Perfect Weekend: 48-Hours in Yountville, Napa ValleyBy Iona Goulder

There’s something almost meditative about arriving in Yountville, where the rolling vineyards stretch out like a carpet under the reliable Californian sun, and the air carries the faint promise of world-class wine. If you’re seeking a compact getaway that blends luxury, adventure, and exploration, this Napa Valley gem, often dubbed the ‘culinary capital of the region’, delivers it all in just 48 hours.

Yountville’s history traces back to 1836, when George C. Yount planted the area’s first grapes, laying the foundation for an industry-leading wine region. Over the decades, Yountville evolved from a quiet rural outpost into a foodie haven, especially after the 1970s when chefs like Philippe Jeanty pioneered innovative restaurants. The town’s culinary ascent peaked in the 1990s with Thomas Keller’s French Laundry, earning Michelin stars and global fame.

Today, with more Michelin stars per capita than anywhere else, Yountville draws epicureans with its farm-to-table ethos, supported by local orchards, gardens, and wineries, and a population of just over 3,000 that preserves its small-town charm amid upscale allure.

Yountville Guide: Where to Stay

Located in the heart of Yountville, Bardessono Hotel & Spa was awarded Two Michelin Keys in 2024 for its exceptional design, service, and guest experience, and is one of just 70 hotels in the U.S. to earn such recognition. Situated in town on Yount Street, it’s ideally situated for strolling the charming streets, lined with boutiques, art galleries, and a short walk to renowned tasting rooms. The hotel manages that rare trick of feeling both entirely secluded and right in the thick of things. From the moment you pull up to its timber-and-stone façade, the message is clear: you’re somewhere special.

This is no more true than in the rooms. Our door opened into a spacious suite where natural textures meet soft minimalism, walnut wood tones, textured tiling, and a fireplace set into a sleek stone wall. Outside, a private terrace offered dappled sunlight and quiet space to breathe, read, or sip something local.

The bathroom alone could convince you to move in permanently. With dual vanities, a walk-in rain shower, and the centrepiece: a deep champagne air-jetted soaking tub set in front of a picture window overlooking the trees. It’s less ‘hotel bathroom,’ more ‘spa sanctuary’ (you can also get a treatment in there as it happens). Morning light pours in through the windows, while evenings are candlelit and still.

Wander the grounds and you’ll stumble across small architectural moments: a koi pond with abstract water sculptures, tucked-away benches, and soft garden lighting. However, the rooftop pool is where Bardessono truly shines. Framed by minimalist cabanas and panoramic views of the Napa hills, it’s the ultimate place for a morning swim or a late-afternoon unwind. If you’re lucky, a hot air balloon or two will drift overhead while you float in the California sun.

One of Bardessono’s most compelling aspects is its commitment to sustainability. The property is LEED Platinum certified, and yet nothing about it feels earnest or overly worthy. It’s green luxury done right: you sleep well knowing your stay treads lightly, without compromising on indulgence.

Yountville Guide: What to Do

Start your 48 hours with a pedal-powered adventure via Napa Valley Bike Tours (a 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice winner, no less). Their pedal-assisted electric bikes make hills effortless, ideal for a full-day rental and with the option of a baby trailer for family fun. Friendly staff provide maps, safety briefings, and detour tips, guiding you along the trails and shaded roads through vineyard views.

We opted for their pedal-assisted electric bikes, a merciful decision given the hills and heat. With our baby happily strapped into a trailer on the back, we set off along vineyard-lined paths and open country roads. It’s not entirely for the faint-hearted (some stretches put you on the road alongside traffic), but it’s one of the best ways to experience the area’s scenery and freedom. You can rent for the whole day, and if you’re more organised than we were, you could easily book tastings at a couple of vineyards along your route. (No comment on the legality of cycling under the influence.) Whether you ride 2 miles or 20, you’ll return feeling sun-kissed and alive. And possibly a bit tipsy.

