Milliken Creek Inn

"Milliken Creek Inn & Spa, California has been awarded two keys." - Stacey Lastoe

"Tucked just off the Silverado Trail (blink and you'll miss it), this secluded hideaway is Napa's best hidden gem. Located a six-minute drive from downtown Napa and Oxbow Public Market, the 11-room secret garden–like oasis features walking paths, cascading fountains, and romantic seating areas for two perched along the Napa River. Revamped in 2021 by Indigo Coast Interior Design in Los Angeles, you might feel as though you've been transported to Europe, or your most stylish friend's estate with rooms outfitted with king beds; gas fireplaces; large soaking tubs; and select rooms with private balconies and firepits. Meet new friends and swap stories in the lobby every evening for complimentary wine and cheese (plus accompaniments like grapes, toasted crisps, and crackers), and freshly baked cookies." - Jennie Nunn

"Why book? It's Napa's best kept secret. Blink and you'll miss the almost hidden turn-off with no signage for this shingle-style riverfront hideaway just off the main thoroughfare, Silverado Trail. The best part is, you'll feel right at home with the hotel's tight-knit group of longtime, devoted staff. Set the scene European-inspired luxury at its finest, and a modern take on the B&B where everything is taken care of for you, but you don't feel as though you have to tiptoe around or whisper at night. Completely remodeled by San Clemente–based design studio Indigo Coast Interior Design in 2021 (the firm behind the hotel group's other properties including Green Gables Inn and Kenwood Inn and Spa), the library-like, lobby living room parlor is one place you won't want to leave. Layered with brown leather lounge chairs; modern upholstered sofas; a large-scale custom wooden map of the Valley's 16 AVAs (or American Viticulture Areas); and a fireplace framed with a black marble surround, the space is ideal for mingling with other guests, savoring a morning cup of coffee, or reading a book. Fellow guests include fresh-off-the-wedding honeymooners, Prana pant–wearing hiking types, international solo business travelers, and mother-daughter duos. The backstory In the 1850s, Silverado Trail, as it stands now, used to be Old Mountain Road. The inn's Main House—now consisting of the reception area, lobby living room, office, an original staircase, and three guest rooms—was once a stagecoach stop along this route for tired and dusty forty-niners needing respite from arduous days of travel during the Gold and Silver Rush days. Later, the inn was inhabited by horticulturist Ira McKenzie as a private residence. He planted an array of trees that still exist on the property such as Japanese maple, magnolia, live oak, and valley oak. In the 1980s, the inn was expanded and took on various lives as The Black Surrey Inn and later The Country Garden Inn before being purchased by the Four Sisters Inns in 2013. (The group owns 17 boutique hotels and inns throughout California.) Food and drink While there's no dedicated restaurant or cafe per se, there is plenty here to keep you full all day, from daily complimentary breakfast for two to evening cookies (think salted chocolate chip, white chocolate chunk macadamia nut, and snickerdoodle). Trust us, you won't want to miss breakfast: Cooked made-to-order by husband-and-wife team Yanet Nunez-Rosel and Juan Nunez (she helps make the morning deliveries, and he's the cook), the broad, customizable breakfast-in-bed menu (available on the in-room iPad) features veggie frittatas paired with a choice of two sides and an English muffin or pastry warmed to perfection, or Belgian waffles served with berry compote and maple syrup. Wash it all down with a selection of tea, coffee, and OJ. (Mimosas for two are available for $25.) Every evening at 5 p.m. sharp, the Inn prepares a full happy hour spread in the lobby replete with a large selection of cheeses, artisan crackers, grapes, and fresh berries, plus red and white wine from a local vintner. Even if you can't stay to swap daily highlights and stories with other guests, be sure to grab a plate to take back to the room. A selection of beer, wine, pizzas, charcuterie boards, and small bites can also be ordered from the in-room iPad. The rooms All 11 rooms—layered in calming gray and sand-hued tones with roman shades and drapes—have different layouts based on the location, and all feature freestanding bathtubs, gas fireplaces, mini-fridges, and a king bed. There are no rollaways or pull-out sofas (hence why the property is best suited for couples and single business travelers). Second story rooms are replete with walk-out balconies overlooking the river with a bistro table, chairs, and umbrella, while rooms on the first floor are outfitted with balconies with outdoor firepits, a small sofa, and a table, chairs, and umbrella. Bathrooms are appointed with L'Occitane facial cleansing wipes and bath products. Turndown is a showstopping event