In many ways, Napa Valley is all about indulgence. It's a place where drinking fine wine is almost an obligation, the food, while not always serious, is taken pretty seriously and the view is gorgeous everywhere you look, encouraging lazy hours spent on a sunny veranda somewhere sipping a cabernet and gazing out at acres of vineyards. An afternoon, or day, or week, spent in eucalyptus or lavender-scented bliss perfectly complements all that Napa has to offer, whether you're wine tasting, or biking a hundred miles through the hills.
It all goes together in holiday perfection. The next question then is how to choose a spa. Napa's spas have plenty to offer, from spots to retreat to, where you can spend the whole day lounging, soaking in the peace and quiet, to others that take advantage of all that grows in northern California, offering treatments that center on grapes or local herbs. There are some that will tailor your treatment to meet you exact needs, like the spa at Solage Calistoga , with its highly acclaimed "mud bar," and others that take advantage of cutting edge technology to slough off dead skin cells and make you glow from head to toe.
The spa at the Milliken Creek Inn is straightforward--simple and luxurious. It's an ideal place for pampering. They also have seasonal treatments. In the winter, the offerings are deliciously dubbed chocolate decadence and peppermint decadence. Their treatments are only available to inn guests, however it doesn't take much arm twisting to stay at the beautiful bed and breakfast--just one evening of their "magic hour," complimentary wine and cheese at dusk, makes you realize what a special place this is.
Local Expert tip : Sometimes they offer deals where room rates include a spa credit. There's something incredible about spending an entire day at a luxurious spa, dipping between pools, sipping fruit and herb infused water, lounging between treatments in a fluffy robe. However, there are times, when all you really want is a massage that gets out all of those knots in your back from hunching over a computer for too long, or one that treats your muscles well after a long run or bike ride.
There are times when you when you want something that's a little more no nonsense. It's where Napa residents go when they've spent too many hours in their vineyards, or worked too many double shifts at one of those famous restaurants. They offer great value, often have packages and are flexible with booking in advance. The spa at the Indian Spring resort is focused around their Buddha Pond--something of an oasis, created from blowoff from the four geysers on the resort, that encourages reflection and tranquility.
