For families of all sizes looking to have the full Napa experience—spa, wine tasting, delicious food, and of course, surrounding vineyards—the well-rated and popular Grand Reserve at the Meritage fits the bill. Guests have access to amenities offered by both The Meritage Resort and Spa and Grand Reserve, and at less than an hour’s drive from San Francisco, you’ll feel the escape of a vineyard vacation without hours of winding roads. With a variety of accommodations, your family will be comfortable for both in-room relaxation and out and about on the expansive property.
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Things to Know About Grand Reserve at the Meritage
- Grand Reserve shares a property with The Meritage Resort and Spa which means numerous amenities for guests including spa; two pools (one adult only); The Crush Lounge with bowling lanes; and the Village with tasting rooms, restaurants, and a market.
- What distinguishes Grand Reserve from its partner property are complimentary evening wine tastings, curated activity planning for your family by the hotel Concierge prior to your stay, an enhanced fitness class schedule, complimentary valet parking, and daily Nespresso in the lobby. NOTE: Like at many hotels, there is a daily resort fee.
- Though on its own off the main road to Napa, Grand Reserve is less than 15 minutes from downtown Napa, where travelers can seek out fine and casual dining, shops, and activities along the Napa River.
- At the family pool, guests can reserve poolside cabanas for the day (for an additional fee) to enjoy shaded sofa and lounge chairs; HDTV flat screen tv; towel service; a bottle of sparkling wine, water and sodas; and WiFi.
- In summer, the Grand Reserve at Meritage hosts Napa’s Blue Note Summer Sessions jazz concert series on its sprawling lawn. In warm weather months, the Lawn also serves as a spot for games, picnics, and special events such as the festive Mother’s Day Brunch, and in winter, an ice rink takes over the expanse for cool weather fun.
What Families Need to Know
Families find relaxation and comfort as well as delicious food options at Grand Reserve. While wine tasting and spa experiences are made for adults, there is enough to do on property for children, too. Special concert series, family offerings such as the Mother’s Day Brunch and a visit with Santa, and of course, the family pool and cabanas will keep kids busy during your stay at Grand Meritage.
Get the most out of your stay at Grand Meritage by planning some off-property outings like Bothe Valley State Park, Connolly Ranch, and the Rail Arts District. Rent bikes or kayaks/paddleboards or hike along the Napa River or in the state park to get your exercise and then return to Grand Meritage for some pool and/or cabana time.
Grand Reserve at the Meritage Reviews
Grand Reserve at the Meritage earns a rating of 4.5 out of 5 on TripAdvisor based on more than 450 reviews, 8 out of 10 on Kayak (in the Great category), 8.4 out of 10 on Hotels.com based on over 400 reviews, and 8.1 out of 10 on Booking.com based on around 150 reviews. Reviewers praise the spacious and clean rooms and property, its on-property wine and dine options, and spa.
Important Details About Grand Reserve at the Meritage
Location
Grand Reserve at the Meritage is about a 1.25 hour drive from San Francisco International Airport and 1 hour from Oakland International Airport, and a drive from SF could include crossing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Downtown Napa is just 15 minutes away as are many of Napa’s attractions including the starting point of the Napa Valley Wine Train. Of course, Napa invites adults guests to come for the wine and stay for the beauty, so if you are planning to enjoy local wine tasting, companies like Napa Driving Services can help plan out and execute your journey.
The Property
Grand Reserve at the Meritage sits at the crossroads of the main thoroughfares to and in the Napa Valley, though it’s far enough from the roads that guests feel like they are in their own oasis. Drop your car with the free valet and walk through the lobby to the buildings that house a variety of rooms and suites. Your room will either face the pool courtyard, lawn courtyard, or near or distant vineyard views.
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The family pool is centered at Grand Reserve. Next door, the Lawn is the central meeting point for concerts and picnics (and ice skating in winter) and both restaurants, tasking rooms, and Fivetown Grocery flank the space. To access the spa, other eateries, Crush Lounge, the adult pool, and vineyard walk, simply cross the street to The Meritage Resort and Spa. Property maps make it all manageable, and the property, though rich in experiences, is not so expansive that it can’t be navigated easily on foot.
Rooms
Deluxe and Premier King and Double Queen guestrooms provide more than enough space for your family to settle in at Grand Reserve. With mini-fridge, coffeemakers, television, patios or balconies, incredibly comfortable beds, and 425 square feet of space, you can easily make yourself at home in these guestrooms.
If you’re looking for more space and/or amenities, look into the luxury suites, which boast fully-equipped kitchens with full-size appliances and living room, 850 square feet of space, and the option to add an adjoining guest room, making this more than enough for a family getaway. The Vista Concerto Suite, the most luxurious accommodations option on property, can serve as your home-away-from-home for as long as you want to get away.
Activities
The Meritage properties invite you to relax, stroll, play, and dine. With a family pool and cabana options described above, guests could spend the day just lounging; that said, the paths in and among the vineyards invite you to take a morning or sunset stroll—check out the iconic grape crusher sculpture at the top of the property that pays homage to the vineyard workers.
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With lawn games, special arts and culture events including the summer jazz series, and wellness classes, there are many ways to keep busy at Grand Reserve. You can also get in on the delicious food-making … bring the family for a multigenerational bonding experience or cozy up as a couple and learn to improve your at-home dining at the Food and Wine Center. This gourmet, open concept kitchen is a gathering place for classes ranging from “Iron Chef Takedown” and “Cooking with Comedians” to “Shake it Up” mixology.
Dining
Most come to Napa for the wine-ing and dining, and on this front, Grand Reserve does not disappoint. Grab-and-go options, restaurants, bars, and tasting rooms pepper the properties at Grand Reserve at the Meritage and The Meritage Resort.
If you want to keep it simple, Grand Reserve offers 24-hour in-room dining, so you can enjoy delicious offerings from your balcony or room. If do-it-yourself is more your speed, Blend will get you set up for the day with coffee and to-go items for lunch and the classy and efficient Fivetown Grocery has everything from pastries for your morning to prepared salads and of course wine and cheese; stock up for your picnic or simply enjoy an easy on-the-go meal. Olive and Hay offers California farm-to-table elegance with local, fresh offerings; dine al fresco for a classy and delicious meal. Pairing gourmet inspiration from France and the freshness of California cuisine, The Village Bistro offers a relaxed yet elegant dining experience.
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To enjoy the festive beverages that make Napa a draw, Crush Lounge is a see-and-be-seen spot for cocktails, sports entertainment, tasty bar bites, and bowling. If you are looking for elegance, Commons Bar has an extensive scotch and bourbon menu as well as festive cocktails and appetizers and small plates. Lastly, Grand Reserve justifies its name with three unique tasting rooms for local wines. Anarchist, Gen 7, and Trinitas Wineries each have their own room for you to explore the wide range of red and white offerings.
Spa
Spa Terra is beautifully situated in the property wine cave under the vineyards. Tapping into the quiet, warmth, and organic feel of the location, Grand Reserve’s spa highlights its aroma and hot stone massages and herb and botanical facials. With wellness classes like yoga and pilates to start your day and full-day spa package experiences, guests can lose track of time in all the right ways. Depending on the season, Spa Terra offers unique offerings to match the time of year; similarly the “Cave Man” specials cater to the unique needs of the husband/dad/man of the family. Partners can enjoy a couple massage, and all guests can pair their experiences in the spa with guided meditation offerings.
