Stanly Ranch vs. Solage
Stanly Ranch Versus Solage: A Detailed Comparison for Your Napa Valley Getaway
Choosing between Stanly Ranch and Solage for your Napa Valley retreat involves understanding their distinctive atmospheres and offerings. Both offer luxury accommodations and fantastic dining within Napa Valley, yet they cater to different preferences, demographics, and styles. Let's delve deeper into what sets them apart.
First things first, as our Besstie, we will be able to add the below perks to your reservation at no additional cost (typically in combination with any public or non-public promotions) at either resort:
Breakfast for 2 daily
100 USD resort credit per room
First priority for early check-in & late check-out (subject to availability)
Upgrade subject to availability on arrival
Let’s start with what makes the two hotels similar.
Both Stanly Ranch and Solage are part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, which is known for personalized service, fantastic food, and unique, immersive experiences.
Both resorts are partnered with Mercedes-Benz, offering guests complimentary use of one of the resorts’ fleet of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, available on a first come, first serve basis in four hour increments.
Both resorts offer delicious restaurants, multiple pools, spa facilities, and children programming over the summer.
If you are a true wellness lover, consider a split stay across the two properties as each offers something different. Both offer state-of-the-art fitness centers as well as scheduled fitness and wellness classes. Solage offers more impressive wellness facilities, offering everything from naturally heated geothermal pools, mud treatments, sound chair therapy, magnesium and saline pools, and more. While Stanly Ranch has spa facilities as well, they are less comprehensive. However, Stanly Ranch has more unique spa treatments, including myofascial release treatments, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, ice baths, polarity work, and more. Solage, on the other hand, leans into its Calistoga location, which is famous for its geothermal hot springs, and offers a signature “Mudslide” spa treatment.
Stanly Ranch: Modern Relaxation in Southern Napa Valley
Nestled in the southern end of Napa Valley, close to the historic downtown of Napa, Stanly Ranch is a newcomer to Napa, having recently opened in April of 2022.
Location: Close to the Napa River, the hotel is located in the south of Napa Valley in the Carneros region. It’s the farthest South - meaning it’s the closest to San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and the major airports in the area (Oakland and San Francisco). It’s also close to downtown Napa, which has a lot of restaurants, and a few minutes from Carneros Resort, which offers additional restaurants to enjoy.
Design: Stanly Ranch has very modern spaces with open design that blend indoor and outdoor living. The decor is themed with a ranch aesthetic and you’ll see the bell staff (who call themselves “ranch hands”) decked out in Ralph Lauren, from their cowboy hats, denim, and cowboy boots. The common spaces are gorgeous and very Insta-worthy.
Accommodation Details: Private, cottage-style suites are generously sized and individual units, so they feature minimal shared walls (rooms that have the option to connect and entry level rooms may share walls). Most rooms have outdoor showers and soaking tubs as well. All the suites feature outdoor patios or terraces. The patios and terraces do overlook the neighbors/pools/walkways so there is no privacy in the outdoor space. What’s very unique about Stantly Ranch is its great options for families and groups. It has multi-bedroom suites, two bedroom villas, and three and four bedroom homes. The villas and homes are equipped with full kitchens and some of the homes have private plunge pools that can convert to hot tubs.
Vibe: Relaxation takes center stage here and the pace is unhurried. Wellness activities, like yoga classes and sound baths, are readily available, and the resort's focus on outdoor pursuits and fitness makes it ideal for active travelers. You’ll also notice this in the rooms with the amenities. While the rooms have the standard filtered water and coffee included for guests, Stanly Ranch also includes electrolyte packets for guests, showcasing the focus on health and wellness (or hangover recovery if that’s more your thing). Families will find the spacious grounds, varied activities, and room options with multiple beds particularly appealing as an option in wine country. Because of the numerous options available for events, a lot of corporate and social events are hosted here. On my last stay, they were setting up an epic wedding tent on the main lawn.
Amenities: The spa at Stanly Ranch offers treatments inspired by local ingredients, while the multiple pools offer options for both adults and children. The on-site farm provides fresh produce for the restaurants and the vines allow guests to learn about winemaking. The hotel will begin to produce its own wine in a few years when the grapevines develop further. In the meantime, local winemakers visit the property for guided wine tastings. Make sure to visit the on-site farm to see all the produce that goes into the food at the restaurant and to see the most adorable fluffy chickens ever that provide eggs for breakfast. Farmer Nick will even teach you how to design your very own garden during the scheduled garden tours. The property has walking paths throughout the property and bicycles, electric bicycles, picnic blankets, and binoculars are available for guests to borrow, in addition to the House Mercedes, available in 4 hour windows on a first come, first serve basis.
Culinary Offerings: The main dining option at Stanly Ranch is Bear, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and features farm-to-table cuisine that changes with the seasons. There is also a coffee shop serving pastries and picnic fare and a pool bar offering casual cuisine on weekends.
