On-Site: Luxurious Wellness at Bardessono Hotel & Spa

For incentive or event planners seeking a refined and wellness-centered escape for corporate gatherings or incentive experiences, Bardessono Hotel & Spa in Napa Valley offers an exceptional choice. With its innovative “spa suite” concept, top-notch dining options and range of venues, Bardessono provides an ideal way to blend relaxation and productivity for groups. 

Northstar recently had the opportunity to visit this property and see firsthand the breadth of its incentive offerings. This secluded eco-sanctuary puts self-care at the center of all its offerings.

Luxurious Accommodations

Set off the main street of the wine-country hub of Yountville, Bardessono’s expansive courtyard of leafy plants, water features and striking sculptures make a visitor feel as if they have slipped into a secret garden. Organized into four interconnected groves, the property’s 62 lavish suites and three villas have each been designed with a balance of comfort and sustainable elegance as a goal. Last year, the property completed a $1.8 million upgrade of all its guest suites, emphasizing wellness and a sense of refuge, with new furnishings and soothing color palette. 

Every suite is equipped with champagne bath tub/spa, gas fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows opening out onto furnished outdoor space, offering a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor relaxation. Guests can also upgrade to a steam spa suite—with private patio or balcony, steam shower and outdoor shower—or a larger tufta suite.

For VIPs and execs, the property also offers three villas, each with its own private cocktail pool, spa bathroom and courtyard—with the largest of the villas boasting a stately dining room ideal for entertaining an executive team or hosting a board retreat. The villas can be booked separately, or combined into an expansive single, three-bedroom villa.

But business is secondary when staying here, as each suite and villa serves as its own private spa. A massage table is stored in each room, and guests are encouraged to book in-room treatments from Bardessono’s on-site b Spa. The services draw on the landscape and flora of the wider Napa Valley—and in many cases, incorporate ingredients from Bardessono’s certified-organic garden.

These include body therapies such as the Vino Polish (which uses local crushed grape seeds, lavender and sea salts) or Garden Harvest Wrap (incorporating a white clay mask and body wrap). Guests can book a signature b Massage, which includes blends of aromatic oils to help relieve muscle tension, or Salt Stone Massage or AromaFusion (which incorporates heated volcanic stones to release muscle tension).

The property also offers a range of bathing therapies, providing a personalized soaking ritual (serviced by an exclusive Bardessono Bath Butler), to help one restore and relax.

While the suites and villas can serve as their own personal spas, the on-site b Spa Therapy Center provides a uniquely Napa Valley, eco-focused experience for visitors, as well, with dedicated treatment rooms, lounge and wellness shop.  

Just outside the b Spa Therapy Center, guests can ascend up the stairs to the rooftop pool (open year-round), where visitors can take a refreshing dip, warm up in the whirlpool, or relax on the nearby daybeds. The more fitness-focused can get in a quick workout at the Peloton-equipped gym, adjacent to the pool deck.

Culinary Experiences Rooted in Sustainability

Guests enjoying the pool can also order some light bites or handcrafted cocktails from the Poolside Lounge — an ideal way to enhance their stay. 

But when it comes to the culinary offerings at Bardessono, the centerpiece is Lucy Restaurant & Bar. Offering a menu driven by seasonal, locally grown ingredients (what it calls “field-to-fork dining”), the dishes here complement the property’s wider philosophy of luxury, wellness and sustainability. 

Serving three meals a day, with ingredients sourced from the on-site garden or local farms, the restaurant provides guests with a wealth of outstanding dishes, from apple cider pancakes (complete with home-made jam) in the morning, to the organic carrot soup or pan-seared duck breast (sourced from Sonoma’s Liberty Farms) for a savory dinner. As one would expect from a restaurant in the heart of Napa Valley, Lucy also boasts an impressive wine list, ideal for pairings.

Lucy’s upscale dining room makes it an atmospheric location for a special meal or a group gathering. And its indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as an stylish, adjacent bar area serving handcrafted cocktails, provides plenty of places for informal gatherings or private conversations.

Tailored Experiences for Corporate Groups

Bardessono offers delightful programs specifically designed to enhance group engagement. Notable offerings include:

Executives or teams looking to immerse themselves in Napa’s wine culture can opt for the Vintages in the Villa package. Created in collaboration with Lawrence Wine Estates, this experience provides a private wine-education session led by Master Sommelier Erik Elliott, complemented by tours and tastings at Heitz Cellar Estate and Stony Hill Vineyard. Perfect for incentive trips and leadership retreats, this package allows guests to delve into the art of winemaking while enjoying the luxuries of Bardessono’s villas.

After a day of wine tasting or team brainstorming (or maybe a bit of both), groups can participate in Wellness After Dark, a program by b Spa offering nighttime wellness experiences. Options include Sound and Stars (A guided stargazing meditation with an accompanying sound bath), Sacred Space Cacao Ceremony, as well as Tai Chi, Restorative Yoga, and Chakra Balancing. These experiences are designed to help teams unwind, recharge and connect in meaningful ways.

Versatile Meeting & Event Spaces

Teams looking to gather at Bardessono can choose from a number of spaces, including the 1,664-square-foot ballroom, which can accommodate up to 200 for a reception. Four breakout rooms as well as an event patio (of 1,385 square feet) and the more intimate Cypress Grove and Magnolia Grove provide a diverse portfolio of indoor and outdoor gathering places. 

Each space is designed with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and elegant layouts to support various event types, from corporate presentations to private celebrations.

Exploring Further

While there is plenty for guests to luxuriate in on property, Bardessono is an ideal homebase for groups looking to explore the wider Napa Valley wine region. The property’s concierge is quick with great advice for wine tastings and food options, whatever a visitor’s preferences or favorite varietals. Complimentary bicycles are available for those who would like to explore the surrounding landscape on two wheels.  

Top-notch wineries, restaurants and art galleries are mere steps from the property. Yountville is home to three-Michelin-starred The French Laundry as well as Thomas Keller’s beloved Bouchon and Bouchon Bakery. 

Just up the road is Bardessono’s sister property, Hotel Yountville Resort & Spa. With 80 luxury rooms and suites, as well as more than 4,400 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space and its own high-end spa, the property is an ideal complement to Bardessono and all rooms and suites are on track to complete upgrades in the next few months. 

With its combination of eco-conscious luxury, versatile event spaces, and personalized experiences, Bardessono is an unmatched destination for corporate retreats, incentive experiences and special gatherings. For incentive winners delighted by wine, wellness and a bit of pampering, Bardessono Hotel & Spa is about as good as it gets.