Napa Valley is the jewel in the crown of the United States of America. The Californian region is synonymous with American wine, a hotbed of technologically advanced production techniques and the home of the Zinfandel group.
It may not be far from San Francisco, but it’s possible to experience an exclusive getaway here that takes the art of hospitality to new heights and allows you to relax and indulge your taste buds. Introducing Las Alcobas Napa Valley, the Luxury Collection Hotel designed with the utmost elegance by George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg.
The resort is built on the site of a farm dating back to the early 1900s, with great care taken to preserve and restore the original structure, which remains the central nucleus of the resort – albeit taken to the next level thanks to new sections connecting by paths. The resort as a whole was deliberately designed to feel contained, which gives the place a feeling of intimacy and quality.
Four different wineries surround the site, Beringer being the largest, with visitors able to enjoy stunning views of the vineyards. Inside, meanwhile, the designers have worked wonders…
The Lobby Lounge has been located right in Acacia House, the beating heart of the property, which combines the original Victorian architectural elements with grey plaster work, antiques and made-to-measure furniture. It’s the first example of the familiar, welcoming atmosphere that becomes an evocative, ongoing theme as you explore the resort.
In the restaurant, the intense blue of the walls creates a deep, enveloping backdrop to the unit holding the crockery, the large brick fireplace, sofas (perfect for lunch), chairs in wood and leather and the tables. Everything here has been custom made to measure to designs by YabuPushelberg, with the only exceptions being the handmade plates and ceramic animals by Moss & Lam.
The same level of care and attention has been afforded to the 68 rooms, all of which deliver refined simplicity without straying into the realm of excess. Oak by Delta Wood and linen by Rivolta Carmignani – “honest materials” in the words of the designers – are the perfect way to warm the rooms and indeed the hearts of visitors, just like a good glass of red might do. The rooms are home to more bespoke furniture, while Dornbracht, Kreoo and Toto have supplied pieces for the bathrooms.
Last but most certainly not least, the spa is a stark contrast to the rest of the complex. The structure of the building is a modern interpretation of an old barn, with dark, simple interiors inspired by the principles of wabi-sabi – a world view based around the acceptance of the transience of things. The idea that beauty is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete…
