In short… Stanly Ranch is a wellness getaway in wine country with airy cottages, great food, and a world-class spa.
The vibe… If Hallie Parker grew up to become a hotelier and wanted to keep her memories of Camp Walden alive—in a much more elevated way, and much closer to Parker Knoll vineyards. For those unfamiliar with Nancy Meyers’ 1998 classic The Parent Trap, all that is to say Stanly Ranch feels like an elegant, grown-up summer camp in the best way. There’s almost a campus-like feel, with 135 cottages and guest rooms, several pools and restaurants, miles of trails and an epic wellness complex spread across 712 acres of vineyards and ranch land.
The rooms… are in sleek, modern cottages that are organized like a utopian little town. After checking in at reception, you’ll be dropped off with your luggage via golf cart, giving you a chance to get the lay of the land. When I first pulled up to my cottage, I thought for sure the proximity to other buildings would have a Wisteria Lane vibe, but they are arranged in a way that doesn’t feel like you’re right on top of your neighbors. I had plenty of privacy to sip my morning coffee at the fire pit in a bathrobe, and larger suites even have completely private outdoor showers. The interiors are warm and elemental, with blonde wood ceilings, massive windows framed by wispy linen curtains, and deep freestanding tubs in the bathroom.
The wellness… Wellness programming takes place in a sprawling complex at the top of a hill, home to the Fieldhouse, Springhouse and Halehouse. Their Fieldhouse gym offers daily classes ranging from barre, yoga, pilates, boxing, and HIIT to tea ceremonies and sound baths, and it’s equipped with a full suite of TechnoGym and Peloton equipment.
Springhouse is designed for post-workout or pre-treatment relaxation. It features a large sauna with wave-shaped stadium seating overlooking a mini vineyard, along with a cold plunge, steam room, tepidarium, salt room, and—what made me do a double take—a hyperbaric chamber. As an avid SCUBA diver, I’m glad I’ve never had to see the inside of a one. But for those recovering from more terrestrial pursuits, the hyperbaric chamber at Stanly Ranch sits casually next to the sauna and steam room, just in case you really need to dial it in.
Halehouse, next to the spa pool, is where you’ll find the treatment rooms and swanky locker rooms. Surrounded by fire pits and lounge areas that feel straight out of a Restoration Hardware catalog, it’s the perfect spot to kick back with a cup of bone broth or chlorophyll water after your treatment.
The food… Expect plenty of hearty, healthy, and highly seasonal Californian fare, with brilliant wines to boot. I was only there for one night, but had a great brunch at Bear, which is the upscale yet unfussy all-day dining option with a beautiful porch. And the light-filled coffee and gift shop, Gavel, even stocks Yolo Journal!
Extra tip goes to… the young man at reception, possibly on his first or second day on the job, who shuttled me to my cottage around midnight after an event. Neither of us had any clue how to find my room in the dark, and we ended up looping around the back of a maintenance building. Still, he was a great sport and saved me from a long walk in my impractical shoes.
Date of stay… April 2023
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.