Bardessono Hotel & Spa

Bardessono Hotel and Spa is a 62-room boutique inn and spa located on a 4.9-acre site in Yountville, in the heart of California’s Napa Valley. Situated on land previously owned by the Bardessono family for over 80 years, the hotel reflects a legacy of stewardship and a lasting connection to the local community. Designed to balance sustainability with understated luxury, Bardessono was one of only two hotels in the United States to achieve LEED Platinum certification at the time of its opening, and it remains a benchmark in environmentally conscious hospitality design.

The design approach was shaped by the physical and cultural landscape of the region. The hotel integrates 190kW of solar electric panels, for an overall 50% energy savings compared to a traditional design approach. Seventy-two geothermal wells, each 300 feet deep, support the hotel’s heating and cooling systems, including hot water for guestrooms. Automatic exterior blinds on guestroom windows regulate sun and heat exposure. Additional features include dual-flush toilets, motion-activated lighting, and an on-site gray and black water reuse system tied into the town’s infrastructure for irrigation.

Materiality was informed by a respect for place and history. Native stone from the Bardessono family’s former wine cellar was repurposed into a modern stone wall that anchors the arrival. Transplanted 100-year-old olive trees from Northern California enhance the landscape. Recycled steel panels, weathered on site to develop a natural patina, evoke the equipment and character of nearby vineyards. Salvaged wood from wine barrels is used extensively throughout the property, a nod to the region’s agriculture.

Local craftspeople were engaged to bring artistry and authenticity to the project, contributing curated elements that reflect a regional sensibility. Their work is expressed through intricate detailing and tactile materials that root the hotel in its context. Sculptural rammed earth site walls, fossil-like stone spirals, and bridges crossing quiet pools highlight the elemental harmony of fire, water, and stone. These visual gestures are carefully composed layers that elevate both function and atmosphere.

Guestrooms are designed to invite tranquility and connection with the landscape. Each has direct outdoor access, and many on the ground floor open onto private courtyards with outdoor showers and soaking tubs. Dual-pane glass windows offer natural light, manage glare, and provide passive thermal comfort. Natural textures and an earth-toned hues extend the experience of the surrounding environment into the interiors.

The hotel’s architectural language is restrained and responsive to the scale of Yountville. No structure exceeds two stories, and flat roofs preserve views of the surrounding hills. Buildings are connected through a sequence of courtyards, each with its own identity, inviting guests to explore and pause. As they move through the site, they encounter outdoor rooms, artwork, and contemplative spaces.

Upon entry, guests are greeted by an intimate lobby that offers visual continuity with the rest of the property. The spa, with its multiple treatment rooms, provides a calming retreat where contemporary design meets natural textures and materials inspired by nature. A prominently featured wine cellar pays homage to the region’s rich viticultural heritage.

The restaurant, designed to serve both guests and the local community, offers a fluid connection between interior and exterior spaces. Surrounded by vineyard views and seasonal plantings, the dining experience is elevated yet welcoming, grounded in the rhythms and flavors of the valley.

The result is a property that honors place, culture, and community with clarity and intent. Bardessono is not only a model of sustainable design but also a personal expression of Napa Valley’s identity. The hotel’s materials were selected to age gracefully, its spaces crafted for both solitude and gathering. Its legacy, established in the Bardessono family’s enduring presence in the valley, continues through design that celebrates the land and the people who define it.

+ Bardessono was awarded two keys by the 2024 MICHELIN Guide – MICHELIN key hotels are places that significantly add to your experience as a traveler, each vetted and judged excellent in five categories: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting.