A Visit to the Atrio Spa at Las Alcobas, Napa Valley

Let's be real - the holidays are stressful. There are holiday parties, end of the year deadlines, races to finish work before vacation hits, and presents - a whole lotta presents to buy for a whole lotta people. I tend to enjoy the season because everyone's in a much more tangibly happier mood. People smile and move a little slower, generosity is doubled, and I'm also super into holiday honey-baked hams (just being honest). That being said, just like you, I, too crave moments of tranquility. I would be lying to you if I said that I didn't methodically plan when to hit the grocery store or shopping mall just to ensure encounters with people were as minimal as possible. (Again, just being honest, lol.) So, what's the perfect relief for getting away from it all? For me, it's wine country. Ask my friends - they'll all joke about how I am practically a resident of the area because I am there so often.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the Atrio Spa the Las Alcobas property for the first time. If you're unfamiliar, the property is a little over a year old and located in the heart of St. Helena.  It boasts a whopping 68 rooms and suites, a beautiful pool that overlooks the vineyards, a yoga room, and the Acacia House restaurant by none other than Chris Cosentino of San Francisco's Cockscomb. Oh, and one more thing to note - the hotel is an adult-only retreat. So kiddies under 16 have to stay at home. Do you see where I'm going with this post yet? Basically, Las Alcobas is the perfect getaway or treat before/after the holiday rush. Whether it's a gift for you (because #treatyoself), or a present for someone special (they gon' love it, and you), it's a no-brainer.







At the risk of being lengthy, I first have to tell you how my day to Las Alcobas started. We've already established that I go to wine country on the regular. Before this trip, I would have told you that I could probably get there blindfolded. After this trip, not so much. I was invited to visit the Acacia House with a few of my favorite ladies. We had brunch plans for 11:30, so we left the city a little before 10, thinking we'd get there right on time, if not a few minutes before. We popped the address into our Google Maps and headed on our way. 30 minutes before we were supposed to arrive at our destination, our GPS freaked out, telling us we were about an hour away. Naturally, we freaked out, and decided to take a different GPS route that promised to cut the trip by 10-15 minutes. Along we rode, meanwhile I noticed that our GPS kept lengthening the estimated time of arrival. An hour later and we realized that we were in UKIAH. I've never been to Ukiah, you guys, but I know it's not wine country. We had to turn all the way back around, missed brunch (insert endless sad faces, here), and a 1 hour trip turned into 3. I blame it on mercury retrograde and the full moon from that day. It was a serious "WTF, how did this happen?" moment.





Needless to say, by the time we arrived, we were stressed and hungry AF. We missed brunch, but made it minutes before our scheduled Atrio Spa treatments. I ate a cheeseburger faster than you can say cheeseburger and headed down to the spa, which was much, much needed. I knew it, and they knew it, too. As soon as I walked into the Atrio, I knew I was going to get the zen I so desperately craved. I changed into my robe and took a breather in their waiting room, where there were nothing but quiet and tranquil vibes. I sipped on some tea, filled up on some cashews, and blissed out before it was time for my "blending" experience.





The Atrio Spa differs from others in that they offer a totally customized essential oil experience. You fill out a quick questionnaire that explores your mood and what you're hoping to get out of your treatment, and they help you pick the perfect blend. I was clearly still very stressed from the morning, so I wanted to enjoy a treatment that would quiet my mind and ease my body. The staff picked out a few oils they thought I would like, based on the answers from my questionnaire, and after I gave my feedback, the blending of the oils took place, and then were used for my massage. The massage itself was a great experience. First, we did a cleansing of the room with sage, which again, was unlike any spa treatment I've been to. I happen to love cleansing energies and the smell of sage, so I was quite intrigued by the start. My massage therapist was attentive, focused on key areas that I indicated on my form, and provided great stress relief from a whirlwind morning. The 60 minute massage flew by, but at the end I felt relaxed, refreshed, and relieved.

There are few massage treatments and spa experiences that I would truly recommend to those who ask and Atrio makes it to the top. From the beautiful, customized essential oil blending experience to the delicious bites at the Acacia House, Las Alcobas is the full experience. It's never too late to sneak in a treat for yourself, or someone special.

Special thanks to the Las Alcobas team for the wonderful experience.