Solage, Calistoga

What to expect

Solage is an Auberge Resorts property on the Silverado Trail, on the eastern side of Calistoga at the head of Napa Valley. It is a newer, design-led resort rather than a historic bathhouse. Guests stay in modern, private rooms, with the mountain ridges of the upper valley behind. At its centre is Spa Solage, a 20,000-square-foot spa built around the mud and mineral water treatments that have drawn visitors to Calistoga since the 1800s.

For soakers, the part that matters is the Bathhouse. It is an adults-only area with five pools, a steam room, a sauna and a relaxation room. It is more expensive than the older spas downtown, and adults only.

The pools

Spa Solage lists five pools in the Bathhouse:

• Cold plunge, 50-55°F10-13°C.
• Magnesium pool, at ambient temperature, rich in magnesium.
• Relaxation pool, a large pool kept at 98°F37°C.
• Jetted saline pool, 102-104°F39-40°C.
• Jetted mineral pool, 102-104°F39-40°C.

The usual pattern is to rotate between the hot jetted pools, the cold plunge and the steam room, then rest. The Bathhouse is for guests aged 18 and over.

Separate from the spa, hotel guests have the resort’s 130-foot main swimming pool, open from 6am to 10pm, with an adjacent beach-entry pool for young children. That pool is the family option. The geothermal Bathhouse is not.

The mud ritual

Calistoga is known for its mud baths, and Solage does its own version. The Calistoga Mud Ritual is a 75-minute, self-guided treatment: you apply mineral-rich mud blended with essential oils, rinse, soak in a warm thermal bath and then rest in a sound chair. It is inspired by the area’s geothermal water and Wappo traditions.

Getting there

Solage is at 755 Silverado Trail, Calistoga, CA 94515, on the east side of town, a short drive from Lincoln Avenue and the downtown spas.

• From San Francisco: About 86 miles from SFO. Cross the Golden Gate or Bay Bridge, then head north through Napa on Highway 29 or the quieter Silverado Trail. Weekend wine traffic can add a lot of time.
• From Sonoma County Airport (STS): About 18 miles, the closest commercial airport.
• From Napa County Airport (APC): About 33 miles. Oakland is about 77 miles and Sacramento about 80.

Valet and self parking are complimentary for guests. Rideshare works from the airports, but the resort recommends booking a private transfer for the return trip.

When to go

Napa Valley is busiest from late summer through the October harvest, and on weekends all year. Rooms and day passes are hardest to get then, and day passes have blackout dates during peak hotel periods.

November to April is the better time for a soak. Grapevines are bare, the hills turn green after rain, and the hot pools feel right on a cool morning. Weekday mornings are the quietest time in the Bathhouse.

Summer afternoons in Calistoga are hot, so in July and August most people soak early or in the evening.

Prices and booking

Spa prices below include a 20 percent service charge, which Solage shares among the spa team. Extra gratuity is optional. Prices are subject to change.

• Bathhouse Access Pass: $225 per person, for non-resort guests only. Includes the locker rooms, relaxation room, the five-pool Bathhouse, steam room and sauna, plus the movement studio and fitness centre. Sold daily subject to blackout dates.
• Spa treatment plus access: Non-resort guests booking a 60 or 90-minute service pay a $50 access fee for the pools and Bathhouse. The spa does not say whether this fee option applies to the 75-minute Mud Ritual, so ask when you book.
• Treatments: Calistoga Mud Ritual, 75 minutes, $252. The Restore massage, 60 minutes $312 or 90 minutes $468. The Deep Calm, 90 minutes $468 or 120 minutes $640. The Renewal body treatment, 120 minutes, $640.
• Resort guests: The Bathhouse, gym and fitness classes are included in the $75 per room, per night resort fee.
• Hours: Bathhouse, locker rooms and gym 5:30am to 9pm. Spa lobby and reception 8:30am to 8pm.
• Booking: Online booking was unavailable when this page was checked. Call Spa Solage at 855-790-6023, or the resort at 866-942-7442 or 707-266-7534.

Hotel check-in is at 4pm and check-out at noon. Cancellation terms depend on your dates and rate, so read your confirmation. The whole property is non-smoking, indoors and out, with a $250 fee for violations.

Where to stay nearby

• Solage itself is the simplest choice, since the resort fee covers Bathhouse access for every stay.
• Downtown Calistoga has several older hot spring hotels with their own mineral pools and mud baths, including Indian Springs, Calistoga Spa Hot Springs and the Calistoga Motor Lodge. They are cheaper, and some are family-friendly.
• St. Helena and Napa, farther down the valley, have a wider range of hotels.

Safety notes

• Hot pools. The jetted pools reach 104°F40°C. Keep each soak short, cool off in the plunge or the relaxation pool, and drink water between rounds.
• Wine and heat. Napa days often include wine tasting. Alcohol and hot water together are a common cause of fainting. Soak before tasting, not after.
• Mud ritual. Warm mud and a hot bath raise your body temperature. Tell the spa about pregnancy, heart conditions or blood pressure issues before you book.
• Summer heat. Calistoga afternoons can be very hot in summer. Plan outdoor activity for the morning.

Nearby stops worth adding

The Calistoga downtown strip on Lincoln Avenue is a short drive away, with tasting rooms, cafés and the older bathhouses. Solbar, the resort restaurant, is Michelin-rated. Bikes are included for resort guests, and the flat streets of Calistoga make an easy ride.