It’s hard to believe that, given the waves of well-heeled visitors that break upon its endless horizon of vineyards, Napa Valley has not had a new luxury resort in seven years.
Timely then that the Luxury Collection recently opened the 68-room Las Alcobas – the sophomore effort to Las Alcobas Mexico City – on a three-acre spread in St Helena, that includes a grand 1905 Georgian-style pile, the latter now housing a restaurant, six guest rooms and a boardroom.
The interiors by Yabu Pushelberg are warm shells lined with oak, stone sinks and marble, with the upper category rooms featuring outdoor terraces, fireplaces, and soaking tubs with views over vineyards. The spa, meanwhile, is based on herbs and aromatherapy that’s customised to each guest, though there’s something to be said for hand-soap made from local wine.
In the bijou Acacia House restaurant, chef Chris Cosentino works a summery touch on risotto which he pairs with sweet corn, chilled heirloom melon soup, and Cornish game hen with roasted grapes. All paired, of course, with smartly edited wine-list.
If tooling through the retail boutiques and tasting rooms of St Helena don’t appeal, nearby distractions include the Rhine Mansion next door, and the legendary Culinary Institute of America.
