Sure, there’s a large sign telling you where to turn off of bustling Highway 128, but first-time visitors don’t realize all that’s waiting at Harvest Inn until they leave the busy Napa Valley roadway in the rearview mirror. Set on eight acres, studded with more than 300 redwood trees and flanked by vineyards, the St. Helena property is the type of a wine country hideaway you didn’t think still existed.
Courtesy of Harvest Inn
The resort features 81 guest rooms, almost all of which have private entrances. When checking in you’ll receive a map, but don’t worry, you won’t need it for long. Learning your way around is easy and straightforward, but being able to wander — whether it’s in the shade of towering redwoods or in between grapevines — is part of the beauty of this property.
I stayed in a Vineyard View Collection King room. As the name of the room category implies, these rooms are all about the views of the neighboring Whitehall Lane Leonardini Family Vineyards. They’re stellar, whether you’re sitting on the patio or lounging in bed. Upping the appeal even more, there’s a bottle of wine produced from the vineyards waiting in the room when you arrive.
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In comparison to other Napa Valley accommodations, the rooms aren’t just spacious, they’re huge. Even with a king bed, sitting area with two chairs, and a massive brick fireplace, (burlap bags of wood are provided) there was still ample space to spread out. However, the room was showing signs of wear; a neutral color palette combined with aging décor and paint, gave the space a bit of an outdated feel.
The bathroom featured a vanity with two sinks, shower and separate bath tub. Lather toiletries were provided in large, refillable bottles.
On Saturday mornings, April through November, outdoor meditation and yoga classes are offered on a stretch of lawn overlooking the vineyards. Classes are complimentary for guests; private sessions can be booked for an additional fee.
Harvest Inn offers two outdoor, heated pools; the main pool area includes a hot tub and is located near registration. An adults-only pool and hot tub are located on the far southern edge of the property near the fitness center.
The pools are rarely crowded, as most visitors spend a majority of their days out and about in Napa Valley wine tasting. The hotel is within easy driving distance of hundreds of wineries. Downtown St. Helena — lined with restaurants, shops and art galleries — is just a tad more than a mile from the property.
Harvest Inn runs a house car that will shuttle guests within a three mile radius of the hotel, on a first come, first serve basis. The hours can vary, but the shuttle typically operates 1:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. daily.
If your schedule allows, set aside an evening to have dinner at the property’s restaurant, Harvest Table. Along with fellow hotel guests, you’re likely to see locals in the mix. The dinner menu is influenced by the season, but standout dishes to look for include Braised Meatballs with smoked, spicy tomato sauce, Crispy Soju Braised Pork Belly, and a Branzino Pan Roast served with Manila clams, crème fraiche, herb butter, and sweet chili sauce.
On the rare wet night, the dining room is warmed by a massive wood burning fireplace, but on most evenings wine country’s Mediterranean climate lends itself to alfresco dining.
Breakfast favorites include Chia Seed Pudding with matcha, coconut shreds, banana, mango puree, and grilled pan levain topped with offerings ranging from guacamole, to mixed berries and whipped ricotta. On Saturdays and Sundays, an expanded brunch menu adds in dishes the likes of Roasted Chicken & Waffles, and Eggs Benedict with smoked pork loin atop an English muffin from nearby Model Bakery. (The bakery’s English muffins have been named to Oprah’s “Favorite Things” list numerous times.)
Rates for a Vineyard View Collection King room start at $599. Wi-Fi and self-parking are complimentary; guests also have free access to onsite electric vehicle charging stations. There is no daily resort fee. You can make your reservations directly with the hotel, or compare prices at Booking.com and reserve there if you find a better rate.
Dog-friendly offerings are available in every room type. There is a $150 non-refundable pet fee. Pets are not permitted within the Harvest Table indoor dining room, but are permitted on the restaurant’s patio.
Review and photos (except where noted) by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Harvest Inn, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
