Aetna Springs Owners Announce Plans To Reopen Resort

NAPA VALLEY, CA — Six Senses is taking its wellness and sustainability formula to a historic sanctuary in Pope Valley, the company announced in a news release today.

Named after the natural thermal Aetna Springs discovered in the 1870s, the original Aetna Springs Resort, which is named on the National Register of Historic Places, thrived as a natural spa destination, before finally closing in 2009. Six Senses said it hopes to bring the popularity of the area back with its new Six Senses Napa Valley, set to open in 2026.

“Six Senses Napa Valley will marry the region’s beauty with the unique natural resources of the original Aetna Springs,” Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs said. “Working with Weller Development Partners, Pegasus Capital Advisors, and committed sustainability partners, we have the right energy in place to revitalize this precious jewel in the Napa crown as a destination to rewild our guests back to a connection with nature, each other, and ultimately themselves.”

According to the article "Napa's famed Aetna Springs still awaits rebirth" by Barry Eberling published on the Napa Valley Register's online news site, the owner, Aetna Springs Resorts, LLC, has county approvals secured by a previous owner in 2012 for a revived resort.

"In addition, county Planning, Building and Environmental Services this month approved what the county considers to be minor modifications," Eberling reported.

Aetna Springs, a vast 3,000 acre estate, has sat neglected for decades. According to Six Senses Napa Valley, a lot of work needs to be done to bring back the beauty of the resort which is located two hours from San Francisco in the Pope Valley.

"The existing structures will be sensitively preserved, and the landscape regenerated to bring back the beauty and functionality of the natural mineral springs, with a focus on native planting," Six Senses said in the news release. "As for the historic resort itself, award-winning architecture firm Olson Kundig will work alongside California-based Architectural Resources Group and renowned developer of multiple historic projects, Weller Development Partners, to ensure the structures are preserved and adapted to suit the next chapter in its story."

Tom Kundig, Principal/Owner and Founder of Olson Kundig, said there was much about the site that he found "inspirational."

“From its layers of history as an agrarian and resort community to its stunning natural beauty. This new project provides a great opportunity to craft an authentic experience for visitors that centers around deepening connections to this special landscape,” Kundig said.

According to the news release, once completed visitors to the resort will have their choice of 95 rooms and suites, including 10 tent-style structures, with interiors designed by 1508 London, known for their knowledge and unique capabilities in luxury hospitality.

"There will also be 16 branded residences, which will be serviced by Six Senses and, alongside all the resort amenities, enjoy access to a dedicated lounge," the release said, adding that wellness will be "front and center" at the location.

"Programming will include yoga, meditation, mindfulness, Visiting Practitioners, and various treatments and therapies, all inspired by nature," Six Senses said. "Personalized longevity programs will work on the mind-gut-skin connection, fusing scientific advances in neuroscience with ancient wisdom worth remembering."

Plans include a revitalization of the historic mineral springs with indoor and outdoor thermal experiences and bathing featuring restored greenery to ensure pockets of privacy for a secluded post-swim lounge on the surrounding decks.

"Layered onto this will be pioneering indoor bathing facilities incorporating local herbs and essential oils into hot and cold therapies as guests relax and rejuvenate, privately or socially, to tap into the positive vibes of the whole community," Six Senses said. "The sensory Alchemy Bar is the place to blend spa scrubs and soaps to suit the season and mood, using natural ingredients picked from the resort’s organic garden."

Also in the plans are four food and beverage outlets including an open-plan dining hall, the return of Aetna Springs mineral water bottling and distilling and of course, the region's best wines.

"The Juice & Brew Bar will offer further taste sensations, with in-house alchemists of the liquid kind crafting homemade and herbal tonics and tinctures, detox juices, artisanal and draft beers, and original and classic cocktail recipes," Six Senses said.

According to the news release, the investment group will work with expert partners in sustainability to restore the recreational green spaces, vineyards, and agricultural activities supporting the resort.

"The water bottling program will tap into the natural springs and offset operational water requirements," Six Senses said, adding that practices such as "rewilding zones" and the use of sustainable design and materials "will help the resort achieve LEED certification."

"We couldn’t be more excited about our ongoing partnership with Six Senses and Pegasus Capital Advisors," Marc Weller, Founding Partner and President at Weller Development Partners, said. “As we continue to strategically expand our hospitality division nationally and internationally, the Aetna Springs development in Napa presents a phenomenal opportunity to marry the top luxury hotel brand in the world with one of the most incredible natural landscapes in the United States.”

Read the full article on the Napa Valley Register website.