An Unexpected Oasis of Modern Design in Downtown Napa
Behind an unassuming façade, the R INN NAPA is an unexpected oasis of modern design in downtown Napa. Unlike the grand Victorian B&Bs on neighboring blocks or the larger cookie-cutter hotels around the city, R INN NAPA is an urban hideaway inspired by small European art hotels. The boutique hotel features bold, original artwork, sleek décor, a serene vibe, and every high-tech comfort imaginable. Compared to other Napa hotels, the hospitality style is far more low-key, catering to independent travelers seeking the amenities of a luxury hotel with the privacy and freedom of a rented pied-à-terre.
R INN NAPA is housed in a converted, century-old building just two blocks from Napa’s riverfront and acclaimed restaurants such as Morimoto, Celadon, and Angele. Owned and designed by the Heffran family, they opened the hotel opened in 2018 with 10 stylish and thoughtfully curated guest rooms. Since then, they’ve added five, two-story loft suites and a standalone two-bedroom bungalow with a full kitchen, private backyard, and outdoor dining room. All of the rooms and common areas are accessible using keypad door codes that allow for easy self-check-in and access any time of day.
In designing the hotel, the Heffrans sought to create an edgy, urban modern style while keeping it cozy. One of the most striking spaces is the lobby lounge. With 20-foot ceilings, the lounge features a wall of glass windows framed in a modern grid pattern that rises to the full height of the space. Imported Italian chandeliers with glowing disks of light are suspended on thin, crisscrossing wireframes. Large-scale art and a sleek custom fireplace provide strong focal points, while plush velvet seating and throw pillows beckon guests to sink into coziness. It’s a warm, inviting space that takes an even more dramatic turn by night.
The hotel’s two-story loft suites, which opened in January 2021, are equally alluring. The 700 square-foot suites feature 20-foot ceilings with clerestory windows, original large-scale art, and floating wood staircases that lead up to a master bedroom loft. The first floor offers a sleek living room with textured concrete floors, an electric fireplace, a 55-inch QLED SmartTV, sofa sleeper, and a wet bar. A spacious first-floor bath is equipped with heated stone floors, a deep soaking tub for two, an open shower with rainfall and handheld showerheads, and one of two remote-controlled bidet toilets with heated seats. A second heated bidet toilet is upstairs in the half bath off the bedroom. The bedroom overlooks the living room and features hardwood floors, a hidden 40-inch QLED SmartTV, and an adjustable king-size bed with a lofty duvet and luxurious sheets. The suites are also equipped with Keurig coffee machines, Bluetooth speakers, and free WiFi. An array of remote controls control everything from the lighting to the temperature.
The courtyard guestrooms and two-bedroom bungalow are just as thoughtfully appointed with modern interior design and high-tech amenities. Guests staying in any of the rooms can help themselves to the hotel’s fully equipped, gourmet kitchen and pantry stocked with drinks, snacks, and breakfast items. An impressive coffee machine named Franke can whip up espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos.
The kitchen is also ideal for catering onsite events or hosting private chef dinners. A swanky dining room with a large farm table seats up to 10 for a private dinner party. Guests can also choose to host dinners alfresco on the veranda.
Also outside, guests can lounge among the tranquil garden seating areas or play a round of bocce amid outdoor sculptures. The rest of downtown Napa is mere steps away.