Unwinding in Wine Country: A Weekend at The Francis House
Last updated on October 15th, 2024 at 11:41 pm
Did you know there’s a hidden French château in the heart of California wine country? Well me neither. Even being a California native for 33+ years, I had no idea The Francis House existed until recently but I’m SO GLAD that I know about it now. It is seriously such a hidden gem! Originally built in 1886, The Francis House is a beautiful 5-star luxury French château tucked away on the outskirts of Calistoga in California’s Napa Valley.
Last month, I was fortunate enough to spend two nights here just as harvest was in full swing. The property itself is absolutely stunning – with everything you could possibly need from a full-sized tennis court to a heated swimming pool to an infrared sauna and more! Once you arrive, it’s easy to see why The Francis House was recently named the number one luxury bed and breakfast in Napa Valley by Forbes!
Curious about planning your own Napa Valley getaway? Keep reading to learn more about my stay at The Francis House and why it’s the perfect hotel for your next escape.
This site contains affiliate links and was written in partnership with The Francis House. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links however, this has no impact on the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Getting to The Francis House
The Francis House is located on Myrtle Street, right on the outskirts of Calistoga. Most visitors will fly into San Francisco International Airport, rent a car, and make the ~90 minute drive up north. There is also a smaller airport nearby in Sonoma County which is about ~19 miles away from The Francis House. As you might know, we live in San Francisco so it’s pretty easy to make a quick escape to wine country on the weekends.
Being in Calistoga, The Francis House is also conveniently located to a ton of surrounding wineries. On our first day, we popped over to Twomey for a tasting, which was only a 3-minute drive down the road. From there, we went next door to Sterling Vineyards before ending up at Duckhorn (I’m a member and I swear it’s one of the best wine memberships in the valley because it gets you access to all of their sister wineries as well). The location of The Francis House also offers super easy access to the world-renowned wineries of St. Helena and Yountville.
History of The Francis House
In my opinion, the history of The Francis House is really what makes it such a special place. It was originally built in 1886 by a local merchant named James Francis and at the time, it was the only authentic stone house with French architecture in Napa County.
At one point, the house even served as a hospital for the town of Calistoga before eventually closing down in 1964. For more than 50 years, the house then fell into a state of despair – at risk of being lost altogether until Richard and Dina came along!
Richard Dwyer, a real estate developer and his wife Dina Dwyer, an interior designer ended up purchasing the home in 2014 and spent 4+ years carefully renovating and restoring it to its former glory before opening its doors for business in 2018.
Accommodation at The Francis House
As you might expect, all of the rooms exude an old-world Parisian charm with modern amenities. Each room is a testament to impeccable design, with no detail overlooked. From the brass luggage racks to the custom leather headboards, every element is thoughtfully curated to create a luxurious ambiance.
But the elegance doesn’t stop there. The rooms are also equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Imagine relaxing in a room complete with plush furnishings and indulging in the luxury of Toto heated toilets, Dyson hairdryers, Aesop amenities, and these beautifully designed Matouk bath robes.
It is literally every person’s dream to be this pampered.
There are 7 total rooms and several room types to choose from at The Francis House. In the main house are the Deluxe Queen rooms, which feature traditional French sloping mansard roofs and angled walls. These rooms are located on the third floor, alongside the Deluxe King rooms. The Premier King rooms are bigger, with 12-foot ceilings and incredible features including the original interior stone walls and Baccarat chandeliers.
Finally, in a new building located across from the house is the Pool House Suite. It is much more modern than the original house, and features a private outdoor shower, private fireplace and open access out to the pool.
Amenities at The Francis House
The Francis House offers a variety of amenities to cater to every guest’s preferences. The beautiful outdoor pool (ps. it’s even heated) provides a refreshing escape during the warm California summers. And for those seeking a little bit of movement before the day begins, there’s also the onsite tennis court with rackets and balls provided!
To truly unwind, guests can also indulge in the benefits of the infrared sauna or book a relaxing massage treatment – something I highly recommend!
During colder days or as the evening sun starts to set, the communal fire-pit in the garden is where you’ll likely find me with a glass of wine telling Richard and Dina about our wonderful day.
Breakfast at The Francis House
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and Dina and Richard have taken this to heart. They cook breakfast for the guests each and every morning, using fresh local ingredients. I enjoyed a delicious gruyere egg bite on top of rice with fresh, local vegetables.
The herbs used are all grown in the garden of The Francis House itself. It was the perfect fuel before a big day of wine tasting!
Final Thoughts: The Francis House
I’ve been fortunate enough to stay at some beautiful properties around the world but I think our stay at The Francis House was truly one of the most memorable. The hospitality was unmatched and the location was fantastic, just close enough to Calistoga to be able to head out for dinner or tasting but secluded enough to feel like we were truly on vacation. The home-cooked breakfast was a lovely touch and there was plenty to keep us busy, with tennis, the pool, and cozy evening fires.
I’ll definitely be heading back to The Francis House soon and I recommend you do the same for your next visit to wine country!
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Check out my other travel guides on California here.
