Name: Michael Conte
Occupation: Director of Spa and Wellness
Where were you born and raised? Los Angeles County
How long have you lived/ worked in St. Helena? 1 year
Why did you move there? To open the gorgeous new Meadowood Spa!
How long have you been in the spa business? And in what capacity? I have been in the spa business for 10 years. I started out as a holistic health practitioner and massage therapist and then decided to move into management. In 2008 I was hired at my first 5 star spa and was hooked. I have worked for luxury resort spas since.
What's your favorite thing about your hotel? What makes it stand out? My two favorite things that especially stand out to me are our all-suite Spa and our Croquet Lawn! Our spa has exquisite suites to truly give our guests a sense of privacy with an elevated spa experience. Each room features a private bathroom, steam shower, vanity and relaxation area. It’s pure indulgence while getting authentic therapeutic bodywork. Our croquet offering is so much fun and great for all ages. It’s fun to get dressed in your whites, grab a refreshing cocktail, learn how to play the game from our croquet pro and then play a few rounds.
What is your favorite spa or wellness treatment? I love a great facial. It’s so relaxing to have someone pamper your skin and help you look refreshed with a healthy glow! Our Hydrafacial® is probably my favorite. I also love our Awaken Massage which was designed for men. It’s therapeutic and rejuvenating while incorporating stretching, hot towels and amazing products. I always feel taller and energized after it! A perfect wellness day here would be to start with a walk in our meditation labyrinth or a hike on our trails, a couple of spa treatments and then a delicious meal from our spa culinary menu.
Favorite place to unwind? I enjoy visiting wineries that have picnic areas. It’s nice to bring a blanket and enjoy the beautiful outdoors with friends, some great wine and a little cheese and charcuterie.
Where’s the best place to enjoy the outdoors in Napa Valley? There are so many wonderful areas to enjoy hiking! We actually have a few great trails on our property but Devils Punchbowl Falls in Angwin and Archer Taylor Preserve are a couple of my favorites.
What’s one thing that St. Helena has to offer that you can’t find anywhere else? The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. It’s a beautiful campus and fascinating to tour the grounds, visit the shops and enjoying dining at the restaurant.
Best gay club/restaurant/attraction? We have gay-friendly bars and restaurants. One of my favorite restaurants is Farmstead. And if you like a little kitsch like I do from time to time, Raymond Winery is quite vibrant in décor! For St. Helena and Sonoma, Guerneville is less than 40 miles away which is a great gay town with R3 which has a great bar & pool and Spaghetti Betty’s.
What three things do I have to pack to enjoy Napa Valley? A corkscrew, shoes for hiking and a good camera
Best time of year to visit? There are great things about each season in Napa Valley! The climate is usually quite temperate and the valley is always beautiful. My favorite time is September/October. That is crush and you can literally smell the aroma of wine in the air just before the grapes are picked. The foliage is changing color and the scenery is simply magical!
I’m in town for 24 hours: What are 3 things I absolutely have to do?
1. Have a pastry at Bouchon in Yountville
2. Take a hot air balloon ride
3. Visit a few wineries
What’s something people would be surprised to learn about Napa Valley? There are more than 500 wineries in Napa Valley so be prepared to enjoy lots of great reds (and some stellar whites, as well)!
Michael Conte- Director of Spa & Wellness
Michael Conte joined Meadowood Napa Valley as Director of Spa & Wellness in June 2015. Before entering the Spa & Wellness industry, Conte spent 15 years traveling globally as a professional actor, singer and dancer. He holds a BFA in Musical Theater with a minor in Directing from The Boston Conservatory in Massachusetts. In 1999 he was introduced to holistic studies. In 2005, Conte retired from professional theater and went back to school, attending Mueller College of Holistic Studies in San Diego, graduating a Holistic Health Practitioner. After performing massage for a little more than three years, Conte was voted one of the best massage therapists in Orange County by RIVIERA magazine while working at the premiere Orange County Day Spa, Spa Gregories. During this time, he also was part of the opening team for the Renaissance Club Sport in Aliso Viejo, California as Lead Therapist.
In 2008, Conte joined the Spa Leadership team for the opening of The Resort at Pelican Hill along the Newport Coast and was instrumental in helping to achieve a Forbes 5-Star rating. Most recently, as the Director of Spa at Montage Laguna Beach, Conte led the Five-Star spa to garner two consecutive World Spa Awards for Best Spa of North and South America.
Conte has volunteered and partnered with non-profit Greet the Day, an organization dedicated to providing free spa treatments to individuals fighting cancer. He also volunteers for the International Spa Association (ISPA). In his free time, he enjoys performing cabarets, teaching Zumba, is a photographer and enjoys teaching about the power of gratitude.
