Indonesia Travel 04: CNNGo.com

Sunday, May 13, 2012

CNNGo.com

Posted: 12 May 2012 03:00 PM PDT

From hotels situated in billion-year-old landscapes to the snowiest ski resort in the world, these places prove that the resort experience is so much more than lounging by the pool with masses of other sunburned tourists.

1. Best foodie resort: Meadowood, California

Located in a private 100-hectare estate in Napa Valley, Meadowood is mostly known for its Michelin three-star restaurant simply called The Restaurant.

Each dish at The Restaurant is a tribute to the Napa Valley region. Chef Christopher Kostow cooks with ingredients from Napa Valley's terroir. This includes curing Wagyu beef with pine needles from the Meadowood property, and sourcing fresh produce from its garden.

Meadowood takes its wine seriously as well. On top of maintaining an 11,000-bottle cellar, the property's owners also founded the exclusive Napa Valley Reserve.

Located near the entrance of Meadowood, this wine club is said to entertain only 500 members around the world, including Tom Cruise, the Beckhams, Robert Redford, several U.S. ambassadors and captains of industry.