#322 - Napa River Inn

​A Night in Napa

Most visit Napa to sample the wine.

Don and I visited for one night last winter. I was more excited about the hotel than the wine.

Rain!

It was dark and rainy, when we arrived last January. The wind was whipping us to pieces as we unloaded. The flags in my photo don't exactly show that... since I took the pics much later.

Don was ready to be done with the car, after hours of driving on winding, wet roads. 

Location

Napa River Inn, had an ideal location. Perfect, unless you want to be in a charming inn, overlooking vineyards. Which I would love, on another day!

But it was a good time of year to stay right in the heart of the old downtown Riverfront District. The property backed right up to the Napa River!

Historic Napa Mill

I love a hotel building with a good history. Numerous buildings make up Napa River Inn. The oldest (1884) was used by Captain Albert Hatt, who ran a shipping and merchant business.

The photo above shows 2 parts of the historic building, with 3 sets of green doors. I love the old brick!  Made from Napa River clay. 

Hatt Building 1884

​The doors on far left, opened to the lobby. The 140-year-old-Hatt Building, once held offices and mercantile retail, that arrived by riverboat. The second floor held a grand rollerskating rink, used for fun and social affairs until 1930. 

The doors on far right, opened to a stairway, which led to the upper level of of a structure built in  1886. This building provided more warehouse space for wine and spirits. Today, the upper floor holds some of the hotel's most luxurious rooms, that I can only dream of affording.

Sweetie Pies

The first floor space of the 1886 section, holds Sweetie Pies Bakery.

We had a wonderful breakfast there in the morning! Later,I learned something eerie about the space being these old doors...
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Napa Milling Company

Behind the Hatt Buildings, we found the "newer" part of the historic complex. In 1912, the Hatt/Mill was sold to Robert Keig, who removed some buildings and added others. The grain silos came a little later. 

The Keig Family operated the mill until it closed in 1973. Today there's a beautiful mosaic fountain at the base of one. I have no idea what's inside!
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Early Check In

Dark skies made it seem later than 2:30 pm, when we arrived. We kept fingers crossed that our room might be available early.

The cafe tables looked damp but still inviting.

Iron Shutters

I peeked into the lobby, through a pretty narrow window. 

Those heavy green shutters looked like they were designed for a fortress!

Welcome to Napa River Inn

Don and I approached the doors and wondered if Kona and Lucky had arrived. We saw the  greeting near the tiny dog house and water dispenser.

Before we reached the welcome mat, a very friendly young bellman named Rhett, opened the doors.

Lobby

Rhett took our bags, while we checked in. I looked around and admired the Victorian decor, with pink settee and chandelier. 

I doubt this useful space held fancy things, 140 years ago. Deluxe remodels always make it hard to determine what was original. Maybe those red columns? 
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​Warm and Formal

I was drawn to the warm fire first, then to the framed photos and articles displayed on the walls.

Besides old photos and prints of Napa and the mill, there were a few memorabilia items on display.

Feed Sacs

These burlap sacs were used in the 20th century, by Napa Milling Company. They likely held feed for farm animals.

These sacs reminded me of the flour sacs, that my family still owns. Ours came from my great great-grandfather's Meyer Milling Company, in Springfield, Missouri.

Family Businesses

Captain Hatt (in gold frame) sailed the seas for many years before settling in with his family in Napa. 

The photo of my dad's bearded great-grandfather, looks similar to the Captain with his mustache. Both were prosperous men, in the late 1800s. Both had sons involved in the mill business.
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Albert Hatt Jr.

​There was also a photo of Albert Hatt, Jr. on display in the lobby. After reading more history, I was sad as I studied his face in my photo. When was the photo was taken? After his mother died in 1906? 

He was a widower and father of 5, when he took over the mill for his father. I read that he tried hard to please his father and support his family. Eventually health issues and business troubles became too much. In 1912, he took his own life at the age of 46.  

Sad

Usually my Notable Night write ups are about the fun and funny things I notice or experience. 

I'm guessing most guests at Napa River Inn aren't focused on the history of the Hatt building or the sad stories of the Hatt family. I could have left this out. But I only have more appreciation for the preservation of this complex and the stories as well.

Historic Building

It was pouring (unlike photo) when Rhett gave us umbrellas and rolled  our luggage cart to The Plaza building.

I hated knowing we weren't staying in one of the historic buildings. This building is mostly (if not all) new. It was constructed where one of the original warehouses had been. I convinced myself I we were staying "in" an old warehouse, when I spotted old brick in the lower portion. 

We had a bonus with our new-ish hotel building. It was located towards the back, near the river... and there was a very delightful octopus resting nearby on the plaza!

Cozy Room 223

The elevator and hall felt a little like Holiday Inn Express. But our long and narrow room was a piece of heaven.

Before taxes our room was around $250. That's a cheap as you can get at Napa River Inn. We were happy to afford a stay at all.

Rhett Butler

Rhett was chatty and gracious as he put our bags on luggage stands and introduced us to our room. I asked about his name and he was indeed named for the character in Gone with the Wind.