Tucked discreetly beneath the rooftop pool, b Spa is Bardessono’s hidden sanctuary, an intimate, softly lit haven where Napa’s landscape is reinterpreted as pure sensory indulgence. The menu includes rare gems like the Salt Stone Massage, using warm Himalayan stones to ease muscle tension and lift your mood; the AromaFusion therapy, which marries volcanic stones with essential oils in a deeply therapeutic experience; and the signature Paired and Pressed Massage, which begins with a melted wine-infused massage candle and ends with a mineral Gua Sha scalp ritual, and yes, a glass of Napa’s finest in hand.

For mothers-to-be, the Nurturing Mother Ritual is a soothing antidote to fatigue and muscle strain, while the Glass Skin Facial offers a modern take on Korean beauty, promising radiant, camera-ready skin through advanced dermaplane and ionic technology. Best of all, treatments can be enjoyed in the tranquil spa centre or in the privacy of your suite, which is designed to transform into a personal wellness retreat. b Spa reminds you that in Yountville, relaxation isn’t a luxury, it’s an art form.

For a relaxed vineyard experience, visit Maxville Winery in the elevated Chiles Valley, spanning 1,000 acres with 700 preserved as “forever wild” under the Napa Valley Land Trust. The stunning setting, rugged hills, a serene lake, and oak-dotted vistas are worth the drive alone. Manager Doug shares insider tips with approachable charm, making it perfect for families or low-key tastings. Try the 2023 Estate Rosé or 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, with the tasting menu including vintages like Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel against a mountain backdrop.

The wines themselves? Refined but relaxed. Nothing overly showy, just great structure, balance, and expression of place. If you’re after a tasting experience that doesn’t feel like a Napa Disneyland ride, Maxville is your place. It’s also a great spot for those travelling with kids or anyone craving a more laid-back pour. Explore more with this brilliant Visit Napa Valley’s directory: Domaine Chandon for sparkling wines, Opus One for reds, or Frog’s Leap for organic charm, all near Yountville. A hot air balloon ride offers aerial views to complement your biking, for the very bouji that is.

Yountville Guide: Where to Eat

Tucked into Bardessono’s verdant grounds, Lucy Restaurant & Bar feels like the soul of the property brought to life. A place where the hotel’s green ethos, culinary ambition, and Napa’s terroir converge. Lucy’s identity is tied to the land. The restaurant sources many ingredients directly from Bardessono’s own garden, steps from the kitchen, and works with local farms throughout Napa Valley to reflect the seasons. What that means is every dish arrives with a sense of place.

The interiors echo the hotel’s clean, modern lines, earthy tones, natural light, and subtle design flourishes. Outside, the garden patio, fountains, and ambient lighting turn dinner into something lingering, atmospheric, and quietly luxurious. Dinner was delightful. The halibut was impeccable: flaky flesh in a delicate sauce, paired with vegetables that still seemed to carry vineyard sunshine. The seasonal pasta, a fresh puttanesca, was bursting with olives, tomato, and capers. The cocktail menu was extensive, and as a result, the barman was one of the busiest people there – and rightly so –  the mango tequila concoction we tried was spot on.

Service was attentive but unfussy, and there’s something deeply pleasurable about dining al fresco under Napa’s violet sky as the air cools and the garden lights glow (they also have heaters which helps!)

For French elegance, try nearby Bouchon, Thomas Keller’s brasserie near French Laundry. Its Parisian vibe – checkered floors, bustling tables – suits long meals. The French onion soup, with caramelised onions and gooey Gruyère, rivals France’s best. The wine list features Napa and French options. You can also splurge at The French Laundry for its tasting menu, or visit Bistro Jeanty for rustic French or Ad Hoc for comfort food.

Yountville Guide: Conclusion

After two days of wine, sunshine, and slow living, we left Bardessono feeling transformed. There’s a certain stillness to this hotel a luxury that surrounds you, whether you’re floating in the rooftop pool or padding barefoot across your suite’s cool stone floors. Everything here, from the garden-grown meals at Lucy to the friendly service, is designed to help you exhale. And perhaps what’s most astonishing is just how close it all is. For those lucky enough to call the Bay Area home, this kind of wine-fuelled escapism; elegant, indulgent, and wrapped in magnolia-scented calm sits just 90 minutes away. We arrived frazzled. We’d driven 90 minutes to get there, we left 48 hours later, 90% more relaxed.