by Christine Piccin
To my mind, a hotel has to have great beds. On the other hand, a Wine Country Restoration spa treatment in the privacy of my room earns lots of points, too.
24-hour room service … cushy, pillow-top mattresses …  imported linens … at River Terrace Inn in charming downtown Napa, it’s all about pampering.
For my husband, it’s a little bit of high-tech that gets his attention. To his delight, each guest room at River Terrace Inn is outfitted with a DVD player and stocked with complimentary DVDs. High-speed Internet is also one of the standard room amenities, and the entire property – guest rooms and even the terrace –  is WiFi-equipped.
Beyond the high-tech goodies, rooms at River Terrace Inn are comfortably-sized with 10-foot ceilings, and oversized granite- topped wood vanities in the bathrooms add a special touch. Most rooms have private balconies with river or valley views; junior suites offer whirlpool soaking tubs.
River Terrace Inn’s complimentary full breakfast is no standard fare either. Scrambled eggs, sausage patties, bagels with cream cheese, fresh melon and fruit yogurt. The Inn’s homemade vanilla- and almond-laced granola is one of breakfast’s most requested recipes. (At lunch, it’s the panini sanwiches, a “must-try.”)  Also on site is Napa’s hottest new dining spot: Restaurant Budo, serving Asian-accented Wine Country cuisine.
Public spaces at River Terrace Inn are equally inviting. Off the lobby, the wine bar features a stone fireplace and floors, original oil paintings and deep chairs and sofas in soft leather and velour; everything is decorated in restful earth tones and soft whites.
Soaring expanses of windows at the end of the bar bring the pristine beauty of the outside in. Views take in graceful, high-reaching eucalyptus trees along the meandering river front; across the river lies a lush nature preserve.
I was drawn by those striking views to the riverfront and fire pit, to relax with a glass of wine.  Had I been hungry, this is also where the hotel’s River Terrace Café serves al fresco meals.
Just off the terrace, two dozen Petite Sirah grapes flourish, artfully arranged along the riverfront walking path; along with other grapes on the property are expected to produce 25 cases of River Terrace Inn estate wine in a few years.
Ah, a hotel with its very own vineyard. This is Wine Country, after all.
River Terrace Inn is located at  1600 Soscol Avenue in Napa. For reservations or more information, call 1-866-NAPAFUN or go to www.riverterraceinn.com.

Related Information

• River Terrace Inn