I Spent the Night at Napa’s Most Scenic Hotel—Here’s What It’s Actually Like
I’ve been to Napa wine country more times than I can count, but on a recent stay at Poetry Inn, I felt like I was seeing a different side of the valley. Not only are the views from the hotel—which is perched on a high hill overlooking vineyards—stunning, but the experience itself was luxe, intimate, and quiet. Plus, our stay allowed us to easily book a tasting at Sullivan Rutherford Estate (which shares the same owner as Poetry Inn), a high-quality winery that only allows a few private tastings per day. But what was it like? And is Poetry Inn the right hotel for your next Napa getaway? Keep scrolling for the full, in-depth review.
OVERVIEW
A small, luxurious, suite-only inn with stunning views of Napa Valley—best enjoyed from your private patio or outdoor shower. Don’t sleep on the very tasty, homemade breakfast or outdoor pool either.
LOCATION
6380 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558
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HIGHLIGHTS
Beautiful views of Napa Valley
Small, suite-only property
Private outdoor spaces in every room
Excellent breakfast
Stand-out service + hospitality
Location of Poetry Inn
Poetry Inn is perched on a (very) steep hill overlooking the Silverado Trail and the Napa River, just outside of Yountville. Although it’s right off one of Napa’s main thoroughfares, its hillside location makes it feel secluded and out of the way.
At the same time, it’s right in the heart of Napa Valley wine country, making it easy to explore nearby wineries and small towns. Yountville—with culinary icons like Model Bakery, Bouchon and The French Laundry—is the closest town and only seven minutes from the hotel, but we drove 15 minutes to St. Helena for a late-for-Napa, post-sunset dinner at Charlie’s. Trust me: you don’t want to miss sunset at Poetry Inn. The location is ideal for exploring, but its west-facing perch means this property is really all about the views—especially in the evenings.
What are the suites like?
Poetry Inn changed ownership in 2018, and each of the five unique, poet-themed suites received an interior design refresh completed in 2021 by Erin Martin Design, a St. Helena–based firm known for mixing textures, natural materials, and playful details. We stayed in the Emily Dickinson Suite, which had a light and airy atmosphere, complete with dramatic rattan chairs and a mural on one wall. That mural—like the artwork in the other suites—was hand-painted by artist Michael Duté, who added whimsical nods to each room’s namesake poet. In my opinion, the design wasn’t exactly cutting-edge, it felt like it skewed a bit more classic. It might not be everyone’s vibe, but it’s warm, comfortable, and clearly intentional.
Design aside, the space was very well appointed. At a whopping 970 square feet, Emily is the smallest of the property’s rooms—which is saying something. These suites are spacious and each has a king-sized bed, a wet bar with a variety of wine glasses (tell me you’re in Napa without telling me you’re in Napa 😉), a coffee machine, a private outdoor patio with loungers, and a large bathroom with heated floors and a soaking tub. But my favorite part may have been the outdoor shower, which had views just as stunning as the rest of the property.
Rooms come with cozy bathrobes (somehow 5-foot-3 me ended up swimming in an XXL one, though??) and slippers. There’s also a coffee machine, mini fridge, and a generous supply of snacks in each room. Although very much appreciated, I would have loved to have seen some local products in the snack box—Napa has so many great options to choose from!
Overall, the rooms were comfortable, spacious, and designed to highlight those views—so much so I had a hard time pulling myself away for dinner.
Breakfast at Poetry Inn
I was so enamored with the outdoor shower, the patio, and the sunny pool that, going into our stay, I had breakfast completely in the back of my mind—despite this being (technically) a bed and breakfast. However, it turned out to be one of the highlights. The team started us off with fresh pastries from Bouchon Bakery (tbh, my least favorite dish on the table), followed by yogurt with fresh fruit and a couple of mains that rotate regularly from their in-house chef. We opted to share the shakshuka and a plate of seasonal pancakes. Both were delicious, but Jon and I still talk about those pancakes—the edges, so crispy. <3
We opted for breakfast in our room, though there is an indoor/outdoor dining area where guests can eat as well. If we’d stayed a second night, I would’ve 100% had our next breakfast out on the patio.
Property and on-site amenities
It wouldn’t be a proper summer stay in Napa without a pool, right? Fortunately, Poetry Inn delivers.
After grabbing a glass of wine in a pool-friendly glass from the front desk, we headed down for an afternoon dip. It was the perfect way to unwind before dinner. The pool area felt especially peaceful thanks to the property’s elevated location and surrounding landscape updates, which include drought-resistant plants and greenery that add to the serene vibe.
Although we didn’t have time to check out the spa, Poetry Inn also has a dedicated treatment room offering services ranging from massages to facials and more. It’s considered one of the most intimate wellness spaces in Napa Valley. Prior to our stay, their staff reached out to personally discuss our plans, inquire about any spa appointments we might want, and help coordinate a tasting at Sullivan Rutherford Estate.
Wine tasting at Sullivan Rutherford
One underrated perk of staying at Poetry Inn is their relationship with a lesser-known but high-quality winery called Sullivan Rutherford Estate. Since it’s under the same ownership as the Inn, staff can easily make reservations for guests—which, considering how few tastings this winery offers each day, is a real “in.”
We went over for our tasting after check-out. It started with a tour of the lovely gardens and pond area, but I was most drawn in by the architecture of the tasting room and home, which used to be the Sullivan family residence before the winery was purchased by the Compagno family in 2018.
Our tasting was very private and one-on-one. Sullivan Rutherford specializes in Bordeaux-style blends, with a strong emphasis on Merlot, a refreshing departure from the Cabernet-heavy norm in Napa. As with Poetry Inn, the experience was tranquil, exclusive-feeling, and filled with beautiful spaces—both indoor and out.
Overall and price
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With room rates ranging from $1,250 (low season weekday) to $2,150 (high season weekend) per night, this hotel is undoubtedly a splurge. It’s also hard not to compare it to other Napa hotels in this price range, such as neighboring Auberge du Soleil. Although both hotels are luxurious and offer excellent service, the main difference is size. With only five rooms, Poetry Inn is much smaller, which makes it feel far more private and secluded. The staff is also very attentive, assisting guests with everything from sundown cocktails to dinner reservations at nearby restaurants.
Plus, those pancakes—I’m not even a pancake person and I’m still daydreaming about them. 😍
