In the heart of downtown Napa, historic mansion-turned-luxury inn The George beckons travelers in search of the ultimate in intimate accommodations.
The breakfast room beckons with walls decked in a flamboyant peacock print wallcovering.
Visitors to Napa Valley are spoiled with choice when it comes to scenic accommodations, from posh spas surrounded by vineyards to cozy cottages dotting the area’s verdant hills. On our most recent visit to wine country, though, we found ourselves utterly and unexpectedly charmed by a recently opened boutique inn smack in the middle of downtown Napa proper: The George. Set along a row of stately manses west of the Napa River, this late 19th century stunner might just be the most elegant of all, a dove gray beauty that abounds with handsome ornamentation and stately gables (no wonder the place is listed on the National Register of Historic Places). Surrounded by towering palm trees that mark the lushly landscaped property, it’s a true gem in the heart of this residential neighborhood.
The George’s stately exterior
Inside, it’s equally inviting. After an extensive five-year renovation, the historic home—which was commissioned by prominent Napa resident George E. Goodman Jr. in 1891—has been reimagined as a sophisticated inn with just nine unique rooms, preserving the grandeur of the original structure with a tasteful balance of elegant furnishings and of-the-moment luxury amenities, from heated bathroom floors and Molton Brown toiletries to cloudlike mattresses and luxury bath towels and bedding. Adding to the sense of luxury, a concierge is at the ready to help plan your Napa adventure, whether that’s scoring tasting room reservations or booking a scenic balloon ride.
High ceilings and modern amenities make for appealing wine country accommodations.
Sophisticated surroundings and luxe comforts? Check and check. But what we enjoyed most about our stay at The George was its beguiling setting, which put the charms of downtown Napa just footsteps away. From early morning jogs along the lazy Napa River to evening meals at hot spots like Angèle and Morimoto, we moved on foot everywhere, inhaling the heady scents of jasmine and privet that seemed to envelop the town like the most fragrant of perfumes. For those wishing to experience Napa Valley, The George makes an ideal base from which to explore, but it also reveals the secret of Napa proper: You don’t even have to leave downtown to have a most memorable wine country experience.
Photography by: PHOTOS BY PAUL ROLLINS
