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A few weeks ago we learned that an Alila would be coming to Napa Valley, California. Well, the hotel has started accepting reservations as of today (including with points), so let’s take a look at that…
In this post:
Las Alcobas becomes Alila Napa Valley
In September 2020, Las Alcobas decided to leave Marriott. This was a Marriott Luxury Collection property in St. Helena, Napa Valley. At the time it wasn’t clear what the future would hold for that property, but we finally learned earlier in the year — Las Alcobas will become the Alila Napa Valley, and it will be opening on March 15, 2021.
Alila Napa Valley (from when it was Las Alcobas)
The 68-room hotel will be an adults-only retreat. I’m curious to see how many changes have been made to this property in the roughly six months that it has been closed. Perhaps not much has changed at all, which would be totally fine with me.
You can read my review of Las Alcobas here.
Alila Napa Valley (from when it was Las Alcobas)
This will be the third Alila property in the US, and for that matter the third Alila property in California:
- Alila Ventana Big Sur is the first Alila property in the US
- Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas is opening in the coming weeks
Alila Ventana Big Sur
For those of you not familiar with the Alila brand, it’s Hyatt’s luxury nature and eco-focused brand, and I’d say it’s roughly on par with Park Hyatt. So it’s a true luxury brand, and not just “premium.”
This will be a fantastic addition, as I loved the time I spent in Napa Valley. I had low expectations (since I’m not exactly a wine connoisseur), but enjoyed it immensely — the landscape was beautiful, the people were friendly, and the food and drinks were great.
Alila Napa Valley (from when it was Las Alcobas)
Redeeming points at Alila Napa Valley
Alila Napa Valley will be a Category 7 World of Hyatt property, which is Hyatt’s top category. That means free night redemptions will cost the following number of points:
- A standard room will cost 30,000 points per night
- A standard suite will cost 48,000 points per night
- A premium suite will cost 60,000 points per night
For what it’s worth, a standard room here is a one king or two queen room with a balcony, which is 440 square feet.
The standard suite here (also for the purposes of a Globalist suite upgrade award) is the junior suite, which ranges in size from 830 to 1,035 square feet.
Then a premium suite is an estate view or vineyard view suite, which ranges in size from 948 to 1,494 square feet.
For what it’s worth, rates at Alila Napa Valley for standard rooms seem to fluctuate between $550 and $1,200 per night pre-tax. If you are booking a paid stay, I’d recommend doing so through the Hyatt Privé program, so you can receive extra perks, like free breakfast, a property credit, and more.
Why I’m excited about this hotel becoming a Hyatt
Simply put, the World of Hyatt program is in a league of its own when it comes to guest recognition, so I’m always thrilled when properties are converted to Hyatt brands. As a World of Hyatt Globalist member I particularly like any luxury additions in the US. Rates here are high, so this will be a good use of points, especially as a Globalist member:
- All World of Hyatt members receive waived resort fees when redeeming points
- World of Hyatt Globalist members receive free breakfast on all stays
- World of Hyatt Globalist members can use suite upgrade awards to confirm an upgrade at the time of booking
- World of Hyatt Globalist members receive free parking when redeeming points (though parking will likely be free here anyway)
- World of Hyatt Globalist members can redeem points for Guest of Honor bookings, whereby members can pass on their perks to friends and family when redeeming points
Alila Napa Valley (from when it was Las Alcobas)
Bottom line
Alila Napa Valley is opening in just a couple of weeks, and the hotel started accepting reservations as of today. This will be the third Alila property in the US, and is a phenomenal addition to the Hyatt portfolio. I can’t wait to return here some day.
When Las Alcobas left Marriott I was sad that the only luxury points property in Napa Valley would be no more. Little did I know that things would only get better with this hotel becoming a Hyatt.
Anyone else excited about the Alila Napa Valley?
Just chkd in. Booked stndrd room at 30k points but upgraded to Estate View Suite. No words for how gorgeous this room & leafy view really are. An extra tub & floor faucet on the huge BALCONY say a lot however. Best lodging & design in wine country, save your WOH points & expect to hunt & peck for availability. SOoo worth it.
@Lisfranc - realize I’m late to the party here, but if you have an Amex Platinum the concierge can likely get you a reservation. Worked for us in the past.
@dee
Thanks for the recommendations. I notice there are a lot of restaurants in the area that are doing take out. I may just go that route ... not sure what the hotel rooms/suites are like, but a dinner on a private balcony might be more relaxing and romantic.
Brian Thanks
Steve yes French Laundry but tough to get reservations but it should open again this week... Farmsted Farm to Table restaurant at Long Meadow Ranch (St.Helena)is not far also Brix and the Harvest Inn.. if you want to go to lower Napa..La Toque or Torc, Chop House,Tarla,Morimoto or T Kellers- Ad Hoc or Addendum in Yountville or St Helena Meadowwood(tho part of it burned in sept fire) Auberge or Charter oak!!
Thanks Lucky! As a California resident, I recently visited Ventana and it was AMAZING. As soon as I saw this post I jumped and booked a weekend in May at Napa! This is such a fantastic deal and I can't wait to visit!
@Lisfranc. Thanks for the recommendation. My lady friend would love the French Laundry. I got on the waitlist, no doubt with a few hundred other people......
@Steve. French Laundry if its open and you can swing the $$$.
