1801 First

Overall Impression This lovely bed & breakfast in a renovated historic home near downtown Napa offered many of the advantages of a B & B home and those of a larger property with luxury amenities. We enjoyed activity filled days, gourmet bites, early morning pampering (massage and in-room breakfast), excellent recommendations and assistance with sightseeing opportunities and fine dining. We were fortunate to find marvelous sunny and cool weather during our spring stay. At that time, the temperature at 1801 was comfortable without air conditioning and required mild heat (we only turned the fire place on briefly) in the evenings.

 

A warming gas fireplace in our room, an inviting semi-private courtyard with a water feature, a Jacuzzi bath tub adjacent to the fireplace, refinished interiors with stylish accents, gourmet snacks, home baked cookies, made-to-order breakfast, wireless connectivity, on-site parking, access to fitness center, in-room spa treatments, 24-hour self service goodies counter, and English toiletries were some of the many pluses we found during our stay. Our favorite feature was the personalized and friendly service and upbeat attitude from all the staff we encountered.

 

This well situated bed & breakfast with an intimate feel broke the mold! Owner Darcy and her staff offered guests much more than a place to sleep and an early morning nibble. They provided high standard amenities including service and gourmet oriented features in a convivial ambiance where guests could chose quiet seclusion or friendly exchanges during the day’s social moments.

Class Of Accommodation Luxury bed & breakfast

Connectivity Complimentary wireless connectivity was available throughout the property

Handicapped Access Limited in the main house due to stairs. The Carriage House was handicapped accessible including grab bars in the shower.

Length Of Stay two nights

Location within walking distance of downtown Napa including restaurants, shopping, places of historic interest and Copia

Owned And Managed Tunt Enterprises, Inc; managing partners are Tom and Darcy Tunt

Pets Allowed no

Size Five suites in the main house, 2 cottages and 1 Carriage House

Year Opened-Renovated Home was built in 1903 and most recently renovated in 2003

Lobby And Common Areas this Queen Anne Victorian property, built in 1903 by architect William Corlett was more than a quarter acre big and eligible for status with The Register of National Landmarks. Décor features included classic architecture with stylish décor and contemporary amenities, Queen Anne detailing, multi-gabled roof and rounded bay windows. After attentive renovation, the house has been transformed into an intimate urban retreat and additional renovations were planned.

Bathroom a large Jacuzzi bathtub was adjacent to the see through fireplace and open on both sides; there was a walk-in shower with a gold curtain, two side by side sinks, and a W.C. in the corner facing the shower.

Room The Carriage House, our 500 square-foot stand alone room with a high ceiling was more like a suite. We liked the see through fireplace which was open ended on two sides, the bed area and the bathroom area. A small remote controlled Gateway television and DVD player were above the fireplace. Khaki carpeting, burgundy and gold colors gave the room a soothing yet elegant feel. Adjacent to the king bed there were wooden glass covered round night tables with a lamp on each and a phone on one. Egyptian cotton Matelasse’ coverlets, sateen linens and down comforters folded to a peak at the end of the bed linen catalogue style.

There was a dresser with a CD player/ alarm clock and a lamp, two comfortable leatherette chairs and a foot stool. Next to the table there was a double door leading to a green and lush shared courtyard with lounge chairs and tables. Toward the back on the room, there was a small table with a chair on either side of it.

An honor basket was set on a table next to a coffee maker. Inside there was a small refrigerator with complimentary bottled water. A beautiful white orchid sat next to the window. There was plenty of sunshine in the room and a skylight next to the honor basket/coffee table invited sun light from above.

Food And Restaurants breakfast was included in the price of the room. Choices were from a selection of two made-to-order meals, including a “spa” option and a small gourmet buffet breakfast, which was prepared daily by 1801 resident chef Andrea Koweek. On our arrival, we found a small welcome note and three delicious (and highly appreciated) home made morsels: crème de menthe infused bittersweet chocolate, Frangelico with hazelnuts and cassis infused bittersweet chocolate. That afternoon, we were thrilled to find yummy home prepared snacks paired with wines from Esser Cellars during 1801’s complimentary happy hour. These included chilled endive with smoked Alaskan salmon paté, crimini mushrooms with house made pesto, wonton crisps topped with Sonoma smoked duck breast and sun dried tomato tapenade, and assorted nuts and olives. Our second day we tasted: wines from the Roundhill Winery and crostini with goat cheese brandied figs and honey, polenta bites topped with mushroom tapenade, cucumber cups with Harissa chicken salad and assorted nuts and olives.

Our first day at breakfast, we had delicious wild mushroom and apple wood smoked bacon quiche as well as a basket of house-made breads, cheese, fresh fruit and cereal from the buffet. The next day, we had a sampler which included the Spa Selection of rolled soufflé with spring asparagus and goat cheese served with roasted red pepper sauce, jewel yam and Yukon gold potato hash with pancetta and poached eggs, fresh squeezed juice and some hard to resist house-made breads.

Amenities microfiber bathrobes, bottled water, in-room refrigerator, CD, DVD player, CD library, selection of DVD’s in-room, honor basket, Gilchrist and Soames English toiletries including nourishing glycerin soap, relaxing sea fennel body lotion, detoxifying sea kelp shampoo, moisturizing sea moss conditioner, exfoliating sea salt, sensual sea salt bath crystals, and a shower cap.

In the main house, there was a 24-hour self service coffee, water, fresh fruit, refrigerated sodas and snack selection including home made chocolate chip cookies. In the main house sitting room there were three kinds of complimentary sherry. Rates included breakfast, evening wine and hors d’ oeuvres. Staff provided concierge services and i n-room spa services were available.

Facilities Main house including a dining area and sitting room, an open courtyard adjacent to the cottages and Carriage House and on and off-street parking

Pool no

Fitness Center And Spa although there was no fitness center on the property, visitors were invited to exercise at a nearby fitness center (four blocks away). Convenient in-room and off site spa services were arranged by 1801 staff. We indulged in an early morning ( 8 a.m. ) massage with Barbara, an Esslin trained masseuse. The masseuse’s nimble touch stretched and kneaded our body from tip to toe on a portable and comfortable massage table she set up in the middle or our roomy Carriage House room.

Following the massage, Kelly, brought a lovely breakfast feast on a tray which we enjoyed in the sunlit courtyard to the sound of the water fountain in the background. Newspaper and warm tea in hand we relaxed and wallowed in our post massage mood in preparation for the next segment of our wine country adventure.

Other Owner Darcy and her staff volunteered information, offered excellent recommendations, made (and rearranged) reservations and were overall a delight to be around. Following Darcy’s recommendations we visited and partook in a wine tasting at the Pine Ridge estate on the Silverado Trail. We also enjoyed two excellent meals: one at Town Hall in downtown Napa and the second at Julia’s Kitchen at Copia. With a smile at the ready and a can-do attitude Darcy set the tone which seemed to pervade at 1801. Every recommendation and suggestion the 1801 staff made was helpful, accurate and resulted in a worthwhile experience.

Check-In-Check-Out Process Ease excellent. In spite of an early arrival our room was ready. Other guests who also arrived early and whose rooms were not ready were invited to wait in the 1801 sitting room and offered complimentary snacks, fruit coffee and cookies.

Cleanliness Very good

Date Of Review April 2005

Reviewers Article and photos by Elena del Valle

Would You Stay There Again? Yes