As you drive up California’s Highway 29, vineyard after vineyard comes into view. Napa Valley is known for its gentle rolling hills and scenic wine country vistas. It’s no wonder The Setting Inn Napa Valley has created a name for itself simply on the setting of this two-story historic farmhouse set between two vineyards. Situated on a one acre parcel, anchored by north Napa and Yountville, the boutique inn makes a great home base for exploring all that Napa Valley has to offer.
Check out the little video tour of The Setting Inn and our Spring Mountain room.
Picture perfect setting at The Setting Inn Napa Valley
With vineyard views and a backyard barn, this historical landmark property gives a playful nod to its 1901 farmhouse roots, yet offers understated elegance. It’s like Restoration Hardware meets Alice in Wonderland with it’s wine country farmhouse chic interior and larger than life backyard games. You won’t fall down a rabbit hole after drinking a bottle of wine here, but there is a sense of playfulness in the backyard barn common area with its games and toys.
Barn area fun and games
There’s a fountain next to an outdoor fireplace, perfect for settling in with a glass of wine and cheese platter. Those who like playing games can try their hand at corn hole, while Instagram-happy guests may strike a pose in the larger than life backyard frame with the ideal postcard-worthy setting. Inside the open-air barn, a guitar waits to be strummed and for the outdoor adventure seekers, there are two electric bicycles for hotel guests’ use.
Napa Valley Vine Trail
We dropped our suitcases at the hotel, strapped on a backpack and headed out to explore Napa Valley Vine Trail on our electric bicycles. The walking and biking trail system will eventually run 47 miles from Vallejo to Calistoga, California. Currently, the tree-lined and flat Vine Trail covers 10 miles from Napa to Yountville and, conveniently, runs right outside The Setting Inn.
It didn’t take us long to pedal our way upvalley to Yountville thanks to the e-bikes battery-powered assistance. We followed our nose to Bouchon Bakery and promptly ordered a Better Nutter peanut butter oatmeal cookie and chocolate chunk cookie from the take out counter of Thomas Keller’s award-winning bakery. After indulging our sweet tooth, we zipped back down to our hotel and traded our bikes for the car to head downtown to see what’s new in downtown Napa. We like hanging out where the locals go, so we ventured over to St. Clair Winery and Brewery for locals night with beer and wine specials and a food truck parked next to the beer garden. This pet-friendly place was pleasantly packed with locals and their dogs on a summer evening.
Settling into The Setting Inn
After the sunset it was time to settle into our Spring Mountain room at the hotel. There are three different room categories; signature queen, deluxe king (that’s our category) and 2 bedroom suite. You’ll see from the video above, that our Spring Mountain room includes a king bed and features Napa Valley vineyard views.
All hotel rooms include private bathrooms with a soaking tub, walk in shower, L’Occitane bath amenities and light robes. Don’t forget to byobb (bring your own bubble bath.)
Bouchon Bakery Breakfast
What does it say about me that my favorite part of my stay was the wonderfully comfortable bed and waking up to breakfast outside my door from Bouchon Bakery? I’m not a coffee drinker, but I enjoyed the orange juice, bowl of fresh sliced fruit and the yummy Bouchon Bakery pastries. Our wooden wine box delivered to our door at 8 a.m. also included a raspberry puff pastry, blueberry crumb muffin and currant scone.
For someone who doesn’t make or drink coffee, my husband was thrilled that I brought him coffee in bed thanks to the well-written instructions next to the easy-to-use Nespresso coffee machine. The Setting Inn scored a home run with their continental breakfast.
Need to know:
There are three different room categories at The Setting Inn; signature queen, deluxe king and premier 2-bedroom suite. Rates range from $289 – $486 for the signature queen, $359 – $603 for the deluxe king, to $475 – $798 for the premiere 2-bedroom suite. Hotel rates vary in high season and low season, as well as events taking place in the Napa Valley.
The hotel has an on-site workout room located next to the barn. Much as the owners love pets, dogs are not allowed on property. While the boutique hotel says that it is family-friendly, children must be 14 years or older to stay here. The best bet for families would be to rent the two-bedroom cottage next door.
All rooms include electric fireplace, air conditioning and flat-screen tv. Bathrooms feature walk-in shower and separate soaking tub, heated bathroom floors, L’Occitane bath products, robes, slippers and hairdryer. Mini bar features in-room Nespresso coffee maker, Tazo tea, microwave oven, mini fridge and complimentary bottled water.
Plans are in the works for serving The Setting Inn wines. On our visit, no wine or food, other than breakfast, was available on site.
Check in: 4:00 p.m.
Check out: 12:00 p.m
Insider Tips:
Napa Valley Wine Train passes by The Setting Inn on its journey from downtown Napa to St. Helena and back. In addition to wine tasting and a gourmet meal, guests now have the opportunity to join in on a murder mystery dinner experience. For additional insider tips follow luxury travel writer @Nancydbrown on Twitter or Instagram @Nancydbrown and The Setting Inn Napa Valley on Instagram.
If You Go:
The Setting Inn Napa Valley (707) 927-3909
1205 Hillview Lane
Napa, California 94558
The Setting Inn Napa Valley hotel review, YouTube video and all photography by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. Note: thank you to The Setting Inn Napa Valley for your hospitality. All views above are, as always, my own.