Just booked for the first weekend. You must go to the hotel's website to book. It will not show availability on the general Hyatt website. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like there will be anyone available to answer questions at the hotel until March 15th. I cannot figure out if the attached restaurant will be open as well. Anyone, who has been there and has personal knowledge, have a recommendation on a local spot for a...
Just booked for the first weekend. You must go to the hotel's website to book. It will not show availability on the general Hyatt website. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like there will be anyone available to answer questions at the hotel until March 15th. I cannot figure out if the attached restaurant will be open as well. Anyone, who has been there and has personal knowledge, have a recommendation on a local spot for a romantic, covid-19 compliant, restaurant for dinner?
Go to https://www.alilahotels.com/napa-valley and initiate booking through there; then it will take you to hyatt.com with the hotel selected.
The hotel is not showing at all for me at all when I search after march 15, even for 1-3 award nights or paid rates. Anyone else seeing evidence that this property is available in the search function?
Yep. Just booked the first two nights on March 15 using points, directly on the Hyatt website. Lots of availability, at least this month and next.
Are people able to see availability here? I can't get it to come up on the website or in the app at all, even as grayed out showing no availability, and a rep on the phone said they aren't able to book it yet either.
Gah, just used all my WoH points for several days at the Park Hyatt St. Kitts. The award space here is wide open right now and we know it won't stay that way long.
*correction: I don't recall it being top category with Marriott
how many points was it in the old marriott days? Assume it's gone up a few categories as I don't recall it being top category with Hyatt?
@ khatl -- It was a Category 8 property with Marriott Bonvoy before transitioning, so unfortunately not much is changing in that regard.
I love the Ventena and im a globalist but i just cant see any reason why i would redeem the same amount of points for this Alila Napa vs the ventana. Too many good options in the valley for me to forgo 30k points for this not to mention the suite upgrades at ventana are legendary where here they look rather plain. Ill stick with North Block or something else in Yountville which i prefer to St Helena.
This is huge news. Now two of my favorite hotels in NorCal are bookable with WoH points (Ventana and this one). Marriott who????
@dee press release does say he will be there: "seasonally driven restaurant and bar – Acacia House, led by Chef Chris Cosentino"
Now that The Equinox in Vermont is also leaving Marriott's Luxury Collection, let's hope that it will follow Hotel Talisa and Las Alcobas to join WoH :)
@Raylan: The most sensible guess would be Cat7, although many may hope for Cat6
What world of Hyatt category will this property be?
Hope most of it stays the same as we have enjoyed a few anniversaries there.. Will Chris Consentino still be a part of their restaurant??They made great Margaritas at the bar...Auberge in Rutherford,Napa is also adult only and I wonder with the New Four Seasons will be the same??
@ Al K, just book the 10 nights without sufficient points, then change your reservation to the desired shorter length.
@FNT Delta Diamond
In California, age discrimination is covered primarily by two laws:
1. "Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)" - Federal law
2. "Fair Employee and Housing Act (FEHA)" - California state law
The legislative intent of both these laws largely covers age discrimination in the workplace and for purposes of residential lease or ownership. The hotel isn't covered unless they provide housing on an extended basis.
Even then, only those who are...
@FNT Delta Diamond
In California, age discrimination is covered primarily by two laws:
1. "Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA)" - Federal law
2. "Fair Employee and Housing Act (FEHA)" - California state law
The legislative intent of both these laws largely covers age discrimination in the workplace and for purposes of residential lease or ownership. The hotel isn't covered unless they provide housing on an extended basis.
Even then, only those who are over the age of 40 are technically part of the "protected class," and these laws are primarily designed to protect them. Proving that a minor suffered harm as a result of an "adults only" policy would be difficult.
Assuming you can, you're left with a different problem. Businesses are allowed to discriminate on the basis of a protected class if it's integral to the good or service it's providing. For example, male strip clubs are allowed to reject the job applicant of a female stripper because it goes against what their business sells. There's no "creative excuse" necessary to get around the law. In this case, the hotel could theoretically argue that providing adults only lodging is part of their core business, and furthermore, no discrimination exists because minors are not a protected class.
wow...when did ventana big sur move from 30k to 48k for an award stay? did i miss that post!?
@ AJ -- It didn't, 48K points per night is the cost for a standard suite.
Best news of the day. Las Acobas in St. Helena was one of my favorite Starwood properties and the chef is outstanding. Thanks for posting this.
@Philip, I would guess very small. Thinking more of Encinitas than Big Sur.
Let’s see what happens with award availability. The property was notorious for playing games with Base Room point bookings during Marriott times.
Unhappy Globalist due to ridiculous Andaz Maui situation - point booking available for 10 nights (!) or more but not for any shorter stays for end of Mar - beginning of Apr. Games games games - neither corporate Hyatt...
@Philip, I would guess very small. Thinking more of Encinitas than Big Sur.
Let’s see what happens with award availability. The property was notorious for playing games with Base Room point bookings during Marriott times.
Unhappy Globalist due to ridiculous Andaz Maui situation - point booking available for 10 nights (!) or more but not for any shorter stays for end of Mar - beginning of Apr. Games games games - neither corporate Hyatt ownership nor Host Hotels is making any difference...
How does a business legally within the United States operate as an adults-only hotel? Isn't that unlawful age discrimination?
Awesome, super excited!
What are the odds that it'll be all inclusive like Ventana Big Sur?