Love & Romance in Napa at the Inn on First

Experience pure luxury in the Incantment room at the Inn on First in Napa, California. (Photo: www.selectregistry.com)

The Inn on First is designed for lovers with its secluded rooms tucked away in a quite tree lined street in the heart of Napa

by Heather Cassell

It’s all love, romance and a unique stay at the Inn on First (1938 First Street; 707-253-1331 or Toll Free: 866-253-1331; ; TheInnonFirst.com) in Napa, Calif.

Located in the heart of Napa on a quite tree lined street, the Inn is unassuming blending in with the other historic Edwardian mansions along the street owners Jamie Cherry and Jim Gunther offer guests a local taste of Napa that you can only find at this bed and breakfast.

Why do we say this? Well first of all you will never, no matter how many times you stay at the Inn on First, have the same meal, ever. That’s Chef Jim’s personal guarantee. Guests have taken him upon the challenge and he has delivered, he says. How does he do it? Jim has more than 130 breakfast recipes alone in his culinary arsenal artillery in the kitchen and he simply loves the challenge of keeping his guests’ palate constantly moving forward. Even food allergies or dietary restrictions don’t faze Chef Jim and his team.

Jamie follows up the culinary delights by offering guests libations with personal wine tours only available by booking a package at the Inn on First.

S'mores French Toast (Photo: Courtesy of the Inn on First)
S’mores French Toast (Photo: Courtesy of the Inn on First)

Clearly, the gentlemen are harvesting the bounty of what the Napa Valley has to offer guests, food, wine, and romance down to the heart-shaped tubs in the Incantment and Heritage Estate rooms.

Guests have been eating it up since 2007 when the inn reopened under the two men’s ownership. They’ve turned the 10-room bed and breakfast into a foodies’ destination, with about a 60% occupancy rate, they say, in the heart of California’s premiere food and wine destination: Napa.

It is also the perfect place to reconnect with your special someone as there is no TV’s in the guest rooms or make new friends. The dining room includes a communal table to encourage mingling among guests or couples looking for an intimate meal together can dine outdoors under the California sun shaded by umbrellas and trees in the garden. The inn encourages reading with offing books and magazines in the sitting room. Then of course there’s your hosts’ friendly hospitality always willing to offer suggestions for things to do in Napa and interesting conversation.

An added bonus for the eco-conscious traveling couple is that the inn is certified green. Pet lovers are welcome with their four legged friends too, in a limited capacity.

Modern History

The mansion built in 1905 was converted into a bed and breakfast in 2002 by the owners of the Beazley House Bed And Breakfast Inn, right down the street from the inn, for their daughter. However, the daughter wasn’t interested in following in her parent’s footsteps so they sold it five years later Jamie and Jim who turned it into modern classic bed and breakfast in 2007.

Jim Gunther, left, and Jamie Cherry, right, innkeepers of the Inn On First in Napa, California (Photo: Super G)
Jim Gunther, left, and Jamie Cherry, right, innkeepers of the Inn On First in Napa, California (Photo: Super G)

The inn has all of the charm of its Victorian roots, but updated to our modern era, sans TVs, and will have more amenities after their recent renovation is completed. The two men underwent a renovation for the second time since they purchased the property after it was slightly damaged during last fall’s earthquake.

Jamie and Jim view the earthquake as an opportunity to improve their guests’ experiences as well as preserving the integrity of the property following the quake.

The two men also know a thing or two about the need to reconnect with your partner. Both men, who have been together for more than 20 years and were married in 2008, regularly escaped their high powered careers in the tech industry to Napa. That was until it became permanent due to industry changes which signaled it was time for their own personal change, they say. That’s when the opportunity to purchase the Inn on First opened up. Before they knew it they decamped from San Francisco and opened their doors to their first guests offering them highly personalized experiences for anniversaries, day trips, honeymoons, weddings, and more.

The Inn on First is the place to escape to spend time with yourself, your friends, or especially your partner. Aside from the charms within its walls, the inn enjoys close proximity to downtown Napa. Guests can enjoy a leisurely stroll to a bevy of great restaurants, shops, and entertainment or they can opt to head out to Napa’s famous wineries.

THE FLUFF

The Inn on First, 1938 First Street, Napa, CA 94559. 707-253-1331 or Toll Free: 866-253-1331. . TheInnonFirst.com.

RATING: 4 = black

(5 best – 0 worst: color code: 5 = midnight blue; 4 = black; 3 = Aqua; 2 = orange; 1 = gold; and 0 = green)

TYPE OF LODGING: Bed & Breakfast, LGBT-owned

CHECK OUT: $$$ = $175 – $350

(Lowest price for a single night in a standard room during high-season)

SWEET DREAMS: The hosts are amazing and charming providing highly personalized and upscale luxury services in a cozy atmosphere that fosters romantic encounters with your partner.

WORTH THE SLEEP?: zzz = Like being at home

VIBE: You will feel right at home at the Inn on First. The hosts have created a warm and welcoming atmosphere in this charming bed and breakfast.

The Inn on First in Napa, California (Photo: Courtesy of the Inn on First)
The Inn on First in Napa, California (Photo: Courtesy of the Inn on First)

SCENE: Come as you are. There is no putting on airs here, just good food, wine, opportunities to get to know you partner and make new friends.

LOCATION: Perfect distance from downtown Napa where there are a plethora of restaurants, boutiques, wine tasting rooms, and the Oxbow Market and the Napa valley Wine Train.

ROOM: Nestled on a tree line street the spacious rooms are secluded and quite.

BATHROOM: Like the rooms, except for a couple in the main house, they are spacious with large tubs to soak in, lots of natural light, and places to put your personal belongings.

AMENITIES: Each room comes with a separate window air conditioner, coffee pot, iron, blow dryer, bath amenities, and a picnic basket for guests to use during the day. A full breakfast is served daily. Guests booking packages have the option to include a wine tour exclusive to the inn.

To book your stay at The Inn on First, contact Heather Cassell at Girls That Roam Travel at Travel Advisors of Los Gatos at 408-354-6531at or .

To contract an original article, purchase reprints or become a media partner, contact .

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