Rhett showed us how to work the heat and TV. (not always obvious!) And we chatted more about names. He laughed about how his parents loved names. He had more than 3 and they didn't always fit on forms. And he had a sister who also had a movie character name. Yes... Scarlet. 

Balcony

Rhett was very excited to open our balcony door and show us the courtyard below. The dark rainy day meant we could see the illuminated arches over the walkway, "It's the most photographed scene in Napa." He explained. 

Looking left from our metal balcony, I could see 2 silos! A silo view! The shiny green roof belonged to Celadon, one of hotel's restaurants. Rhett described all the dining options, but said Celadon was his favorite.

Rhett From Napa

Rhett pointed out the Kuerig coffee maker and offered to get ice for our bucket. I commented on the 3 beautiful vineyard photographs. When we found out Rhett was raised in Napa, Don laughed and said, "You probably know a lot more about wine than us." 

Rhett smiled and claimed he didn't, but he would before long, since he was turning 21 soon. I'll bet Rhett makes his parents proud. What a nice guy. We saw him about 5 more times that day, when we were wandering about. 

Luxury

On a rainy afternoon I was tempted to fill the tub with some of their lovely bath products. The Chardonnay lotion was heavenly!

I could have curled up in a robe and read a book while the rain poured down on the metal roof. But, we had 2 sturdy hotel umbrellas and I was too excited to wander.

River Bend Performance Plaza

This soggy view from a window near the elevator, might be a gloomy disappointment to some.

But ignorance is bliss! I've never seen this patio area alive with wine- drinking diners and music and sunshine, so I hardly knew what I was missing.

Rainy Walkway

It was fun to walk around with a big umbrella and take in the scenery without crowds of tourists.

In this view of the walkway, you can see our balcony on the left.

Dinner?

Don and I checked out our dinner options while we wandered. Celadon's dining patio was just inside the massive iron doors.  

We studied the menu a little further down. "Global comfort food... Local's favorite..."

The Fink!

Rhett wasn't 21, but he knew about the newly opened cocktail parlor!

He'd heard good things about it, so we gave it a try.

It seems kind of silly to drink cocktails in Napa. But we did and we enjoyed out Distinct Cocktails!

Angele Restaurant

We wandered down near the river earlier and made dinner reservations in this sweet yellow building. The concrete building looked mid-century modern at a glance.

The 1-story building was actually constructed by Captain Hatt in 1893, with an accompanying wharf. 

Today, Instead of storing agricultural chemicals, the building stores ingredients for their French menu, until guests order wonderful foods like Mussels and Boeuf Bourguignon! Perfect!

Wandering Post Dinner

It didn't take long to get used to the idea that we needed coats and umbrellas to wander. The kid in me enjoys an umbrella, so it was fun.

We wandered after dinner and the plaza looked festive with the illuminated octopus. The courtyard walkway was glowing with wet reflections!

​Last View 

Before turning in, I had to have one last peek at the lit up courtyard.

The sound of rain lulled us to sleep!

Morning

There were hints of blue when we woke the next day. We showered and headed to Sweetie Pies.

We used both our 10-dollar vouchers, given to hotel guests. It was cozy and warm and sweet smelling inside the bakery.

I ordered the egg sandwich with fruit. Don loved his huge apple & almond pastry, beneath a photo of Brandi Carlile. 
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Hearts for A Hatt Jr.

I guess I'm glad I didn't know about Albert Hatt Jr. that morning, when we had our freshly baked breakfast. It was within this space, that the Captain's son was found after he'd hung himself from a beam. 

I guess that's rude of me to even share this in a blog. But when I see these photos drenched in Valentine hearts... I like to think they were for him.

Alan Shepp's Mosaic Fountain

After breakfast, Don and I explored without umbrellas. The mosaics near the silo, were amazing.

It's hard to see in my photo, but there was water, cascading over the edge of this colorful fountain. It's easier to spot the mosaic river, spilling onto the pavement. 

The mosaic scenes of the Napa area, were entertaining! Vineyards and river scenes. A beaver,  train and a farmer...

​Good-bye River

Don and I took a stroll down by the river. After a few days of rain the water was high and fast.

We headed back to our Plaza room and packed up. Off by 10:30

​The sun was peeking out by the time our car crossed the bridge. ​

I could look back and see the hotel and silos.

As we headed out of town, I grinned to see one more glimpse. The old mill was standing tall, over the nose of a Nappa Valley Wine Train.

It suddenly amused me that we spent the night in Napa, without a spotlight on wine. Sinful! We'll return.

​What's Notable?

I've talked endlessly about the history of the buildings that make up Napa River Inn. I love that. Most guests don't come for that. I will always remember what I learned about the Hatt Family.

I'll always fondly remember our cozy stay, on a rainy January night. For some reason, the umbrellas and wet jackets added a fun sense of adventure. I'm all for exciting mega hotels (think cruise ship or Vegas) where all the shops and restaurants can be reached without stepping outside. But this collection of buildings and walkways felt like a hotel village. I enjoyed our little brick village, by the river!
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