New Spa offers calming suites, stellar treatments, boutiques, relaxation gardens and a healthy culinary menu.
ST. HELENA, CALIF. – At the close of 2015, Meadowood Napa Valley will be substantially through a $60-million dollar renovation, which includes a now fully renovated nine-hole golf course, redesigned guest rooms property-wide and a brand new luxury all-suite Meadowood Spa debuting this month for guests and Members and led by Director of Spa & Wellness Michael Conte.
Architecture & Design
The new Meadowood Spa was designed by architect Howard Backen and his team at Backen, Gillam & Kroeger Architects, led by David Macneill and interior designer, Leslie Hemmings. The building itself was constructed and brought to life by Bob Eberlin and his team from Eberlin Construction, whose company began construction on the building in January 2014. The style of architecture reflects and respects the landscape: simple, rustic-modern structures with a strong connection to beyond the building itself, with natural elements flowing throughout. The color palette includes warm greys and browns, deep muted olive green, rustic black and natural flax textured linen.
Paying respect to its natural surroundings of Meadowood, a majestic oak tree is preserved and celebrated at the Spa’s entrance with an amazing hand-forged circular iron fence guarding its perimeter and flanked on both sides by two boutiques. The reception area features warm oak flooring, reclaimed wood beams, hand-applied textural plaster and a fireplace with hand-forged steel. The space offers simple, clean upholstered furniture covered in organic linens, earthy leather and warm, natural rustic pieces. Special local and international artisanal touches include a silk rug from Tibet and handmade pottery from Napa Valley ceramic artist Emil Yanos, combined with curated, antique accessories from Napa Valley and around the world.
The calming, organic-feeling is enhanced by handmade Shibori Rust Silk wall hangings from artist Patricia Vivod that grace the walls of the locker room hallway and entrance. Nature-inspired wood, steel and stone fountains also line the treatment walkway where guests make their way to the treatment suites. The eight suites, each of which includes a private bathroom and steam shower, offers an inviting, built-in seating lounge area filled with comfortable cushions and pillows situated in front of large sliding windows that open out to forested views, heightening the sense of complete relaxation.
All-Suite Treatment & Wellness Experience
The new Spa offers a unique, all-suite concept, creating an elevated spa experience and giving guests a true sense of retreat and privacy. Meadowood Manager of Health & Fitness Kerry Brackett, whose history with the property and long-standing connection to its guests and members, helped shape the concept and direction for the Spa, with Conte taking the helm in June 2015. Brackett continues her passion for fitness and wellness at Meadowood and is currently undergoing training to be a Certified Wellness Coach.
The resort also worked closely with renowned spa and wellness consultants Nancy Nemer of Red Cashew Inc and Anni Hood of Wellness Business Consultancy. Nemer’s thorough understanding of the design process and spa operations was instrumental in contributing to the concept creation, planning and technical specification, as well as curating treatment product lines and items for the Spa Boutique and Estate Boutique. Hood introduced the team to the world of wellness, transforming the dynamic of what is expected from a spa treatment into a true wellness journey for guests, offering tips and suggestions for how to incorporate wellness into their lives after they leave the Spa.
Each guest’s visit will begin with an in-depth conversation with a Spa Therapist in the privacy of the treatment suite. The conversation will determine a curated treatment plan for each individual. The suite experience will begin with a soothing signature tea and include a pre-treatment experience (aromatherapy steam shower, dry body brushing or foot bath), followed by the treatment plan created with the therapist concluding with a post-treatment organic elixir. The space is designed to perform every treatment and includes all amenities needed so guests will not have to relocate or move during their spa day unless they choose to use the relaxation gardens.
There are two relaxation gardens, one for women and one for men. Each features sitting areas, steam room and sauna and mineral soaking pool. These areas are open for Spa guests pre- or post-treatment.
The Meadowood Spa is working with a curated selection of luxury lines with strong senses of place and high efficacy
- Caudalie – A French luxury beauty brand, founded in 1995 by Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, create beauty products inspired by the grape and the grapevines that are not only effective, but natural and luxurious. Caudalie products offer exclusive, patented molecules such as Grape-seed Polyphenols that are powerful antioxidants, Vine Resveratrol to target anti-aging concerns, and Vine Viniferine to combat dark spots.