Demographic: Stanly Ranch appeals to adults who wish to unwind in modern accommodations and families seeking a relaxed vacation. Because of its location on the South end of Napa Valley, it tends to attract a lot of guests from Silicon Valley and a lot of high end groups.
Need to Know:
Most of the rooms overlook each other so there is little privacy and you have to keep your curtains closed for privacy. They are growing vines in between the rooms to create more privacy but it will take a few more years for those to really grow in.
Note that the villas are very close to each other and also face each other, so you can basically see into the one across from yours. There is no outdoor space, with the exception of a patio, terrace, or balcony. If you want more privacy and outdoor entertaining space, one of the hotel’s homes is a better fit for your group.
This wine region is newer and less developed. This means you won’t have as many views of rolling hills with vines that you may be picturing and you also may be driving a lot if you want to go to the prestigious restaurants and wineries.
The features in the room are very modern. The door handle to the back patio is similar to a Tesla door handle, which I found very difficult to get out, and most of the room (curtains, lights, etc) are operated by tablet controls that are unintuitive and don’t seem to operate as designed. Older guests who are not comfortable with technology or very modern design may not love these features.
In the summer, the pools at this property can be very crowded.
Solage: Farmhouse Chic with a Social Vibe in Calistoga
Located further north in Calistoga, Solage offers a more modern take on Napa Valley luxury. Its design emphasizes clean lines and minimalist aesthetics, attracting guests who appreciate a stylish and vibrant setting.
Location: Calistoga's relaxed atmosphere and proximity to hot springs contribute to Solage's distinct charm. The Northern part of the valley is known for its rustic beauty and boutique wineries. It’s directly across the street from the Four Seasons, meaning you can walk to their restaurants (one of which has a Michelin star) and also within walking distance of downtown Calistoga for additional restaurants and bars.
Design: Farmhouse chic is how I would define Solage's style. The open layout and abundant natural light create an airy and inviting ambiance. The focus on modern design is consistent throughout the property.The property underwent a major renovation project in May 2021. This $30 million renovation included the addition of 11 new cottage-style suites, in addition a refresh of all the rooms.
Room Types and Features: The rooms at Solage are cottage style, meaning few or no shared walls. All of the rooms boast private patios, extending the living space outdoors, and many of the room categories have private fire pits. The patios are enclosed, meaning you will not overlook your neighbors. The interiors feature contemporary decor and modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable and stylish stay. Some suites do have hot tubs on the patios. Guests of the Orchard and Estate suites can have a Peloton placed in their room, for their use during the stay, for an additional charge if they would like.
Vibe: Solage has a very lively atmosphere, making it a popular destination for social gatherings. The pool area often buzzes with activity and the resort’s restaurant is a hotspot for both guests and locals. The vibe is chic and sophisticated, catering to those seeking a trendy experience.
Amenities: The spa at Solage is renowned for its unique mud treatments and wellness offerings. The pool area includes multiple pools and hot tubs, providing ample space for relaxation and socializing. The spa area even has a bar so you can enjoy cocktails while soaking. Even without a treatment, guests have access to the spa facilities, including geothermal pools, fitness center, locker rooms, and movement studio. The Michelin guide recognized restaurant Solbar (one of my favorite restaurants in all of Napa Valley) offers an incredible culinary experience and fantastic cocktails. The 2021 hotel renovation added an upgraded pool, a bocce ball court, pickleball courts, a poolside popsicle cart, and a new restaurant called Picobar, which has become incredibly popular. Guests can borrow the house bicycles, as well as the House Mercedes, available in 4 hour windows on a first come, first serve basis.
Demographic: Solage attracts couples and groups of friends looking for a social and stylish getaway with access to great dining and wellness options. It’s ideal for those who enjoy a lively atmosphere and a farmhouse aesthetic. The demographic tends to be a bit younger than Stanly Ranch as it's targeted towards millennials.
Need to Know:
There are no doors into the bathroom in non-suite rooms. It is behind a partial wall dividing the sinks from the bed. The toilet is within a separate water closet with a sliding door but the shower view is semi-open to the room.
Note that, currently, in the standard rooms, some bathrooms feature a lounge space and some feature a soaking tub, so you need to request a tub if you would like to have one. They are in the process of putting in more tubs in most of the rooms.
In the summer, the pools at this property can be very crowded.
Calistoga is on the far North end of Napa. This is ideal for being close to great dining, wineries, and hot springs, but you will be far from some of the major airports in the area (Oakland and San Francisco). Consider flying into Santa Rosa airport (STS) for a much easier journey!
In essence, Stanly Ranch and Solage offer distinct Napa Valley experiences and the right property for you depends on what you are looking for. However, the two hotels could easily be combined for an ideal stay showcasing two different areas of the Napa wine region.
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