The Meritage Resort And Spa

Recommends

TheTripChick

Joined 9 years ago

First time at the Meritage, here on business. It is in a commercial area which is strange driving in, but once you're on-property it's fine. Our initial room was in the Merlot building. Gorgeous, spacious suite with an outdoor patio. Fridge, microwave, washer-dryer, the works. Only one problem. No Wi-Fi. Since the building is pretty new I am sure they will offer Wi-Fi in the future but no Internet access, for a business traveler, simply doesn't work.

Long story short, we're moved to a new room in the main building. Nice-sized room, but no microwave nor patio. Great view of the pool, vines, and entrance to the Trinitas wine cave. And, with Wi-Fi, a superb room indeed.

Side note here: the staff is phenomenal. Manny at the bell desk was not only absolutely helpful in bringing all of our luggage from one room to the next, he also was kind enough to go retrieve some toiletries I'd left behind in the first room due to not being able to focus because the fire alarm was going off inside the whole Merlot building (story for another time, but it wasn't me. Honestly).

The bar in the main building (don't know if it has a name, just off the lobby on the left-hand side), true to form, provided excellent service. Our server was there whenever we wanted to order another round, or dinner, but never hovered. Nor did she appear so busy that we were forgotten, and the place got pretty busy as the World Series was being broadcast on the telly above the bar.

Room-service breakfast: we each ordered the Eggs Meritage. Like Benedict, but atop a disc of polenta. Again, great staff interaction - they were friendly to a fault and let us know exactly how long it would be before our food arrived. Great folks you have, Meritage, hopefully you pay them well. Breakfast was good - not phenomenal, but overall 3 stars.

The Trinitas wine cave: there was a special business function in the wine cave where three local wineries were offering tasting - the cave is gorgeously lit and very cozy, considering its size. Great venue. There was a special dinner afterward for thirty folks (no invite for me) and the long table, set with snow-white linens, glistening flatware and glassware and gorgeous tapered candles looked striking. What an amazing spot for a special dinner! Perhaps next time...

Room-service dinner: I ordered a green salad, Steak Frites and Jack Daniels bread pudding. Green salad: good stuff - mostly greens, few beet chunks, few halved cherry tomatoes. Nice light dressing. Steak Frites: holy hell. Gooooood stuff. I am a meat elitist and turn my nose up at anything that even hints at fat and gristle. This hunk 'o' meat was perfectly prepared, sliced, and honest to goodness, I completely cleaned my plate. The frites: thin, perfectly cooked, some were translucent in all their glory. Wow. The only disappointment was the bread pudding. On the dry side, it could have used about 5x the sauce. I tasted apricots. I tasted good bread pudding egginess. I did NOT, however, taste Jack Daniel's. Anywhere near the plate. No hint of bourbon warmth, nothing whatsoever. If I'd know I was going to get plain old bread pudding, I would've gone with the chocolate. Argh. I know that dessert can be iffy for a kitchen as it is overall omitted from the meal, but for those of us dessert-lovers, it can make or break the meal. It is, literally, the last thing your patrons are going to taste before they leave your restaurant and as such, it needs to be "holy-crap-I-want-to-wallow-in-this" good. My bread pudding was lacking.

Things to keep in mind: this location is not Napa-proper. It's south of the general "Napa" area and not really centrally located to anything other than the industrial park. That said, these folks did a great job with the location they chose. From our third-floor room, the view is nothing but big, azure pool, wine cave, and vines as far as you can see. If I didn't know better, you'd not have any inclination that you were in a commercial area.

Doesn't Recommend

robertobob

Joined 6 years ago

Just Above Average. Beautiful property, though located in a business park. The Spa Terra is very nice, had a GREAT massage there !!! Clientele is definitely not that of a fine expensive resort.... I had SERIOUS problems prior to arrival with reservations via internet and trying to get help on the phone with reservations. If you go, do not expect what you would from a TOP RESORT, then you will not be disappointed. My overall rating is actually 2 1/2 Stars !!

Recommends

mooshagirl

Joined 7 years ago

Beautiful Resort!. My husband and I stayed at The Meritage for a weekend of wine tasting in Napa. This resort is so beautiful! The room was very clean and spacious and we had our own private outside sitting area with a view of their vineyards. The staff was exceptional and the 24 hour room service really came in handy! I would definitely stay here again.