- Luzern Laboratories – Sourcing from Switzerland and manufacturing in the USA, Luzern is a luxury skincare line known for their proprietary blend of certified Bio-Suisse organic extracts, advanced pharmaceutical-grade cosmeceuticals actives, and targeted oxygen infused facials. It will be highlighted with the O2 Facials using an oxygen nebulizer to produce glowing skin.
- HydraFacial MD – A non-invasive, multi-step treatment combining the benefits of next-level hydra-dermabrasion, a chemical peel, automated painless extractions and a special delivery of antioxidants, Hyaluronic Acid and Peptides. It does all of this in one quick treatment that delivers real results without downtime or irritation.
- Glycelene – A luxury organic and vegan line based in California creates exclusive products with indigenous ingredients from the property including California Poppy, Bay Laurel and Black Walnuts.
- Aromatherapy Associates – The leading luxury aromatherapy brand for more than 30 years, this London-based collection uses the highest quality botanicals and deep knowledge of essential oils to offer all-natural, wellness experiences steeped in the traditional practice of aromatherapy; experience a purposeful aromatherapy journey customized to your unique needs.
Spa Menu
The Spa menu is designed to elevate the entire spa experience and highlight the spa suites. The Essential Journey is the starting point for all treatments: this 90-minute experience is a 60-minute massage, facial or body treatment with a wellness sojourn, which includes a wellness dialogue with your treatment provider and pre-treatment experience. Six spa packages have also been created, all with a strong sense of place celebrating the Napa Valley including: From the Vines, a vino-based massage and facial; From the Garden, a treatment that will change ingredients seasonally; From the Earth, a black walnut scrub and hot stone massage; and The Air We Breathe, which focuses on recovery through a detoxifying mud wrap, invigorating leg scrub and Hydrafacial. And for the ultimate spa experience, The Meadowood Curated Collection offers a five- and a half-hour experience with a customized scrub, wrap, facial, massage and specialty therapy. All Spa packages include lunch and private suite time for relaxation.
Spa Boutique & Estate Boutique
Within the Spa are the 350 sq ft Spa Boutique and Estate Boutique. The Spa Boutique offers an array of skincare, cosmetic and spa products to complement lines experienced in the Meadowood Spa. The space also offers curated cosmetics such as local, Marin-based beauty brand lilah b., a luxurious and minimalistic collection of color cosmetics offering high-performance products and olfactory experience with perfumes, scents and candles from San Francisco-based brands including R. Nichols and Hudson Grace.
The Estate Boutique offers leather, cashmere, felted wool, pottery, pearls; it is designed to be a very tactile space with high-level designed, hand-crafted, sophisticated beautiful pieces with a nod to travel. Guests will find luxury fragrances by The House of Creed, which has been handcrafting uncommon fragrances for royal houses and discerning patrons for more than 250 years; luxurious hand-finished cashmere travel throws by OYUNA; Slightly Alabama men’s hand-made leather accessories; leather and paper journals by Fiorentina; vases and votives by Tabbatha Henry and hand-crafted jewelry.
Spa Culinary Menu
Meadowood Grill Chef Victoria Acosta has designed an exquisite culinary menu, offering delectable and healthy options for guests to enjoy in their suites or in the relaxation gardens in the Spa. Fruits house-dried from the Meadowood garden, nuts, grains; elixirs such as carrot with ginger, lime and coriander round out a selection of dishes celebrating the elements, mirroring the Spa’s Treatment Menu: Vine, Earth, Air and Field. Culinary offerings include Heirloom Tomatoes with dandelion pesto, eggplant, couscous and cumin (Vine); Sweet Potato with Brussels sprouts, coconut and curry (Earth); Lemon Thyme with Mary’s Chicken, bok choy and brown rice (Air); Cress, Romaine & Kale with dungeness crab, meyer lemon and ginseng (Field)…to name just a few.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
