River Terrace Inn, A Noble House Hotel

The River Terrace Inn has a distinctly outdoorsy feel with a lodge atmosphere. At times it can seem cooler than the rest of the valley because of its proximity to the Napa River and the abundance of towering trees and shade that run alongside the inn. The river is slow and quiet, giving the inn the aura of an idyllic retreat. The floors of the lobby and elevator incorporate a nature motif with flat river-type rocks. An outdoor seating area overlooking the river is the central attraction, and is popular with guests who want to socialize and admire the scenery.

The River Terrace Inn sits along a main road, although it's a good distance away from the traffic. In the immediate proximity there's an event center that caters to business and special-event travelers, as well as a large parking lot. On the other side of the inn is the Napa River. The remainder of the area is filled with residential housing. Downtown Napa, the main commercial hub of the valley, is minutes away by car, making the River Terrace Inn convenient for business and leisure travelers -- the inn feels close enough to Napa without being smack in the downtown area. It also lies along the Wine Train route, a popular tourist attraction. A path along the riverfront leads to the Oxbow Public Market (one mile) in downtown Napa, and there are plans to extend the path as far as Calistoga. The inn is about 30 miles from San Francisco and 30 to 40 miles from the Oakland and San Francisco airports. There's nearby shopping, restaurants, and the Wine Country begins a mile north.

The 106 guest rooms at The River Terrace Inn are well-maintained, comfortable and larger than average. The decor has an earthy feel with distressed wood furnishings mixed with lighter and darker shades, colorful pillows on the bed and lots of white. Bathrooms are spacious, and the toilet is separate from the granite sink for privacy. Deluxe rooms include a small sofa and outdoor terrace with wooden furniture. A desk and well-lit writing area makes it easy to set up a laptop or read while seated on the leather chairs. Some rooms have balconies, and all come with coffeemakers, refrigerators, microwaves, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Riverview Deluxe Rooms come with a two-headed massaging shower and a whirlpool. Although located along a main thoroughfare, the inn is far enough away that the noise of traffic is not noticeably heard. Rooms facing the river are quieter than those facing the parking lot.

The inn's main attraction is the outdoor seating area that's connected to the restaurant facing the river. Guests can enjoy the sitting area at breakfast and later at dinner, but it's also available for use throughout the day. The fire pit is a nice touch on cooler nights. The nearby jogging trail is also a nice extra. An on-site restaurant, Terrace Cafe and Wine Bar, specializes in locally sourced comfort foods served in a classic Napa Valley setting. Guests can dine indoors (near the fireplace) or outdoors against panoramic views of nature by the fire pit. The well-lit outdoor seating area allows guests to dine until late into the evening, and there are cozy sofas on which to enjoy drinks under the stars. There are also fully-equipped meeting facilities, making the River Terrace Inn a good choice for corporate retreats and groups. Free on-site parking is another benefit.