Auberge du Soleil — Hotel in Napa Valley AVA

If I could give zero stars, that would be my rating for one of the worst experiences I've had at Auberge. This was my second time dining here, and it will surely be my last as I refuse to spend money at an establishment where I felt my husband and I were treated differently because of our race.

My husband and I were in Napa Valley for the 4th of July weekend and had lunch reservations at Auberge on the 5th. We headed over to the hostess stand, where a couple in front of us was being checked in. The hostess was making friendly conversation with them and asked if they had any food allergies. However, when it was our turn, the hostess didn't even make eye contact and just asked for our name before telling us to step aside. My husband and I exchanged puzzled looks. Why did her tone change so suddenly when we walked up? While waiting to be seated, we noticed the same hostess greet the party after us warmly again and inquire about their allergies or food restrictions. This was such a weird and awkward interaction that made us feel excluded and unwelcome right from the start.

During our lunch, everyone was seated inside due to the heat. We saw several people walk out to the balcony to take pictures of the beautiful view. After our meal, we decided to do the same. As my husband was opening the door to the balcony, a different staff member blocked us and said they weren't allowing people onto the balcony, directing us to go downstairs for pictures. Confused, I asked why, since there were several other people still on the balcony. She just directed us outside again. We walked away, disbelieving what was happening. The same woman came over again and insisted we go downstairs. By this point, I was frustrated and deeply hurt as it felt like we were the only ones being denied access to the balcony. I asked why we couldn't go there when others were allowed and she had no answer and just stared at us blankly. I then asked if she would tell the other guests to leave the balcony or if the rules only applied to us. She finally agreed and said we could go out on the balcony if we wanted a picture.

At this point we went outside to the balcony out of principle, but I was already upset as it seemed we were being discriminated against. Moments after we walked outside, the hostess who had greeted us rudely in the beginning brought another guest outside and encouraged him to take as many pictures as he liked. The only difference between us and the other patrons who were greeted nicely and allowed on the balcony was the color of our skin. This ruined what should have been a pleasant dining experience. With the number of amazing restaurants in Napa that are welcoming and have great food, there is no need to go somewhere you are not welcomed.

After we left, I spoke to the manager on the phone. He assured me he would follow up via email or phone, but he never did. This lack of accountability and follow-through is unacceptable, especially at this level of establishment.

I hope that by sharing my experience, Auberge will take serious steps to train their staff on diversity and inclusion to ensure that no one else has to endure...

Worst food poisoning I have ever had, other than e coli (I travel a lot). Initially, I thought it was the oysters, which i didn't really blame them; It can happen. I only spoke to my friend 24 hours later (she is a CEO and BUSY) and she had also become ill but not her husband (he didn't try my dish). She had ONE forkful of my halibut and was ill for two days. I had the entire plate and the entire toxin, to a much greater extent; It was beyond. I was screaming in pain from the cramps. I am still cringing from them, waking in the night. The worst symptoms- meaning, everything under the sun, at the same time, for 12 HOURS straight!!!!! Then, I had to catch a flight to NYC!!!! I would have gone to the hospital but I am european and didn't take US health insurance for my two week trip (plus, there is very little to be done, other than pain killers- I ingested fluids, before it was critical). It was exceptionally painful and gross. (I literally have NO idea how i made that flight)

I called the restaurant on my way to the airport- I had only JUST been able to peel myself off of the bathroom floor. They offered to refund MY fish plate, ONLY!!!! I could barely speak, so i had my friend ring. In the end, they gave us $150 off of the bill. $150 and a week later, WORKING all day, every day, unable to eat, waking up all hours for the loo and they gave me $150... Absolutely disgusting behaviour.

They promised to follow up. They didn't. Food poisoning can happen- I do AD for big restos. I know food poisoning happens. This was/is a very very serious case. They were not serious about it.

My brother is a Dr at the best hospital in NYC and I am being looked after. They haven't asked. They don't care. This is WRONG. They offered to replace my dish, not my flight. That is just sickening, literally.

I would like to add, the food was not good, other than the quail salad. Absolutely average. 1 Michelin star for what??? Service was better than Olive Garden but certainly not Michelin Star. The wait staff interrupted our conversation REPEATEDLY to fill our FULL waters. They would refill the bottled water with tap (when it was still full). It was literally difficult to converse. That is one example but frankly, they just weren't polished. Cafe de flore's newest waiter would put them to shame.

The view is spectacular.

Food, beyond lame. Get some COURAGE! Find INSPIRATION! Seek the BEST! Many of our dishes were over or underwhelmed. It was Australian yuppy food, hardly haute cuisine. I can go to Bar Martin in Paris, pay 7euro for an entree and it will blow ANY Auberge du Soleil dish out of the water.

Get it...

Despite numerous up and comers in an area that has exploded with fine restaurants and hotels, somehow Auberge has remained the gold standard in the Napa Valley. Ask any knowledgeable local what is the best hotel in the area, and almost uniformly you will still get the same answer you would have heard 25 years ago, Auberge. And with good reason.||We were upgraded to a valley suite and immediately upon arrival you notice that everything just feels like it is in the right place. . the sitting area with the couch and fridge are framed by an ethereal outdoor space and view. The bedroom is timelessly well appointed and even the bathroom flooded with natural light. In addition to the bed being incredibly comfortable, everything from the charging stations to the closets and dressers were well situated and sizable. Nothing flashy, just white oak and lovely muted colors. ||I wouldn't be surprised if the rooms looked exactly the same when they opened the property and somehow the whole property and the rooms still look perfectly up to date today. In fact, we were told that some of the rooms had recently been upgraded and yet we had no idea if ours was one of them. That says it all. It just looked great. ||The service is also impeccable. From the valet who showed us to our room to the one made thoughtful suggestions for a run or hike to the fast and attentive service at the restaurant for breakfast to the housekeeping staff, the service was top notch. ||We also wish we had utilized the Mercedes' they have sitting around for use by guests as well! ||Our one complaint which is why there is an asterisk was the small gym. If you don't use the gym, the pool is beautiful as was the service there. But the "fitness center" was not only a bit run down but far too small for the property. It has a nice combination of indoor and outdoor space that years ago when only a handful of folks used a fitness center, was likely ample. But now just about every time we went during our four days (we went every day) it was somewhere between a bit claustrophobic to uncomfortably packed. Getting access to a Peleton bike was competitive and there was only one sought after bench for use in the same compact area where someone else might be stretching. The gym could be stressful during an otherwise stress free experience.||Bottom line Auberge is still the cult wine region's cult hotel and deservedly so (just maybe take the gorgeous run along the vines on the extension of Rutherford Hill road below the property instead of battling for equipment in the fitness center!). We will definitely...