, Mexican, French and even American styles of haute cuisine.
For a less formal dining experience, pay a visit to a delicious bistro, delicatessen, grill or sports bar. Napa is such a beautiful setting and the weather is so pleasant that the luxury hotel travelers should consider stopping into a local eatery that creates picnics to go. You can chose a simple fare or opt for a gourmet repast that will make for a memorable day with a loved one under the warm, beautiful sunlight.
Any time of year is a perfect time for a Napa luxury hotel escape. A year round destination, Napa will have every luxury hotel guest coming back for more. An experience of a lifetime awaits you; book your Napa luxury hotel accommodations today.
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