Silverado Resort: The Enduring Legacy of a Napa Valley Icon
Sprawling across 1,200 acres of oak groves and sun-drenched vineyards, Silverado Resort is a quintessential Napa Valley landmark. It is more than a luxury destination; it is a historic estate with a soul, anchored by its centerpiece—an elegant, Southern-style mansion built in the 1870s that stands as a testament to the region's storied past. For over 150 years, this property has been an integral part of the Napa landscape, evolving from a private residence into a world-class resort that embodies the sophisticated leisure of wine country.
The resort's identity is currently in a period of intentional, well-funded transformation. A pivotal new chapter began in February 2022 with its acquisition by KSL Capital Partners and Arcade Capital, private equity firms specializing in premier travel, leisure, and wellness enterprises. This is not merely a change of hands but a calculated repositioning of the brand, marked by significant capital investment and a stated goal to "preserve what makes each asset unique, while at the same time making new investments to meet the expectations of today's travelers". This report provides an exhaustive look into Silverado Resort, examining its rich history, diverse accommodations, world-class amenities, and its celebrated role as a premier destination for life's most important events, all viewed through the lens of its dynamic and ambitious revitalization.
The North Course: A PGA Tour Challenge
The North Course is the longer and more formidable of the two, playing at 6,793 yards from the championship tees. It is renowned for hosting the PGA Tour's annual Procore Championship (formerly the Fortinet Championship and Safeway Open), a tradition that has continued since 2014.
The course is designed to be a true test of skill, demanding precision and strategic thinking. Its primary challenges include:
Narrow Fairways The layout requires exceptional execution off the tee to navigate the tight, tree-lined fairways.
Strategic Bunkering Johnny Miller's redesign focused on the thoughtful placement of bunkers, forcing golfers to carefully plan their way around the course.
Signature Holes The back nine is particularly memorable, featuring the famous par-3 11th hole, which is surrounded by water on three sides and guarded by overhanging trees.
While it is built to challenge the world's best professionals, the course is considered fair and playable for mid-handicappers, with a classic layout where everything is in front of the golfer.
The South Course: A Scenic Napa Round
Measuring 6,685 yards, the South Course is often described as "kinder and gentler" than its northern counterpart, offering a more relaxed pace for a casual round. While it may be more forgiving, it is still a championship-caliber course that presents its own set of challenges and was the former host of Champions Tour events.
The character of the South Course is defined by:
Rolling Terrain The holes flow over the gentle, rolling hills of the Napa landscape, offering picturesque views of the surrounding vineyards and countryside.
Water Hazards While the fairways can be more open than on the North Course, the South brings more water into play, requiring careful course management.
Pleasant Variety The layout features a good mix of straight and dog-legging holes, some of which are tree-lined while others are more open.
The South Course provides a quintessential wine country golf experience, blending a pleasant and varied layout with the stunning natural beauty of the region
Silverado Resort Suites
Silverado's lodging is thoughtfully designed with a distinctive "neighborhood layout," where more than 300 guestrooms and suites are distributed throughout the estate in clusters, creating a sense of a private, residential community rather than a monolithic hotel. This atmosphere is enhanced by the presence of 300 privately owned condominiums and the two-story buildings with exterior corridors, which evoke a cottage-like feel.
The resort offers a wide spectrum of accommodations, from classic rooms of 240-270 square feet to expansive one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites that can exceed 1,200 square feet. Defining features across the property include private patios or balconies and, in all suites, cozy wood-burning fireplaces. Larger suites further enhance the residential experience with full kitchens and dedicated dining areas, making them ideal for families or extended stays. Standard in-room amenities include premium bedding, 50-inch flat-screen TVs, designer toiletries, and a welcome bottle of wine upon arrival
