Solage Auberge Collection

We were on a road trip from San Diego to Napa and spent quite a bit of time deciding where to stay. It came down to two contenders: The Four Seasons or Solage, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection. Since we’ve visited Napa and Sonoma many times before, we wanted to avoid the winding drive across Highway 128 and stay right in Napa Valley proper. After diving into countless reviews and watching more influencer videos than we care to admit, we chose Solage - and we’re so glad we did! From the moment we arrived, the service was top-notch. The valet greeted us warmly and directed us to reception, where check-in was swift and accompanied by a welcome glass of champagne. Interestingly, we were checked in by the Food and Beverage Manager himself (a front desk team member was out sick), and he couldn’t have been more friendly or helpful. He also walked us through our AMEX Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits. The valet then led us via golf cart to our studio and let us know we could either park right in front or take advantage of the complimentary valet. We chose the convenience of parking at our doorstep. We stayed in Studio 202 - and honestly, it felt more like a private cottage than a studio. Completely detached and surrounded by greenery, it reminded us of our bure in Fiji. The space was spotless, beautifully designed, and included a lovely birthday surprise: a chilled bottle of champagne for my husband! The bed sits in the center of the room and faces double doors that open to a spacious lanai with a fountain and ample seating — a perfect spot for relaxing. The resort grounds are lush, peaceful, and wonderfully walkable, with fountains and plants everywhere. As guests, we had access to the Bathhouse Spa, and it was incredible - truly a highlight. Floating in warm mineral waters, stepping into the saunas, and taking an invigorating dip in the cold plunge pool was exactly the kind of unwind we were hoping for. One minor gripe: some trees near the Bathhouse drop sharp, pin-like needles, which made walking barefoot a bit tricky around the lounge area. Dinner at Solbar was absolutely exceptional. The service was flawless, and the food was phenomenal. A standout was the tableside Old Fashioned — not only delicious but also a fun, memorable experience you won’t want to miss. And don’t skip breakfast either — it was just as impressive. We loved the Old Fashioneds so much we returned to sit at the Solbar bar, where we struck up a conversation with a lovely couple staying across the street at the Four Seasons. When I asked why they were dining here instead of at their own resort, they didn’t hesitate: “The food and bar at Solbar are way better.” Another perk we took full advantage of was the complimentary use of Mercedes-Benz vehicles for up to four hours. We took a quick (and stylish) trip into Calistoga’s charming downtown for a pharmacy run - and didn’t mind one bit that we were overdoing it in a luxury car. It’s Napa, after all! On our last evening after stuffing ourselves at Bouchon Bistro, we stopped by Pico Bar for an after-dinner cocktail, based on a recommendation from the Solbar staff. Unfortunately, the drinks didn’t meet expectations -we left them at the bar and returned to Solbar, where the cocktails by Kelly were much better crafted and more enjoyable. Sadly, our two-night stay flew by. At checkout, Danny made the farewell especially memorable. He personally walked us to our car, addressed us by name, handed us bottled water for the road, and gave us a warm sendoff. It was a simple gesture, but it truly elevated our entire experience. We’re already missing it - and yes, our socks are still nowhere to be found after Solbar! We’ve been enthusiastically recommending Solage to friends, and we will absolutely return.

Overall, a very underwhelming experience. Considering this is supposed to be a 5-star accommodation, the pillows in the room were completely used up and extremely uncomfortable to sleep on. The 130 ft pool looks great but as we went for an evening swim, there was a lot of debris and dead bugs floating in the pool which completely ruined our plans to enjoy a swim. The staff was courteous, brunch at Sol bar was good and amenities in the room were decent.

I highly recommend the spa! That was my favorite part of my stay. However, I was disappointed in the service given how much I was paying for my two night stay. We did not receive our coffee service on time (was one hour late) and was promised coffee beverages by our concierge but they did not deliver, rather saying we need to pay extra. We also never received the high chair we requested all weekend. For a five star resort like this, I would have expected better service.