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Last updated on October 15th, 2024 at 11:41 pm
Did you know there’s a hidden French château in the heart of California wine country? Well me neither. Even being a California native for 33+ years, I had no idea The Francis House existed until recently but I’m SO GLAD that I know about it now. It is seriously such a hidden gem! Originally built in 1886, The Francis House is a beautiful 5-star luxury French château tucked away on the outskirts of Calistoga in California’s Napa Valley.
Last month, I was fortunate enough to spend two nights here just as harvest was in full swing. The property itself is absolutely stunning – with everything you could possibly need from a full-sized tennis court to a heated swimming pool to an infrared sauna and more! Once you arrive, it’s easy to see why The Francis House was recently named the number one luxury bed and breakfast in Napa Valley by Forbes!
Curious about planning your own Napa Valley getaway? Keep reading to learn more about my stay at The Francis House and why it’s the perfect hotel for your next escape.
This site contains affiliate links and was written in partnership with The Francis House. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links however, this has no impact on the integrity of my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Getting to The Francis House
The Francis House is located on Myrtle Street, right on the outskirts of Calistoga. Most visitors will fly into San Francisco International Airport, rent a car, and make the ~90 minute drive up north. There is also a smaller airport nearby in Sonoma County which is about ~19 miles away from The Francis House. As you might know, we live in San Francisco so it’s pretty easy to make a quick escape to wine country on the weekends.
Being in Calistoga, The Francis House is also conveniently located to a ton of surrounding wineries. On our first day, we popped over to Twomey for a tasting, which was only a 3-minute drive down the road. From there, we went next door to Sterling Vineyards before ending up at Duckhorn (I’m a member and I swear it’s one of the best wine memberships in the valley because it gets you access to all of their sister wineries as well). The location of The Francis House also offers super easy access to the world-renowned wineries of St. Helena and Yountville.
History of The Francis House
In my opinion, the history of The Francis House is really what makes it such a special place. It was originally built in 1886 by a local merchant named James Francis and at the time, it was the only authentic stone house with French architecture in Napa County.
At one point, the house even served as a hospital for the town of Calistoga before eventually closing down in 1964. For more than 50 years, the house then fell into a state of despair – at risk of being lost altogether until Richard and Dina came along!
Richard Dwyer, a real estate developer and his wife Dina Dwyer, an interior designer ended up purchasing the home in 2014 and spent 4+ years carefully renovating and restoring it to its former glory before opening its doors for business in 2018.
Accommodation at The Francis House
As you might expect, all of the rooms exude an old-world Parisian charm with modern amenities. Each room is a testament to impeccable design, with no detail overlooked. From the brass luggage racks to the custom leather headboards, every element is thoughtfully curated to create a luxurious ambiance.
But the elegance doesn’t stop there. The rooms are also equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Imagine relaxing in a room complete with plush furnishings and indulging in the luxury of Toto heated toilets, Dyson hairdryers, Aesop amenities, and these beautifully designed Matouk bath robes.
It is literally every person’s dream to be this pampered.
There are 7 total rooms and several room types to choose from at The Francis House. In the main house are the Deluxe Queen rooms, which feature traditional French sloping mansard roofs and angled walls. These rooms are located on the third floor, alongside the Deluxe King rooms. The Premier King rooms are bigger, with 12-foot ceilings and incredible features including the original interior stone walls and Baccarat chandeliers.
Finally, in a new building located across from the house is the Pool House Suite. It is much more modern than the original house, and features a private outdoor shower, private fireplace and open access out to the pool.
Amenities at The Francis House
The Francis House offers a variety of amenities to cater to every guest’s preferences. The beautiful outdoor pool (ps. it’s even heated) provides a refreshing escape during the warm California summers. And for those seeking a little bit of movement before the day begins, there’s also the onsite tennis court with rackets and balls provided!
To truly unwind, guests can also indulge in the benefits of the infrared sauna or book a relaxing massage treatment – something I highly recommend!
During colder days or as the evening sun starts to set, the communal fire-pit in the garden is where you’ll likely find me with a glass of wine telling Richard and Dina about our wonderful day.
Breakfast at The Francis House
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and Dina and Richard have taken this to heart. They cook breakfast for the guests each and every morning, using fresh local ingredients. I enjoyed a delicious gruyere egg bite on top of rice with fresh, local vegetables.
The herbs used are all grown in the garden of The Francis House itself. It was the perfect fuel before a big day of wine tasting!
Final Thoughts: The Francis House
I’ve been fortunate enough to stay at some beautiful properties around the world but I think our stay at The Francis House was truly one of the most memorable. The hospitality was unmatched and the location was fantastic, just close enough to Calistoga to be able to head out for dinner or tasting but secluded enough to feel like we were truly on vacation. The home-cooked breakfast was a lovely touch and there was plenty to keep us busy, with tennis, the pool, and cozy evening fires.
I’ll definitely be heading back to The Francis House soon and I recommend you do the same for your next visit to wine country!
VISITING OTHER PARTS OF CALIFORNIA?
Check out my other travel guides on California here.
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