Fall Re-Fresh in Wine Country: Francis House, Harmon Guest House and Olea Hotel
Author:Annette HanamiThis fall, stay at these new Wine Country destinations that are re-born, or simply revive.
Harmon Guest House, Healdsburg Plaza
The third of Piazza Hospitality’s hotels in Healdsburg, the new 39-room Harmon Guest House is eco-friendly with energy- and water-efficient elements and recycled materials used throughout the clean, organic design by SF architect David Baker Architects. The distinctive slat system reduces solar heat gain through shading while subtly speaking to its sister h2hotel nearby with a similar design in the main lobby stairway and courtyard.
Named after Healdsburg founder Harmon Heald who designed the town’s central plaza as a gathering place, Harmon Guest House was designed with adjoining rooms and suites to welcome families and groups.
All rooms have a private patio or balcony with views of historic town, interior courtyard or the creek-side park. The public areas feature installations by emerging California artists.
Harmon Guest House will also have the town’s first public rooftop bar named The Rooftop at Harmon Guest House, scheduled to open in October. An additional 1,493 square feet of indoor rooftop space is dedicated to private event space in Merritt Hall.
Harmon Guest House. Electric car charging stations and bicycles available for guests. 227 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg.
The Francis House, Calistoga
Photos by Michael Hospelt
Shuttered for over 50 years, the historic The Francis House was respectfully restored and re-envisioned by Dina and Richard Dwyer as a luxury, 5-room inn. Originally built in 1886 for merchant James H. Francis, the National Register landmark is the only stone building in Napa with French Second Empire architecture.
The landscaped grounds are beautiful, with two French limestone fountains complementing the architecture. A separate building holds an infrared sauna and salt room. Inside, original stone walls blend with wide European oak plank floors and understated French-inspired furnishings to create a luxury space. The upstairs rooms feature all the modern amenities, flatscreen TV, wifi and smart phone operable locks on the doors, and Carrara marble and brass bathrooms.
The Francis House is conveniently located to Lincoln Street. Stays include breakfast and wine tasting, and a charging station is available. 1403 Myrtle Street, Calistoga.
Olea Hotel
While the October 2017 fires damaged a part of the Olea Hotel, fortunately, the three main, ca 1900 buildings were saved. Owners Sia and Ashish Patel took the opportunity to remodel the entire property with new landscaping, pool, hot tub and completely revamped interiors by Santa Rosa firm Inspired Spaces. The look is “Mid-Century Modern Luxe”, a fresh contrast to the historic buildings and a statement to a new beginning.
A stay at Olea includes a gourmet two-course plated breakfast and buffet that changes daily. 5131 Warm Springs Road, Glen Ellen
