The Renaissance of Meadowood Napa Valley
Meadowood Napa Valley is back and better than ever. Patrick Nayrolles, General Manager, speaks to us about this inspiring rebound, his secret places around this iconic resort and what’s new.
Patrick Nayrolles was born in Suresnes, a suburb of Paris to Claudine and Maurice Nayrolles. Maurice was a renowned Hotelier and was one of Meadowood’s first General Managers from 1986-1994. Patrick attended Lausanne (Hotel School) and held senior leadership roles at Monte Carlo Beach Club in Abu Dhabi, Hotel de Paris in Monaco and Cipriani in Venice, before becoming General Manager at Domaine de Manville in Les Beaux de Province. He has been the General Manager of Meadowood since 2016, and resides in Napa with his wife, Sophie.
How did a French-born hotelier come to land in Napa?
Actually, it is mostly because of my father. I was born to French parents, and my father, Maurice Nayrolles, was a hotel general manager. After an extensive career that brought him (and the rest of my family) to the Bahamas, Portugal, Morocco, and Sardinia, he came to Meadowood through a member he had met in the Bahamas. It was only supposed to be a two-year job as he was intending to retire, but he ended up staying eight years. I explain this history to illustrate the impact my father had on me, which led to my choice to study at Lausanne, the passion I have for the luxury hotel industry and the goal of working in the finest hotels in the world. I would visit Meadowood when my father ran the property, and the dream of following in his footsteps became a reality when Meadowood was looking for a new General Manager in 2016. I called Bill Harlan, Meadowood’s Founding Partner, and after an extensive visa process, I became the second Nayrolles to lead Meadowood.
How has the resort rebounded following the devastating fire of September 2020?
The outpouring of support and kindness after the fire were just remarkable. I had no idea what an impact Meadowood had made in so many people’s lives, and I received such touching messages about past guests’ memories at Meadowood. It was an inspiring feeling in such a time of uncertainty, and it made me realize that when Meadowood re-opened, although it would be different from before, it would need to be just as impactful on the guest experience side. Thankfully, most of our newer amenities, such as the Spa, remained untouched. So, we reimagined Meadowood into a 36-room, intimate Estate where we could truly focus on service and personalization. And that meant engaging a team who were experts in that realm. Our wish is for each guest that stays with us to have a personal ambassador to Meadowood and the Napa Valley, and that is achieved through our Estate Host Team – they are a dynamic group of Napa experts, including the President of Les Clefs d’Or (international Concierge association)!
How would you describe the resort in just a few sentences?
Arguably, Meadowood is one of the most iconic places in the Napa Valley. Owned by the Harlan family since 1979 and as the center point for so many significant events in the Valley for decades, everyone, from vintners to restauranters, has a story about a memory at Meadowood. Because we are tucked into our own private valley, guests feel like they are staying in a cottage on someone’s private estate with a personal ambassador to the Napa Valley. Intimate, personal, thoughtful and gracious. Those are our shared values and what guests come away feeling from their stay.
What is your favorite place to have coffee in the morning on property?
From the terrace of one of our guestrooms. Our rooms ascend a hillside and it’s magical to be outside watching the Meadowood valley wake up. You feel like you’re in your own private treehouse.
Do you have any secret spots around the hotel?
Our hiking trails are one of our best-kept secrets. We have over three miles of trails that offer unmatched views of vineyards and the valley floor; nestled along the southernmost trail is a stone labyrinth that is wonderful for reflection and contemplation. Unless you go and find it, you would never know it’s there.
What is the best time to visit Napa and why?
Personally, I love the Spring. The wildflowers are starting to bloom and the grasses amongst the vineyards are a vibrant green. The weather is super mild, not too warm, and it’s before the crowds of the Harvest Season arrive in the summer, so it’s much easier to get dining reservations and into wineries.
Would you recommend Meadowood for families?
Oh, yes! Not everyone realizes Meadowood is also a club, and we have members whose children were raised at Meadowood. Back in 2019, we completed a renovation of our swimming pool complex, and now we have three swimming pools which include one dedicated just to families that has a grassy area for the kids to run around. During the summer, we have a kid’s sports camp that is only available to guests and members. And we have recently introduced fitness classes geared just towards kids and teens: Little Warriors Boot Camp, HIIT Kids & Teens, and Mom & Me Fitness for the little ones. Our chef has even created a chocolate tasting for the kids to enjoy while Mom & Dad are wine tasting.
What's the one treatment not to miss at the spa?
A bath in the Treehouse Retreat. This is probably the most requested experience in the Spa for couples. It’s a stunning, open-to-the-trees, one-of-a-kind private space with a giant copper tub and fireplace. Perfect for reconnecting, with a bottle of Sparkling wine, after a massage.
What are you most proud of at Meadowood Resort?
Absolutely our staff. First, our team is built on the vision of legacy. There are team members we have, such as our Estate Chef, Alejandro, who was on the team when my father was General Manager. They are part of the fabric of the property and the culture. When Meadowood closed for a year after the fires, we were forced to lay off a large number of our team. Fortunately, when we went to re-open, many of our previous staff wanted to return. Our guests and members truly appreciate seeing the familiar faces. Our staff is so committed to Meadowood and proud to be a part of the team. We were re-evaluated by Forbes Travel Guide after we reopened and earned our 5 Stars once again!
What do you want Four Hundred members to know about Meadowood?
With so many Four Hundred Members passionate about wine, The Wine Center at Meadowood will really resonate with this group. The Wine Center is led by a renowned team of wine professionals who work with guests on anything they want to know about wine; from a class on Wine and War, to help with building out a cellar, to curating and accompanying guests on a guided winery tour. They are quite possibly some of the most connected and knowledgeable wine experts I have encountered. Time with them allows guests to have a completely objective and unadulterated appreciation for not only Napa wines but wines of every region.
Contributor — Four Hundred by Design