Alila, Napa Valley

We stayed midweek in August and it was calm and amazingly relaxing. The service was incredible and we had the best meal of our trip at Violetto.

Our 2nd time staying at property. Amazing property and room with view of vineyards. Everything was great in regards to our stay outside AC unit not cooling room properly to desired temperature set on thermostat. Staff did offer a fan though. It was also a rather hot day when we stayed there at 95 degrees outside which made it uncomfortable.

I initially gave this resort 4 stars, because we had an issue that has been resolved. It was a minor charge for what was supposed to have been a gift, but it was a big deal to me and my husband. I'm pleased to say the concierge we dealt with, Janice, went to a fair amount of trouble to rectify the issue and gave us a truly genuine and sincere apology. My husband travels a LOT for work and is a Lifetime Globalist. As such we feel very fortunate when we're able to book a stay on points and as such, we go to some effort to spend money on property. I have terrible skin allergies and was in contact with Allison, the spa manager, prior to our visit so that I could book a massage and be sure that the technician would use unscented oil. I cannot begin to express how understanding and helpful Allison was, what amazing care she, Joan, and my technician Gwen, (Dan for my hubby who said his massage was amazing) took in making us feel comfortable and cared for during our visit. I mentioned in passing how much we LOVED the Alila robes and Allison was kind enough to look up the cost (very reasonable) and order robes to have waiting for me and my husband upon our check-out of the spa. Well imagine my delight when I went to sign out for our services, mentioned that I didn't see the robes on our bill, and was informed by Joan that the two robes had been gifted to us!!! I mean what an incredibly thoughtful and really DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE. The cost of the robes was inconsequential. We would have gladly paid for them. It was the pure delight in such a kind gesture that made me feel SO SPECIAL. When a resort goes to that extent to make you feel special, the least you can do is return the favor. Instead of availing ourselves of the many restaurants in St Helena, we decided to eat AND drink on property. Every meal was delicious and the wine list is exemplary. That is saying something since I'm a bit of a wine snob and my husband and I belong to several formal wine organizations. At the end of our stay we realized it was far more relaxing to enjoy the on-property amenities and food and beverage, and we'd do it again. If you're a wine aficionado you will find something that suits my palate. I was blown away by their selection of Italian wine since so many restaurants in the area are California centric, understandably of course. Lastly I'll address issues mentioned in other reviews: yes you can hear the people walking above you. I think that's the price you pay for clean floors instead of gross wall to wall carpeting. I only ever heard people during the day. Yes you can hear the "dinging" of rooms opening and it does sound like someone is coming into your room (probably an easy volume fix if management is reading). Rest assured if you have the DND light activated, no one is coming into your room. The soaking tub in our room was a personal favorite, and I availed myself of the soak and bath salts every day. Personally my husband and I would have preferred the pool music to be at a slightly lower volume, but we did not hear it from our room (I used headphones to read and that was a perfect solution). The breakfast, as mentioned before, is FABULOUS. The all day/dinner menu is well rounded if not particularly large. It's a small resort with a fine dining restaurant on property (which is beautifully appointed and delicious) and that's the trade off. Still all of the food we had was excellent and I've worked in restaurants most of my life, so that's saying something. Yes the pool is not large and chairs fill up, but that's true of every resort and I've been to a few. If a day by the pool is what you want, splurge for the cabana. The gym is large and well equipped with weights, towels, mats, and water. My only gripe was there were 3 treadmills and only one was working and the rowing machine was also out of order. It's difficult to get people to service these machines in fitness clubs, let alone a local resort, so bear that in mind. There were still plenty of ways to get in a workout with Peloton bike, an elliptical machine, TRX straps, a multi-modal Lifetime Fitness weight machine, and lots of free weights. Would I visit this resort again? Yes. Without hesitation. The staff really made the overall experience incredible and the property is pristinely and meticulously cared for, including the spa!

Great property with a wonderful location. Well laid out room that was in perfect condition. Staff were attentive, helpful and around when I needed them. Restaurant was a bit to fancy for my taste, but Brix down the road was great. (I wish they had a hot tub...)

My wife and I made a reservation for a double queen room and went there with our 2-year-old son. After arrival we approached the front desk and showed our reservation details. A female employee started to check us in and introduce the hotel facilities to us. One male employee sitting beside suddenly stepped in telling us he was making phone calls to re-book us for another hotel. Stunned, we asked him if there was anything wrong with our reservation. He said their rooms are strictly to a maximum of two persons including children. If the three of us want to stay, we have to book two rooms. He said he didn't reckon we would opt for that so he spontaneously started to re-book us for another hotel. Unbelieving what we heard, we asked to speak to their manager. Sue Cardenas showed up claiming she was the only manager on-site that day, looked at our reservation, and basically repeated the same thing to us. She indirectly blamed us for booking a room for three persons (yes, one being our 2-year-old son) and told us we have two options - either we book a 2nd room with them in order to accommodate our 2-year-old child, or they will cancel our reservation. My wife explained to Sue we specially booked them for their good facilities (especially the swimming pool for the sake of our child). Sue was firm and wouldn't listen. My wife and I were feeling being discriminated. At that time we were not sure if it was our ethnic group, or our travel-with-child status being targeted. We learnt later that in a legal perspective, it was our 2-year-old child that was the target of the discrimination. California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, passed in 1959, requires “full and equal accommodations” for all customers in business establishments. There are no exceptions. Yes, our 2-year-old son was being discriminated based on his age. Eventually, Sue cancelled our reservation and drove the three of us away from their fancy-looking front office. We had to find another hotel by ourselves after a 2-hour drive and the mis-treatment at their front desk, our 2-year-old disappointed and crying in the back seat of the car. We later googled their hotel and turned out there were plenty couples with children sharing similar experience with them. My wife and I are ordinary people who simply don't have the energy or the resources to sue them. But we will share our not unique experience with Alila Napa Valley on every social media and booking website we find.