Thursday, November 5, 2009

Wine Country "Green Luxe" Resort

Words by Jennifer Stein

Words by Autumn Millhouse

Solage is more than just a resort – it is a complete experience. This new, solar-powered, green-friendly hideaway is part of the Auberge Resorts, and it exceeds the expected level of luxury and high-end style associated with the name.

Situated in beautiful Calistoga, just below Mount St. Helena, Napa Valley’s dormant volcano, this modern California-chic establishment offers affordability and progressive opulence in the wine country, perfect for a destination wedding. With 89 studio-design guestrooms to choose from, each rich with distinctly attractive style, every couple is certain to find true bliss at Solage.

This unique resort offers complimentary bike cruisers for all guests and staff to transport themselves around the resort. In line with their environmentally-conscious philosophy, Solage is also dedicated to serving organic and locally-grown produce.

They are pet-friendly and even welcome your pampered pooch with a water bowl, a plush dog bed, and organic doggie treats! Start your stay with a refreshing splash in their stunning 130-foot swimming pool, then slip into a relaxing yoga class or play a round of bocce ball. Later on, sip cocktails at their hip Solbar, savor the modern Bistro “Sol-ful dining,” and lounge around the cozy outdoor fire pits.

Solage is a strong promoter of health and wellness, so a trip to their impressive 20,000 square-foot Solage Spa is a must. Indulge together in the natural geothermal spring waters, treat yourself to a pampering with Kate Somerville’s skincare line, and pony up to the mud bar to relish in revitalizing volcanic goo. In an adventurous mood, try the “Solage Mudslide for Two,” their signature mudslide spa treatment, and relax completely with a couples massage afterwards.

For more information on Solage, click here.

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider's Guide for Couples, click here.

Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called Love Vines published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.