A Chill Retreat in Napa: Staying at Stanley Ranch by Auberge Resorts
by Krish Patel
With rolling vineyards and peaceful landscapes, Stanley Ranch by Auberge Resorts is certainly a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of nearby San Francisco. On-site wellness amenities, fresh farm-to-table dining, and luxurious rooms with outdoor showers all make this a wonderful property in the Auberge Resorts collection.
Stanley Ranch Location and Convenience
Stanley Ranch is located in the southern part of Napa Valley and situated on 712 acres of ranchland. It’s about 10 minutes from downtown Napa, which is packed with great shops and restaurants. Those visiting from a major city such as San Francisco will have to drive an hour to reach the resort.
Stanley Ranch Amenities, Layout, and Ambiance
Upon arriving at the resort, you’ll notice a small desk for the valet who will park your car. Staff members will escort you into the reception building, which feels like a cozy living room inside. There’s comfortable furniture with accented throw pillows and a fireplace.
If you walk straight ahead on the pathway from the reception room, you’ll come across the lavender pool, which is surrounded by lush purple lavender flowers. There are a ton of poolside chairs, as well as three hot-tubs. Staff won’t keep you waiting, as they’ll bring a menu and ask if you want anything to eat or drink.
Stanley Ranch also features an on-site garden, spa, and gym. The garden is very beautiful and serves as a great place to walk through and simply enjoy the vibes. All of the produce used at the property’s restaurant (more on that later) is grown at the garden, which helps maintain the ranch’s signature farm-to-table recipes. You’ll find it right near the entrance when you first pull up to the property.
The spa and gym facilities are a 5 to 8 minute walk from the garden and it’s more efficient to take a golf cart if you want to maximize time. Note that the spa treatments will cost extra and are not included in your stay. Several spa products and skincare items are available for purchase as well.
I love the gym at the ranch since it feels very spacious and comes stocked with several pieces of equipment, whether you’re looking to lift weights or do some cardio. Within the gym is a yoga studio that’s another one of my favorite features, as it just felt quite peaceful. You’ll be able to register for a yoga class or meditation ritual, which are held daily. The studio’s big windows make you feel like you’re outside.
Near both the gym and spa is a massive infinity sign that serves as the focal point of the entire property. It’s truly the best spot to watch the sunset across the entire property, providing a gorgeous view. Even people who weren’t staying at the resort came up to the infinity sign to see the sunset.
Rooms at Stanley Ranch
The Stanley Ranch property features 135 rooms (suites and cottages), which are branded as “farmhouses” according to Auberge Resorts. Additionally, the resort also offers 70 vineyard homes and 40 villas. During my stay, I was booked into one of the two-bedroom suites.
The main bedroom was very spacious and featured a massive king-size bed that looked cozy thanks to the accented blanket and throw pillow. It features night stands on either side and a door that leads out onto the outdoor patio. The wooden walls and flooring all make this a very cozy room. Outside, the patio serves as a quiet, relaxing place to soak in an afternoon book or morning coffee. I love how the furniture overlooks the vineyards, providing some really great views.
On the other hand, the second bedroom has two twin-size beds, but everything else in both bedrooms is very similar.
The suite has a well-sized closet, vanity space, and bathroom complete with an outdoor shower. I was very impressed by the bathroom, which felt clean and spacious thanks to the large black sink bowls and window panels that allowed for natural light during the day.
The two bedrooms in the suite are separated by a comfortable living space that has a couch, TV, and coffee table. There’s also a mini bar and dining table if you prefer room service. Elegant brown finishes and a wall of stone bricks contributed towards a home-like feel.
Stanley Ranch Food and Drink
The ranch has three main outposts for food and beverages, including Bear, Gavel, and Basin Bar. Basin is the resort’s poolside restaurant that features a bar area and offers several locally-inspired cocktails.
Bear serves as Stanley Ranch’s main restaurant that’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It offers a range of curated fresh dishes and you’ll definitely not go hungry. Guests can choose to dine indoors or outdoors and enjoy several seating options. Some of my favorite items for dinner included the stonefruit burrata and crispy rice.
Gavel is the perfect place to grab a morning coffee or latte alongside a pastry. There are several sweet and savory options to choose from, including scones, croissants, and cookies. All of the coffee drinks are barista quality and involve the use of freshly-grounded coffee beans. Best of all, you’re allowed to grab your beverage (and pastry) from Gavel and still enjoy it inside Bear with your breakfast.
Booking a Stay at Stanley Ranch
Staying at the ranch is very expensive and can cost $624 to $1,900 per night, depending on the room type. Additionally, Auberge Resorts implements an additional room fee of $75 per room per night. To have a slightly lower price at the resort, it’s best to stay during the off-peak months and avoid major summer holiday weekends.
You can maximize your purchase by booking through a travel portal such as Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts. Booking via American Express using an eligible credit card (Ex. Amex Platinum) makes it possible to earn points through your purchase and enjoy a $100 on-property credit.
Overall Thoughts
Stanley Ranch offers luxurious accommodations for its guests with cozy rooms, delicious dining, and plenty of wellness amenities for guests. I absolutely enjoyed my first-ever visit to an Auberge Resorts property and was blown away by the friendly and professional service. From arriving at the resort to leaving, the staff always checked on me and ensured that I was having a great time. The peaceful vineyard environment of Napa provides a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of a big city like San Francisco.