The Bel Abri Napa Valley Inn is different, in a good way. When the owners describe the business as a “French Country Inn style bed and
breakfast,” they aren’t talking about a stylistic veneer, they mean that as far as possible this is the kind of place you’d find in France. The shower fixtures are even European, a design detail that has caused its share of headaches because American visitors don’t always find the pull-ring intuitive—but having to ask how to work the shower is a small price to pay for fantastically comfortable beds, genuine, quiet elegance, and breakfast brought to your room every morning.
“Bel Abri” is French for “beautiful shelter,” a reputation the Inn makes every effort to live up to. Slate floors, handcrafted wood furniture, down comforters, and deep, comfy sofas are among the elegant details that greet you when you arrive. Your room will have a fire place and a deep, granite soaking tub. Two suites boast Jacuzzis.
When you plan your stay, remember that the inn is not continuously staffed, though someone is always on call. Check-in is during a fairly narrow window in the afternoon and early evening; if you want to arrive earlier or later, you must make prior arrangements two days in advance by 
calling ahead. The staff is friendly and helpful, however, and once you arrive and get settled in you can join the other guests in the lobby for an evening glass of wine, complete with cheese, crackers, fresh fruits and vegetables, and olives. If you plan ahead, for a small fee the staff can make sure that when you get to your room a bouquet of flowers, chilled Champaign and two glasses, or even two dozen milk chocolate dipped fresh strawberries will be waiting for you. Did we mention that the showers are designed for two occupants?
Rooms start at $109 per night, though steep discounts and specials may be available in the winter off-season. Any time of year, you can purchase packages that add wine tasting tours or sessions at a day spa to your stay. Or, the concierge service can make sure you are well informed about your choice of area amenities, including a wide variety of spas and wine tours and dozens of excellent restaurants, such as the famous French Laundry, or the Wine Spectator’s Greystone Restaurant. You can also always explore the region’s wineries on your own; there are hundreds to choose from.
Napa Valley is itself the best amenity of any hotel or inn in Napa Valley. Take advantage of the Napa Valley Wine Train, or jump on the chance to drift across the scenic valley in a hot air balloon.
Check out the hot springs of Calistoga, not far away, or take in a cooking demonstration at the Culinary Institute of America. More active fun is yours for the taking at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, or the Infineon Raceway. Get out and explore the region’s hiking trails, white water and flat water paddling opportunities, and the miles of quiet, scenic roads for cycling, or try your hand at golf at any of the region’s several golf courses.
For a bit of culture, check out the Napa Opera House, the Oxbow Public Market, the Carolyn Parr Nature Museum, the Lincoln Theater, and the Napa Symphony. For something a bit out of the ordinary, don’t miss the diRosa, where the kooky conceptual installations indoors vie for attention with brightly colored sculpture gardens set against a backdrop of rolling, green vineyards.
The Bel Abri Napa Valley Inn is not a resort, nor does it attempt to offer its guests all possible services; there is no restaurant, for example, and no pool. What it offers is a place to stay in between doing other things, or simply a place to stay and do nothing for a while. What the Bel Abri Inn does offer, however, it offers very, very well.