If you want a little history added on to your romantic Napa Valley getaway, you’ll want to stay at Churchill Manor Bed and Breakfast in downtown Napa. Edward S. Churchill’s grand mansion has plenty of stories under its roof. In fact, this unique inn was the first Napa residence to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This 19th-century mansion offers 10 individually decorated guest rooms.
Walk past the rose bushes and fountain until you reach the leaded glass windows and front double doors. Once inside the stately inn, notice the redwood moldings and columns. Walking into Churchill Manor Bed and Breakfast is like stepping back in time. European antiques fill the manor house and a 1929 Knabe grand piano is available for guests to play.
Speaking of play, bocce and croquet equipment are available for guests, as are tandem bicycles with helmets. If you prefer to stroll downtown Napa, concierge service is available for you to do Napa like a local.
The three story Second Empire mansion was built in 1889 and was originally home to the Edward Seward Churchill family. Look at the photos across from the inn’s registration desk and see if you can spot Edward in his top hat.
Napa Valley Appellations
Edward and his family also owned the Tokalon Vineyard, now part of the Robert Mondavi Winery estate. With its roots firmly established in downtown Napa, you’ll see that wine country plays a staring role inside and outside the property. Each of the 10 guestrooms take their name from the surrounding appellations of the Napa Valley. If you take breakfast in the sun room, you’ll be reminded of the Napa Valley appellations, as well.
My room, the Rutherford Room, rented for $319-$389 per night in the winter season and was the original bedroom of Mrs. Mary Wilder Churchill. The gas-burning fireplace and antique claw foot bathtub were highlights of this room, along with the comfortable king-size bed. An oak writing desk was to the right of the fireplace with an antique phone on top. My curiosity got the best of me as I sat down at the table and reached to pick up the telephone receiver. To my delight, this was actually a working telephone! How cool is that?
Along with the old-world fixtures, there are modern day conveniences such as a large glass enclosed corner shower, bathroom amenities, hair dryer and plush robe and slippers. If you can’t part with your robe, Churchill Manor will sell you one to take home as a reminder of your stay.
Churchill Manor dining
At Churchill Manor, hospitality is the watch word. Guests are greeted with fresh cookies at 3 p.m. check-in. The gluten-free peanut butter cookies are my personal favorite. From 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. a wine and appetizer reception is held in the parlor by the fireplace. The inn offers their own signature red wine, along with another local winery.
In the morning, a multi-course breakfast is served in the sun-room or on the veranda overlooking the garden. The breakfast buffet includes granola, yogurt, fresh pastries, juice, coffee and tea. Additionally, a fruit course, along with two hot made-to-order entrees are available; sweet or savory.
Need to know:
Rates range from $199 – $409 per night depending on the season. While all rooms include fireplaces, 5 rooms feature king beds and 5 rooms include queen beds. There are no tv’s in bedrooms, however there is a television in the library, along with board games and puzzles. All rooms include complimentary internet. The inn offers a 10% active military discount year-round, Sunday through Thursday.
Churchill Manor Bed and Breakfast is a member of Select Registry, Unique Inns, the California Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns (Cabbi), Diamond Collection with BedandBreakfast.com, Professional Association of Innkeepers International, Historic Inns of Napa, Napa Chamber of Commerce and the Napa Valley Visitors Bureau.
The inn offers off street parking. Please note that the property does not accept pets.
Check in: 3:00 p.m.
Check out: 11:00 a.m.
Insider Tips:
Every stay as a Select Registry or Unique Inns member earns guests points toward future travel. Special treats await for birthday or anniversary celebrations.
For additional insider tips follow luxury travel writer @Nancydbrown on Twitter or Instagram @Nancydbrown.
If You Go:
Churchill Manor Bed and Breakfast (707) 253-7733
485 Brown Street
Napa, California 94559
Churchill Manor Bed and Breakfast review, YouTube video and all photography by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. As is typical in the industry, I received a complimentary media stay, however, all opinions are my own.