Las Alcobas, A Luxury Collection Hotel

Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, the second property from Las Alcobas Hotel Group sees the restoration of a former farmhouse to create new lodgings for California’s Wine Country. Words: Regina Winkle-Bryan | Photography: © Alice Gao (unless otherwise stated). Las Alcobas, A Luxury Collection Hotel

Newly opened Las Alcobas is all about the two L’s: location and luxury. Set a little over an hour from San Francisco, the property’s home is St. Helena, a quaint hamlet forming part of the tapestry of small towns and vineyards that is Napa Valley. Alcobas sits on a hill along Main Street, enveloped by terraced gardens and grapevines. A right from its wrought iron gates leads guests to boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries; a left to tasting at the Beringer Vineyard or lunch at the Culinary Institute of America, all an easy walk from the hotel. One of the oldest wineries in Napa, Beringer’s neat rows of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay extend from Las Alcobas’ perimeter like a verdant crown. Most guestrooms have these vineyard views that are best enjoyed from private decks – some with open-air soaking tubs – where bespoke furnishings in black, grey and tan hues cosy up to gas fire pits while rocking chairs provide the ideal perch to watch the sunset.

Las Alcobas’ 68 guestrooms are spacious, starting at a generous 450ft2, all sharing a similar colour palette of grey and white tones, and an elegant aesthetic developed by Yabu Pushelberg. “Las Alcobas Napa Valley represents Napa and California in its casualness, approachability, comfort and serenity; and in its straightforward use of materials,” says George Yabu, who used toasted oak throughout, implemented as both flooring and wainscoting. The Yabu Pushelberg team has topped king-size beds with Rivolta Carmignani linens and draped them in wool throws imported from New Zealand. Wool, in a dark mushroom hue, is also the material of two woven rugs that flank either side of the bed, adorned with geometric patterns in black. George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg designed most of the furniture in guestrooms, including bedside tables in light wood supporting grey oak lamps with natural linen shades produced by Casa Zeta. Textured linen headboards the colour of barley frame beds and add warmth. Tucked into a corner is an important aspect of any respectable room in wine country: a custom bar boasting a wine bottle rack, champagne flutes and wine glasses, and a mini fridge stocked with a cache of complimentary snacks.

Yabu Pushelberg also had a hand in the hotel’s art programme, curated by Toronto-based studio Moss & Lam. “Much of the artwork is a reflection of locale – the flora and fauna and lifestyle of St. Helena,” says studio founder Deborah Moss. “There is a dreaminess to it, which mirrors the relaxed mindset of someone on a holiday, escaping from the hustle and bustle of city life.” Also catering to the leisure guest are the deep soaking tubs, panelled in blue-gray marble. The cast iron tubs – designed by Waterworks – sit within open, spa-like wet rooms fitted with handheld shower nozzles as well as rain showers. Transparent glass barriers separate these spacious bathing zones from vanities, upon which handcarved marble sinks rest. Walls, alas, are sans marble, but boast micro-mosaic ceramic tiles that resemble smooth pebbles in a mountain stream. Even the loo is luxurious: the Toto Washlets come with automatic lids and warmed seats.

The majority of guestrooms are in new, contemporary buildings, but a few are tucked into the Acacia House where the lobby, bar and restaurant are also located. The house, with its charming wraparound porch, was originally built in 1905 and has been fully restored to become Las Alcobas’ centerpiece. “We re-imagined this site, an historic farm in Napa Valley, by inventing the story of a family that had lived here over generations, each tending to the earth and growing the family and the farm,” explains Pushelberg. “The original farmhouse became the central feature of our plan with a series of additional buildings – some more modern arranged around a central lawn – and celebrated the views to the adjacent vineyards, ensuring the connection to the outdoors remains ever-present.” Acacia House was gutted during renovations, but a few important details from early days remain, such as its wooden façade, leaded glass windows, and sturdy brick fireplace next to which diners enjoy locavore meals thought-up by celebrated chef Chris Cosentino.

Behind Acacia House are two new barns with vaulted ceilings, one for events and another housing the 3,500ft2 Atrio spa where four treatment rooms, a steam room, outdoor showers, and indoor/outdoor relaxation areas provide serious R&R. The designers took a wabi-sabi approach in the spa, which is dark and moody and features high ceilings, lava stone floors and oak accents. Outside, a pool encircled by a teak deck and sun loungers glitters during the summer months and enjoys the same vineyard views as many of the guestrooms. A community gas fire pit waits near the pool, flanked by bespoke sofas where groups gather to swap stories and pop corks by firelight, savoring mild California evenings. Las Alcobas is imbued with a laid-back, countryside vibe that prevails throughout Napa. “We designed a hotel that feels like home,” says founder and CEO Samuel Leizorek. “This follows the brand’s philosophy of sobremesa, which means staying together after a meal, and the interaction of family and friends that creates the warmth and feeling of being recognised and included. Overall, an experience that fills one with delight and creates a cherished memory.”

sources: Sleeper, 9-10 2017

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