The Napa Inn as Charming and Full of Character as its Namesake

A guest book in the Napa Inn’s room, decorated in eclectically French style, read: Our best anniversary ever… Happy birthday to me… Thank you for the wonderful getaway, we’ll be back… This is our Christmas gift, and what a great gift it is... Simeon’s Quarters in Napa Inn, where we stayed the night following the Mustard Festival’s closing gala, was named after the original owner of the building Simeon Buford. A rancher from Berryessa, Buford spent most of his time in the field with his son, Kirtley, while his wife Angelina and daughter Maud made their residence in the house on Clay Street in Napa, built in 1877 (now on the National Register of Historic Places). Current owners, Brooke and Jim Boyer, keep the Bufords’ memory alive by naming the inn’s guest rooms after the family members. Brooke and Jim own and manage another historic building that is now a part of the Napa Inn, the Johnstons house, a Queen Ann Victorian, built as a wedding present to Madaline (Minnie) Migliavacca and Harry Johnston in 1899. The spouses were childless, and the house, which became a city property after their passing, underwent a series of reincarnations, and once even moved to make space for a city parking lot. Then, in 1977 a 170-ton structure was transported four blocks away from its original location, and ended up next to the Buford House, then an apartment building. Today, the Napa Inn enjoys a reputation of the most romantic B&B in the area, equipped with fireplaces, air conditioners and Jacuzzis, highest quality bed linens and plush robes for the guests. The original woodwork, including hard wood floors, as well as hand-made tiles to match the wallpaper in luxurious bathrooms, old books, lithographs and period antiques found throughout the property, are supplemented with the original paintings and murals by Brooke Boyer, and old family photographs of the historic owners. A tiny garden at the front, rose bushes and flower beds, bursting with seasonal colors, and a little fountain in the backyard, add to the charm of this sought after romantic retreat. A new spa room, visited by a masseuse upon request, was recently added to the luxurious amenities. After 3 p.m. at check-in time, newly arriving guests are treated to wine and cheese in the spacious sunlit parlor, which has a fireplace, a piano, a rocking chair, a loveseat by the window, and a computer (hidden in an antique bureau) with a free wireless access. Tea is available 24/7; coffee in every room, and a generous selection of freshly baked cookies is displayed under a glass dome next to crystal decanters with sherry and porto. Breakfast is included in the price, and is served in a formal dining room on white tablecloth. On the morning of our stay, the choice consisted of a healthy cereal with skim milk vs. spinach frittata with homemade fries, plus a fruit salad and a peach bread pudding with Amaretto sauce. If you know this reporter pretty well by now, you can guess what did I choose. The Napa Inn is located in a walking distance to the famous shops, restaurants, and galleries of its namesake. 1137 Warren Street, Napa. For information, call 800-435-1144, 707-257-1444, or visit: www.napainn.com Photography by Yuri Krasov. 1. The Napa Inn main building. 2. Brooke Boyer next to her painting. 3. Each room at the Napa Inn has its own character. 4. Hand-made tiles were colored to match the wallpaper around the Jacuzzi.