Fodor's Expert Review Brannan Cottage Inn

A 2014 renovation injected glamour and vintage-yet-modern style into this small inn whose centerpiece is an 1860's cottage from Calistoga's original spa era. Contemporary comfort is the ultimate goal, though, and the innkeepers pride themselves on providing service attuned to individual guests' needs. Green touches abound, most visibly in the LED lighting throughout the property. A tall palm, even taller twin cypresses, and a Siberian elm tree thought to be 300 years old shade the inn.

With two-weeks' notice (sometimes less) groups of four or more can book an old-style afternoon tea (additional fee), complete with fine china, superb teas, and finger sandwiches, deviled eggs, and other teatime classics presented on three-tiered serving trays.

Photo: Elevated Deluxe King room with private deck & fireplace has luxe touches such as Frette linens, illy Espresso maker, flatscreen TV with premium streamed entertainment, ensuite bathroom with heated floors & rain shower. / Brannan Cottage Inn

room

The historic main cottage, pert and Victorian with a gabled roof and gingerbread scrollwork, contains four rooms entered off a wraparound wood-floored porch. Stained oak floors and wainscoting in the cottage rooms recall the 19th century, period electrical switch plates and ornate wallpaper the flapper era. Two spacious contemporary rooms, both with king-size beds, gas fireplaces, and private decks, occupy a separate newer building. All rooms have Simmons pillow-top mattresses and high-thread-count sheets, with guests ranking high among the additional perks the electronics charging stations, Illy espresso machines, refrigerator-freezers, and large flat-screen TVs. A photo depicting old Calistoga hangs in each room.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The two newer rooms can only be accessed by stairs; there's an ADA room on the first floor of the historic section.

Photo: Elevated Deluxe King room with private deck & fireplace has luxe touches such as Frette linens, illy Espresso maker, flatscreen TV with premium streamed entertainment, ensuite bathroom with heated floors & rain shower. / Brannan Cottage Inn

bathroom

Gleaming retro fixtures maintain the period feel in the bathrooms, with the heated tile floors a nice touch in winter. Luxury bath products, rain showers, and other amenities keep 21st-century guests satisfied.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Some bathrooms have showers but no tubs.

lobby

The cottage is the only one of 14 built by Calistoga's entrepreneur-founder Samuel Brannan still on its original site. The former parlor, noteworthy for its 11-foot-high ceilings and 7-foot-tall windows (ripples and imperfections add character to their original glass) serves as a lobby and reception area. A canvas enlargement of an 1871 map of Calistoga shows Brannan's original hot-springs resort, including what's now the Brannan Cottage Inn.

pool

The inn has no pool, but guests have complimentary access to the geothermal-heated swimming pool and hot tub (plus dry sauna and steam room) ¼-mile away at the UpValley Inn & Hot Springs, a sister property.

spa

Theres's no spa here but several facilities are within walking distance (Indian Springs is right across the street), and guests receive a discount at the nearby Baths at Roman Spa.

dining

The innkeepers serve a Continental breakfast—pastries and smoothies are the highlights—just off the lobby. Two antiques of note in the dining area are the antique breakfront where food and drink are set up and the 1880 Guild Church & Co. square grand piano. In good weather you can enjoy your meal outside on the porch or in the garden. Breakfast is the only meal offered at the inn.

drinking

There's no bar, but several are nearby.