here. Flickering flameless candles are strategically placed throughout the room and bathtub; a specially-curated Pandora playlist streams from the Tivoli radio; the bed sheets are meticulously folded back while extra pillows are placed in a basket; and the fireplace is turned on. The grand finale? A pair of dark chocolate and cabernet truffle bars or caramel popcorn from nearby Anette's Chocolates placed on the foot of the bed alongside an index card with the next day's forecasted weather and an Irish proverb. A memorable one for me: “A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.” The spa Guests can book a massage in the spa tent located via a footpath at the far end of the property—advanced reservations are recommended through the guest services team or concierge. The tranquil pop-up spot, surrounded by a large grassy area and trees, features two tables, space heaters, spa robes, and a small seating area. The sound of trickling water from a modern fountain located on the lawn in back of the tent provides extra ambiance. The neighborhood/area The property sits 1.1 miles from Oxbow Public Market and Downtown Napa, but feels a world away with pristine manicured lawns, flowing urn fountains, a wooden gazebo, stone walking paths, chaise lounges perched on viewing decks on the bank of the Napa River, and grounds not unlike the English countryside. The service Upon arrival, this place feels different. The teeny team of longtime staff will know your name by heart and your preferences (without being over-the-top or intrusive), and it quite possibly could become the home you never knew you missed, but you'll want to return to every year. Whether it's transportation to the airport, a completely tailored guest itinerary, or a suggestion for a nobody-knows-about-it-yet shop, Latrice McGinnis, part of the guest services team, is the one to ask. Robert Livingston, the general manager, is hands down one of the friendliest and most congenial GMs you'll ever meet. Eco effort All guest rooms have chilled glass water bottles sealed with a tamper-proof recyclable lid. The bottles are refillable at the beverage station in the lobby, and are sanitized and reused, eliminating single-use plastic bottles. All guest room bathrooms are equipped with full-sized dispensers with shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel by L’Occitane. Accessibility While the property does not have a completely ADA-compliant room to highlight, the inn has an ADA-accessible reception desk and a designated van-accessible parking spot. Ground level rooms offer easier wheelchair access, and select rooms are equipped with hand-held showers and shower chairs. There is also a room for the hearing or visually impaired with strobe smoke detectors, a strobe doorbell, and a hearing-impaired telephone. Be sure to ask the front desk for assistance when booking. Anything left to mention? If you forgot your toothbrush, comb, or need a sewing kit, mouthwash, or nail polish remover, there's no need to dash to the nearest CVS. Just put in a request via the iPad, and basically any forgotten amenity is at your disposal, free of charge. Items available on loan include an iPhone charger and electric tea kettle. The gardens, including a large cascading pond, are worth a gander. Take a stroll through the property for a look at the lush landscape. You might even spot a deer or two. At sunset, take a glass of wine outside to one of the seating areas with firepits and the staff will come top off your wine for you. After dinner nearby (there's a list of recommendations according to cuisine on the in-room iPad), return fireside with one of the Inn's comfy blankets and a complimentary s'mores kit." - Jennie Nunn

"For a place that’s meant to be quintessentially romantic, Napa can often feel overwhelming, with its myriad wineries, numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, many winding trails to bike and hike, and hot springs to sooth aching muscles. But at Milliken Creek, the pace finally slows and the checklist disappears. A 12-room inn of classic clapboard buildings nestled between the trees along the picturesque Napa River, it’s the kind of place that induces an instinctive sigh of relief, as if upon arriving home. Honeymooners could easily spend a day in their spacious, luxurious suite, from the moment a freshly cooked gourmet breakfast appears on the riverview terrace until the massage therapist arrives for a couples massage later that afternoon. Then end the day meandering down to the quiet riverfront lounge chairs for a sunset glass of wine. If the pull of one of those Michelin-starred restaurants is too much to resist, the concierge will handle the phone acrobatics required to get a reservation. Not sure which wineries to stop at? The concierge can find a few you’re guaranteed to love, and maybe you’ll even get a private tour. So, pour another glass of wine (or let the visiting vintner of the day do it for you) and take Napa at your own speed."