By Alison Bailin Batz
“A dream is a wish your heart makes…
When you’re fast asleep.”
Or is it?
Poetry Inn, a five-star boutique hotel nestled high atop a hillside overlooking what feels like the entirety of Napa below, feels like the most beautiful, romantic of dreams come to life
The brainchild of award-winning winemaker Cliff Lede and designed by iconic architect Howard Backen — known worldwide for his work on the likes of Cliff Lede Estate, Ram’s Gate Winery, Larkmead, Dana Estates, Knights Bridge Winery, The Napa Valley Reserve and Paul Hobbs Winery — the Poetry Inn is utterly grand, yet sensationally secluded and intimate.
Almost hidden on a hillside, the dazzling property — named in homage to Cliff Lede’s prized Poetry Vineyard surrounding the hotel and recently refreshed throughout the interior by lauded St. Helena-based Erin Martin Design — is only accessible via a serpentine trail up a tranquil and green mountainside just outside of the Yountville area of Napa in Northern California. The hill seemingly ends at an immense gate, but when buzzed in, a world of wonder slowly appears in the distance.
Visually, the property — which has a private hiking trail that leads guests from the inn to the top of the ridgeline — looks like a grand, multistory estate one might see in a film, but it is all too real.
Upon entering Poetry Inn, guests are greeted with a welcome glass of wine at a sleek, modern bar, which doubles as the check-in area. Just beyond the bar is a great room with floor-to-ceiling windows with views one could only otherwise enjoy if in a hot air balloon. The great room features a stunning collection of artwork, oversized furniture and curated accents like antique typewriters, but also a bevy of artisanal snacks to enjoy before heading to one’s room.
Strike that.
There are no rooms at this hotel.
The Poetry Inn only features suites, and there are just five across the entire property. Each, as noted prior, is named to honor a great poet — Robert Frost, E.E. Cummings, Robert Louis Stevenson, Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman — and there are thoughtful, tasteful accents that evoke the sensibility of each suite’s poet without feeling gimmicky. They all boast an ample balcony with plush seating (some with swinging daybeds), allowing all those who enter the chance to become one with that same insane view from the great room. Each of the suites also has a romantic wood-burning fire with a Firestarter log and bonus kindling, light fitness equipment, a spa-style bathroom covered in striking limestone and marble, and indoor-outdoor showers with rain shower heads.
And then there is the service.
Every member of the staff feels like a friend, one with intimate knowledge of the entire region and always seconds away from bringing a new surprise to the suite.
In the morning, for example, a personal breakfast steward delivers coffee drinks, juices and a three-course gourmet breakfast that rivals those at any fancy eatery in town. By way of example, a typical breakfast may feature chocolate-stuffed croissants from the nearby Bouchon Bakery followed by duck confit eggs Benedict and homemade potatoes and, finally, fresh fruit with granola.
There is also access to an honor bar and ample wines from Cliff Lede as well as its sister label, Fel; smart televisions enabled with streaming services; Wi-Fi propertywide; and rich Italian towels and bathrobes, among other little luxuries.
Those who enjoy spa services get five-star treatment as well. All those who book a treatment need only put on the in-suite bathrobe and relax. At the time of the service, the therapist will knock on the suite and offer a warm neck pillow, guiding one to the treatment area.
The property also doubles as an art gallery, with curated pieces throughout the hotel available for purchase, and, of course, there is a lovely outdoor pool.
Beyond all of this, there are a host of activities that the staff can arrange for guests, starting with curated experience at Cliff Lede itself including the chance to walk the estate vineyard followed by a private tasting of exclusive library selections of wine. With Yountville a stone’s throw away, the concierge team can also create a custom tasting itinerary that includes a potato chip wine pairing at Silver Trident Winery, a bacon wine pairing experience at Priest Ranch, a bread and butter (and truffle potato chip) tasting at Handwritten Wines, a chocolate wine pairing tasting at Jessup Cellars, a gourmet dining experience at RH Yountville and even a tour and tasting through Hestan’s award-winning portfolio. If looking to impress that someone special, reservations may be made for Thomas Keller’s dimly lit and dreamy Regiis Ova Caviar & Champagne Lounge as well.
Beyond wine tasting and culinary adventures, the hotel is in the heart of the hot air balloon hotspot of Napa. Napa Valley Aloft, as well as some others in the area, have sunrise, sunset and custom rides daily. Flights are about four hours, each with 360-degree views and many with an optional Champagne enhancement. As the weather warms, nearby activities like paddleboarding down the Napa Valley River; golfing at one of the area’s five public golf courses; and even boating, fishing, waterskiing or kayaking Lake Berryessa are easily arranged as well.
Poetry Inn
www.poetryinn.com
Leave a Reply