North Block

Yountville, California has what might be the highest concentration of fine restaurants per square mile anywhere in North America; a boutique hotel in this Napa Valley town is virtually guaranteed to combine a strong culinary foundation with a well-thought-out wine program and a wellness-focused approach to luxury. So it is with North Block — the specific keys to its appeal, as always, are in the details. First, it’s a surprisingly intimate and private hotel, considering its in-town location. A mere 20 rooms are distributed in villa-like buildings surrounding a central courtyard, with a faint Tuscan atmosphere that’s familiar to regular visitors to California’s wine country. The rooms themselves are tastefully luxurious and decorated in a handsome contemporary-classic style; balconies or patios are universal, as are thoughtful touches like Tivoli sound systems, espresso machines, and even weighted blankets. The Restaurant at North Block features coastal Californian cuisine by chef Juan Cabrera. Alongside the spa there’s an outdoor pool and hot tub, as well as a fitness studio outfitted with Peloton gear. And you can borrow a mobile bike as well, to hop from restaurant to restaurant within Yountville’s compact perimeter.